Effects of solidification structure on fatigue crack initiation and fatigue strength in Al−Si−Mg cast alloys

Rotating-bending uniaxial fatigue tests and micro-fatigue crack initiation tests were carried out using a permanent mold cast (PMC) and semi-solid die cast (SDC) with Al−7%Si−0.35%Mg composition in order to examine the relationship between solidification structures and fatigue behaviors. The crack length was measured using a replication method. Fatigue strength was improved in SDC, which was almost consistent with the predicted fatigue strength using the size of Si particle cluster. Resistance to fatigue crack initiation and fatigue strength were improved in SDC owing to the finer Si cluster and to higher ultimate tensile strength. Fatigue crack in PMC was preferentially initiated at pores. For SDC, the fatigue crack was initiated at the Si particle/matrix interface, and then sucessively grew along eutectic cell boundaries.     

Failure analysis used for remanufacturing of steel rolling components

The guide-pieces, used in the process line of steel rolling, were the important components. The guidepieces, which were slide contacting with the rolled-piece, had a high temperature and high speed. The wear was very serious. The results from failure analysis showed that there were three failure forms in the guide-pieces: the first was the wear during heat friction, the second was the heat fatigue under the cycle of deep heating and deep cooling, and the third was the impact rupture. Among them, the wear was the main reason. To the wear of guidepieces, there were four mechanisms, namely abrasive wear, adhesive wear, fatigue wear and corrosion wear. The failure analysis to the guide-piece laid the foundation for its remanufacturing. Foundation item: Project(50235030) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Acoustic emission method for research and control of friction pairs

One of the new physical methods that provides much information about the processes going on in a friction contact zone in real time is acoustic emission (AE). Basic experimental results of AE in friction are presented and analysed. Using AE signals we can get an indication about the state of the friction processes, about the quality of solid and liquid layers on the contacting surfaces in real time, sometimes about intensity of wear, changing of wear and friction regimes and so on. The influence of sliding velocity, load, roughness and some physical and mechanical properties of the body on the parameters of AE are also given. Some attention to the practical implementation of these techniques for control of capability for work of friction pairs in real conditions are given. Modern methods and devices enable condition monitoring of sliding and rolling bearings.     

Investigations of water inrushes from aquifers under coal seams

In many coal mines, limestone-confined aquifers underlie coal seams. During coal extraction from these mines, water inrushes occur frequently with disastrous consequences. This paper introduces the hydrogeological conditions of the coal mines and the potential water inrush disasters from aquifers under coal seams. It then presents the water inrush mechanism. The main factors which control water inrushes include strata pressure, mining size, geologic structures and the water pressure in the underlying aquifer. Analysis shows that reduction of confinement due to mining is the major cause of the water-conducting failure in the floor strata. The depth of the failure zone is strongly dependent on the mining width. This paper also presents field observation results of the water-conducting failure in the floor strata, and applies the finite element method coupled with stress-dependent permeability to analyze hydraulic conductivity enhancement due to coal extraction. Finally, theoretical and empirical methods to predict water inrushes are given, and technical measures for improving mine design and safety for coal extraction over aquifers are presented. These measures include fault and fracture grouting and mining method modification such as changing long-wall to short-wall mining.     

海底管道系统失效故障树的建立及定性分析

受自然环境、管道腐蚀、第三方破坏及管理不善等因素的影响,海底管道系统在铺设及运行过程中常常会失效。文中以海底管道穿孔、凝管、断裂和设备故障等主要失效形式为顶事件建立了海底管道系统失效故障树,通过系统的定性分析得到了海底管道系统失效故障树的37个一阶最小割集,进而确定了影响海底管道系统失效的4项主要因素,并针对这些主要因素提出了相应的解决问题的措施。     

