An error calculation method for finite element analysis in large displacements

This article describes an error measurement and mesh optimization method for finite elements in non-linear geometry problems. The error calculation is adapted from a method developed by Ladeveze, based on constructing a local statically admissible stress field. The particular difficulty in non-linear geometry lies in choosing a configuration on which the fields is defined. We propose here the lagrangian or reference configuration. The error is then defined as the value in elastic energy of the difference between the two stresses. The optimization used is the type h version. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear analysis and reliability of metallic truss structures

The present study goes into the search for the safety domain of civil engineering structures. The objective is to show how a reliability-evaluation brought by a mechanical sizing can be obtained. For that purpose, it is necessary to have a mechanical model and a reliability model representing correctly the behavior of this type of structure.It is a question on one hand, to propose a formulation for the nonlinear calculation (mechanical nonlinearity) of the spatial structures in trusses, and on the other hand, to propose or to adapt a formulation and a modeling of the reliability. The principle of Hasofer-Lind can be applied, in first approach, for the reliability index estimation, scenarios and the probability of failure.The made check concerned metallic in truss structures. Finally, some structures are calculated using the method adapted by Hasofer-Lind to validate the probability approach of the reliability analysis.     

Non linear modeling of three-dimensional reinforced and fiber concrete structures

Under the effect of the ascending loading, the behavior of reinforced concrete structures is rather non linear. Research in industry and science aims to extend forward the use of non-linear calculation of fiber concrete for structural parts such as columns, veils and pious, as the fiber concrete is more ductile behavior then the classical concrete behavior. The formulation of the element has been established for modeling the nonlinear behavior of elastic structures in three dimensions, based on the displacement method. For the behavior of concrete and fiber concrete compressive and tensile strength (stress-strain) the uniaxial formulation is used. For steel bi-linear relationship is used. The approach is based on the discretization of the cross section trapezoidal tables. Forming the stiffness matrix of the section, the integral of the surface is calculated as the sum of the integrals on each of the cutting trapezoids. To integrate on the trapeze we have adopted the type of Simpson integration scheme.     

MicroRNA Expression in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines and Tumor Biopsies: Potential Therapeutic Targets

This study was carried out to quantitate the expression levels of microRNA-17, -19a, -34a, -155, and -210 (miRs) expressed in nine clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and one chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cell line with and without sarcomatoid differentiation, and in six primary kidney tumors with matching normal kidney tissues. The data in the five non-sarcomatoid ccRCC cell lines—RC2, CAKI-1, 786-0, RCC4, and RCC4/VHL—and in the four ccRCC with sarcomatoid differentiation—RCJ41T1, RCJ41T2, RCJ41M, and UOK-127—indicated that miR-17 and -19a were expressed at lower levels relative to miR-34a, -155, and -210. Compared with RPTEC normal epithelial cells, miR-34a, miR-155, and miR-210 were expressed at higher levels, independent of the sarcomatoid differentiation status and hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α (HIFs) isoform expression. In the one chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cell line, namely, UOK-276 with sarcomatoid differentiation, and expressing tumor suppressor gene TP53, miR-34a, which is a tumor suppressor gene, was expressed at higher levels than miR-210, -155, -17, and -19a. The pilot results generated in six tumor biopsies with matching normal kidney tissues indicated that while the expression of miR-17 and -19a were similar to the normal tissue expression profile, miR-210, -155, -and 34a were expressed at a higher level. To confirm that differences in the expression levels of the five miRs in the six tumor biopsies were statistically significant, the acquisition of a larger sample size is required. Data previously generated in ccRCC cell lines demonstrating that miR-210, miR-155, and HIFs are druggable targets using a defined dose and schedule of selenium-containing molecules support the concept that simultaneous and concurrent downregulation of miR-210, miR-155, and HIFs, which regulate target genes associated with increased tumor angiogenesis and drug resistance, may offer the potential for the development of a novel mechanism-based strategy for the treatment of patients with advanced ccRCC.     

Effect of structure on the glass transition temperatures of linear and crosslinked poly(isobornylacrylate-co-isobutylacrylate)

A series of linear acrylic copolymers based on Isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and isobutyl acrylate (IsoBA) were elaborated by radical photopolymerization. In addition, several photochemically crosslinked poly(IBOA-co-IsoBA) were prepared by introducing small amounts of 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate as crosslinking agent. The evolution of the glass transition temperature was determined experimentally by differential scanning calorimetry as a function of composition for both linear and crosslinked poly(IBOA-co-IsoBA), yielding T_g values ranging from (~249) to (~315 K). Theoretical modeling was performed applying Fox, Gordon-Taylor and Couchman-Karasz models by simple calculations using experimental data, leading to only fair agreement between theoretical and experimental values, or by applying fitting procedures involving one or two adjustable parameters. Likewise, the Kwei model, known to take into account hydrogen bonding interactions between monomers, could not describe well the evolution of T_g, indicating the existence of other factors influencing T_g. Finally, a thermodynamic approach based on entropy considerations allowed to attribute an explanation of the evolution of T_g.     

Superplastic deformation behavior of 7075 aluminum alloy

A study has been made to investigate the effect of a prior amount of warm rolling on the superplastic forming behavior of a standard grade 7075 aluminum alloy. The thermomechanical treatment process presented for grain refinement includes furnace cooling from the solution treatment temperature to the overaging temperature, warm rolling from 65–85% deformation, recrystallization, and artificial aging treatment. Increasing the amount of warm rolling beyond 80% deformation does not produce material with higher elongation to failure when the thermomechanical treatment process presented is used. The largest value of elongation to failure was 700%, which was obtained for a specimen having a grain size of 8 μm at a strain rate of 6×10⁻³S⁻¹. The fracture surface exhibits a granular appearance indicative of an intergranular fracture mode. Dislocation activities within grains were observed, indicating the occurrence of dislocation slip during grain boundary sliding.     

Intelligent maximum power tracking control of a PMSG wind energy conversion system

A comparative control study for a maximum power tracking strategy of variable speed wind turbine is provided. The system consists of a direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and an uncontrolled rectifier followed by a DC/DC switch‐mode step down converter connected to a DC load. The buck converter is used to catch the maximum power from the wind by generating an efficient duty cycle. Distinct Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are analyzed and compared: a classical Proportional‐Integral controller (PI) and two based Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLC), including a conventional Fuzzy‐PI and an Adaptive FLC‐PI. The main aim of the presented study is to develop an advanced control scheme for wind generators to ensure a high level operating of the system and a maximum power extraction from the wind. This is achieved by analyzing the behavior of the system under fluctuating wind conditions employing Matlab Simpower Systems tool. Simulation results confirm that the Adaptive FLC‐PI controller algorithm has better performances in terms of dynamic response and efficiency especially in comparison with the ones of a PI controller under variable wind speed.