Moisture susceptibility of warm mixed-reclaimed asphalt pavement containing Sasobit and Zycotherm additives

In this research, the influence of Sasobit and Zycotherm on the properties of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)-warm mix asphalt (WMA) was investigated. Moisture susceptibility was evaluated applying the resilient modulus ratio, the indirect tensile strength ratio, and the fracture energy ratio. Laboratory testing results indicated that Zycotherm mixtures had more resistance to moisture damage than Sasobit WMA and hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. The stiffness of mixtures increased dramatically by increasing the amount of RAP and using Sasobit exacerbated this problem.     

Prediction of hydrate equilibrium conditions using k-nearest neighbor algorithm to CO2 capture

Gas or clathrate hydrates are an important issue when they form in the oil and gas pipelines. Since the determination of the hydrate formation temperature and pressure is very difficult experimentally for every gas system and it is impossible in terms of cost and time approximately, mathematical models can be useful tools to overcome these difficulties. In this study, k-nearest neighbor model was used to predict the equilibrium conditions of hydrate formation in absorption and separation of carbon dioxide from flue gas mixture, containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen. At the training phase, temperature and composition data of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the flue gas mixture at equilibrium conditions and the equilibrium pressures of hydrate formation were used as input and output, respectively. The error percentage less than 0.38% indicates the high accuracy of the proposed model. In this study, 80%, 85%, and 90% of the training data are examined for three numbers of nearest. For three numbers of used nearest (k = 1, k = 2 and k = 3), the value of k = 1 leads to the lowest error; so, it is selected as the best nearest in the presented model.     

3D FEM analysis,dynamic modeling,and performance assessment of transverse flux PMSG for small‐scale gearless wind energy conversion systems

The transverse flux permanent magnet synchronous generator has a great potential for use in direct‐drive wind energy conversion systems due to its large pole numbers, high torque, and power density. This research work develops dynamic model of a single‐side transverse flux permanent magnet synchronous generator for use in a small‐scale gearless wind energy conversion system. For acquiring the parameters of the considered generator, required for dynamic modeling, 3D finite element model of the machine is developed and analyzed in both magneto‐static and transient modes. Field‐oriented control approach is employed for tracking maximum power point from the variable wind speed. The simulation results illustrate an accurate response of the system to the wind speed variation and proper performance of the developed dynamic model and control approach of the system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thickness and scratch resistance of adsorbed film formed by triblock symmetrical copolymer solutions

The thickness and scratch resistance of adsorbed films formed on mild steel samples (MS1020), which have been immersed in water copolymer solutions, are reported. The effects of bulk temperature and the copolymer structures, normal, poly(ethylene oxide)_m‐poly(propylene oxide)_n‐poly(ethylene oxide)_m, and reverse, poly(propylene oxide)_n‐poly(ethylene oxide)_m‐poly(propylene oxide)_n, are elucidated. The films' thicknesses are independent of structure but not of temperature. The adsorbed films of above cloud point solutions are thicker than below cloud point. However, nanoscratch experiments carried out to measure the scratch resistance of the films reveal that despite of thicker film formed by above cloud point solutions, it is relatively more prone to being detached than the thinner films of below cloud point solutions. The effect of extreme pressure additive, alkyl phosphate ester (APE), is also investigated suggesting the normal copolymer has comparable scratch resistance with APE when used at below the cloud point. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reaction sintering of nano-sized ZnO–Nb2O5 powder mixture: sintering,microstructure and microwave dielectric properties

Sintering behavior, microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of ZnNb₂O₆ (ZN) ceramics prepared by reaction-sintering method were investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the sintered samples revealed single-phase formation with a columbite structure after 1–5 h sintering at 1,025–1,125 °C. After sintering at 1,125 °C for 5 h, the ZN ceramics with the density of 5.56 g/cm³ (98.9 % of the theoretical density) and good microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 23.9, Q × f = 51,000 and τ_f = ?62 ppm/°C were obtained. The obtained results demonstrated that the reaction-sintering process is a simple and effective method to prepare the ZN ceramics for applications on microwave dielectric resonators.     

