A method developed to quantify lime and gypsum consumed by mineral additions

This paper presents an original method developed to quantify the reactivity of mineral additions based on the measurement of the lime (CaO) and gypsum (CaSO₄, 2H₂O) consumed by mineral additions in a paste. Three mineral additions were tested: a Siliceous Filler (SF), a natural pozzolan (Poz) and a Wastepaper Sludge Ash (WSA). The results obtained on SF, considered as a reference, show the efficiency of this method. Its application to Poz and WSA permits the quantity of lime and gypsum consumed by these additions to be evaluated and, thus, the amount of each component to be optimized in Hydraulic Road Binders.     

Evaluation of minimum zone for flatness by normal plane method and simplex search

This paper presents an optimization approach for evaluating the minimum zone flatness for a data set obtained from a Coordinate Measuring Machine. The search for the minimum zone is performed in the parameter space of a plane. The perpendicular distance (p) from the origin to a normal plane intersecting each point in the data set is determined. The difference between the maximum 'p' and the minimum 'p' for a particular set of parameters (direction cosine angles) determines the minimum zone for flatness. The parameters defining the orientation of a plane through each point in the data set are searched systematically. The set of parameters that determine the minimum zone is found by simplex search. The new method is applied to six example data sets and the results are compared with other methods.     

纳米羟基磷灰石/壳聚糖复合骨修复材料的共沉淀法制备及其性能表征

通过共沉淀法制备了纳米羟基磷灰石/壳聚糖复合骨修复材料,并采用 TEM、IR、XRD、TGA 及万能材料试验机等手段对材料进行分析表征,还通过对材料的燃烧试验研究了复合材料中两相间的分散均匀性。结果表明:复合材料中的羟基磷灰石为类似于自然骨矿物相的弱结晶含碳酸纳米晶体,并均匀分散于有机相壳聚糖中;复合后壳聚糖在 1655cm-1的酰胺Ⅰ谱带和 1599cm-1 的—NH2 吸收峰均向低波数方向移动,暗示复合材料中两相间发生了相互作用。复合材料的力学性能较之两种单组分材料有明显的改善,当纳米羟基磷灰石/壳聚糖重量比为 70/30 时,复合材料的抗压强度最高,达120MPa左右,可满足骨组织修复与替代材料的要求。     

A developed method for producing in situ TiC/Al composites by using quick preheating treatment and ultrasonic vibration

Quick preheating treatment of Al–Ti–C was introduced in the fabrication of in situ TiC/Al metal matrix composites in our research. Al–Ti–C pellets were preheated in the furnace at 750 °C, in which the pure aluminum was melted. After adding the preheated pellets into the molten aluminum, the thermal explosion reaction of Al–Ti–C took place in a short time. In situ TiC particles synthesized in the pure molten aluminum were spherical in morphology and most of which were smaller than 1 μm in size. The synthesizing temperature of in situ TiC/Al composites was decreased significantly by using the quick preheating treatment, at least 150 °C lower than those used in the conventional methods. In addition, high-intensity ultrasonic vibration was applied into the melt to disperse TiC particle-reinforcement into the matrix and degas the melt as well. In situ TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the matrix, and the porosity in the composites was below 1% due to the effect of ultrasonic vibration. Furthermore, the microhardness test indicated that a homogeneous microstructure of in situ TiC/Al composite was obtained.     

基于振动响应内积向量和数据融合的结构损伤检测方法试验研究

提出了一种基于振动响应内积向量(Inner Product Vector, IPV)和数据融合的损伤检测方法,并进行了相应的验证试验研究。分别以随机信号和正弦信号对结构进行激励,利用加速度传感器采集结构的振动响应信号,计算结构的损伤指标,然后利用数据融合理论将结构各参考点下的损伤指标进行融合。损伤检测的验证试验结果表明,结合数据融合理论后,能够避免原始IPV方法中参考点选取对检测准确度的影响问题,并能准确进行损伤定位。两组不同激振信号的检测结果对比显示,数据融合对外激励为正弦信号的检测结果的准确度提升更为显著。     

Evaluation by a finite element method of the flexibility factor and fixity degree for the base plate connections commonly used

Using finite element approach, we have determined the flexibility factor and fixity degree of connections between a steel column and a reinforced concrete foundation. Two types of connections are studied. The first one consists of a base plate welded to the end of column and attached to the reinforced concrete foundation by two anchor bolts. These bolts are placed on the major axis of the I-shaped section used as column. In the second configuration, the connection comprises a base plate and four anchor bolts placed out side the flanges of the I-shaped section. Two types of loadings are used, first connections were subjected to shear force and a bending moment, in the second case, the connections were subjected to shear force, a bending moment and an axial compressive force. To take into account the real behavior of these connections, an approach treating of the contact-friction problem between the base plate and the concrete foundation is retained. The method of approach is based on a unilateral contact law in which a Coulomb friction is added. The numerical resolution is ensured by the refined Lagrangian method. The moments-rotations curves, the flexibility factor according to the distance of the top of base plate curves are drawn. The fixity degrees of the connections are determinate and their influence on the loads and deformations are evaluated. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 6, pp. 35–50, November–December, 2007.     

