Fracture response of fibre-reinforced materials with macro/microcrack damage using the Boundary Element Technique

The Boundary Element Method (BEM) incorporating the Embedded Cell Approach (ECA) has been used to analyse the effects of constituent material properties, fibre spatial distribution and microcrack damage on the localised behaviour of transversely fractured, unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites. Three specific composites, i.e., glass fibre reinforced polyester, carbon fibre reinforced epoxy and a glass-carbon hybrid, are considered. The geometrical structures examined were perfectly periodic, uniformly spaced fibre arrangements in square and hexagonal embedded cells. In addition, numerical simulations were also conducted using embedded cells containing randomly distributed fibres. The models involve both elastic fibres and matrix, with the interfaces between the different phases being fully bonded. The results indicate that the constituent material properties (two phase composite) and spatial distribution have a significant effect on the localised stress distributions around the primary crack tip. However, the strain energy release rate associated with crack propagation is predominantly influenced by the material composition. The three-phase hybrid composite exhibited an apparent intermediate fracture toughness value, compared to the all-glass and all-carbon models. Furthermore, the strain energy release rate for the macrocrack lowers as it enters a zone of localised damage (microcracking). The presence of microcracks relaxes the stress field, which can result in a significant reduction in the energetics of the primary crack.     

A new family of continuous/discontinuous three-dimensional boundary elements with application to acoustic wave propagation

This paper presents a new family of continuous/discontinuous three-dimensional boundary elements which has been implemented in a computer system for acoustic wave propagation in the frequency domain. The system includes elements of different geometrical shapes, 'order of interpolation and degree of continuity. Results of several tests are included to show the efficiency of the family of elements.     

The effect of trans-isomers on the physical properties of hydrogenated oils

Data have been presented which indicate a positive relationship between thetrans-isomer content of a hydrogenated oil and the congeal point, Wiley melting-point, and solids index. It has also been shown that cottonseed oil and soybean oil undergo substantially the same type of reaction under identical hydrogenating conditions. This conclusion is based on the relationship oftrans-isomer formation to total reduction in unsaturation up to the point that equilibrium is reached and saturation of thetrans-isomers occurs. This equilibrium was noted at between 60–70 iodine value. The relationship oftrans-isomer formation to the total reduction in double bonds can be expressed as the hydrogenation index. This is a reliable indication of the type of reaction taking place up to the point where appreciable hydrogenation of thetrans-isomers occur.     

Two-phase flow patterns in turbulent flow through a dose diffusion pipe

A numerical investigation is carried out for turbulent particle-laden flow through a dose diffusion pipe for a model reactor system. A Lagrangian stochastic Monte-Carlo particle-tracking approach and the averaged Reynolds equations with a k– turbulence model, with a two-layer zonal method in the boundary layer, are used for the disperse and continuous phases. The flow patterns coupled with the particle dynamics are predicted. It is observed that the coupling of the continuous phase with the particle dynamics is important in this case. It was found that the geometry of the throat significantly influences the particle distribution, flow patterns and length of the recirculation region. The accuracy of the simulations depends on the numerical prediction and correction of the fluid phase velocity during a characteristic time interval of the particles. A numerical solution strategy for the computation of two-way momentum coupled flow is discussed. The three test cases show different flow features in the formation of a recirculation region behind the throat. The method will be useful for the qualitative analysis of conceptual designs and their optimisation.     

Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Thin Remote Microwave Plasma CVD a-Si:N:C Films from a Single-Source Precursor

Silicon carbonitride (a-Si:N:C) films produced by remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RP-CVD) were investigated. Tetramethyldisilazane as a single-source precursor and (H₂+N₂) upstream gas mixture for plasma generation were used. The influence of the upstream gas composition on the structure, density, mechanical and tribological properties of the films deposited on p-type Si (001) wafers (both heated—T _s =300°C and unheated—T _s =30°C) are reported. The H₂ RP-CVD process was found to result in the formation of outstanding low friction (0.04) and high hardness (H=27-31 GPa) a-Si:N:C films exhibiting promisingly high H/E values.     

Validity of the Wiener subtle and obvious scales for the MMPI: Another example of the importance of inventory-item content.

