Multi-scale computational model for failure analysis of metal frames that includes softening and local buckling

In this work we present a new modelling paradigm for computing the complete failure of metal frames by combining the stress-resultant beam model and the shell model. The shell model is used to compute the material parameters that are needed by an inelastic stress-resultant beam model; therefore, we consider the shell model as the meso-scale model and the beam model as the macro-scale model. The shell model takes into account elastoplasticity with strain-hardening and strain-softening, as well as geometrical nonlinearity (including local buckling of a part of a beam). By using results of the shell model, the stress-resultant inelastic beam model is derived that takes into account elastoplasticity with hardening, as well as softening effects (of material and geometric type). The beam softening effects are numerically modelled in a localized failure point by using beam finite element with embedded discontinuity. The original feature of the proposed multi-scale (i.e. shell-beam) computational model is its ability to incorporate both material and geometrical instability contributions into the stress-resultant beam model softening response. Several representative numerical simulations are presented to illustrate a very satisfying performance of the proposed approach.     

Stable splitting scheme for general form of associated plasticity including different scales of space and time

An efficient implementation of the operator split procedure for boundary value solution with plastic flow computation is presented for a general form of associated plasticity model. We start with the general form of phenomenological model of plasticity where the yield criterion is not restricted to a simple (quadratic) form, and the elasticity tensor does not have constant entries. We then turn to the multi-scale model of plasticity which employs the fine scale representation of the plastic deformation along with the homogenization procedure for stress computation. We also visit the plasticity model with rate sensitive plastic response where plastic flow computation is carried out at fine scale in time. We proved herein the sufficient and necessary conditions for the proposed operator split procedure to converge, for any such general form of associated plasticity. Moreover, we presented a systematic manner for constructing the main ingredients for the plastic flow computation and the global Newton’s iteration, such as the consistent elastoplastic tangent.     

Dynamics and time-stepping schemes for elastic shells undergoing finite rotations

In this work we study the time-stepping schemes for shell models, which describe the shell-director vector motion by the finite rotations. Different possibilities for choosing director rotations are examined and their relationships are cast in terms of the commutative diagram. The Newmark time-stepping schemes, making use of different rotation parameters, are then developed. The mid-point scheme modified to either conserve or dissipate the total energy is further examined. Several numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the performance of each developed scheme.     

On non-linear dynamics of shells: implementation of energy-momentum conserving algorithm for a finite rotation shell model

Continuum and numerical formulations for non-linear dynamics of thin shells are presented in this work. An elastodynamic shell model is developed from the three-dimensional continuum by employing standard assumptions of the first-order shear-deformation theories. Motion of the shell-director is described by a singularity-free formulation based on the rotation vector. Temporal discretization is performed by an implicit, one-step, second-order accurate, time-integration scheme. In this work, an energy and momentum conserving algorithm, which exactly preserves the fundamental constants of the shell motion and guaranties unconditional algorithmic stability, is used. It may be regarded as a modification of the standard mid-point rule. Spatial discretization is based on the four-noded isoparametric element. Particular attention is devoted to the consistent linearization of the weak form of the initial boundary value problem discretized in time and space, in order to achieve a quadratic rate of asymptotic convergence typical for the Newton–Raphson based solution procedures. An unconditionally stable time finite element formulation suitable for the long-term dynamic computations of flexible shell-like structures, which may be undergoing large displacements, large rotations and large motions is therefore obtained. A set of numerical examples is presented to illustrate the present approach and the performance of the isoparametric four-noded shell finite element in conjunction with the implicit energy and momentum conserving time-integration algorithm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Holding parents responsible: Is vicarious responsibility the public's answer to juvenile crime?

