Surface responses induced by point load or uniform traction moving steadily on an anisotropic half-plane

Surface responses induced by point load or uniform traction moving steadily with subsonic speed on an anisotropic half-plane boundary are investigated. It is found that the effects of the material constant on surface displacements are through matrices L^?1(v) and S(v)L^?1(v), while those on surface stress components are through matrices Ω(v) and Γ(v). Explicit expressions for the elements of these four matrices are expressed in terms of elastic stiffness for general anisotropic materials. The special cases of monoclinic materials with symmetry plane at x₁ = 0, x₂ = 0 and x₃ = 0, and the case for orthotropic materials are all deduced. Results for isotropic material may be recovered from present results. For monoclinic materials with a plane of symmetry at x₃ = 0, two of the elements of matrix Ω(v) are found to be independent of subsonic speed.     

Electrostatic stress analysis of an anisotropic piezoelectric half-plane under surface electromechanical loading

The generalized stress components on an anisotropic piezoelectric half-plane boundary under surface electromechanical loading are investigated. It is found that the behaviors of generalized stress components are related to matrices Γ and Ω, which have the same form as those for the purely elastostatic problem. Matrices Γ and Ω contain all the electro-mechanical coupling phenomena of the generalized stress components. All elements of matrices Γ and Ω are expressed explicitly in terms of generalized elastic stiffness for monoclinic piezoelectric materials with the plane of symmetry at x₃ = 0 and for transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials in which the coupled effects between the mechanical (electrical) deformations induced by electrical (mechanical) loadings are studied analytically. A numerical example of the electro-mechanical coupling behavior for PZT-4 is also given.     

Turbulent boundary layers over sparsely-spaced rod-roughened walls

Direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of spatially developing turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) over sparsely-spaced two-dimensional (2D) rod-roughened walls were performed. The rod elements were periodically arranged along the streamwise direction with pitches of p_x/k = 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128, where p_x is the streamwise spacing of the rods, and k is the roughness height. The Reynolds number based on the momentum thickness was varied from Re_θ = 300–1400, and the height of the roughness element was k = 1.5θ_in, where θ_in is the momentum thickness at the inlet. The characteristics of the TBLs, such as the friction velocity, mean velocity, and Reynolds stresses over the rod-roughened walls, were examined by varying the spacing of the roughness features (8 ⩽ p_x/k ⩽ 128). The outer-layer similarity between the rough and smooth walls was established for the sparsely-distributed rough walls (p_x/k ⩾ 32) based on the profiles of the Reynolds stresses, whereas those are not for p_x/k = 8 and 16. Inspection of the interaction between outer-layer large-scale motions and near-wall small-scale motions using two-point amplitude modulation (AM) covariance showed that modulation effect of large-scale motions on near-wall small-scale motions was strongly disturbed over the rough wall for p_x/k = 8 and 16. For p_x/k ⩾ 32, the flow that passed through the upstream roughness element transitioned to a smooth wall flow between the consecutive rods. The strong influence of the surface roughness in the outer layer for p_x/k = 8 and 16 was attributed to large-scale erupting motions by the surface roughness, creating both upward shift of the near-wall turbulent energy and active energy production in the outer layer with little influence on the near-wall region.     

Evaluation of subgrid-scale models in large-eddy simulation of flow past a two-dimensional block

Large-eddy simulations of flow past a two-dimensional (2D) block were performed to evaluate four subgrid-scale (SGS) models: (i) the traditional Smagorinsky model, (ii) the Lagrangian dynamic model, (iii) the Lagrangian scale-dependent dynamic model, and (iv) the modulated gradient model. An immersed boundary method was employed to simulate the 2D block boundaries on a uniform Cartesian grid. The sensitivity of the simulation results to grid refinement was investigated by using four different grid resolutions. The velocity streamlines and the vertical profiles of the mean velocities and variances were compared with experimental results. The modulated gradient model shows the best overall agreement with the experimental results among the four SGS models. In particular, the flow recirculation, the reattachment position and the vertical profiles are accurately reproduced with a relative coarse grid resolution of (N_x × N_y × N_z=) 160 × 40 × 160 (n_x × n_z = 13 × 16 covering the block). Besides the modulated gradient model, the Lagrangian scale-dependent dynamic model is also able to give reasonable prediction of the flow statistics with some discrepancies compared with the experimental results. Relatively poor performance by the Lagrangian dynamic model and the Smagorinsky model is observed, with simulated recirculating patterns that differ from the measured ones. Analysis of the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) budget in this flow shows evidence of a strong production of TKE in the shear layer that forms as the flow is deflected around the block.     

