Phase diagrams beyond the critical point

Following a path in the usual p‐T‐diagrams of one‐component systems via the supercritical region it seems that one can make a transition from the liquid to the gas phase (and in reverse) without traversing a phase boundary curve, whereas in the sub‐critical region one clearly has to pass a phase boundary curve. To solve this paradox situation, the phase diagrams of one‐component systems are analyzed with respect to the phase transition from the liquid to the gas state in the sub‐ and supercritical range. It is shown that the critical point is not an isolated point or an end point on the phase boundary curve between the gaseous and the liquid phase in a p‐T‐diagram. Instead, it marks on the boundary curve just the transition between the section of a first order phase transition in the sub‐critical range and the section of a second or higher order phase transition in the supercritical range. Thus, the present phase diagrams of one‐component systems are incomplete with respect to the phase boundary curve between liquid and gas in the supercritical region. The result is illustrated using the model of a van der Waals gas.     

Redistribution of internal forces in the lateral bracing system / Schnittgrößenumlagerungen bei der Gebäudeaussteifung

The lateral bracing system of a building should ensure the stability of the building, in terms of the usability and the total load capacity. The governing loads for the lateral bracing system are horizontal loads due to wind and earthquake. The horizontal loads are traditionally distributed to the bracing elements according to the uncracked elastic state dependent on the bending stiffness in the elastic (uncracked) state. This method does not allow consideration of non‐linear effects and load redistribution. Within the framework of the PRB Research Cooperation – Improving the Practical Use of Structural Design Standards through pre‐normative work – Subcontract 5: Masonry Construction, Subproject 3: “Large Shear Walls” [7], the cracked or plastic state can be taken into account through a displacement based approach. A matrix formulation for both the linear and cracked states has been derived and implemented.     

Zur Ermittlung der Normalkraft‐Verlängerung und Moment‐Krümmung‐Beziehungen der Stahlbetonbauteile im Grenzzustand der Gebrauchstauglichkei

Die Nachweise zur Begrenzung der Verformungen von Stahlbetonbauteilen sind infolge der Verwendung von Baustoffen höherer Festigkeiten immer wichtiger geworden, oft sogar maßgebend. Eine Verdopplung der Betondruckfestigkeit eines normalen Betons ruft eine etwa 20%ige Erhöhung des E_c‐Moduls hervor aber keine des Betonstahls, da E_s konstant ist. Dies und die dementsprechend schlanker gewordenen Stahlbetonbauteile führen zu größeren Verformungen – Verlängerungen, Durchbiegungen und/oder Verdrehungen – die deren Verhalten beeinträchtigen können. Die für die Ermittlung der Verformungen benötigten “Normalkraft‐mittlere Dehnungslinien”, bzw. “Moment‐mittlere Krümmungslinien” werden erläutert. About the Calculation of Displacements of Reinforced Concrete Members in the Serviceability Limit State The verification of reinforced concrete elements for the purpose of limiting deformations has become increasingly important, often even decisive, as a result of the use of higher strength materials. A doubling of the compressive strength of a normal concrete causes an increase of about 20% in the E_c‐module, and none of reinforcing steel, because E_s is constant. This and, accordingly, the slender reinforced concrete elements lead to larger deformations – elongations, deflections and/or rotations – which may affect their behaviour. The determination of “axial tensile force – mean strain diagrams”, respectively “bending moment – mean curvature diagrams”, needed for the calculation of the displacements, is explained.     

Correlation between precipitate microstructure and mechanical properties in AA7075‐T6 aluminum alloy friction stir welded joints

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of friction stir welded AA7075‐T6 aluminum alloy were examined. Grain structure and precipitate evolution in the stir zone and heat‐affected zone were evaluated using optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry. A significant grain refinement and dissolution of η′ precipitates in the stir zone were found, but chromium‐bearing dispersoids remained nearly unchanged. The main particles in the stir zone and heat‐affected zone were η precipitates as well as Guinier‐Preston zones formed during post‐weld natural aging. The small recrystallized grains were observed in the thermo‐mechanically affected zone next to the stir zone. A W‐shaped hardness distribution where soft region was produced in the heat‐affected zone at a short distance from the stir zone were obtained. Hardness profiles of the welds were explained by precipitate distributions. Friction stir welding resulted in the reversion and coarsening of η′ precipitates. The formation of Guinier‐Preston zones in the stir zone and some parts of the heat‐affected zone during post‐weld natural aging increased the hardness. In transverse tensile specimens, fracture occurred in a location with the minimum hardness at either advancing or retreating side randomly. Further, influences of welding parameters on mechanical properties were investigated.     

Thermomechanical treatment of A380 aluminum alloy for globular thixo feedstock

The main aim of this paper is to present and evaluate thermomechanical treatment for semi-solid feedstock production of A380 (AlSi₉Cu₃(Fe)) aluminum alloy. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is used to heavily deform and refine as cast dendritic microstructure with needle like eutectic appearance. The deformed microstructure is easily changed to globular microstructure by recovery and recrystallization mechanisms during heating at the semi-solid temperature range which is a crucial factor for quality semi-solid feedstock preparation. The microstructural evolutions investigations during semi-solid heating at different holding times is carried out utilizing optical microscope and scanning electron microscope accompanied by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Homogeneous distribution of the silicon particles and intermetallic compounds around globular primary aluminum phase is observed. The used approach is appropriate and seems highly promising for preparation of the quality semi-solid feedstock.     

Risiko-orientiertes Asset-Management

Forced by pressure from the regulatory authorities, network operators in the liberalized market are increasingly confronted with the need to reduce maintenance costs and expenses for replacement investments while ensuring system availability determined by performance indices in parallel. Measures to enhance efficiency alone do not suffice to fulfil these requirements. Rather, risk-based asset management is well suited to reduce costs while ensuring network quality at the same time. It analyzes the reliability and (economic) importance of operating resources and estimates the monetary risk assessed over a longer timeframe. With the proven-in-practice risk-based asset management methodology developed jointly by A.T. Kearney and Salzburg AG, Austria, savings of approximately 15% of the controllable costs in the network can be achieved with nearly constant risk.