A technique for studying interacting cracks of complex geometry in 2D

A method for studying brittle fracture in an infinite plate containing interacting cracks of complex shape under general loading conditions is developed and studied for accuracy and potential applications. This technique is based on superposition and dislocation theory and can be used to determine the full stress and displacement fields in a cracked body. In addition, stress intensity factors at both crack tips and wedges, created by crack kinking and branching, are calculated so that crack growth and initiation can be analyzed at these locations of possible crack propagation. Such information can then be used to study damage accumulation in structures containing a large number of interacting cracks.     

二维层状地基波阻板隔振分析

为了研究层状地基中波阻板的隔振效果，基于薄层法在研究层状介质中波的传播问题的高效性、边界单元法处理无限域问题的精确性，结合两种方法的优点，本文采用以薄层法层状半空间基本解答作为格林函数的边界元法，分别对上软下硬和上硬下软两种层状半空间地基中波阻板的隔振效果进行分析。研究表明：增加波阻板的厚度、提高波阻板的弹性模量可以显著提高隔振效果；分层土体厚度和土性对于水平和竖向的位移振幅衰减系数有较大影响。     

Efficient computation of the Green's function and its derivatives for three-dimensional anisotropic elasticity in BEM analysis

An alternative scheme to compute the Green's function and its derivatives for three dimensional generally anisotropic elastic solids is presented in this paper. These items are essential in the formulation of the boundary element method (BEM); their evaluation has remained a subject of interest because of the mathematical complexity. The Green's function considered here is the one introduced by Ting and Lee [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 1997; 50: 407–26] which is of real-variable, explicit form expressed in terms of Stroh's eigenvalues. It has received attention in BEM only quite recently. By taking advantage of the periodic nature of the spherical angles when it is expressed in the spherical coordinate system, it is proposed that this Green's function be represented by a double Fourier series. The Fourier coefficients are determined numerically only once for a given anisotropic material; this is independent of the number of field points in the BEM analysis. Derivatives of the Green's function can be performed by direct spatial differentiation of the Fourier series. The resulting formulations are more concise and simpler than those derived analytically in closed form in previous studies. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the veracity and superior efficiency of the scheme, particularly when the number of field points is very large, as is typically the case when analyzing practical three dimensional engineering problems.     

Global optimization analysis of slope stability by simulated annealing with dynamic bounds and Dirac function

In slope stability analysis, the search for the minimum factor of safety is a difficult NP-hard global minimization problem as the objective function is non-smooth and non-convex and there are multiple local minima. The use of a simulated annealing method where the control variables are controlled within dynamic domains instead of the conventional static domains is proposed. A simple transformation technique for slopes with a soft band domain (equivalent to a Dirac function) is also proposed. With these improvements, the minimum factor of safety for complicated problems can be determined with high accuracy and reasonable computer time. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated to be efficient and effective for various difficult problems.     

Combined plasticity and creep analysis in 2D by means of the boundary element method

This work presents a formulation to make a combined analysis of plasticity and creep in two-dimensional (2D) using the Boundary Element Method. This new approach is developed to combine the constitutive equation for time hardening creep and the constitutive equation for plasticity, the latter based on the Von Misses criterion and the Prandtl–Reuss flow. The implementation of creep strain in the formulation is achieved through domain integrals. The creep phenomenon takes place in the domain which is discretized into quadratic quadrilateral continuous and discontinuous cells. The creep analysis is applied to metals with a power law creep for the secondary creep stage. The results, obtained with reference to three models, show a good agreement when compared to those published in the literature. This finding shows that the Boundary Element Method is a suitable tool to deal with combined nonlinear problems.     

溅射后退火簇状GaN纳米棒的生长及其镁的作用

采用磁控溅射技术先在硅衬底上制备Ga2O3/Mg薄膜,然后在1000℃时于流动的氨气中进行氨化反应制备GaN薄膜.X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、选区电子衍射(SAED)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)的结果表明采用此方法得到了六方纤锌矿结构的GaN单晶纳米棒.通过扫描电镜(SEM)观察发现纳米棒的形貌,纳米棒的直径在200～600nm之间.我们对镁层的作用进行了简单探讨.     

Application of the renormalization group technique to the problem of phase transition in one-dimensional metallic systems. I. Invariant couplings,vertex, and one-particle Green's function

A one-dimensional system of electrons interacting via a BCS-type interaction is investigated by renormalization group techniques in two successive approximations atT=0, keeping only a single energy variable . The first approximation is equivalent to the summation of leading logarithmic terms carried out by Bychkovet al., and correspondingly the vertex function displays a singularity at a finite value of . The second approximation accounts for the next leading logarithmic terms as well, and by this means the singularity is shown to be pushed down to =0. Due to important self-energy contributions, however, the invariant couplings behave differently and tend to a saturation value at =0.     

The libron spectra and conversion as a function of ortho-para concentration in solid H2 and D2

A study of the Raman scattering spectra of orientationally ordered ortho-H₂ and para -D₂ as a function of J = 0 impurities is presented. Libron peak frequencies over the concentration region 0.75 <c ₁< 0.98 are determined and show a linear concentration dependence that can be represented by the relation (1)[1 – K(1 – c₁)]. A least squares fit of our data gives values of K = 1.27 ± 0.05, 1.28 ± 0.05, and 0.96 ± 0.05 in D₂ where = E _g, T _g ⁽¹⁾ , and T _g ⁽²⁾ , respectively, and K 1.32 ± 0.05 and 0.97 ± 0.05 for the E _g and T _g ⁽²⁾ modes in H₂. Results are compared to the values calculated by Diehl et al. using the coherent potential approximation for the J = 0 impurity problem. Extrapolated values for (1) were obtained that are slightly higher than those given by Hardy, Silvera, and McTague, resulting in an increased value for the effective interaction parameter _eff. Conversion rates for H₂ and D₂ are determined, resulting in k _H2 = 0.0193 ± 0.0007h^–1 and k _D2 = 0.00063 ± 0.0001 h^–1.Supported by the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM).     

Study of aging in oil paintings by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is proposed as an efficient analytical tool in the study of painted artworks. The binding medium from two original oil paintings, dated from the early 20th and the late 17th century, was studied via high-resolution 1D and 2D NMR, establishing the advanced state of hydrolysis and oxidation of the oil paint. Studies of the solvent-extractable component from model samples of various drying oils, raw oil paints, and aged oil paints allowed the definition of several markers based on the integral ratios of various chemical species present in the 1H and 13C NMR spectra. These markers are sensitive to hydrolytic and oxidative processes that reflect the extent of aging in oil paintings. The rapidity, simplicity, and nondestructive nature of the proposed analytical NMR methodology represents a great advantage, since the usually minute sample quantities available from original artwork can be subsequently analyzed further by other analytical techniques, if necessary.     

Shape assessment of particles in concrete technology: 2D image analysis and 3D stereological extrapolation

A survey is given of stereology-based two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) approaches to shape assessment of embedded or non-embedded particles. Firstly, the development is outlined of global parameters characterizing geometric structure of cementitious materials. Secondly, these parameters are combined to yield effective shape estimators to be applied to section images of embedded particles or to projection images of non-embedded particles. This application can be just 2D, denoted as quantitative image analysis, giving information on what is displayed of the particle(s) in the section or projection image plane only. However, the researcher should strive for geometrical–statistical (stereological) extrapolation of the 2D observations to the real world’s third dimension. This is demonstrated superior over the 2D approach, however, requires a careful sampling strategy for providing representative information on structure.     

Numerical simulation of sedimentation in the presence of 2D compressible convection and reconstruction of the particle-radius distribution function

Numerical simulation of the sedimentation of a polydisperse suspension in a convectively unstable medium is presented. For the simulation of 2D compressible convection, the full system of hydrodynamic equations is solved by the explicit MacCormack scheme. Velocities and positions of suspension particles are calculated simultaneously with the solution of the equations. Initially, the particles are randomly distributed in the computational region. The total weight of sedimented matter is recorded during the numerical experiment. The results are compared with the sedimentation of the same suspension without convection. To reconstruct the particle-radius distribution function from the sedimentation curve, a new method is used. This method is based on the solution of the sedimentation integral equation by the Tikhonov regularization method and was recently developed by the author. To illustrate this technique, sedimentation of cement powder in air is simulated. The suspension contains 50000 particles. The particle radii are assumed to be log-normally distributed. Heat-driven convection is completely determined by the top and bottom boundary temperatures of the computational region and lateral boundary conditions. It is shown that convective motions of a medium with sedimented particles lead to the following effect: the fine disperse fraction of the suspension remains suspended much longer than without convection. Some particles will not sediment at all. The maximum radius of the particles of this fraction depends on the convection parameters (e.g. on convection cell size and convection velocities). These parameters, in their turn, depend only on the temperature difference of the top and bottom boundaries. The results of these calculations can be applied in geology and meteorology for studying dust sedimentation in air as well as in technology. Heat-driven convection can be used for separation of suspensions with the cut-off particle radius depending on temperature difference only.     

