Stresses in bent copper tubing: Application to fatigue and stress-corrosion cracking failure mechanisms

The residual and applied stresses in u-bent copper tubing are addressed in the context of both cyclic fatigue and stress-corrosion cracking. Failures as a result of fatigue and stress corrosion cracking in u-bent copper tubing have been observed to initiate at nonintuitive locations when only the applied stresses on the component are considered. This paper presents both qualitative classical and quantitative finite-element stress analysis results for the forming of u-bends. The resulting residual stress distributions are compared to fracture patterns generated by both fatigue and stress-corrosion cracking mechanisms.     

Time derivative equations for mode I fatigue crack growth in metals

Predicting fatigue crack growth in metals remains a difficult task since the available models based on the Paris law are cycle-derivative equations (da/dN), while service loads are often far from being cyclic. This imposes a cycle-reconstruction of the load sequence, which significantly modifies the load history in the signal. The main objective of this paper is therefore to propose a set of time-derivative equations for fatigue crack growth in order to avoid any cycle reconstruction. The model is based on the thermodynamics of dissipative processes. Its main originality lies in the introduction of a supplementary state variable for the crack, which allows describing continuously the state of the crack throughout any complex load sequence. The state of the crack is considered to be fully characterized at the global scale by its length a, its plastic blunting ρ, and its elastic opening. In the equations, special attention is paid to the elastic energy stored inside the crack tip plastic zone, since, in practice, residual stresses at the crack tip are known to considerably influence fatigue crack growth. The model consists finally in two laws: a crack propagation law, which is a relationship between dρ/dt and da/dt and which observes the inequality stemming from the inequality of Clausius Duhem, and an elastic–plastic constitutive behaviour for the cracked structure, which provides dρ/dt versus load and which stems from the energy balance equation. The model was implemented and tested. It successfully reproduces the main features of fatigue crack growth as reported in the literature, such as the Paris law, the stress ratio effect, and the overload retardation effect.     

Fatigue life calculation by means of the cycle counting and spectral methods under multiaxial random loading

The paper contains a new algorithm for estimation of fatigue life in HCF regime under multiaxial random loading using spectral methods. Loading of Gaussian distribution and narrow‐ and broad‐band frequency spectra were assumed. Various characteristic states of multiaxial loading were considered. The equivalent stress history was determined with use of the failure criteria of multiaxial fatigue based on the critical plane. For determination of the critical plane position, the method of variance was applied. During simulation, the authors compared the results obtained by a spectral method in the frequency domain with those from the rain‐flow algorithm in the time domain. The paper also contains the results of fatigue tests for 18G2A structural steel subjected to bending and combined bending with torsion. The tests were performed in order to verify the proposed algorithms for determination of fatigue life. It has been shown that under multiaxial random loading results of fatigue life calculated according to the considered algorithms in frequency and time domains are well correlated with the results of experiments.     

Identification and Validation of a Discrete Element Model for Concrete

The use of a three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) is proposed to study concrete structures submitted to dynamic loading. The aim of this paper is to validate the model first in the quasistatic domain, and second in dynamic compression, at the sample scale. A particular growing technique is used to set a densely packed assembly of arbitrarily sized spherical particles interacting together, representing concrete. An important difference from classical DEMs where only contact interactions are considered, is the use of an interaction range. First, the correct identification of parameters of the DEM model to simulate elastic and nonlinear deformation including damage and rupture is made through quasistatic uniaxial compression and tension tests. The influence of the packing is shown. The model produces a quantitative match of strength and deformation characteristics of concrete in terms of Young’s modulus, Poisson’s coefficient, and compressive and tensile strengths. Then, its validity is extended through dynamic tests. The simulations exhibit complex macroscopic behaviors of concrete, such as strain softening, fractures that arise from extensive microcracking throughout the assembly, and strain rate dependency.     

Design Strategies for Piled Rafts Subjected to Nonuniform Vertical Loading

The piled raft is a geotechnical composite construction, consisting of the three elements piles, raft, and soil, which is applied for the foundation of tall buildings in an increasing number. In a parametric study, 259 different piled raft configurations have been analyzed by means of three-dimensional elastoplastic finite element analyses. In the study, the pile positions, the pile number, the pile length, and the raft-soil stiffness ratio as well as the load distribution on the raft has been varied. In the scope of this paper, the results of the parametric study are presented and design strategies for an optimized design of piled rafts subjected to nonuniform vertical loading are discussed.     

世界核电设备与结构将长期面临的一个问题--微动损伤

核电设备至仍面临许多不易解决的问题,经过对核电和结构部件多例事故的分析可知,核电设备中微动是不可避免的现象,核能工程中的相当一部分结构损伤事故与和微动损伤有着直接的关系;在反应力集中,腐蚀部位,微动又是许多核电设备提前损伤失效的直接原因。     

循环荷载作用下钢结构滞回性能的数值模型

提出了“塑性铰有限分布”的数值模型用以分析钢结构在循环荷载作用下的滞回性能。经与试验结果比较表明模型简单、易于实施，待进一步完善后，可直接用于对梁及压弯构件的模拟。     

BUCK变换器带恒功率负载反馈精确线性化控制

对BUCK交换器带恒功率负载系统的非线性控制进行了研究.根据恒功率负载的非线性特性,推导出BUCK变换器带恒功率负载的精确线性化反馈控制规律,设计了系统非线性控制器.用SABER软件对控制律进行了仿真,结果表明反馈精确线性化技术可以实现对BUCK变换器带恒功率负载的控制,在电源及负载大范围变化时,保证系统的稳定运行,具有大信号稳定特性.     

Stochastic aspects of bridge deck aeroelasticity under turbulent flow

Returning to an earlier frequency-domain analysis of the problem of long-span bridge response to ambient winds, the paper emphasizes the indispensable experimental information necessary to bring results into conformity with full-scale prototype action. Focus is placed upon the use of a sectional wind tunnel model under simulated turbulent flow as the prime source of this information, which consists principally of the flutter derivatives and the spectra of the wind forces, both obtained under turbulent flow. The effect of three-dimensional turbulence upon the flutter derivatives is observed to influence structural stability in a manner consistent with that observed in full-bridge wind tunnel models.