The centralization index: A measure of local spatial segregation

Segregated areas may occur around an attractive park or a waste incinerator, but the magnitude and group membership of the people in closest proximity will likely be difierent. We therefore introduce a local segregation measure that can be applied to any location within a metropolitan area, and that can identify the group that is relatively more concentrated around that reference location. We further introduce an inference approach to identify the statistical significance of a particular segregation value. In an exploratory setting the index can be used to generate a map of hot spots, and seed the question: “why is this group significantly concentrated around that location?”     

Microstructure-Based Estimation of Strength and Ductility Distributions for $$\alpha +\beta $$ Titanium Alloys

Titanium alloys are processed to develop a wide range of microstructure configurations and therefore material properties. While these properties are typically measured experimentally, a framework for property prediction could greatly enhance alloy design and manufacturing. Here a microstructure-sensitive framework is presented for the prediction of strength and ductility as well as estimates of the bounds in variability for these properties. The framework explicitly considers distributions of microstructure via new approaches for instantiation of structure in synthetic samples. The parametric evaluation strategy, including the finite element simulation package FEpX, is used to create and test virtual polycrystalline samples to evaluate the variability bounds of mechanical properties in Ti-6Al-4V. Critical parameters for the property evaluation framework are provided by measurements of single crystal properties and advanced characterization of microstructure and slip system strengths in 2D and 3D. Property distributions for yield strength and ductility are presented, along with the validation and verification steps undertaken. Comparisons between strain localization and slip activity in virtual samples and in experimental grain-scale strain measurements are also discussed.

     

High Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Conventional and Nb-Modified MAR-M246 Ni-Based Superalloy

The present investigations focused on the thermal oxidation of two variants of MAR-M246 alloy having the same contents of Ta and Nb in at. pct, considering the effects of total replacement of Ta by Nb. The alloys were produced by investment casting using high purity elements in induction furnace under vacuum atmosphere. The alloys were oxidized pseudo-isothermally at 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C up to 1000 hours under lab air. Protective oxidation products growing on the surface of the oxidized samples were mainly Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃. Other less protective oxide such as spinels (NiCr₂O₄ and CoCr₂O₄) and TiO₂ were also detected as oxidation products. The conventional alloy exhibited slight internal oxidation at 800 °C and an enhanced resistance at 900 °C and 1000 °C. The Nb-modified alloy presented an exacerbated internal oxidation and nitridation at 900 °C and 1000 °C and an enhanced resistance at 800 °C. At 1000 °C, Nb-modified alloy was particularly affected by excessive spalling as the main damage mechanisms. From a kinetic point of view, both alloys exhibit the same behavior at 800 °C and 900 °C, with k_p values typical of alumina forming alloys (2 × 10⁻¹⁴ to 3.6 × 10⁻¹³ g² cm⁻⁴ s⁻¹). However, Ta modified alloys exhibited superior oxidation resistance at 1000 °C when compared to the Nb modified alloy due to better adherence of the protective oxide scale.

     

Sintering and Briquetting Synergy in Blast Furnace Smelting

Metallurgist - The article describes the concept of partially replacing the sinter in a blast furnace charge with extrusion briquettes to form the basis for sintering and briquetting synergy. The...     

OPTIMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULING FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

The scheduling of maintenance for water distribution systems is a complex task encompassing a wide range of alternatives. The methodology presented in this paper can consider the major piping alternatives of replacing and cleaning, and relining. It also considers the potential of pumping improvements while accounting for the costs of maintenance, failure and operations for a multiple-period planning horizon. To solve the problem a nonlinear optimization model is linked with a network simulation model. The application showed that the procedure can determine solutions in reasonable times.     

A multi-objective model for seasonal personnel reassignment

The focus of this research was the development of a model to address the problem of reassigning summer construction workers to winter snow and ice removal teams in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The model is a multi-objective integer program that can generate the complete and precise trade-off curve between the objectives of minimizing total distance that the reassigned workforce must travel from their respective homes to one of many site locations, and minimizing the maximum distance that any one worker must travel. System constraints include demand requirements for workers at each site and the limited availability of state-owned vehicles that may be issued to workers assigned to remote sites. Details of the model structure and solution procedure are presented together with the results of an actual application.     

Legislation and the motor car

Vehicle legislation for safety and emission control is led by the USA where half the world's cars and one‐third of the world's road deaths are found. The 1975/6 standards will cause confrontations between industry and government in the U.S.A. and have costly implications for the American people. The rest of the world is affected by what happens in the U.S.A. but for language and other reasons fragmented laws are normal with conflicting requirements for manufacturers who supply the many markets. The greatest force for harmonization of legislation may be the enlarged Common Market including, as it does, the four major European Car manufacturing countries. The Common Market Commission may displace WP 29 of the United Nations as the leading law‐making body. Type approval is the compliance system used in Europe, but the growth in scope of safety and other legislation is bringing into focus a weakness of the system which is reducing production efficiency to an alarming degree. American style self‐certification is not acceptable to European governments.