A bridging transition technique for the combination of meshfree method with finite element method in 2D solids and structures

For certain continuum problems, it is desirable and beneficial to combine two different methods together in order to exploit their advantages while evading their disadvantages. In this paper, a bridging transition algorithm is developed for the combination of the meshfree method (MM) with the finite element method (FEM). In this coupled method, the MM is used in the sub-domain where the MM is required to obtain high accuracy, and the FEM is employed in other sub-domains where FEM is required to improve the computational efficiency. The MM domain and the FEM domain are connected by a transition (bridging) region. A modified variational formulation and the Lagrange multiplier method are used to ensure the compatibility of displacements and their gradients. To improve the computational efficiency and reduce the meshing cost in the transition region, regularly distributed transition particles, which are independent of either the meshfree nodes or the FE nodes, can be inserted into the transition region. The newly developed coupled method is applied to the stress analysis of 2D solids and structures in order to investigate its’ performance and study parameters. Numerical results show that the present coupled method is convergent, accurate and stable. The coupled method has a promising potential for practical applications, because it can take advantages of both the MM and FEM when overcome their shortcomings.     

Study of thermal dynamics of defatted bovine serum albumin in D2O solution by Fourier transform infrared spectra and evolving factor analysis

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra have been measured for defatted bovine serum albumin (BSA) in D(2)O with a concentration of 2.0 wt % over a temperature range of 26-90 degrees C and the corresponding difference spectra have been calculated by subtracting the contribution of D(2)O at the same temperature. Evolving factor analysis (EFA) by selecting two factors and three factors has been employed to analyze the temperature-dependent difference IR spectra in the 1700-1600 cm(-1) spectral region of the defatted BSA in D(2)O solution. Three-factor EFA has been employed to determine the distinction of the three protein species involved in the process of temperature elevation: native, transitional, and denatured protein. The temperature profiles obtained from three-factor EFA indicate that heat-induced conformational change in the secondary structures of defatted BSA in D(2)O undergoes two two-state transitions, a drastic transition and a slight transition, which occur in the temperature ranges of 68-82 degrees C and 56-76 degrees C, respectively.     

Flow injection analysis of H2O2 in natural waters using acridinium ester chemiluminescence: method development and optimization using a kinetic model

Chemiluminescence (CL) of acridinium esters (AE) has found widespread use in analytical chemistry. Using the mechanism of the reaction of H2O2 with 10-methyl-9-(p-formylphenyl)acridinium carboxylate trifluoromethanesulfonate and a modified flow injection system, the reaction rates of each step in the mechanism were evaluated and used in a kinetic model to optimize the analysis of H2O2. Operational parameters for a flow injection analysis system (reagent pH, flow rate, sample volume, PMT settings) were optimized using the kinetic model. The system is most sensitive to reaction pH due to competition between AE hydrolysis and CL. The optimized system was used to determine H2O2 concentrations in natural waters, including rain, freshwater, and seawater. The lower limit of detection varied in natural waters, from 352 pM in open ocean seawater (mean, 779 pM +/- 15.0%, RSD) to 58.1 nM in rain (mean, 6,340 nM +/- 0.92%, RSD). The analysis is specific for H2O2 and is therefore of potential interest for atmospheric chemistry applications where organoperoxides have been reported in the presence of H2O2.     

Light scattering by dust particles in microgravity: polarization and brightness imaging with the new version of the PROGRA2 instrument

A new version of the PROGRA2 instrument, dedicated to measuring the polarization phase function of various kinds of solid particles, allows obtaining maps of polarization and brightness with a spatial resolution of a few tens of micrometers. The measurements are conducted in microgravity during parabolic flights to ensure random distribution and orientation of the particles. The results of the first two sessions are presented. Comparison between measurements and Mie theory modeling for glass spheres shows that the instrument works well and that accurate results can be obtained even at small phase angles. Results for irregularly shaped particles are also presented.     

Preparation and non-linear optical properties of CdS quantum dots in Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 glasses by the sol-gel technique

Non-linear optical properties of CdS quantum dots embedded in the sol-gel derived Na₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂x³ glass matrix have been studied using nanosecond degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM), pump-probe experiments, and time-resolved subpicosecond DFWM measurements. The concentration of CdS microcrystallites was varied from 1.4 to 10.2 wt% while the particle size was controlled to be in the range of 3–6 nm in diameter so that the confinement effects can be realized. The third-order susceptibility, ³, was determined to be of the order of 10^–7-10^–6 e.s.u. near the resonant wavelength between 450 and 470 nm by the nanosecond DFWM and pump-probe experiments, and of the order of 10^–11-10^–10 e.s.u. at the off-resonant wavelength, 580 nm, by a time-resolved DFWM measurement with 400 fs laser pulse. The decay time changed from 0.5 to 50 picoseconds as a function of the size, size distribution and number density of CdS microcrystallites in the glasses. Photodarkening reduced the optical non-linearity of the melt-quenched samples by a factor of 20, while it had no appreciable effect on that of the sol-gel derived samples.[/p]