Three‐dimensional finite element computations for frictional contact problems with non‐associated sliding rule

This paper presents an algorithm for solving anisotropic frictional contact problems where the sliding rule is non‐associated.The algorithm is based on a variational formulation of the complex interface model that combine the classical unilateral contact law and an anisotropic friction model with a non‐associated slip rule. Both the friction condition and the sliding potential are elliptical and have the same principal axes but with different semi‐axes ratio. The frictional contact law and its inverse are derived from a single non‐differentiable scalar‐valued function, called a bi‐potential. The convexity properties of the bi‐potential permit to associate stationary principles with initial/boundary value problems. With the present formulation, the time‐integration of the frictional contact law takes the form of a projection onto a convex set and only one predictor–corrector step addresses all cases (sticking, sliding, no‐contact). A solution algorithm is presented and tested on a simple example that shows the strong influence of the slip rule on the frictional behaviour. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exact static element stiffness matrices of non‐symmetric thin‐walled curved beams

An evaluation procedure of exact static stiffness matrices for curved beams with non‐symmetric thin‐walled cross section are rigorously presented for the static analysis. Higher‐order differential equations for a uniform curved beam element are first transformed into a set of the first‐order simultaneous ordinary differential equations by introducing 14 displacement parameters where displacement modes corresponding to zero eigenvalues are suitably taken into account. This numerical technique is then accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem with non‐symmetric matrices. Next, the displacement functions of displacement parameters are exactly calculated by determining general solutions of simultaneous non‐homogeneous differential equations. Finally an exact stiffness matrix is evaluated using force–deformation relationships. In order to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of this method, displacements and normal stresses of cantilever thin‐walled curved beams subjected to tip loads are evaluated and compared with those by thin‐walled curved beam elements as well as shell elements. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical solution of second‐order,two‐point boundary value problems using continuous genetic algorithms

Second‐order, two‐point boundary‐value problems are encountered in many engineering applications including the study of beam deflections, heat flow, and various dynamic systems. Two classical numerical techniques are widely used in the engineering community for the solution of such problems; the shooting method and finite difference method. These methods are suited for linear problems. However, when solving the non‐linear problems, these methods require some major modifications that include the use of some root‐finding technique. Furthermore, they require the use of other basic numerical techniques in order to obtain the solution. In this paper, the author introduces a novel method based on continuous genetic algorithms for numerically approximating a solution to this problem. The new method has the following characteristics; first, it does not require any modification while switching from the linear to the non‐linear case; as a result, it is of versatile nature. Second, this approach does not resort to more advanced mathematical tools and is thus easily accepted in the engineering application field. Third, the proposed methodology has an implicit parallel nature which points to its implementation on parallel machines. However, being a variant of the finite difference scheme with truncation error of the order O(h²), the method provides solutions with moderate accuracy. Numerical examples presented in the paper illustrate the applicability and generality of the proposed method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Higher‐order extensions of a discontinuous Galerkin method for mid‐frequency Helmholtz problems

Recently, a discontinuous Galerkin method with plane wave basis functions and Lagrange multiplier degrees of freedom was proposed for the efficient solution of Helmholtz problems in the mid‐frequency regime. In this paper, this method is extended to higher‐order elements. Performance results obtained for various two‐dimensional problems highlight the advantages of these elements over classical higher‐order Galerkin elements such as Q₂ and Q₄ for the discretization of interior and exterior Helmholtz problems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Statistical Inference about the Shape Parameter of the New Two‐parameter Bathtub‐shaped Lifetime Distribution

This paper proposes a simple and exact method for conducting a statistical test about the shape parameter of the new two‐parameter lifetime distribution with a bathtub‐shaped or increasing failure rate function, as well as an exact confidence interval for the same parameter. The necessary critical values of the test are given. The method provided in this paper can be used for type II right censored data. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulation and an example are used to compare this new method to the existing approach of Chen (Statistics and Probability Letters 2000; 49:155–161). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and performance of compensator for decremental persistent current in HTS magnets using linear type magnetic flux pump

This paper has described the characteristics of a stationary linear type magnetic flux pump newly developed this time. The linear type flux pump aims to compensate a little decremental persistent current of the HTS magnet in NMR and MRI systems. The flux pump mainly consists of DC bias coil, 3-phase AC coil and Nb foil. Analytical results by the FEM are proved to nearly agree with experimental ones. In the experiment, it has been investigated that the flux pump can effectively charge the current in the load coil of 1.3 mH for various frequencies in 150 s under two following conditions: (1) DC bias of 10 A and AC of 4 A_rms, (2) DC bias of 10 A and AC of 5 A_rms. The maximum magnitudes of initial increasing rate of pumping current and load magnet voltage are: (1) 0.2 A/s and 25 mV and (2) 0.22 A/s and 34 mV, respectively.     

