Fire behaviour of hollow structural section steel columns filled with high strength concrete

The use of hollow structural section (HSS) steel columns filled with high strength concrete (HSC) is becoming popular due to many advantages they offer. However, whereas the design rules for HSS columns filled with normal strength concrete are well established, there are many uncertainties for HSS columns filled with HSC. Results from numerical studies on the behaviour of HSS columns filled with HSC are presented. The studies were carried out based on both North American and European material properties for HSC and steel. Results show that required fire resistance in HSS columns can be obtained through the use of bar- or steel fibre-reinforcement in HSC.     

Development of epoxy-cyanate ester-clay nanocomposites offering enhanced thermally stability

The preparation and characterization of blends of a series of dicyanate monomers such as 2,2′-bis(4-cyanatophenyl) propane (DCDPP), bis-4-cyanato-biphenyl (DCBP), bis-4-cyanatonaphthalene (DCN), 3,3′-bis(4-cyanatophenyl)sulphide (DCTDP), 3,3′-bis(4-cyanatophenyl)sulphone (DCDPS), and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A are reported. These copolymers are combined with a montmorillionite nanoclay and both epoxy-cyanate blends and epoxy-cyanate blends-nanoclay composites are all analyzed for thermal stability, thermal degradation kinetics, flame retardancy, and impact strength. The nanocomposites are further characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM to determine morphological features, from which structure–property relationships are determined. Dispersion of the nanoclay is of paramount importance, but its inclusion serves to improve char yield and impact strength, when this is achieved. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47754.     

Experimental evaluation of machinability performance of CNT coated HSS tool during turning of titanium alloy

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The present research deals with the deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) over the HSS tool, and to evaluate the machining performance of the coated...     

Development of docetaxel nanocapsules for improving in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in MCF-7 cells

The aim of this study was to fabricate docetaxel loaded nanocapsules (DTX-NCs) with a high payload using Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique by successive coating with alternate layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Developed nanocapsules (NCs) were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size distribution, zeta potential (ζ-potential), entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. The morphological characteristics of the NCs were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that revealed coating of polyelectrolytes around the surface of particles. The developed NCs successfully attained a submicron particle size while the ζ-potential of optimized NCs alternated between (+) 34.64?±?1.5 mV to (?) 33.25?±?2.1 mV with each coating step. The non-hemolytic potential of the NCs indicated the suitability of the developed formulation for intravenous administration. A comparative study indicated that the cytotoxicity of positively charged NCs (F4) was significant higher (p?in vitro on MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, cell uptake studies evidenced a higher uptake of positive NCs (≥1.2 fold) in comparison to negative NCs. In conclusion, formulated NCs are an ideal vehicle for passive targeting of drugs to tumor cells that may result in improved efficacy and reduced toxicity of encapsulated drug moiety.     

Test methods for characterizing concrete properties at elevated temperature

Fire resistance of structural members is dependent on the thermal and mechanical properties of constituent materials and these properties vary as a function of temperature. Currently, there are limited standardized test procedures for evaluating thermal and mechanical properties of construction materials at elevated temperatures. This paper provides a review and assessment of test methods and procedures for evaluating high temperature thermal and mechanical properties of concrete. The drawbacks and variations in currently available test procedures and methods in standards are discussed. Recommendations on the most suitable methods and procedures for measuring thermal and mechanical properties at elevated temperature is presented. In addition, applicability of the proposed high temperature test methods and procedures is illustrated through a case study on conventional concrete specimens. Further, the need for developing standards by organizations such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), with standardized specifications and test procedures for measuring high temperature properties of construction materials, is laid out.     

Dufour and Soret influence on MHD boundary layer flow of a Maxwell fluid over a stretching sheet with nanoparticles

An analysis has been carried out to examine the heat and mass transfer properties of a two-dimensional incompressible electrically conducting Maxwell fluid over a stretching sheet in the existence of Soret, Dufour, and nanoparticles. In many practical scenarios, such as the polymer extrusion process, the problem presented here is crucial. The flow is examined in terms of the impacts of magnetohydrodynamics and elasticity. Brownian motion and thermophoresis are incorporated into the transport equations. Using adequate similarity variables, the governing partial differential equations and related boundary conditions are non-dimensionalized. The fourth–fifth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg procedure is utilized to solve the consequent transformed ordinary differential equations. The effects of various embedded thermo-physical parameters on the fluid velocity, temperature, concentration, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number have been determined and discussed quantitatively. A comparison of a special case of our results with the one previously reported in the literature shows a very good agreement. An increase in the values of Du and Sr leads to an increase in the temperature and concentration distribution. Nusselt number estimates decrease as Nb estimations increase. Furthermore, this study leads to the study of different flows of electrically conducting fluid over a stretching sheet problem that includes the two-dimensional nonlinear boundary equations.     

RECDWELL-Computer aided design of six-link planar dwell mechanisms

Linkage-type dwell mechanisms are less expensive to manufacture and maintain, and can be superior to cams at high speed. They are also easily adjustable for satisfying variable output motion requirements. In spite of these advantages they have not found wide application. Part of the reason for this lack of popularity is the absence of proper design tools. The inspiration for this work stems from the need to bridge this technological gap. RECDWELL helps to design both circular-arc and straight-line dwell mechanisms using a technique which is simple, efficient and accurate.     

Dry and lubricated ballizing

Ballizing is a method of finishing an internal diameter by forcing a precision ground tungsten carbide ball through a slightly undersized pre-machined hole. A theory is proposed for predicting the ballizing load under dry and lubricated conditions. The effectiveness of several common lubricants has been studied and is compared in terms of load reduction and improvement on surface finish.