Incremental acquisition of behaviors and signs based on a reinforcement learning schemata model and a spike timing-dependent plasticity network

A novel integrative learning architecture based on a reinforcement learning schemata model (RLSM) with a spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) network is described. This architecture models operant conditioning with discriminative stimuli in an autonomous agent engaged in multiple reinforcement learning tasks. The architecture consists of two constitutional learning architectures: RLSM and STDP. RLSM is an incremental modular reinforcement learning architecture, and it makes an autonomous agent acquire several behavioral concepts incrementally through continuous interactions with its environment and/or caregivers. STDP is a learning rule of neuronal plasticity found in cerebral cortices and the hippocampus of the human brain. STDP is a temporally asymmetric learning rule that contrasts with the Hebbian learning rule. We found that STDP enabled an autonomous robot to associate auditory input with its acquired behaviors and to select reinforcement learning modules more effectively. Auditory signals interpreted based on the acquired behaviors were revealed to correspond to 'signs' of required behaviors and incoming situations. This integrative learning architecture was evaluated in the context of on-line modular learning.     

Behaviour of different industrial ceramic pastes in extrusion process

Abstract

It is well known that the extrudability of a ceramic paste is strongly dependent on materials composition and formulation, basically because it controls the resulting plasticity. Accordingly, the characterisation of the plastic behaviour is essential to adjust the fluxing properties of the material. In the current work, three industrially prepared ceramic pastes (porcelain, earthenware and terracotta) were tested, using stress–deformation curves obtained by compression of cylindrical probe tests. To achieve good extrusion performance, the design and operating conditions also need to be considered in detail.

The ram extrusion of adjusted pastes was followed by the Benbow–Bridgwater model. Differences in the flow behaviour were related with stress–deformation curves and with the surface quality of the extrudate (by using the static friction coefficient).     

Analysis of martensite transformation behaviour in welded joint using low transformation temperature welding wire

Abstract

Low transformation temperature welding (LTTW) wire has been found to improve the fatigue strength in welded joints. In the present study, the temperature dependence of the mechanical properties in a dual phase microstructure of austenite and martensite was estimated using the properties of full austenite and full martensite in numerical analyses. A welding method effective for residual stress reduction and fatigue strength improvement was shown by applying a calculation method under transformation superplasticity and transformation induced plasticity in high strength steel welded joints. With this method, the influence of the welding pass sequence on the residual stress distribution and fatigue strength was examined in a boxing fillet welded joint using LTTW. The transformation tensile residual stress in the weld toe was decreased by sectioned welding, and the fatigue limit by sectioned welding with LTTW improved in comparison with the fatigue limit of a joint welded with conventional wire in the same process.     

Effect of presence of SiC and operating frequency on the damping behaviour of pure magnesium

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to investigate the effect of presence of SiC reinforcement and the vibration frequency on the overall damping characteristics of pure magnesium. The testing method uses a combination of the modified free – free beam method coupled with a circle fit approach. The effect of frequency on the damping property was studied by adding end masses to the specimen so as to alter the resonant frequency of the suspended beam. In the present study, the results are compared against a monolithic magnesium sample. The results revealed a higher damping capability of the composite specimen at all tested frequencies when compared to monolithic magnesium. Both monolithic and reinforced magnesium showed a progressive decrease in damping with an increase in frequency. An attempt is made to rationalise the damping behaviour of the composite in terms of the presence of a process induced plastic zone at the matrix/particulate interface and the operating frequency.     

Micro-defect effect on gigacycle fatigue S-N property and very slow crack growth of high strength low alloy steel

Abstract

Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) assisted steels contain a small quantity of carbon enriched retained austenite, which transforms into martensite during the course of plastic deformation. Transformation of this kind can be induced by both stress and plastic strain. The detailed mechanism by which the martensite is induced is different for these two scenarios. An attempt is made here to discover the relative importance of these mechanisms and it is found that stress affected transformation can explain much of the variation in retained austenite content as a function of plastic strain.     

