Dynamic Multicast Session Provisioning in WDM Optical Networks with Sparse Splitting Capability

In this work, we study dynamic provisioning of multicast sessions in a wavelength-routed sparse splitting capable WDM network with an arbitrary mesh topology where the network consists of nodes with full, partial, or no wavelength conversion capabilities and a node can be a tap-and-continue (TaC) node or a splitting and delivery (SaD) node. The objectives are to minimize the network resources in terms of wavelength-links used by each session and to reduce the multicast session blocking probability. The problem is to route the multicast session from each source to the members of every multicast session, and to assign an appropriate wavelength to each link used by the session. We propose an efficient online algorithm for dynamic multicast session provisioning. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, we apply the integer linear programming (ILP) optimization tool on a per multicast session basis to solve off-line the optimal routing and wavelength assignment given a multicast session and the current network topology as well as its residual network resource information. We formulate the per session multicast routing and wavelength assignment problem as an ILP. With this ILP formulation, the multicast session blocking probability or success probability can then be estimated based on solving a series of ILPs off-line. We have evaluated the effectiveness of the proposed online algorithm via simulation in terms of session blocking probability and network resources used by a session. Simulation results indicate that our proposed computationally efficient online algorithm performs well even when a fraction of the nodes are SaD nodes.     

Correlation between quasi-static and dynamic crack resistance curves

The correlation between the crack resistance measured from dynamic and quasi-static J-R tests has been investigated based on test data from instrumented Charpy impact tests and quasi-static single edge notched bend (SENB) J-R tests.The method originally proposed by Aurich et al. [Analyse und Weiterentwicklung Bruchmechanischer versagenskonzepte--Lokales Risswachstum, Ermittlung des Risswiderstandsverhaltens aus der Kerbslagarbeit. BAM Forschungsbericht 192, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-89429-329-2], to develop a correlation coefficient between the net fracture resistance of Charpy V-notch (ISO) and quasi-static compact tension tests, was extended to establish correlations between so-called ductile-brittle transition fracture resistance curves obtained from instrumented Charpy V-notched (ISO) and fatigue precracked impact tests and quasi-static SENB J-R fracture resistance tests.The correlation between the dynamic and quasi-static crack resistance with regard to practical application to fracture assessments appears to be reasonably consistent, bearing in mind the inherent scatter in crack resistance data in general. The findings of the present research project from testing of ship grade NVE 36 and pressure vessel steel to ASTM A516 Gr. 70 as well as two weldments in the NVE 36 steel, are in excellent agreement with the results of the research conducted by Aurich et al. [Analyse und Weiterentwicklung Bruchmechanischer versagenskonzepte--Lokales Risswachstum, Ermittlung des Risswiderstandsverhaltens aus der Kerbslagarbeit. BAM Forschungsbericht 192, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-89429-329-2] for structural and pressure vessel steels to the German DIN standard steels including St 52-3, StE 355 and StE 460.     

Materials and processes for implementing high-temperature liquid interconnects

This paper describes the results of a study investigating liquid solder joints at elevated temperatures (up to 200/spl deg/C). The reactions of eutectic 52In/48Sn solder, which melts at 118/spl deg/C, with various metal barrier layers is presented. The main emphasis of the research was to find a combination of solder and substrate metallization which has good adhesion strength but also remains stable during temperature cycling and high-temperature storage when the solder is molten. Intermetallic growth rates and solder-substrate adhesion strength have been measured for a range of potential barrier layers including Ni, Cr, Pt, Ti, V, Nb, Ta, and W. Of these, only Nb was found to have acceptable properties for a high-temperature barrier layer to In/Sn solder. Other aspects of liquid solder interconnections that have been studied include stability of the molten solder-underfill interface under electrical bias and retention of electrical contact during vibration and phase change. Plastic ball grid array (PBGA) devices have been assembled with Nb barrier layers and liquid solder joints and their reliability during temperature cycling (-20/spl deg/C to +180/spl deg/C) has been compared to PBGA joints with Sn95.5/Ag4/Cu0.5 solder balls.     

Gravity pipe flow of polymeric bulk solids in pneumatic conveying system

Various physical parameters of gravity pipes such as gravity pipe diameter, the inclination of the gravity pipe, the cone angle, temperature of the discharged material and the rate of air counter flow into the gravity pipe were studied. The results obtained from the pipe diameter and cone angle experiments showed that the mass flow rate was proportional to (D-1.4d)^2.5 and also to θ^-0.5. The results from the pipe inclination experiment showed the existence of an angle of inclination for maximum flow, which was also reported by Wieghardt [Uber einige versuche an stromungen in sand. Ingenieur Archived 20, 109-115]. The air flow experiment also showed that the mass flow rate was inversely proportional to the air counter-flow rate, and strongly influenced by the material properties. Results from the temperature experiment showed that the temperature of the material had slight effect on the mass flow rate for the temperature range that was used in the experiment. Flow visualization images showed formation of solid plugs in the pipe that played a part in influencing the behaviour and mass flow rate of solids in the system.     