An experimental study of circular sand–water wall jets

Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effects of sand particles on circular sand–water wall jets. Mean and turbulence characteristics of sand particles in the sand–water wall jets were measured for different sand concentrations c_o ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%. Effects of sand particle size on the centerline sand velocity of the jets were evaluated for sand size ranging from 0.21 mm to 0.54 mm. Interesting results with the range of measurements are presented in this paper. It was found that the centerline sand velocity of the wall jets with larger particle size were 15% higher than the jets with smaller particle size. Concentration profiles in the vertical direction showed a peak value at x/d = 5 (where x is the longitudinal distance from the nozzle and d is the nozzle diameter) and the sand concentration decreased linearly for x/d > 5. Experimental results showed that the turbulence level enhanced from the nozzle to x/d = 10. For sand–water wall jets with a higher concentration (c_o = 1.5–2.5%), the turbulence intensity became smaller than the corresponding single-phase wall jets by 34% due to turbulent modulation. A modified logarithmic formulation was introduced to model the longitudinal turbulent intensity at the centerline and along the axis of the jet.     

Stress singularity analysis around the singular point on the stress singularity line in three-dimensional joints

The characteristics of the stress fields around a singular point on the stress singularity line of dissimilar materials in three-dimensional joints are investigated using BEM. Contour for the order of stress singularity around the point is mapped on Dundurs’ parameters plane using eigen value analysis by FEM. The results in 3D joints are compared with those in 2D joints having the same cross section and material combination. The order of stress singularity around the singular point on the stress singularity line in 3D joints is almost identical with that in 2D joints in the singularity region. However, the zero boundary of singularity in 3D joints is slightly different from that in 2D joints. Furthermore, the multiple root of p = 1 exists in the eigen value analysis by FEM. Therefore, logarithmic singularity possibly occurs around the singular point on the stress singularity line. Then, the stress distributions around this point are expressed by the combination of the r^λ term and logarithmic singularity terms. Finally, the characteristics of the stress intensity factors of the r^λ term and logarithmic singularity terms around the singular points are investigated.     

Interaction between a screw dislocation and a viscoelastic piezoelectric bimaterial interface

The complex variable method is employed to derive analytical solutions for the interaction between a piezoelectric screw dislocation and a Kelvin-type viscoelastic piezoelectric bimaterial interface. Through analytical continuation, the original boundary value problem can be reduced to an inhomogeneous first-order partial differential equation for a single function of location z = x + iy and time t defined in the lower half-plane, which is free of the screw dislocation. Once the initial, steady-state and far-field conditions are known, the solution to the first order differential equation can be obtained. From the solved function, explicit expressions are then derived for the stresses, strains, electric fields and electric displacements induced by the piezoelectric screw dislocation. Also presented is the image force acting on the screw dislocation due to its interaction with the Kelvin-type viscoelastic interface. The derived solutions are verified by comparing with existing solutions for the simplified cases, and various interesting features are observed, particularly for those associated with the image force.     

On the generalized Barnett–Lothe tensors for monoclinic piezoelectric materials

The three generalized Barnett–Lothe tensors L, S and H, appearing frequently in the investigations of the two-dimensional deformations of anisotropic piezoelectric materials, may be expressed in terms of the material constants. In this paper, the eigenvalues and eigenvectors for monoclinic piezoelectric materials of class m, with the symmetry plane at x₃ = 0 are constructed based on the extended Stroh formalism. Then the three generalized Barnett–Lothe tensors are calculated from these eigenvectors and are expressed explicitly in terms of the elastic stiffness instead of the reduced elastic compliance. The special case of transversely isotropic piezoelectric materials is also presented.     