Probabilistic assessment of torsion in concrete beams externally strengthened with CFRP composites

This paper illustrates an analytical probabilistic study of concrete beams subjected to torsion that are strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). Hii and Al-Mahaidi’s method is one of the best analytical models for evaluating the torsional capacity of CFRP strengthened reinforced concrete beams. The first-order reliability method is carried out to probabilistically assess the capacity of CFRP-strengthened beams. For this aim, the statistical characteristics of design variables and model errors have been considered, followed by the determination of the average reliability indexes of the strengthened beams. The effect of each design variable on the average reliability is also determined. The assessment shows that the Hii and Al-Mahaidi’s analytical model is unconservative. In order to correct the situation, a more relaxed set of resistance factors for use in a load and resistance factor design format are needed. These are then determined for two target reliability levels of $ \beta_{\text T} $  = 3.0 and $ \beta_{\text T} $  = 3.5. It is found that factors of 0.9200 and 0.8225 are needed for target reliability levels, $ \beta_{\text T} $  = 3.0 and $ \beta_{\text T} $  = 3.5, respectively. Values of 0.9 and 0.8 are suggested for use in real practice depending on the target reliability sought.     

Numerical investigation of the mechanism behind the deflagration to detonation transition in homogeneous and inhomogeneous mixtures of H2-air in an obstructed channel

The accidental release of hydrogen into enclosures can result in a flammable mixture with concentration gradients and possible deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). This numerical study aims to investigate the effect of obstacle spacing and mixture concentration on the DDT in a homogeneous and inhomogeneous hydrogen-air mixture. The paper focuses on the mechanisms behind the DDT in two mixtures with an average hydrogen concentration of 15% and 30%. Unlike the near-stoichiometric mixture, in the lean mixture, DDT only occurs in the inhomogeneous mixture. Depending on obstacle spacing, three different regimes of DDT were observed in the near-stoichiometric inhomogeneous mixture: i) Detonation was ignited when a strong Mach stem formed and propagated between the obstacles; ii) two explosion centers appeared when incident shock and Mach stem reflected from upper and lower obstacles, respectively; iii) Mach stem did not form but DDT occurred behind the flame front at the top of the obstacle.     

Hot tensile properties and microstructural evolution of as cast NiTi and NiTiCu shape memory alloys

Hot tensile properties of as cast NiTi and NiTiCu shape memory alloys were investigated by hot tensile test at temperature range of 700–1100 °C using the strain rate of 0.1 s⁻¹. The NiTi alloy exhibited a maximum hot ductility at temperature range of 750–1000 °C, while the NiTiCu alloy showed it at temperature range of 800–1000 °C. It was found that at temperatures less than 750 °C, diffusion-assisted deformation mechanism was inactive leading to semi-brittle type of failure and limited ductility in both alloys. Also it was found that at temperature range of 800–1000 °C, dynamic recrystallization is dominant leading to high ductility. Likewise, the fracture surface of the specimens presenting the maximum hot ductility showed an ideal type of ductile rupture in which they gradually pulled out to a fine point. On the other hand, the decline in ductility occurred at the temperatures above 1000 °C was attributed to the liquid phase formation leading to interdendritic and intergranular type of fracture.     

Group velocity dispersion of dyes in solution measured with white-light interferometry

The group velocity dispersion (GVD) coefficient of four different dyes in solution is measured as a function of wavelength and concentration using a white-light Michelson interferometer. We find that the wavelength dependence of the GVD can be considerably different at wavelengths above and below the absorption resonance in a dye. Above the absorption resonance, the dye molecules can make a strong, wavelength-dependent contribution to the GVD of the solution. Below the absorption resonance, the dye molecules tend to contribute negligibly to the GVD of the solution. We find that the contribution of the dye molecules to the GVD can be modeled quite accurately using a simple Lorentz model with parameters set using the measured linear absorption properties of the dye.     

Ductile crack growth and constraint in pipelines subject to combined loadings

An important failure mode of offshore pipelines is ductile fracture of the pipe wall triggered by a hypothetical welding defect. In this study, pipelines having an external part-through semi-circumferential crack of various sizes, subject to combined internal pressure and inelastic bending are considered. This is done to assess the response of pipelines during both their installation and operational conditions. Detailed 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) models of pipelines are developed. A row of elements ahead of the initial crack front are modeled using a voided plasticity material model, which enables simulation of crack growth and the subsequent fracture failure mode (denoted by the critical curvature, κ_crit). After discussing the typical response characteristics of such pipelines, the FE model is used to parametrically investigate the influence of varying pipe and crack dimensions, and also the internal pressure levels, on κ_crit. In the second part of this paper, the crack tip constraint ahead of a growing crack in such pipes is evaluated and systematically compared to the crack tip constraint of both the traditionally used deeply cracked Single Edge Notch Bend (SENB) specimens and the constraint-matched Single Edge Notch Tensile (SENT) specimens. This is achieved by comparing the crack resistance curves (R-curves) along with stress triaxiality and equivalent plastic strain fields evaluated ahead of a growing crack of the three systems. The results present grounds for justification of usage of SENT specimens in fracture assessment of such pipes as an alternative to the traditional overly conservative SENB specimens.