Improvement of bit error rate and page alignment in the holographic data storage system by using the structural similarity method

Although widely recognized as a promising candidate for the next generation of data storage devices, holographic data storage systems (HDSS) incur adverse effects such as noise, misalignment, and aberration. Therefore, based on the structural similarity (SSIM) concept, this work presents a more accurate locating approach than the gray level weighting method (GLWM). Three case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Case 1 focuses on achieving a high performance of a Fourier lens in HDSS, Cases 2 and 3 replace the Fourier lens with a normal lens to decrease the quality of the HDSS, and Case 3 demonstrates the feasibility of a defocus system in the worst-case scenario. Moreover, the bit error rate (BER) is evaluated in several average matrices extended from the located position. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed SSIM method renders a more accurate centering and a lower BER, lower BER of 2 dB than those of the GLWM in Cases 1 and 2, and BER of 1.5 dB in Case 3.     

Creep-rupture prediction for steels and alloys by parametric methods and the base diagram method. Part 1. Interpolation analysis of experimental data

Results of interpolation analysis of over 1000 creep-rupture diagrams by the Larson-Miller, Manson-Haferd, and Orr-Sherby-Dorn parametric methods and the base diagram method are presented. Prediction accuracy is shown to be essentially improved by applying special systems analysis of known experimental data. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 5, pp. 90–108, September–October, 2006.     

Creep-rupture prediction for steels and alloys by parametric methods and the base diagram method. Part 2. Extrapolation analysis of experimental data

Results of extrapolation analysis of over 250 creep-rupture diagrams by the Larson-Miller, Manson-Haferd, Orr-Sherby-Dorn methods and the base diagram method are presented. It is established that the use of extrapolation calculations instead of interpolation ones may lead to a two-fourfold increase in prediction errors. The reasons for a considerable increase in prediction errors and possibilities of their elimination are analyzed. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 6, pp. 30–42, November–December, 2006.     

Photolytic decolorization of Rose Bengal by UV/H(2)O(2) and data optimization using response surface method

Rose Bengal (C.I. name is Acid Red 94) was irradiated with UV light in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The photoinduced decolorization of the dye was monitored spectrophotometrically. The apparent rate of decolorization was calculated from the observed absorption data and was found to be pseudo first order. A systematic study of the effect of dye concentration and H(2)O(2) concentration on the kinetics of dye decolorization was also carried out. Dye decolorization increased with increasing H(2)O(2) concentration and decreasing dye concentration. The maximum dye decolorization was determined as 90% with 0.005 mM dye at optimum 0.042 M H(2)O(2) and pH 6.6. Additionally, the effect on decolorization of this dye in the presence of some additives (ions) was also investigated. It was seen that sulphite caused a maximum effect on % decolorization of the dye solution. A plausible explanation involving the probable radical initiated mechanism was given to explain the dye decolorization. The experimental data was also optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). According to ANOVA results, the proposed model can be used to navigate the design space. It was found that the response of Rose Bengal degradation is very sensitive to the independent factors of dye concentration, H(2)O(2) concentration, pH and reaction time. The proposed model for D-optimal design fitted very well with the experimental data with R(2) and R(adj)(2) correlation coefficients of 0.85 and 0.80, respectively.     

Full-aperture wavefront reconstruction from annular subaperture interferometric data by use of Zernike annular polynomials and a matrix method for testing large aspheric surfaces

We propose a more accurate and efficient reconstruction method used in testing large aspheric surfaces with annular subaperture interferometry. By the introduction of the Zernike annular polynomials that are orthogonal over the annular region, the method proposed here eliminates the coupling problem in the earlier reconstruction algorithm based on Zernike circle polynomials. Because of the complexity of recurrence definition of Zernike annular polynomials, a general symbol representation of that in a computing program is established. The program implementation for the method is provided in detail. The performance of the reconstruction algorithm is evaluated in some pertinent cases, such as different random noise levels, different subaperture configurations, and misalignments.     

The role of exposure on differences in driver death rates by gender and age: Results of a quasi-induced method on crash data in Spain

AimPart of the differences by age and gender in driver death rates from traffic injuries depends on the amount of exposure (km/year travelled). Unfortunately, direct indicators of exposure are not available in many countries. Our aim was to compare the age and gender differences in death rates with and without adjustment by exposure using a quasi-induced exposure approach in Spain, during 2004–2012.MethodsCrude and adjusted death rate ratios (CDRR and ADRR, respectively) were calculated for each age and gender group. To obtain the latter estimates, in accordance with quasi-exposure reasoning, the number of registered drivers was replaced by the number of non-infractor drivers, passively involved in collisions with another vehicle whose driver committed an infraction. 18–29 years and female drivers were chosen as the reference categories for age and gender.ResultsStriking differences were found between CDRR and ADRR estimates. When CDRR were estimated, we found the highest traffic mortality among the youngest drivers, except for females in non-urban roads. ADRR however showed the highest mortality among the oldest groups, especially in females, peaking among drivers >74 years in all types of roads. Regarding differences by gender, both estimates revealed higher traffic mortality in males, although the differences were much smaller when using ADRR. CDRR and ADRR for males tended to converge as age increased.ConclusionsDeath risk from traffic injuries among drivers is clearly influenced by the amount of exposure. These findings further emphasize the need to obtain direct traffic exposure estimates by subgroups of drivers.