Applications of the discrete element method in mechanical engineering

Compared to other fields of engineering, in mechanical engineering, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is not yet a well known method. Nevertheless, there is a variety of simulation problems where the method has obvious advantages due to its meshless nature. For problems where several free bodies can collide and break after having been largely deformed, the DEM is the method of choice. Neighborhood search and collision detection between bodies as well as the separation of large solids into smaller particles are naturally incorporated in the method. The main DEM algorithm consists of a relatively simple loop that basically contains the three substeps contact detection, force computation and integration. However, there exists a large variety of different algorithms to choose the substeps to compose the optimal method for a given problem. In this contribution, we describe the dynamics of particle systems together with appropriate numerical integration schemes and give an overview over different types of particle interactions that can be composed to adapt the method to fit to a given simulation problem. Surface triangulations are used to model complicated, non-convex bodies in contact with particle systems. The capabilities of the method are finally demonstrated by means of application examples. Commemorative Contribution.     

稀土棕红色陶瓷颜料的制备

在低温下,采用溶胶均匀共沉淀法合成了含少量稀土氧化物CeO2的棕色陶瓷颜料,并应用颜色测定、SEM及XRD分析等手段对颜料的颜色、粒度及结晶构造进行了表征。同时,将合成的颜料应用于陶瓷釉料中,表明该颜料可以应用于1320℃的高温环境下。     

Learning Automata from Ordered Examples

Connectionist learning models have had considerable empirical success, but it is hard to characterize exactly what they learn. The learning of finite-state languages (FSL) from example strings is a domain which has been extensively studied and might provide an opportunity to help understand connectionist learning. A major problem is that traditional FSL learning assumes the storage of all examples and thus violates connectionist principles. This paper presents a provably correct algorithm for inferring any minimum-state deterministic finite-state automata (FSA) from a complete ordered sample using limited total storage and without storing example strings. The algorithm is an iterative strategy that uses at each stage a current encoding of the data considered so far, and one single sample string. One of the crucial advantages of our algorithm is that the total amount of space used in the course of learning for encoding any finite prefix of the sample is polynomial in the size of the inferred minimum state deterministic FSA. The algorithm is also relatively efficient in time and has been implemented. More importantly, there is a connectionist version of the algorithm that preserves these properties. The connectionist version requires much more structure than the usual models and has been implemented using the Rochester Connectionist Simulator. We also show that no machine with finite working storage can iteratively identify the FSL from arbitrary presentations.     

“菜鸟“小议

近年来,"菜鸟"作为一个新兴词语在网络上广为流传,甚至波及到社会生活的方方面面.通过语素分析和近义比较,可以来考察此词的读音和意义.     

Characterization of EBPVD micro-layer composites and simulation of its internal stress state

Based on the basic operating principal and the technology characteristic of electron beam physical vapor deposition(EBPVD) technique, EBPVD was used to prepare the micro-layer composites. The effect on the substrate preheating temperature was taken into accounts and the finite element analysis package ANSYS was used to simulate the internal stress field and the potential displacement changing tendency. The results show that one of the most important quality factors on the judgment of micro-layer composites is the adhesion between the substrate and the deposition layers as well as among the different deposition layers. Besides the existance of temperature gradient through the thickness of layers, the main reason for the internal stress in micro-layer composites is the mismatch of various properties of the layer and the substrate of different thermal expansions and crystal lattice types. With the increase of substrate preheating temperature, the inter-laminar shear stress also takes on a tendency of increase but the axial residual stress decrease.     

正则化长波方程的三次样条差分模拟

本文对正则化长波方程(RLW方程)的时间、空间项分别采用三次样条公式进行离散,所得到的差分方程为三点、三层隐格式,对时间的精度为四阶,对空间的精度为二阶,每个时间步只需求解一个三对角方程组,而三次样条配置法在每个时间步中需要求解三个三对角方程组。本文对单个孤立波的演化进行了计算,参数与文[8]相同,其结果与解析解的最大绝对误差均保持在10~(-3)的量级以内,与文[8]给出的数值方法精度相当。对两、三个孤立波的相互碰撞,本文结果显示出在忽略10~(-3)量级的误差后,碰撞前后的孤立波形状保持不变,无论是一个孤立波的演化,还是两、三个孤立波相互碰撞,当将波形放大100倍后均可以发现有振荡的尾波,这说明这类振荡尾波的产生并非真实的物理现象,而是由数值误差产生的。本文认为仅从工程应用的意义上说,RLW方程具有孤立子性质的结论是可以接受的。     

Experimental and numerical investigation of fracture in double-edge notched steel plates

Double-edge notched (DENT) steel plates were pulled until complete fracture and several experimental observations were made (using profilometry and scanning electron microscopy). The essential work of fracture (EWF) model was found to be well verified. Numerical simulations—up to the maximum load only—of some experiments were performed using the finite element method (FEM), and incorporating geometric and material non-linearities (large deformation elasto-plasticity). Some experimental measurements were compared with the corresponding numerical computations and excellent agreement was found.     

Analysis of brushless three-phase synchronous generator without exciter

Recently, a demand for small-capacity generators has been increasing as electric sources in small ships and automobiles or as portable electric sources driven by engines. It is desired that the structure of small-capacity generators be simple and robust, and that the generators be highly reliable, easily maintained and controlled. This paper describes an analysis of the original brushless synchronous generator without exciter. The output voltage can be adjusted in the wide range by controlling the stator dc current. To analyze the characteristics of this generator, the finite element method is applied. It is found that the results of theoretical analysis agree well with the experimental results.     

AHMED experiments on hygroscopic and inert aerosol behaviour in LWR containment conditions: experimental results

Hygroscopic NaOH, CsI, CsOH and inert Ag aerosol behaviour at different temperatures and relative humidities (RH) has been studied in a well instrumented and controlled vessel of 1.81 m³ total free volume. Homogeneous thermal-hydraulic conditions for aerosol measurement in the vessel were achieved. The aerosol number and mass concentration were measured continuously during the experiments using a Condensation Nucleus Counter and a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance. The particle size distribution and chemical composition in the test conditions were measured by Berner low pressure impactors. In the case of NaOH the half life of the aerosol mass concentration was more than four times longer at low RH (22%) as compared to high RH (96%). The half lives of the CsOH and CsI aerosols were only twice as long at low RH as compared to high RH. Thus at high RH (96–97%) the half lives of CsOH and CsI were twice as long as the half life for the NaOH aerosol. The faster decay of the NaOH aerosol is due to the smaller density decrease of NaOH during water condensation. CsOH particles grew rapidly to their equilibrium size at all humidities. The measured equilibrium size for CsOH aerosol agree well with the calculated particle size at different RHs. Experimental results were also compared with calculations obtained by severe accident computer codes. These calculated results will be presented in a later paper.     

强折射轴对称流场的干涉再现方法

利用光学方法测量气体状态参数的关键在于确定气体折射率场的变化。光线通过稳定的非均匀折射率场时发生偏折，并且在强折射对称场中会产生交叉，使得条纹位移量的判读困难。本文首先分析了光线在轴对称折射率场中的偏折效应，在此基础上，给出了一种利用成像透镜对强折射轴对称场中折射率的干涉再现方法。该方法与其它方法相比较能够精确地确定折射率ｎ（ｒ）的值。