A comparative evaluation of low-cycle fatigue behavior of type 316LN base metal, 316 weld metal,and 316LN/316 weld joint

A comparative evaluation of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of type 316LN base metal, 316 weld metal, and 316LN/316 weld joints was carried out at 773 and 873 K. Total strain-controlled LCF tests were conducted at a constant strain rate of 3 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ with strain amplitudes in the range ±0.20 to ±1.0 pct. Weld pads with single V and double V configuration were prepared by the shielded metal-arc welding (SMAW) process using 316 electrodes for weld-metal and weld-joint specimens. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the untested and tested samples were carried out to elucidate the deformation and the fracture behavior. The cyclic stress response of the base metal shows a very rapid hardening to a maximum stress followed by a saturated stress response. Weld metal undergoes a relatively short initial hardening followed by a gradual softening regime. Weld joints exhibit an initial hardening and a subsequent softening regime at all strain amplitudes, except at low strain amplitudes where a saturation regime is noticed. The initial hardening observed in base metal has been attributed to interaction between dislocations and solute atoms/complexes and cyclic saturation to saturation in the number density of slip bands. From TEM, the cyclic softening in weld metal was ascribed to the annihilation of dislocations during LCF. Type 316LN base metal exhibits better fatigue resistance than weld metal at 773 K, whereas the reverse holds true at 873 K. The weld joint shows the lowest life at both temperatures. The better fatigue resistance of weld metal is related to the brittle transformed delta ferrite structure and the high density of dislocations at the interface, which inhibits the growth rate of cracks by deflecting the crack path. The lower fatigue endurance of the weld joint was ascribed to the shortening of the crack initiation phase caused by surface intergranular crack initiation and to the poor crack propagation resistance of the coarse-grained region in the heat-affected zone.     

High temperature low cycle fatigue

Fatigue at high temperature is a complex phenomenon as it is influenced by a number of time-dependent processes which become important at elevated temperatures. These processes include creep, oxidation, phase instabilities and dynamic strain ageing (DSA), acting either independently or synergistically influence fatigue behaviour, often lowering the fatigue life. Current design approaches employ linear summation of fatigue and creep damage with suitable factors on permissible damage to take care of uncertainties in interaction between cyclic and time-dependent processes. It is, therefore, important to develop a deeper understanding of the processes that occur during high temperature fatigue so that realistic life predictions could be made. Results on the high temperature fatigue behaviour of austenitic stainless steels, ferritic steels and nickel base alloys are presented here. The important mechanisms of interaction of high temperature time-dependent processes with fatigue under various conditions are discussed in detail. Emphasis is placed on cyclic stress response, fatigue life, deformation substructure and fracture behaviour. This is followed by a review of important life prediction techniques under combined creep-fatigue loading conditions. Life prediction techniques considered here include linear damage summation, strain range partitioning, ductility exhaustion approach, frequency modified and frequency separation methods, techniques based on hysteresis energy and damage rate models, and methods based on crack-cavitation interation models.     

Surface integrity when machining age hardened Inconel 718 with coated carbide cutting tools

Considerable attention has been given to the use of ceramic cutting tools for improving productivity in the machining of heat resistant super alloys (HRSA). However, because of their negative influence on the surface integrity, ceramic tools are generally avoided particularly for finishing applications. As a result the main high end manufacturers are more or less dependent on carbide cutting tools for finishing operations. Still the improper use of carbide cutting tools can also result in poor surface integrity. The objective of this investigation is to develop a set of guidelines, which will assist the selection of the appropriate cutting tools and conditions for generating favorable compressive residual stresses. This paper specifically deals with residual stresses and surface finish components of surface integrity when machining (facing) age hardened Inconel 718 using two grades of coated carbide cutting tools specifically developed for machining HRSAs. The cutting conditions were obtained from investigations based on optimum tool performance. The effect of insert shape, cutting edge preparation, type and nose radius on both residual stresses and surface finish was studied at this optimum cutting condition. This investigation, suggested that coated carbide cutting tool inserts of round shape, chamfered cutting edge preparation, negative type and small nose radius (0.8 mm) and coolant will generate primarily compressive residual stresses.     

Topography of the flank wear surface

In many applications, topography represents the main external features of a surface. This paper describes the topography of the flank wear surface and also presents the relationship between the maximum flank wear and the topography parameters (roughness parameters) of the flank wear surface during the turning operation. A modern CNC lathe machine (Okuma LH35-N) was used for the machine turning operation. Three-dimensional surface roughness parameters of the flank wear surface were measured by a surface texture instrument (from Talysurf series) using surface topography software (Talymap). Based on the resulting experimental data, it is found that as the flank wear increases, the roughness parameters (sR_a, sR_q, and sR_t) on the flank surface increase significantly. The greater the roughness value of the flank wear surface, the higher the friction of the tool on the workpiece and the greater the heat generation that will occur, thus ultimately causing tool failure. On the other hand, positive skewness (sR_sk) indicates the presence of a small number of spikes on the flank surface of the cutting tool, which could quickly wear off during the machining process.     

Thermal error measurement and modelling in machine tools.: Part I. Influence of varying operating conditions

Thermal error in machine tools has been observed to be closely linked to the temperature of critical elements of the machine. It was found, in the experiments conducted herein, that there was a significant increase in the axis positioning error on account of an increase in the temperature of the machine elements due to continuous operation. However, it was also observed that the specific operating parameters of the test cycles carried out also significantly affected the positioning error. Different sets of operating parameters generated significantly different error values even though the temperature of the machine elements generated by those operating conditions was similar. As such, this observation forms a very important consideration in the development of a generic thermal error compensation system. It appears to indicate that such a system needs to be capable of evaluating the compensation depending upon the temperature values of the machine elements as well as account for the effect that different operating parameters induce upon the positioning error under the same thermal condition of the machine. This paper attempts to analyse the thermal behaviour of a three-axis vertical machining centre under the influence of various operating parameters and, through the experimental results obtained, point out and explain the effect of these parameters on the axis positioning error. This behaviour forms the basis of an improved modelling methodology that is presented separately in Part II of this paper.