The strain induced martensite transformation in austenitic stainless steels: Part 1 – Influence of temperature and strain history

Abstract

The strain induced martensite transformation in austenitic stainless steels is of considerable interest, because it results in materials with attractive combinations of strength and ductility. The present work examines the mechanical response for a variety of strain and temperature paths, and relates these to microstructural observations. New evidence of the detailed transformation sequence is presented, along with direct evidence of codeformation of the austenite and martensite. Using different deformation temperature sequences enables the transformation to be changed from one that is heterogeneous to one that propagates axially along the sample. The strain hardening that occurs due to combined plasticity and martensitic transformation results in high kinematic hardening that is revealed by microstructural observations here, and which are linked directly to the mechanical response of these materials described in Part II of the present work.     

An investigation on the initiation and propagation of damaged zones in adhesively bonded lap joints

In this study, the initiation and propagation of damaged zones in the adhesive layer and adherends of adhesively bonded single and double lap joints were investigated considering the geometrical non-linearity and the non-linear material behaviour of the adhesive and adherends. The modified von Mises criteria for adherends and Raghava and Cadell's failure criteria (J. Mater. Sci. 8, 225 (1973) [1]) including the effects of the hydrostatic stress states for the epoxy adhesive were used to determine the damaged adhesive and adherend zones which exceeded the specified ultimate strains. The stiffness of all finite elements corresponding to these zones was reduced so that they could not contribute to the overall stiffness of the adhesive joint. This approach simplifies to observe the initiation and propagation of the damaged zones in both the adhesive layer and adherends. A tensile load caused first the damaged adhesive zones to appear at the right free end of the adhesive-lower adherend interface and at the left free end of the adhesive-upper adherend interface, and then to propagate through the adhesive regions near the adhesive-adherend interfaces (interfacial failure). In the bending test, the damaged zone initiated at the left free end of the adhesive-upper adherend interface in tension, and similarly propagated through the adhesive regions close to the adhesive-adherend interface (interfacial failure). In the double-lap joint subjected to a tensile load, the damaged adhesive zones initiated first at the right free end of the adhesive-middle adherend interface and then propagated through the adhesive region near the adhesive-adherend interface. After the damaged zone reached a specific length it also grew through the adhesive thickness, and the adhesive joint failed. The SEM micrographs of fracture surfaces around the free edges of the overlap region indicated that the failure was interfacial. An additional damaged zone growth was observed in the side adhesive regions due to lateral straining, called the Poisson effect.     

Residual stresses and distortions in welded structures: a perspective for engineering applications

Abstract

In this paper, some of the historical developments and recent advances in understanding welding induced residual stresses and distortions are discussed in the context of their impact on today's engineering applications. With recent rapid advances in computational simulation techniques, the complex thermomechanical phenomena associated with typical welding processes can be effectively dissected into solvable problem sets for both fundamental understanding and specific engineering applications. Although a great deal of research is currently still ongoing to advance our fundamental understanding of the complex thermophysical and thermomechanical phenomena, an engineering perspective is provided to demonstrate how an engineer can make use of the current state of knowledge to derive effective practical solutions when dealing with day to day problems in the areas of residual stresses and distortions in welded structures. First, some of the fundamental mechanical considerations associated with residual stress and distortion developments are presented. Then, some of the computational modelling requirements for engineering applications are discussed in the light of recent developments. Finally, application examples are presented to demonstrate how an effective engineering solution can be sought by taking advantage of today's advanced modelling techniques with appropriate engineering assumptions.     

Assessment and prediction of long-term mechanical properties of adhesives with high plasticity

Long-term life prediction for adhesives based on laboratory tests requiring only days, weeks, or months, is still a demanding challenge. Testing is carried out with the intention of simulating and often accelerating time-dependent aging effects that may occur in a joint during its lifetime. Initial strength values of bonded joints, such as shear or peel properties, can often be obtained from the adhesive manufacturers or retrieved from the literature. They are useful to compare different adhesives and to demonstrate the effect of parameters such as bondline thickness, overlap length or curing conditions and, in some cases, also the surface state. On the other hand, only few data are available relative to the long-term mechanical properties of adhesives with high plasticity. Due to the specific network structure of elastomer adhesives their viscoelastic-plastic deformation behavior is strongly time- and temperature-dependent. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to illustrate methods for investigating the viscous properties of elastomer-based adhesives and creating basic data for the design and engineering of adhesive joints with enhanced plasticity.     

Study on Plasticity Modification for Measuring High Residual Stress by Hole-Drilling Method

Hole-drilling method is a commonly used method for measuring residual stress. The calibration coefficients in ASTM E837-13 a would cause large errors due to the...