Conducted canonical variate analysis of MMPI scale T scores and factor scores derived from rating criteria from 2 independent patient samples containing 384 (mean age 26.3 yrs) and 400 (mean age 30.2 yrs) Ss. Results provided substantial evidence for the validity of the interpretive intent of the standard scales Depression, Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, and Hypomania (accounting for 28.5 and 25.7% of the criterion variance) and their obvious versions (30.4 and 34.9%), while providing little support (13.4 and 5.6%) for the interpretive intent of the subtle scales. Subtle scale elevation was inversely related to symptomatology on some nonrelated behavioral dimensions. Inclusion of an estimate of client defensiveness did not improve the predictive ability of the subtle scales. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detailed history of recoiling ions induced by nucleons

Nucleons induced failures in microelectronics devices is a real concern for today avionic and space flights. Nucleons are able to trigger nuclear reactions in the device, which is likely to undergo various dysfunctions. The failure is attributed to the nature of the secondary nuclei and their energies, especially to the residual recoiling ion, which can deposit locally the highest amount of energy. To better understand the mechanisms of such failure, but also to develop tools able to predict the reliability of a device in a given environment, the author developed the DHORIN nuclear code, which focuses on the recoil ions induced by nucleons in the 100 keV-200 MeV energy range. DHORIN, which stands for “detailed history of recoiling ions induced by nucleons”, provides the spectra of secondary particles emitted during the nuclear reactions. These spectra are yet required by devices simulators in order to estimate the reliability of a given component. Comparisons of excitation functions given by DHORIN and the EXFOR database are given here for aluminium and silicon.     

Design Considerations of a Direct Drive Brushless Machine With Concentrated Windings

This paper discusses the performance attributes of the open-slot, modular-wound, external-rotor, topology of electrical machine. Combinations of pole and slot numbers are presented for which the winding factor is maximal and torque ripple is minimal. An optimization of the magnetic circuit design of six promising pole-slot configurations is undertaken using a parametric finite element model (FEM) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA). These designs are benchmarked against a conventional 1.5 slots/pole external-rotor brushless dc machine. These candidate electrical machine versions are characterized by having the same external-rotor diameter, total slot area available for the winding and by equal volumes of permanent magnet (PM). Based on the analysis, the most promising motor structure was selected and a prototype wheel-hub motor has been built for application in a small electrical vehicle. Test data from the prototype is used to validate the findings of the initial analyses and practically demonstrate the attributes of the topology.     

ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF SUBSTRATE AND pH DEPENDENCE OF ENDOPROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES IN GREEN MALT*

The endoproteolytic enzymes of malt influence several different aspects of malt and beer quality. For this reason, we are extracting and characterizing these enzymes from green malt. The proteolytic activity of a Morex green malt extract was highest at pH 3.8 with haemoglobin substrate but gelatin hydrolysis was maximal from pH 4.7 to 6.0. Endoproteolytic hydrolysis of a 55% isopropanol-soluble reduced hordein fraction was about three times slower than gelatin hydrolysis but was relatively constant over the pH range from 3.8 to 6.5, although the activity did decrease at more acidic (3.0) or basic (7.0) pH values. To study the green malt proteinases in detail, a non-denaturing electrophoretic system was developed in which substrate proteins—either gelatin, edestin or hordein—were incorporated into an electrophoretic gel. After electrophoresis and incubation of the gels at pH 3.8, 4.7, 5.5, or 6.5 to allow enzymatic hydrolysis, the separated activities were determined by using protein staining to determine where the incorporated substrate had been hydrolysed. Using this system, seven proteolytic activity bands were detected. Five of the bands were maximally active at pH 3.8 and their activities dropped quickly as the pH increased. The other two bands, which migrated more slowly, hydrolysed gelatin more rapidly than they did the other substrates tested. Their gelatinolytic activities increased as the pH was raised (by 3- to 6-fold in the pH range tested). The electrophoretic system described has proven very useful for studying the proteinases of germinating barley seeds. The results indicate that much past research on malt proteinases may not be particularly relevant to the malting and brewing industries because it was conducted under pH conditions and with substrates that are likely quite different from those in the seed during the barley germination process. By using electrophoresis to separate proteinases before analysis, we can now study their individual characteristics and thus can conduct studies more relevant to malting and brewing.