Effects of surface treatment of field emitter arrays on electrical characteristics of active matrix cathode

The effects of a wet chemical surface treatment of molybdenum-tip (Mo-tip) emitters on the electrical characteristics of an active matrix cathode composed of hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin film transistors and Mo-tip emitters are described. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that the surface treatment removed MoO₃ from the surface of the e-beam evaporated Mo film. In addition, the surface roughness of the Mo film was increased as the result of the surface treatment. The surface-treated active matrix cathode showed stable emission characteristics and immunity from emitter failures during its operation. The response time of the active matrix cathode was decreased by the surface treatment of the Mo-tip emitters. A change in surface composition and surface roughness appear to be responsible for the enhancement of the active matrix cathode.     

Effect of biaxial loads on elastic-plastic <Emphasis Type="Italic">J</Emphasis> and crack tip constraint for cracked plates: finite element study

Based on detailed two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) analyses, this paper attempts to quantify in-plane and out-of-plane constraint effects on elastic-plastic J and crack tip stresses for a plate with a through-thickness crack and semi-elliptical surface crack under positive biaxial loading. For the plate with a through-thickness crack, plate thickness and relative crack length are systematically varied, whereas for the plate with a semi-elliptical surface crack, the relative crack depth and aspect ratio of the semi-elliptical crack are systematically varied. It is found that the reference stress based approach for uniaxial loading can be applied to estimate J under biaxial loading, provided that the limit load specific to biaxial loading is used, implying that quantification of the biaxiality effect on the limit load is important. Investigation on the effect of biaxiality on the limit load suggests that for relatively thin plates with small cracks, in particular with semi-elliptical surface cracks, the effect of biaxiality on the limit load can be neglected for positive biaxial loading, and thus elastic-plastic J for a biaxially loaded plate could be estimated, assuming that such plate is subject to uniaxial load. Regarding the effect of biaxiality on crack tip stress triaxiality, it is found that such effect is more pronounced for a thicker plate. For plates with semi-elliptical surface cracks, the crack aspect ratio is found to be more important than the relative crack depth, and the effect of biaxiality on crack tip stress triaxiality is found to be more pronounced near the surface points along the crack front.     

The effect of He or Ar/O2 plasma treatment on Si surface prior to chemical vapor deposition of SiO2

The effect of O₂ plasma pretreatment on the SiO₂/Si interface property was studied using direct plasma varying the plasma power, He or Ar/O₂ ratio and the pretreatment time. The decrease of the pretreatment plasma power decreased the plasma damage and improved the interface property. The addition of He in O₂ glow discharge improved the electrical and the interface properties and there was an optimum He/O₂ ratio. The improvement of the interface property by Ar/O₂-plasma pretreatment was better than that by He/O₂, which is believed to be due to the lower oxidation rate of the Si surface. C–V analysis showed that the P_b center defect density was influenced by plasma pretreatment process parameters. To investigate the oxidation states near to and at the SiO₂/Si interface, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth analysis was used and the gas phase in the glow discharge was investigated using optical emission spectroscopy analysis at various experimental conditions.     

Influence of Powder Morphology and Chemical Composition on Metallic Foams produced by SlipReactionFoamSintering (SRFS)‐ Process

The SlipReactionFoamSintering (SRFS)‐ process is a metallurgical method to produce open‐cell metallic foams of iron based materials, steels and nickel based materials. In this process several chemical reactions take place. Through the most influential parameter, the morphology of the metallic powder, different properties of the foam can be adjusted, such as the viscosity of the slip, the cell structure and the mechanical properties. Several examples are presented in this paper. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of three foams is measured with the transient‐heat‐source‐technique.