Thermo-elastic crack branching in general anisotropic media

Thermal fields may exist in addition to mechanical loading, for example, due to short term exposure to fire. In this paper, the branching of cracks in the presence of combined thermal and mechanical loads is investigated for general anisotropic media by employing the theory of Stroh’s dislocation formalism, extended to thermo-elasticity in matrix notation. A general solution to the thermo-elastic crack problem for an anisotropic material under arbitrary loading is obtained in a compact form. Green’s functions are also presented for a thermal dislocation (heat vortex) and a conventional dislocation (or, referred as mechanical dislocation), which are formulated considering the cuts located at an arbitrary angle with respect to the x₁ axis of the coordinate system (x₁, x₂, x₃). Using the derived compact expressions, the interaction between the crack and the dislocation is studied and a closed form solution for this interaction is obtained. The branching portion of the thermo-elastic crack is modelled as a continuous distribution of dislocations. This problem is then converted into a set of singular integral equations. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the possible effects of thermal loading on the propagation of the branched crack.     

Turbulence modulation in a particle-laden flow over a hemisphere-roughened wall

Turbulence modulation by the inertia particles in a spatially developing turbulent boundary layer flow over a hemisphere-roughened wall was investigated using the direct numerical simulation method. The Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches were used for the gas- and particle-phases, respectively. An immersed boundary method was employed to resolve the hemispherical roughness element. The hemispheres were staggered in the downstream direction and arranged periodically in the streamwise and spanwise directions with spacing of p_x/d= 4 and p_z/d= 2 (where p_x and p_z are the streamwise and spanwise spacing of the hemispheres, and d is the diameter). The effects of particles on the turbulent coherent structures, turbulent statistics and quadrant events were analyzed. The results show that the addition of particles significantly damps the vortices structures and increases the length scales of streak structures. Compared with the particle-laden flow over the smooth wall, the existence of the wall roughness decreases the mean streamwise velocity in the near wall region, and makes the peaks of Reynolds stresses profiles shift up. In addition, the existence of particles also increases the percentage contributions to Reynolds shear stress from the Q4 events, however, decreases the percentage contributions from other quadrant events.     

Effects of multi-dopants (Zn and Ho) in stabilizing spinel structure for cathode materials in lithium rechargeable batteries—Novel chelated sol–gel synthesis

Multi-doped spinels, namely LiMn₂O₄ and LiZn_xHo_yMn_2−x−yO₄ (x = 0.10–0.18; y = 0.02–0.10), for use as cathode materials for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries were synthesized via sol–gel method, using lauric acid as the chelating agent, to obtain micron-sized particles. The physical properties of the synthesized samples were investigated using differential thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and electrochemical methods. XRD showed that LiMn₂O₄ and LiZn_xHo_yMn_2−x−yO₄ have high degrees of crystallinity and good phase purities. The SEM images of LiMn₂O₄ showed an ice-cube morphology with particles of size 1 μm. Charge–discharge studies showed that undoped LiMn₂O₄ delivered the discharge capacity of 124 mA h/g with coulombic efficiency of 95% during the first cycle, whereas doped spinels delivered discharge capacities of 125, 120, and 127 mA h/g in the first cycle with coulombic efficiencies of 96%, 91%, and 91%, respectively.     

Large bending behavior of creased paperboard. I. Experimental investigations

The large bending behavior of a creased paperboard is studied in the range of rotation θ ? [0°, 180°] – new results, apparently not reported previously in literature – with the aim to point out some crucial aspect involved in an adaptive robotic manipulation of the industrial cartons.The loading tests show a great variability of the mechanical behavior, depending dramatically on the crease indentation depth (also for the specimens obtained from the same carton): (a) when the damage induced during the crease formation is relatively small, the bending response is unusually complex: the moment constitutive function, m_L(θ), presents (up to) two peaks followed by unstable branches; (b) for greater indentation, the m_L(θ) is monotone.In the unloading case the response m_U(θ) is always monotone and is practically independent of the formation conditions of the crease. These behaviors can be easily described analytically using (piecewise) third degree splines.In a companion paper, the erection of a typical carton corner with unstable constitutive behavior is fully analyzed to detect the possible criticalities.     

