Combined shape and sizing optimization of truss structures

 In this paper, an evolutionary optimization method is presented for weight minimum problem of a 3-dimensional truss structure in terms of nodal coordinates and element cross-sectional areas. The structure is subject to stress, local buckling and displacement constraints. Two types of design variables with different natures are optimized separately: (1) a fully stressed design (FSD) and scaling techniques are applied to sizing variables and (2) the evolutionary node shift method is applied to shape variables. Alternating procedure is utilized to couple the two types of variables and to combine the results. The optimum solution is achieved gradually from the initial configuration design. Two typical truss structures are examined to illustrate the validity of the method. Received: 22 October 2001 / Accepted: 04 June 2002 This research work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under the guarantees no. 10072050 and 10172072, respectively.     

The effect of additives on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride)

The effect of a range of organic additives on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride), both with and without a chloroparaffin extender, was studied using a number of experimental techniques. Of the additives used the best overall balance was provided by pentaerythritol, which increased stability when the extender was present and had no effect when it was absent. The congo red test emerged as the most suitable technique, being consistent and inexpensive and able to screen several additives simultaneously. Isothermal differential thermal analysis correlated with the congo red test but required more expensive equipment, was time-consuming and demanded good mixing of the poly(vinyl chloride) compound to give reproducible results. Thermogravimetry was not sufficiently sensitive and the heat stability test was the least useful of all.     

硫脲型整合树脂在分析上的应用 Ⅰ.岩样中微量银的中子活化分析

前言银和其他贵金属元素一样,在地壳中比较稀少,按其自然丰度为第67号元素,平均含量仅0.07 ppm。由于地质样品成分非常复杂,为测定其微量银,必须进行严格的化学分离。但是迄今文献中报道的许多分离分法,步骤都相当冗长,一般采用氯化银反     

EFFECT OF THE RATIO Th/U ON TL DATING ACCURACY

ＥＦＦＥＣＴＯＦＴＨＥＲＡＴＩＯＴｈ／ＵＯＮＴＬＤＡＴＩＮＧＡＣＣＵＲＡＣＹ￥Ｐ．Ｌ．Ｌｅｕｎｇ（梁宝鎏）；ＭｉｃｈａｅｌＪ．Ｓｔｏｋｅｓ（ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＰｈｙｓｉｃｓａｎｄＭａｔｅｒｉａｌｓＳｃｉｅｎｃｅ，ＣｉｔｙＰｏｌｙｔｅｃｈｎｉｃｏ...     

Application of a Compaction Simulator to the Design of a High-Dose Tablet Formulation. Part I

The compaction properties of an investigational drug are studied by the use of a compaction simulator. The effects of punch velocity over the range of 30-640 mm^-1 on the compaction properties of the pure drug and a variety of formulas incorporating a high dose of the active compound have been investigated. The data were analyzed by applying the Heckel equation. The pure drug was found to have a high yield pressure at a relatively low punch velocity of 31 mm^-1. As the punch velocity was increased there was a decrease in crushing strength, primarily as a result of increasing yield pressure. These findings indicate that the pure drug predominantly consolidated by fragmentation and elastic deformation, with a slow plastically deforming component. The information obtained on the consolidation mechanism of the pure drug and, subsequently, on model formulas were instrumental in the design and selection of a robust formula and granulation process. The advantages of conducting dosage form design and characterization studies during the early phase of tablet formulation using means such as a compaction simulator are emphasized in this investigation.     

Evaluation of influence of external magnetic disturbance on superconducting magnet taking conservation of linkage flux into account

External magnetic disturbance influences the quality of the image obtained with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system because it causes magnetic resonance frequency drift. When a superconducting magnet in persistent current mode operation is exposed to external magnetic disturbance coil current varies to keep linkage flux constant. Conventional analysis is usually formulated with constant current and does not provide correct evaluation of drift of magnetic field in the magnet. This paper proposes a method of numerical analysis of magnetic field considering conservation of linkage flux in a superconducting magnet under a persistent current mode operation. This method is applied to evaluate drift of the magnetic field in a superconducting magnet for magnetic resonance imaging due to external magnetic disturbance. Analysis results show good agreement with the experimental results.     

Discrete Modeling and Suggested Measurement of Heat Transfer in Gas-Solids Flows

This article presents a two-dimensional transient model for gas-solids flow and heat transfer through pipes using the coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method approach. Numerical simulations have been conducted to examine the modification of fluid thermal structure due to the presence of particles in a pneumatic transport pipeline. Modeled results have demonstrated the key role of transversal motion of rebounding particles in the pipe cross section in altering fluid temperature. Further implementation of this modeling technique in air-drying processes is discussed and possible experimental methods for the measurement of in situ particle and fluid motion and temperature profile are cited.     

The thermal ignition of lignocellulosics in infinite slab and cubic geometries

Wood shaving samples were heated in both cubic baskets and in a previously described system realising the conditions of the ‘infinite slab’ in thermal ignition. Results from the two sets of experiment were found to be totally consistent with each other.