大坝洪水漫顶风险评估

洪水漫顶是导致大坝溃坝的主要原因之一,大坝洪水漫顶风险评估是大坝风险评估的重要组成部分。为此,简要介绍了大坝洪水漫顶的风险模型,并通过实例详细地讨论了模型中各有关参数的不确定性处理方法,探讨了入库洪水的不确定性对洪水漫顶风险率的影响以及按规范设计的大坝的防洪能力问题。     

18臂机械井径与磁法井径组合测井仪原理及应用

文章主要介绍了18臂机械井径与磁法井径组合测井仪的仪器结构、主要技术特性、测量原理及测井资料在油田中的应用。通过对测井资料的分析，阐述了该仪器在套损检测、补贴效果检查、射孔工程作业效果评价等方面的应用，为油田套管分析提供了可靠的保证。     

Predicting Acute Renal Failure after Cardiac Surgery: Validation and Re‐definition of a Risk‐Stratification Algorithm

Background:  Acute renal failure (ARF) after cardiac surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, irrespective of the need for dialysis. Previous studies have attempted to identify predictors of ARF and develop risk stratification algorithms. This study aims to validate the algorithm in an independent cohort of patients that includes a significant proportion of female and black patients and compares two different definitions of renal outcome.
Methods:  A large single center cardiac surgery database was examined (n, 24,660; 1993–2000) which included 29.9% females and 3.7% black patients. Post‐operative ARF was defined as: a) ARF requiring dialysis, b) > 50% reduction in creatinine clearance relative to baseline or requiring dialysis. Clinical variables related to baseline renal function and cardiovascular disease were used in recursive partitioning analysis for both outcome definitions. Chi‐square goodness of fit analysis was performed to validate the algorithm.
Results:  The frequency of post‐operative ARF requiring dialysis ranged between 0.5 and 15.5% based on the risk categories with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.78. Using the more inclusive definition of ARF, the frequency was significantly higher ranging from 2.6 to 25%(P < 0.001) with an area under ROC curve of 0.65.
Conclusions:  The renal risk stratification algorithm is valid in predicting post‐operative ARF in an independent cohort of patients, well represented by differences in gender and race. Since the need for dialysis remains subjective, a more objective and inclusive definition of ARF may help in identifying a larger number of patients 'at‐risk'.     

Threshold and growth mechanism of fatigue cracks under mode II and III loadings

ABSTRACT The fatigue crack growth behaviour of 0.47% carbon steel was studied under mode II and III loadings. Mode II fatigue crack growth tests were carried out using specially designed double cantilever (DC) type specimens in order to measure the mode II threshold stress intensity factor range, ΔK_IIth. The relationship ΔK_IIth > ΔK_Ith caused crack branching from mode II to I after a crack reached the mode II threshold. Torsion fatigue tests on circumferentially cracked specimens were carried out to study the mechanisms of both mode III crack growth and of the formation of the factory‐roof crack surface morphology. A change in microstructure occurred at a crack tip during crack growth in both mode II and mode III shear cracks. It is presumed that the crack growth mechanisms in mode II and in mode III are essentially the same. Detailed fractographic investigation showed that factory‐roofs were formed by crack branching into mode I. Crack branching started from small semi‐elliptical cracks nucleated by shear at the tip of the original circumferential crack.     

Low-cycle fatigue properties of eutectic solders at high temperatures

This paper details the deformation mechanism and low‐cycle fatigue life of eutectic solder alloys at high temperature (around 0.8T_m). Grain boundary sliding generally nucleates a wedge‐type cavity that reduces the low‐cycle fatigue life of metals. In this study, grain boundary sliding has promoted intergranular failure contributing to the reduction in fatigue life of Sn–Ag–Cu alloy. However, grain boundary sliding has exerted no deleterious effects on fatigue resistance of eutectic Pb–Sn and Bi–Sn alloys. The phase boundary sliding with very fine microstructure induces exceptional ductility in these alloys leading to superior low‐cycle fatigue endurance for theses eutectic Pb–Sn and Bi–Sn alloys.