Parental responsibility laws hold parents accountable for the delinquent behaviors of their children even when parents' actions are not the direct cause of an offense. Despite the prevalence of these laws, we know little about their perceived fairness. Is it reasonable to make parents vicariously responsible for outcomes they could not have foreseen and if so, under what circumstances? Our series of three studies addressed those questions by systematically examining the impact of various situational and dispositional factors on public opinions regarding parental responsibility. Respondents attributed most of the responsibility for a crime to the child, and attributions of responsibility to the parents varied as a function of the child's age. Case characteristics including the type of crime committed and the described parents' actions versus inactions did not consistently influence responsibility attributions. We conclude that people feel rather lukewarm about the notion of vicarious parental responsibility and this indifference may be related to issues surrounding the laws' enforcement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

On implementation of a nonlinear four node shell finite element for thin multilayered elastic shells

A simple non-linear stress resultant four node shell finite element is presented. The underlying shell theory is developed from the three dimensional continuum theory via standard assumptions on the displacement field. A model for thin shells is obtained by approximating terms describing the shell geometry. In this work the rotation of the shell director is parameterized by the two Euler angles, although other approaches can be easily accomodated. A procedure is provided to extend the presented approach by including the through-thickness variable material properties. These may include a general non-linear elastic material with varied degree of orthotropy, which is typical for fibre reinforced composites. Thus a simple and efficient model suitable for analysis of multilayered composite shells is attained. Shell kinematics is consistently linearized, leading to the Newton-Raphson numerical procedure, which preserves quadratic rate of asymptotic convergence. A range of linear and non-linear tests is provided and compared with available solutions to illustrate the approach.The work has been financially supported from Joint Europian Project TEMPUS-ACEM No. 2246-91 and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Slovenia.     

Biogenesis of acetylcholinesterase is impaired, although its mRNA level remains normal, in the glucocorticoid-treated rat skeletal muscle

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is responsible for the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction and other cholinergic synapses. Insight into the mechanisms controlling AChE expression in skeletal muscle is important for understanding formation, plasticity, and various dysfunctions of the neuromuscular junction. We have investigated the mechanisms responsible for the decreased AChE activity in the fast rat sternomastoideus muscle after chronic glucocorticoid treatment. Under such conditions fast skeletal muscles become atrophic and loose 30-40% of their AChE activity. In order to establish at which level synthesis of AChE is affected by glucocorticoids, we studied the effects of chronic dexamethasone treatment at both AChE mRNA and mature enzyme levels. Reduced rate of AChE recovery after subtotal irreversible AChE inhibition was observed during the first week of dexamethasone treatment, but not later. Statistical analyses of four independent northern blots revealed unchanged AChE mRNA levels. At the same time, we observed more than 60% decrease in the (G1+G2)/A12 ratio of molecular forms at the expense of G forms. It has been generally accepted that globular G1 and G2 molecular forms are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as precursors of asymmetric (A) AChE forms, assembled in the Golgi apparatus. Reduced levels of G1 and G2 AChE forms, in combination with unchanged AChE mRNA, are therefore consistent with the reports demonstrating that glucocorticoids downregulate muscle protein synthesis at the translational level. Our findings support but not entirely prove the concept that impaired translation and/or posttranslational control are the primary cause of decreased AChE activity in the glucocorticoid-treated muscle.     

Analytical-Numerical Solution of Elliptical Interface Crack Problem

The problem of elliptical interface crack, located between two bonded dissimilar elastic half spaces, is considered. To obtain a solution of the problem, the traction boundary pseudodifferential equations are used. An analytical-numerical method for solving these equations is proposed. Strain energy release rates along the crack contours are calculated for some examples. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stress resultant geometrically exact form of classical shell model and vector‐like parameterization of constrained finite rotations

In this work we consider the geometrically exact shell model subjected to finite rotations, making use of rotation vector parameters for handling the corresponding constrained rotation for smooth shells. A modification of such a parameterization which is based on the incremental rotation vector and thus capable of avoiding the singularity problem is also discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of pretreatment with soman simulator in the skeletal muscle: direct interactions with acetylcholinesterase

Soman simulator PDP is a compound that has a chemical structure identical to soman, except that the fluorine atom is replaced by a methyl group which makes PDP unable to bind covalently to the AChE active center. In rats, late mortality observed after treatment with high doses of soman could be prevented by PDP pretreatment. Such pretreatment has been much less efficient in primates. The effect of PDP in rats has been explained by blocking the deposition of soman in so-called soman depots in which soman is stored intact and subsequently released. In this paper we demonstrate that in the presence of PDP, inhibition of rat muscle AChE by soman is reduced in rat but not in human muscle homogenates. This result suggests that at least part of the beneficial effects of PDP pretreatment in rat might be due to the direct interaction of PDP with AChE resulting in reduced AChE phosphorylation by soman.