Reduced and selective integration techniques in the finite element analysis of plates

Efforts to develop effective plate bending finite elements by reduced integration techniques are described. The basis for the development is a ‘thick’ plate theory in which transverse shear strains are accounted for. The variables in the theory are all kinematic, namely, displacements and independent rotations. As only C⁰ continuity is required, isoparametric elements may be employed, which result in several advantages over thin plate elements. It is shown that the avoidance of shear ‘locking’ may be facilitated by reduced integration techniques. Both uniform and selective schemes are considered. Conditions under which selective schemes are invariant are identified, and they are found to have an advantage over uniform schemes in the present situation. It is pointed out that the present elements are not subject to the difficulties encountered by thin plate theory elements, concerning boundary conditions. For example, the polygonal approximation of curved, simply-supported edges is convergent. Other topics discussed are the equivalence with mixed methods, rank deficiency, convergence criteria and useful mass ‘lumping’ schemes for dynamics. Numerical results for several thin plate problems indicate the high degree of accuracy attainable by the present elements.     

Transition-matrix construction for pseudorandom binary-sequence generators

A method is described for rapidly finding the elements of a matrix operator which shifts the state of a class of linear sequence generators through a specified time interval. The method is applied to the problem of generating pseudorandom binary sequences with specified time shifts.     

Using principal-components regression to stabilize EMG-muscle forceparameter estimates of torso muscles

Models for estimating muscle force from surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings require parameter estimates with low intertrial variability. The inclusion of multiple muscles in multivariate statistical models can lead to multicollinearity, especially when there are significant correlations between synergist muscles. One result of multicollinearity is that parameter estimates are very sensitive to changes in the independent variables. This study compared the parameter variability of multiple regression and principal-components regression techniques when applied to a six muscle EMG analysis of the lumbar region of the torso. Nine subjects participated, Twenty-three percent of the traditional multiple-regression parameters had incorrect signs, but none of the principal-components regression parameters did. The principal components regression technique also produced parameter estimates having an order of magnitude smaller parameter variability. It was concluded that principal-components regression is an effective method of mitigating the effect of multicollinearity in torso EMG models     

Runout effects in milling: Surface finish, surface location error, and stability

This paper investigates the effect of milling cutter teeth runout on surface topography, surface location error, and stability in end milling. Runout remains an important issue in machining because commercially-available cutter bodies often exhibit significant variation in the teeth/insert radial locations; therefore, the chip load on the individual cutting teeth varies periodically. This varying chip load influences the machining process and can lead to premature failure of the cutting edges. The effect of runout on cutting force and surface finish for proportional and non-proportional tooth spacing is isolated here by completing experiments on a precision milling machine with 0.1 μm positioning repeatability and 0.02 μm spindle error motion. Experimental tests are completed with different amounts of radial runout and the results are compared with a comprehensive time-domain simulation. After verification, the simulation is used to explore the relationships between runout, surface finish, stability, and surface location error. A new instability that occurs when harmonics of the runout frequency coincide with the dominant system natural frequency is identified.     

Segregation in Single-Crystal Fully Stabilized Yttria-Zirconia

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to study surface segregation in 9.5 mol% single-crystal Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ which has been subjected to air anneals at temperatures ranging from 900° to 1500°C. The kinetics of segregation reveal an enrichment of Y, Si, Na, and Fe at short times; however, at longer times surface equilibrium is reached. The heats of segregation for Y, Si, Na and Fe, determined from Arrhenius plots, were 9.3 ± 3.0, 59.0 ± 7.0, –23.5 ± 11.5, –18.0 ± 6.0 kJ/mol, respectively. XPS analysis of the equilibrium states at all temperatures revealed a distinct surface layer which, given the positive heats of segregation for Si and Y, is quite stable.     

Potential dermal exposure to deltamethrin and risk assessment for manual sprayers: influence of crop type

A comparison of the Potential Dermal Exposure (PDE) of workers to the insecticide deltamethrin was made as a function of crop type, in small agricultural production units in Argentina. Seven experiments were done with two different crops (maize and broccoli, treated area between 600 and 1000 m(2)) with three different operators under typical field conditions using a lever operated knapsack. The methodology is based on the whole body dosimetry technique, presenting separately the data for mixing/loading and application activities. These results indicate a higher concentration of pesticide in lower body sections for broccoli and a wider distribution for maize. The risk inherent in these agricultural procedures is estimated through Margin of Safety (MOS) values and was found to be generally safe. Preliminary results of a mass balance distribution of the pesticide between crop, soil and operator are also presented.     

Lead in the tissues of terrestrial raptors in southern Ontario, Canada, 1995-2001

Terrestrial raptors which feed on upland hunted game species may increase their risk to lead exposure and lead poisoning by ingesting lead shot found in the tissues of prey. Lead exposure in 225 individuals of nineteen species of terrestrial raptors, collected as carcasses in southern Ontario from 1995-2001, was examined through the analysis of bone, liver and kidney tissues. In this study, one red-tailed hawk contained liver lead concentrations and exhibited signs consistent with lead poisoning. Liver and kidney concentrations of one turkey vulture were also significantly higher than that associated with subclinical effects. This same bird, plus another turkey vulture and a northern harrier, had elevated bone lead concentrations (>10 microg/g dw) associated with possible toxicity. Turkey vultures had the highest mean concentrations of lead in bone and kidney compared to other raptor species. While it appeared only a single bird suffered acute lead poisoning, lead levels exceeded threshold concentrations associated with subclinical or acute toxicity in 4 of 225, almost 2%, of terrestrial raptors assessed. Given the association between lead exposure in raptors and hunting of game species reported in other studies, the continued use of lead shot for upland hunting in Ontario likely remains as one of the primary sources of lead and a continued risk to these birds of prey.     