Extending the bounds of ‘steady’ RANS closures: Toward an instability-sensitive Reynolds stress model

The incapability of the conventional Unsteady RANS (Reynolds–Averaged Navier Stokes) models to adequately capture turbulence unsteadiness presents the prime motivation of the present work, which focuses on formulating an instability-sensitive, eddy-resolving turbulence model on the Second-Moment Closure level. The model scheme adopted, functioning as a ‘sub-scale’ model in the Unsteady RANS framework, represents a differential near-wall Reynolds stress model formulated in conjunction with the scale-supplying equation governing the homogeneous part of the inverse turbulent time scale ω_h (ω_h = ɛ_h/k). The latter equation was straightforwardly obtained from the model equation describing the dynamics of the homogeneous part of the total viscous dissipation rate ɛ, defined as ɛ_h = ɛ − 0.5ν∂²k/(∂x_j∂x_j) (Jakirlic and Hanjalic, 2002), by applying the derivation rules to the expression for ω_h. The model capability to account for vortex length and time scales variability was enabled through an additional term in the corresponding length-scale determining equation, providing a selective enhancement of its production, pertinent particularly to the highly unsteady separated shear layer region, modeled in terms of the von Karman length scale (comprising the second derivative of the velocity field) in line with the SAS (Scale-Adaptive Simulation) proposal (Menter and Egorov, 2010). The present model formulation, termed as SRANS model (Sensitized RANS), does not comprise any parameter depending explicitly on grid spacing. The predictive capabilities of the newly proposed length-scale determining model equation, solved in conjunction with Jakirlic and Hanjalic’s (2002) Reynolds stress model equation, are presently demonstrated by computing the flow configurations of increasing complexity featured by boundary layer separation from sharp-edged and continuous curved surfaces: backward-facing step flow, flow over a wall-mounted fence, flow over smoothly contoured periodically arranged hills and flow in a 3-D diffuser. The model performances are also assessed in capturing the natural decay of the homogeneous isotropic turbulence and the near-wall Reynolds stress anisotropy in a plane channel. In most cases considered the fluctuating velocity field was obtained starting from steady RANS results.     

On the impacts of coarse-scale models of realistic roughness on a forward-facing step turbulent flow

The present work explores the impacts of the coarse-scale models of realistic roughness on the turbulent boundary layers over forward-facing steps. The surface topographies of different scale resolutions were obtained from a novel multi-resolution analysis using discrete wavelet transform. PIV measurements are performed in the streamwise–wall-normal (x–y) planes at two different spanwise positions in turbulent boundary layers at Re_h = 3450 and δ/h = 8, where h is the mean step height and δ is the incoming boundary layer thickness. It was observed that large-scale but low-amplitude roughness scales had small effects on the forward-facing step turbulent flow. For the higher-resolution model of the roughness, the turbulence characteristics within 2h downstream of the steps are observed to be distinct from those over the original realistic rough step at a measurement position where the roughness profile possesses a positive slope immediately after the step’s front. On the other hand, much smaller differences exist in the flow characteristics at the other measurement position whose roughness profile possesses a negative slope following the step’s front.     

Revisiting the perforation of ductile plates by sharp-nosed rigid projectiles

The process of ductile plate perforation by sharp-nosed rigid projectiles is further examined in this work through 2D numerical simulations. We highlight various features concerning the effective resisting stress (σ_r) which a finite thickness plate, with a flow stress of Y_t, exerts on the projectile during perforation. In particular, we show that the normalized resisting stress (σ_r/Y_t) can be represented as a unique function of the normalized thickness of the plate (H/D, where H is plate thickness and D is projectile diameter), for a large range of normalized thicknesses. Our simulations for very thin target plates show that the penetration process is achieved through the well-known dishing mechanism, where the target material is pushed forward by the projectile’s nose. An important observation, which emerges from our simulations, is that the transition between the dishing and the hole enlargement mechanisms takes place at a normalized thickness of about H/D = 1/3. We also find that the normalized resistive stress for intermediate plate thicknesses, 1/3 < H/D < 1.0, is relatively constant at a value of σ_r/Y_t = 2.0. This range of thicknesses conforms to a state of quasi plane stress in the plates. For thicker plates (H/D > 1) the σ_r/Y_t ratio increases monotonically to values which represent the resistance to penetration of semi-infinite targets, where the stress state is characterized by plane strain conditions. Using a simple model, which is based on energy conservation, we can predict the values of the ballistic limit velocities for many projectile/target combinations, provided the perforation is done through the ductile hole enlargement mechanism. Good agreement is demonstrated between predictions from our model and experimental data from different sources, strongly enhancing the confidence in both the validity and usefulness of our model.     

