Swelling behaviour of a geofiber-reinforced expansive soil

This paper reports the results of laboratory study performed on expansive soil reinforced with geofibers and demonstrates that discrete and randomly distributed geofibers are useful in restraining the swelling tendency of expansive soils. Swelling characteristics of remoulded expansive soil specimens reinforced with varying fiber content (f = 0.25% and 0.50%) and aspect ratio (l/b = 15, 30 and 45) were studied. One-dimensional swell-consolidation tests were conducted on oedometer specimens. Reduction in heave and swelling pressure was the maximum at low aspect ratios at both the fiber contents of 0.25% and 0.50%. Finally, the mechanism by which discrete and randomly distributed fibers restrain swelling of expansive soil is explained with the help of soil–fiber interaction.     

Numerical Modeling of Ti Deformation for the Development of a Titanium and Stainless Steel Transition Joint

Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to model the joining of titanium grade 2 (Ti) to AISI 321 stainless steel (SS) transition joint of lap configuration with grooves at the interface on SS side. The hot forming of Ti for filling the grooves without defects was simulated. FEA involving large plastic flow with sticking friction condition was initially validated using compression test on cylindrical specimen at 900 °C. The barreled shape and a no-deformation zone in the sample predicted by FEA matched with those of the compression experiments. For the joining process, FEA computed the distribution of strain and hydrostatic stress in Ti and the minimum ram load required for a defect-free joint. The hot forming parameters for Ti to fill the grooves without defects and any geometrical distortion of the die were found to be 0.001 s^?1 at 900 °C. Using these conditions a defect-free Ti-SS joint was experimentally produced.     

Adsorption‐concentration polarization model for ultrafiltration in mixed matrix membrane

Adsorption has been found to be significant in ultrafiltration by mixed matrix membrane. Removal of very low molecular weight solutes compared to the molecular weight cut off of the membrane is facilitated by adsorption. The modeling of the adsorption coupled with concentration polarization is presented based on the mathematical approach developed by Gekas et al. (Gekas et al. Chem Eng Sci. 1993;48:2753–2765), from the first principles. However, extensive modifications were included in theoretical development including those suggested by Ruiz‐Bevia et al. (Ruiz‐Bevia et al. Chem Eng Sci. 1997;52:2343–2352). The developed model captured the rejection dynamics with the help of retention factor. The model equations were solved under the framework of boundary layer analysis, using the integral approach. Effects of the adsorption isotherm and the different parameters affecting the system performance were also investigated. Further, experimental validation of the model results with two different mixed matrix ultrafiltration studies was also elucidated. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2354–2364, 2014     

Mechanical and tribological properties of silicon carbide coating on Inconel alloy from liquid pre-ceramic precursor

Liquid polycarbosilane (LPCS) derived hard coatings of silicon carbide (SiC) were deposited on Inconel alloy at three different moderately high temperatures by chemical vapour deposition. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and Field emission scanning electron microscopy. Liquid PCS yielded a mixture of α-SiC and β-SiC during decomposition having uniform round-shaped particles of dimension around 200–300 nm without extensive cracking and few discrete shaped particles were also found to form at higher temperature (i.e. 1100 °C and 1200 °C) deposited films. The coated samples showed substantial increment in hardness and fracture toughness as compared to the uncoated sample. The fracture toughness (K_IC) values of the deposited films were in the range of 6.7–10.7 MPa(m)^1/2. The tribological properties and hardness of the films were also found to vary with deposition temperature. The scratch tracks of the films revealed that brittle failures occurred in all SiC coated substrates.     

Managing the Topological Expansion of Computer Networks in an Optimal Way

This article describes a subgradient-based near-optimal heuristic algorithm designed for minimizing the search of links that need to be added to an existing telecommunications network to enhance the survivability and routability of the network.     

Performance Evaluation and Biodegradation Study of Polyvinyl Chloride Films with Castor Oil-based Plasticizer

In the present study, a renewable resource-based plasticizer was synthesized by the lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and castor oil fatty acid (COFA). The resultant ester (FA-COFA ester) was used as secondary plasticizers to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. The PVC films were formulated using the combination of a conventional plasticizer di-butyl phthalate (DBP) and FA-COFA ester as a secondary plasticizer at different concentrations. Films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical performance, and migration stability. A biodegradability study of the PVC films showed increased degradability with increasing concentration of the FA-COFA ester in the PVC film. The study showed that ester of FA and COFA could be a substitute of DBP by as much as 80% of the total plasticizer with improved elongation and tensile properties, and such a kind of sustainable resource-based PVC blend films could be used as a good packaging material with biodegradable property.     

Elongation of (n−9) and (n−7)cis-monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids in seeds ofsinapis alba

Lipids in developing seeds ofSinapis alba contain appreciable proportions of (n−7)octadecenoic (vaccenic) acid besides its (n−9) isomer (oleic acid), whereas the constituent very long chain (>C₁₈) monounsaturated fatty acids of these lipids are overwhelmingly composed of the (n−9) isomers. Cotyledons of developingSinapis alba seed use [1-¹⁴C]acetate, [1-¹⁴C]malonate or [1,3-¹⁴C]malonyl-CoA for de novo synthesis of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids and for elongation of preformed oleic, vaccenic and stearic acids to their higher (n−9), (n−7) and saturated homologs, respectively. Moreover, elongation of preformed (n−7)palmitoleic acid to vaccenic acid is observed. Stepwise C₂-additions to preformed oleoyl-CoA by acetyl-CoA or malonyl-CoA yielding (n−9)icosenoyl-CoA, (n−9)docosenoyl-CoA and (n−9)tetracosenoyl-CoA are by far the most predominant reactions catalyzed by the elongase system, which seems to have a preference for oleoyl-CoA over vaccenoyl-CoA as the primer. The pattern of¹⁴C-labeling of the very long chain fatty acids formed from either acetate or malonate shows a close analogy in the mode of elongation of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids.