Dependence of critical current density on microstructure and processing of high-Tc superconductors

Microstructural origins for reduced weak-link behavior in high-J_c melt-processed YBCO, spray pyrolyzed thick films of Tl-1223, metallic precursor Y-124 polycrystalline powder-in-tube (PIT) wires and PIT Bi-2212/2223 are discussed. Since the materials studied are the highest J_c, polycrystalline, high-T_c superconductors fabricated worldwide, the results provide important guidelines for further improvements in superconducting properties, thereby enabling practical applications of these materials. It is found that strongly linked current flow within domains of melt-processed 123 occurs effectively through a single crystal path. In c-axis oriented, polycrystalline Tl-1223 thick films, local in-plane texture has been found to play a crucial role in the reduced weak-link behavior. Formation of “colonies” of grains with a common c-axis and modest in-plane misorientation was observed. Furthermore, a colony boundary in general has a varying misorientation along the boundary. Large regions comprised primarily of low angle boundaries were observed. Percolative transport through a network of such small angle boundaries appears to provide the nonweak-linked current path. Although powder-in-tube BSCCO 2212 and 2223 also appear to have a “colony” microstructure, there are some important differences. Colonies in BSCCO consist of stacks of grains with similar c-axis orientation in contrast to colonies in Tl-1223 films where few grains are stacked on top of one another. Furthermore, most grains within a colony in BSCCO have the same lateral dimensions as that of the colony, resulting largely largely in “twist” boundaries. Further microstructural characterization of high-J_c PIT 2212 and 2223 is currently underway. In the case of Y-124 wires, weak macroscopic in-plane texture is found. Additional measurements are underway to determine if a sharper, local in-plane texture also exists. It is found that in three of the four types of superconductors studied, reduced weak-link behavior can be ascribed to some degree of biaxial alignment between grains, either on a “local” or a “global” scale.     

Nonlinear coupled problems in dynamics of shells

The coupled system of three partial differential equations governing a flexible shallow shell dynamics is analysed. No any prior assumptions about the temperature distribution through the shell thickness are applied. The efficiency of the method used here when applied to the solution of integral-differential equations with different dimensions (three-dimensional equations related to the Kirchhoff-Love model) and of different type (heat transfer equations and the hyperbolic equations of shell theory) is demonstrated. Many computational results are reported and discussed.     

A New Variable Diffusion Drying Model for the Second Falling Rate Period of Paddy Dried in a Rapid Bin Dryer

The objectives of this article is to propose a new drying model for the second falling rate period known as the variable diffusion controlled period that follows after the first falling rate period and to propose a new method to determine the second critical moisture content that separates these two periods. Experimental work on paddy drying at minimum fluidization velocity was carried out in a rapid bin dryer. The effects of operating temperatures (60-120°C) and bed depths (2-6 cm) on the paddy drying characteristics were investigated. It was found that the normalized drying rate of paddy was proportional to the normalized moisture content in the first falling rate period but in the second falling rate period, the normalized drying rate of the material varies exponentially with the normalized moisture content. The different relationship between the normalized drying rate and the normalized moisture content in the first and second falling rate periods indicate that two different mechanism of moisture transport are at work. The new exponential model of the second falling rate period and the linear model of the first falling rate period were found to fit the experimental data very well. Derivation from variable diffusion equation shows that the linear model is the result of constant diffusion coefficient whereas the new exponential model is the result of linear diffusion coefficient. This also implies that the first falling rate period is a constant diffusion controlled period and the second falling rate period is a variable diffusion controlled period. In addition, drying kinetics data of a drying process that fits the exponential model over a very slow drying period will show that the drying process is under the effect of a linear diffusion coefficient. It was also found that the proposed new method to determine the second critical moisture content that distinguishes between the first and second falling rate periods by using a sudden change in the value of the drying rate gradient to a much lower value at that point is more rigorous and yet simpler than the method of determining the specific location of the receding drying boundary since it is based on the behavior of the actual drying kinetic data.     

Phase equilibria of quasi-binary systems consisting of multicomponent polymers 1 and 2. IV: Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) systems

To confirm the reliability of the theory of phase equibria of multicomponent polymer 1/multicomponent polymer 2 systems (i.e. quasi-binary systems) and the method of computer experiment based on this theory (Brit. Polym. J., 23 (1990)285; 23 (1990)299; Polym. Int., 29 (1992)219), could point curves (CPC), two-phase volume ratios ( R ) and critical solution points (CSP) have been determined experimentally for the quasi-binary mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) (M¯_w = 647, M¯_w/M¯_n = 1.15; M¯_w and M¯_n, the weight-average and numberaverage molecular weights, respectively) and poly(propylene oxide) (M¯_w = 2028, M¯_w/M¯_n = 1.08; and M_w = 2987, M_w/M_n = 1.13). The hydroxyl end groups of both polymers were methoxylated in advance by the Cooper & Booth method (Polymer, 18 (1977)164). The thermodynamic interaction parameter between both polymers, χ₁₂, and the concentration dependence parameters for the above quasi-binary systems were determined by the method proposed in a previous paper (Brit. Polym. J., 23 (1990)299). CPC, R and CSP values calculated on the basis of the theory are in good agreement with the values determined experimentally.     

Behavior of a Semiintegral Bridge Abutment under Static and Temperature-Induced Cyclic Loading

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of semiintegral bridge abutments. Primary interests were to investigate (1) potential problems with the particular detail tested; (2) rotational characteristics of the semiintegral abutments; and (3) ability of the specimens to withstand cyclic loading induced by temperature variations during the expected life of the bridge. Sixteen experiments were conducted on three large-scale specimens. The results of the tests have shown that semiintegral abutments can significantly reduce the moments transferred from the superstructure to the foundation piles. Test results have also shown that semiintegral abutments can tolerate the number of displacement cycles that a bridge will experience during the course of its economic life.     

Service Load Effective Compression Flange Width in Fiber Reinforced Polymer Deck Systems Acting Compositely with Steel Stringers

This paper reports on the field study of a steel stringer-fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) deck composite bridge in Pennsylvania. The objective of the study is to assess the effective compression flange width in the FRP deck and floor systems when they act compositely with underlying steel girders at service conditions. The research results reported herein support the notion of employing a design approach, for both interior and exterior girders of a composite floor system, that is philosophically consistent with current practice related to steel girders acting compositely with concrete decking. It appears from the results presented herein that FRP decks and floors acting compositely with underlying steel girders exhibit an effective width that is close to the actual girder spacing for interior beams, and approximately one-half this value for exterior beams.     

Biofiltration of toluene in the absence and the presence of ethyl acetate under continuous and intermittent loading

BACKGROUND: Two peat biofilters were used for the removal of toluene from air for one year. One biofilter was fed with pure toluene and the other received 1:1 (by weight) ethyl acetate:toluene mixture. RESULTS: The biofilters were operated under continuous loading: the toluene inlet load (IL) at which 80% removal occurred was 116 g m^?3 h^?1 at 57 s gas residence time. Maximum elimination capacity of 360 g m^?3 h^?1 was obtained at an IL of 745 g m^?3 h^?1. The elimination of toluene was inhibited by the presence of ethyl acetate. Intermittent loading, with pollutants supplied for 16 h/day, 5 days/week, did not significantly affect the removal efficiency (RE). Biomass was fully activated in 2 h after night closures, but 6 h were required to recover RE after weekend closures. Live cell density remained relatively constant over the operational period, while the dead cell fraction increased. Finally, a 15 day starvation period was applied and operation then re‐started. Performance was restored with similar re‐acclimatization period to that after weekend closures, and a reduction in dead cell fraction was observed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the capacity of the system to handle intermittent loading conditions that are common in industrial practices, including long‐term starvation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

集中载荷作用下的套管抗挤能力分析

根据油田套管损坏情况,建立了集中载荷作用下的套管抗挤能力计算模型,利用能量法和曲杆理论,分析研究了承受180°对称分布集中载荷、90°均匀分布集中载荷和120°均匀分布集中载荷下中厚壁套管抗挤能力,得出了理想圆管抗挤强度和套管屈曲临界挤毁压力的计算公式,通过分析比较理论解与有限元解,其最大相对误差不超过1%,得出了套管抵抗局部载荷的能力低于抵抗均布载荷的结论。     

Rotational Restraint of Pile Caps during Lateral Loading

A pure fixed-head (zero-rotation) condition at the top of a group of laterally loaded piles is seldom achievable in the field, even when piles are installed in a group that is “rigidly” constrained by a stiff concrete pile cap. Assuming complete fixity during design (zero rotation at the pile head) can result in underestimated values of pile-head deflection, and incorrect estimates of the magnitude and the location of maximum bending moments. A simple and practical approach is presented for estimating the moment restraint that is provided by the pile cap at the top of a pile group. The moment restraint, represented by the rotational restraint coefficient (KMθ), serves as a boundary condition for analyzing groups of laterally loaded piles. Full-scale field tests performed on two pile groups with concrete pile caps show that the proposed method for estimating rotational restraint provides results that are in good agreement with measured field performance.     

Critical incidents and chronic stressors at work: Their impact on forensic doctors.

Workers in medium- or high-risk professions are often confronted with critical incidents at the workplace. The impact of these acute stressors may be serious and enduring. Many workers also experience chronic job stressors, such as work overload or role conflicts. This study examined the frequently neglected relationship of acute and chronic stressors with self-reported health symptoms, such as posttraumatic responses, fatigue, and burnout. This association was investigated in a sample of forensic doctors in the Netherlands (N = 84). It was found that the more traumatic events the respondents experienced, the more problems they reported in coping with the traumatic events. Chronic job stressors were associated with posttraumatic responses (intrusions and avoidances) and with burnout and fatigue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)