Control of Wind-Induced Self-Excited Oscillations by Transfer of Internal Energy to Higher Modes of Vibration. II: Application to Taut Cables

In Part I of this paper, a theoretical basis is presented using a two-degrees-of-freedom model. In this second part of the study, the passive control and the two types of semiactive controls introduced in Part I are examined numerically for a taut cable experiencing wind-induced galloping motion. The passive and the semiactive control schemes for taut cables show a good similarity with the results obtained for the two-degrees-of-freedom model. The potential of using these control schemes in practical applications to flexible structures is demonstrated.     

Assessment of Shear Forces on Bridge Abutments: Simplified Method

The conventional application of reduction factors to response spectrum analysis results is inappropriate for the abutment shear forces, which are based on elastic action. On the other hand, adopting the unreduced values from the elastic dynamic analysis does not achieve equilibrium among the abutment shear forces, deck inertia forces, and reduced pier forces. A simplified method is here proposed for the assessment of the shear on the abutments, documented by comparison with response spectrum and time history nonlinear analyses for several bridge configurations. For the analyzed configuration of the bridge with an internal movement joint, the response spectrum analysis underestimates the shear on the abutment for low values of the abutment flexibility and overestimates it when the stiffness of the abutments becomes higher than that of the piers. In all the case studies analyzed, the proposed method approximates the time history results better than the response spectrum.     

Experimental and mathematical studies of natural convection for solid-salt dissolution in water

The phenomena of natural convection caused by a concentration gradient usually creates currents as a result of buoyancy forces. These forces are formed from the combined effect of a fluid density gradient and the body force (gravitational force). The above phenomenon was studied experimentally in a circular glass column of 0.08 m diameter and 1 m length. This column was erected vertically and filled with distilled water with a salt bag placed on top of it and partially immersed in water. The dissolution mechanism was then modelled and a finite difference method was used to solve the formulated equations by using the implicit scheme of MacCormack (Anderson et al., 1984). The experimental results and the numerical predictions are represented graphically and give compatible agreement.     

On an invariance principle for unilateral contact at a bimaterial elastic interface

This paper examines the axisymmetric elastostatic problem related to the unilateral receding contact at a pre-compressed smooth bimaterial elastic interface. The separation at the interface is caused by the action of axisymmetric stress fields of unequal magnitude, which are applied at any location of the separate halfspace regions. The analysis of the problem focuses on the determination of the zone of separation as a function of the pre-compression, the magnitudes and locations of the axisymmetric stress fields inducing the separation, and the elasticity characteristics of the halfspace regions. It is found that the radius of the separation zone can be evaluated in explicit form. In the particular instance when the loadings applied at the surface of the halfspace regions are equal in magnitude and distribution, the analysis reveals that the radius of the separation zone is independent of the elasticity properties of the halfspace regions and can be evaluated in exact closed form.     

Thermally stimulated shrinkage forces in oriented polymers: 1. Temperature dependence

Temperature dependences of shrinkage forces appearing in oriented polymer samples when heated at constant length were recorded for polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and polypropylene. The influence of various processing conditions on thermally stimulated shrinkage forces is demonstrated. A four-state model is proposed which qualitatively describes the temperature dependences of shrinkage forces in amorphous polymers.     

基于变轴力和定轴力试验对比的钢筋混凝土柱恢复力滞回特性研究

在讨论了框架柱在地震作用下轴力变化规律的基础上,通过由变轴力柱和定轴力柱的低周交变加载试验获得的恢复力滞回曲线对比,给出了用各个“轴力变化半周”的“等效滞回轴力”修正恢复力骨架曲线,和用“等效累积滞回轴力”随时间步长调整累积强度退化系数从而修正恢复力滞回曲线的再加载刚度的建议。该建议能更有效、更方便地反映轴力变化的整个历程对变轴力柱恢复特征的影响,有利于提高钢筋混凝土杆系结构非弹性地震反应分析的有效性。     

Ti/Al Interaction and Austenite Grain Control in Crankshaft Manufacturing with 38MnSiVS5 Steel

38MnSiVS5 steel is similar to 38MnVS6 steel (EN), the difference being the addition of a small Ti content. Typical Ti and Al contents in the chemical composition of 38MnSiVS5 steel are Ti=0.020 and Al=0.035 mass%. Both elements combine easily with nitrogen, especially Ti, and it has been observed that relatively high Al levels are harmful for austenite grain size control at reheating temperatures. In this work 38MnSiVS5 steel is used to manufacture a large number of castings, varying only the Ti and Al contents and obtaining ingots with a different Ti/Al ratio in each case. The results show that abnormal growth of the austenitic grain occurs irrespective of the Ti and Al contents, due fundamentally to the partial dissolution and coarsening of TiN precipitates. However, the steels with high Al contents present worse behaviour due to the formation of a second type of precipitates, namely AIN, which quickly dissolve between 1000 and 1100°C, causing a drastic decline in local pinning forces that gives rise to more pronounced abnormal growth of the affected grains.     

THE STICKY ISSUES OF DRYING

Unconrolled agglomeration of particles and adhesion of the particulate mass to wall surfaces are common severe problems in many drying operations. This paper reviews the mechanisms of interparticle and particle-surface attraction as well as the theory and the existing tests for characterising powders in terms of internal strength, wall friction and adhesion. The usefulness of the information obtained from these tests in dryer design and operation is critically reviewed. The importance of powder stickiness in various types of dryers is discussed and established methods of combating the problem are presented Recommendations an made for further research in the area of powder cohesion and adhesion.     

Equivalent Control of Constrained Multibody Systems

This paper investigates the title problem from the perspective ofdetermining which forcesystems, although different, will have the same dynamic effectwhen applied to a mechanical system.A procedure is presented for determining how differences incontrol force/moment input are nullifiedby constraints on the system. This in turn provides a basis foroptimal control. The theoreticaldevelopment is illustrated by a series of examples with a model ofa redundant manipulator – a constrained/controlled triple pendulum.     

Deflections of highly inflated fabric tubes

Inflatable beams made of modern textile materials with important mechanical characteristics can be inflated at high pressure. The aim of the paper is to present experimental, analytical and numerical results on the deflections of highly inflated fabric tubes submitted to bending loads. Experiments are displayed and we show that tube behaviour looks like that of inflatable panels (Thin-Walled Struct. 40 (2002) 523–536). Equilibrium equations are once again written in the deformed state to take into account the geometrical stiffness and the following forces. The influence of the shear stress cannot be neglected and Timoshenko’s beam theory is used. A new inflatable tube theory is established and simple analytical formulas are given for a cantilever-inflated tube. Comparisons between analytical and experimental results are shown. A new inflatable finite tube element is constructed by use of algebraic operations, because the compliance matrix of the cantilever beam is not symmetric. Comparisons between experimental, analytical and numerical results prove the accuracy of this beam theory and on this new finite element for solving problems on the deflections of highly inflated tubes.