Reliability of structures in high dimensions, part I: algorithms and applications

The present paper is concerned with the estimation of structural reliability when a large number of random variables is present. A sampling technique which uses lines in order to probe the failure domain, is presented. The latter is employed in conjunction with a stepwise procedure which makes use of Markov Chains. The resulting algorithm exhibits accelerated convergence.     

Thermodynamics of Chemical Interactions in the CdTe–ZnTe–O2–C System during Melt Growth of Cd1 – x Zn x Te Crystals

Thermodynamic analysis is used to identify the possible chemical reactions of CdTe and ZnTe with the container material and gaseous atmosphere during Bridgman growth. Thermodynamic parameters of carbide and oxycarbide formation in the growth system are evaluated. The calculation results are consistent with the well-known fact that oxygen-containing impurities can be removed from the growth charge by calcination in hydrogen. Moreover, as shown in experiment, the removal of oxygen from the charge ensures a substantial decrease in the carbon content of the crystals.     

Ethernet-based passive optical local-area networks for fiber-to-the-desk application

We introduce optical local-area network (LAN) architectures based on multimode optical fiber and components, short wavelength lasers and detectors, and the widely used fast Ethernet protocol. These architectures are designed to lower the costs associated with passive optical LAN implementation. Further reduction in overall cost is achieved through decreased network downtime, lower maintenance cost, extended geometrical spans, and larger headroom for future capacity increase. These optically transparent networks represent a novel approach for implementing fiber-to-the-desk.     

A new form of the Green function for a transversely isotropic body

Summary. The well known solutions for the Green function have a form which cannot be used directly in the degenerate case of equal roots. A simple algebraic procedure is described which allows us to derive new formulae for the Green function, which are valid in the case of equal roots. The case of an annular loading is considered in some detail. It is shown that the derived results are valid for z positive as well as z negative.     

Schubspannungsbomben in Faserverbunden

Shear Bombs in Fibre Composites Despite an optimum external shape non‐load adapted internal fibre orientation can lead to the formation of shear cracks where crossing tension‐compression principal stress trajectories create localized shear peaks. Trees are subject to those failure because they cannot re‐arrange their fibres after wood formation. Bones can adjust their micro‐structure to changing load conditions and in this way can better control shear failure. The engineer working with fibre composites should be alert to avoid fibre arrangements not following the force flow. Localized shear zones may also form near notches similar to normal notch stresses, however they are not always situated at the contour line of the notch.     

Choice of design of cryogenic vessels with minimal weight

Translated from Khimicheskoe i Neftyanoe Mashinostroenie, No. 3, pp. 20–22, March, 1991.     

The superflow state of 3He-B at a diffusive wall. Quasiclassical calculations

We report on first computations considering effects of a rough wall on the counterflow state in superfluid ³He-B for high flow velocities. Using the quasiclassical Green's-function formalism supplemented by the boundary conditions for a diffusive wall, we calculate the order-parameter field and the supercurrent near a container wall for various pressures and temperatures. One of our results is that the current density at the wall as a function of the flow has a maximum at the velocity which is about half of the pair breaking velocity.     

Chelated alkoxyalumoxanes and a silica-free binder based on them

Chelated alkoxyalumoxane oligomers have been synthesized through consecutive hydrolysis and alcoholysis of organoaluminum compounds stabilized by compounds capable of keto-enol tautomerism. The chelated alkoxyalumoxanes were used to prepare a silica-free binder for the fabrication of heat-resistant (up to 2050°C), chemically inert corundum ceramic composites. The likely structures of the synthesized preceramic alumoxane oligomers were inferred from physicochemical characterization results (¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁷Al NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, gel-permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, and elemental analysis).