Improved prediction of simultaneous local and overall buckling of stiffened panels

In this paper, improved expressions for elastic local plate buckling and overall panel buckling of uniaxially compressed T-stiffened panels are developed and validated with 55 ABAQUS eigenvalue buckling analyses of a wide range of typical panel geometries. These two expressions are equated to derive a new expression for the rigidity ratio (EI_x/Db)_CO that uniquely identifies “crossover” panels—those for which local and overall buckling stresses are the same. The new expression for (EI_x/Db)_CO is also validated using the 55 FE models. Earlier work by Chen (Ultimate strength analysis of stiffened panels using a beam-column method. PhD Dissertation, Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 2003) had produced a new step-by-step beam-column method for predicting stiffener-induced compressive collapse of stiffened panels. An alternative approach is to use orthotropic plate theory. As part of the validation of the new beam-column method, ABAQUS elasto-plastic Riks ultimate strength analyses were made for 107 stiffened panels—the 55 crossover panels and 52 others. The beam-column and orthotropic approaches were also used. A surprising result was that the orthotropic approach has a large error for crossover panels whereas the beam-column method does not. Some possible reasons for this are suggested.     

Book reviews

RESOURCE TRENDS AND POPULATION POLICY: A TIME FOR REASSESSMENT, by Lester R. Brown. Worldwatch Institute, Washington, D.C., May 1979; Worldwatch Paper 29. (Paperback $2.00)

THE NEXT SEVENTY YEARS: POPULATION, FOOD AND RESOURCES, by B. Gil‐land. Abacus Press, London, 1979. 133 pp. (£9.50)

POPULATION POLICY ANALYSIS, edited by M. E. Kraft and M. Schneider. D. C. Heath, London, 1979. (£0.00)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, by Brian B. Clark, Ronald Bisset and Peter Wath‐ern. Manssell, London and Bowker, New York, 1980. 516 pp. (£0.00)

ADVANCES IN ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Vol. 11, edited by Amyan MacFadyen. Academic Press, London, 1980. 428 pp. (£25.00)

MICROBIAL GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN EXTREMES OF ENVIRONMENT, edited by G. W. Gould and Janet E. Cory. Academic Press, London, 1980. 244 pp. (£16.00)

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: Port Growth and Emerging Coastal Management Programs, by Marc Hershman, Robert Goodwin, Andrew Ruot‐sala, Maureen McCrea and Yehuda Hayuth. A Washington Sea Grant Publication, 1978. 212 pp. ($12.50)

HANDBOOK OF INDUSTRIAL ENERGY ANALYSIS, by J. Boustead and G. F. Hancock. Ellis‐Harwood, Chichester, U.K., 1979. (£25.00)

TREE GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES, by T. T. Kozlowski. University of Washington Press, Seattle and London, 1979. vii + 192 pp. (£12.50)

ALL GOOD THINGS AROUND US, by Pamela Michael. Illustrated by Christabel King. Ernest Benn Ltd., London, 1980. 240 pp. (£12.95)

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (2nd Edition), by A. V. Perpillou. Longman Group, London, U.K., 1977. xviii + 570 pp. 37 pls., 27 maps and diagrams, Index. (Paperback £5.50)

INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTES IMPOUNDMENT, by N. P. Cheremisinoff, P. N. Cheremisinoff, F. Ellerbeck and A. J. Perna. Ann Arbor Science, Michigan, 1979. ix + 475 pp. Index. (£16.25)

PHOSPHORUS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: ITS CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY. (Ciba Foundation No. 57, New Series), by Ruth Porter and David W. Fitzsimons. Elsevier, 1978. (£18.15)

TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL. Vol. II, edited by R. B. Pojasek (Options for Sterilization Solidifications). Ann Arbor Science, Michigan, U.S.A., 1979, 259 pp. (£19.80)

SON OF THE WILDERNESS (The Life of John Muir), by Linnie Marsh Wolfe. The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1978. 364 pp. (Paperback £4.90)

NATURE'S PRICE, by W. van Dieren and M. G. W. Hummelinck. Marion Boyars, London, Boston, 1979. (Paperback £3.50)

PERMACULTURE ONE, by Bill (B. C.) Molli‐son and David Holmgren. Corgi Books, Trans‐world Publishers Ltd., Melbourne, Australia. 128 pp. (A $4.95)

ENVIRONMENTAL AERODYNAMICS, by R. S. Scorer. Ellis Horwood, Chichester, U.K., 1978. 488 pp. (Hardback £20.00; paperback £7.50)     

Europe as Consumer of Exotic Biodiversity: Greek and Roman times

Landscapes at the edge of the city comprise vast areas that ‘lie fallow’, awaiting future urban development. During this time new landscape values evolve. It is argued that the complexity of urban fringe landscapes is not adequately considered either within landscape research or in the practice of spatial planning. A key to understanding landscapes at the inner urban fringe is to focus on landscape dynamics, and on the interactions between spatial plans and everyday activities. The study is divided into three parts. First, theoretical considerations about landscape dynamics and the character of the inner urban fringe are presented. Thereafter, the relationship between spatial planning and everyday places is analysed in a case-study area at the edge of the city of Malmö in southernmost Sweden. The case study demonstrates the complexity of landscape dynamics at the inner urban fringe, as well as problems regarding the handling of ephemeral and transitory aspects within spatial planning. The study concludes with a discussion concerning the importance of studies of landscape dynamics within landscape research.