Closed full-field solutions for stresses and displacements in the Brazilian disk under distributed radial load

The Brazilian disk test, namely the diametric compression of a circular disk by radial loads that are uniformly distributed along two symmetric arcs of its periphery, is studied using the method of complex potentials introduced by Kolosov and Muskhelishvili. The rock is assumed to be linear elastic. Closed form full-field solutions are obtained for both the stress and the displacement fields, assuming either plane-stress or plane-strain conditions. The theoretical analysis highlights some critical features of the stresses and the displacements immediately adjacent to the load contact areas, revealing the limitations of the linear elastic solutions. The problem is also studied experimentally by carrying out a series of Brazilian disk tests, according to the ISRM suggestions, with specimens mainly made from Dionysos marble. In addition, a limited number of tests are carried using specimens made from porous natural building stones or from PMMA. The results of the theoretical solution are compared with those of the experiments, and the agreement is satisfactory, at least in the regions of the disk where the stresses developed during loading remain below the linearity limit of the materials.     

Influence of the zeolite structure and acidity on the hydroisomerization of n-heptane

Different acid solids loaded with 1 wt.% of Pt have been studied in n-heptane hydroisomerization in order to determine the influence of porosity and acidity (considered measured by the activity) on selectivities. The open solids like Y and β zeolites and a pillared clay present different activities towards n-C₇ conversion but similar selectivities. Consequently, acidity seems to be a less important parameter in n-C₇ isomerization than porosity. Very different results were obtained as a function of the solid structure and so n-heptane hydroconversion appears to be a simple and rapid method to obtain data concerning the porosity of unknown zeolite structures. The highest content of multibranched isomers was obtained on open solids but the value predicted by the thermodynamic was never reached due to the fact that cracking of multibranched isomers is initiated quickly.     

Life Expectancy Evaluation of the Wood Poles Which Support the Hellenic Electrical Distribution Network

The Hellenic electrical distribution lines have been basically supported with the use of wood poles. Outages due to aging, degradation, or broken wood poles may infer significant costs due to repair and loss of energy to consumers. Lifetime estimation of wood poles is significant for maintenance and replacement decisions at the power utility. The paper presents a methodology, based on a statistical analysis, for the evaluation of the life expectancy and the production of a survival curve of a typical Hellenic distribution wood pole in-service. The proposed methodology intends to minimize the life-cycle cost of inspection and refurbishment of wood poles in the distribution network of Hellas, something that is really important in the new competitive and liberating Hellenic electrical energy market.     

Reliability-based retransmission criteria for hybrid ARQ

Bit error probability (BEP) and word error probability (WEP) are used as reliability-based retransmission criteria in conjunction with hybrid ARQ (HARQ) protocols. Instead of exploiting an error-detecting code, the decision for a retransmission is based on the error probability of the decoded word, which can be calculated in or after the decoding process.     

Effects of Corrosion and Ribs on Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Reinforcing Steel Bars S400

The results of an experimental study for assessing the degradation of the fatigue properties of reinforcing steel bars grade S400 caused by exposure to laboratory salt spray corrosion environment are presented. For this purpose, low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests were carried out. Furthermore, the effect of ribs on the fatigue strength was recorded. Results are indicative of the catalytic impact of corrosion on LCF behavior. Since two important degradation factors such as corrosion and LCF are functions of time, it appears that the reliability of steel S400 is also time dependant. Additionally, the presence of ribs on material’s surface affects significantly the fatigue behavior by reducing energy dissipation and duration of test.     

Void Nucleation and Growth in Dual-Phase Steel 600 during Uniaxial Tensile Testing

Commercial dual-phase (DP) steel in sheet form and comprised of ferrite, martensite, and bainite was subjected to uniaxial tension up to fracture. The damage characteristics were studied through extensive quantitative metallography and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of polished sections and fracture surfaces of failed specimens. The observed void nucleation mechanisms include nucleation at the martensite/ferrite interface or triple junction (most predominant), nucleation due to the cracking of martensite particles, and nucleation at the inclusions. The void characteristics in terms of area fraction, void density, void size ranges, and void orientations were analyzed as a function of thickness strain from various regions of the different uniaxial tensile test specimens taken to fracture. The damage analysis suggests that the void nucleation occurs during the entire deformation process with an almost constant rate and this rate reduces before fracture. A nucleation strain of 0.15 has been estimated for this material.     

Catalytic packed bed non‐thermal plasma reactor for the extraction of hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide

The decomposition of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) to hydrogen and sulfur with Al₂O₃, MoO_x/Al₂O₃, CoO_x/Al₂O₃ and NiO/Al₂O₃ packed non‐thermal plasma dielectric barrier discharge reactor was studied. The reaction was carried out with 5‐mm discharge gap during the decomposition of 5 vol.% H₂S at 150 ml/min (STP) flow rate. Typical results indicated the conversion of ~50% at a specific input energy of ~0.92 kJ/l H₂S and 10% (in length) packed reactor showed the best conversion. Among the catalysts studied, MoO_x and CoO_x supported on Al₂O₃ showed high performance, which may be caused by synergy between plasma excitation of the carrier gas molecules and catalytic behaviour of MoO_x and CoO_x. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cu-Ni-Sn: A Key System for Lead-Free Soldering

Being the most complex constituent of the quaternary system Ag-Cu-Ni-Sn, the ternary system Cu-Ni-Sn is the key system for the investigation of the interactions of Ag-Cu-Sn solder alloys with Ni as a contact material. Although this system has been thoroughly studied in the literature, there are still many uncertainties left. In the present work, a study of the phase equilibria in four isothermal sections at 220, 400, 500, and 700°C of the Cu-Ni-Sn system was carried out following a comprehensive literature study. The methods employed were x-ray diffraction (XRD), metallography, and scanning electron microscopy including electron probe microanalysis. The ternary solubilities of the Ni₃Sn₂-Cu₆Sn₅ and Ni₃Sn-Cu₃Sn fields were characterized in detail. So far no continuous solubility between the respective phases has been found. At 25 at.% Sn the existence of two ternary compounds formed from the BiF₃-type (Cu,Ni)₃Sn phase and reported in literature could be confirmed. On the other hand, our results differ significantly from the very recent literature related to lead-free soldering.