Synthesis of layered cathode materials Li[CoxNiyMn1−x−y]O2 from layered double hydroxide precursors

Cathode materials Li[Co_xNi_yMn_1?x?y]O₂ for lithium secondary batteries have been prepared by a new route using layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as a precursor. The resulting layered phase with the α-NaFeO₂ structure crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, with space group R-3m having an interlayer spacing close to 0.47 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to measure the oxidation states of Co, Ni and Mn. The effects of varying the Co/Ni/Mn ratio on both the structure and electrochemical properties of Li[Co_xNi_yMn_1?x?y]O₂ have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and electrochemical tests. The products demonstrated a rather stable cycling behavior, with a reversible capacity of 118 mAh/g for the layered material with Co/Ni/Mn = 1/1/1.     

Computational and experimental characterization of a liquid jet plunging into a quiescent pool at shallow inclination

A circular water jet (Re = 1.6 × 10⁵; We = 8.8 × 10³) plunging at shallow angles (θ ≈ 12.5°) into a quiescent pool is investigated computationally and experimentally. A surprising finding from the work is that cavities, of the order of jet diameter, are formed periodically in the impact location, even though the impinging flow is smooth and completely devoid of such a periodicity. Computational prediction of these frequencies was compared with experimental findings, yielding excellent agreement. The region in the vicinity of the impact is characterized by strong churning due to splashing and formation of air cavities. Measured velocity profiles indicate a concentration of momentum beneath the free surface slightly beyond the impact location (X/D_j ≈ 14), with a subsequent shift towards the free surface further downstream of this point (X/D_j ≈ 30). This shift is due primarily to the action of buoyancy on the cavity/bubble population. Comparisons of the mean velocity profile between simulations and experiments are performed, yielding good agreement, with the exception of the relatively small churning flow region. Further downstream (X/D_j ≳ 40), the flow develops mostly due to diffusion and the location of peak velocity coincides with the free surface. In this region, the free surface acts as an adiabatic boundary and restricts momentum diffusion, causing the peak velocity to occur at the free surface.     

Light attenuation cross-section of black carbon in an urban atmosphere in northern China

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) samples were collected over two years in Xi’an, China to investigate the relationships between the aerosol composition and the light absorption efficiency of black carbon (BC). Real-time light attenuation of BC at 880 nm was measured with an aethalometer. The mass concentrations and elemental carbon (EC) contents of PM_2.5 were obtained, and light attenuation cross-sections (σ_ATN) of PM_2.5 BC were derived. The mass of EC contributed ∼5% to PM_2.5 on average. BC σ_ATN exhibited pronounced seasonal variability with values averaging 18.6, 24.2, 16.4, and 26.0 m²/g for the spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively, while averaging 23.0 m²/g overall. σ_ATN varied inversely with the ratios of EC/PM_2.5, EC/[SO₄²⁻], and EC/[NO₃⁻]. This study of the variability in σ_ATN illustrates the complexity of the interactions among the aerosol constituents in northern China and documents certain effects of the high EC, dust, sulfate and nitrate loadings on light attenuation.     

Theoretical and experimental studies in fracture mechanics of crack-like defects under biaxial loading

It is a common point of view in fracture mechanics that, for any geometry of the body with a crack and any boundary conditions for the loading acting in the body plane, the stress and displacement components near the crack tip can be approximated in the framework of the theory of elasticity by a one-parameter or one-term representation, i.e., strictly in terms of the stress intensity coefficients K _I and K _II for an arbitrary failure crack [1, 2]. The authors of [2] specified the Westergaard function of the singular solution for a central crack under the biaxial loading of a plate. This approximate two-component solution has satisfactory accuracy. It is clear from [2] that this method cannot be admitted as a general statement [1], although it has long been assumed to be correct. The cause is that one cannot reasonably justify neglecting the second term in the Williams representation of the stress components in the plane case in the form of eigenfunction series; the contribution of this term in the rectangular coordinate system x, y is independent of the distance from the crack tip. This method may result in a serious mistake, from both the qualitative and quantitative viewpoints, in the prediction of local stresses, displacements, and related variables that are of interest. Apparently, this can best be demonstrated by an example of biaxial loading of a plate with a crack [1]. The unfounded neglect of the second term (whose contribution is independent of the distance from the crack tip) in the series representing the stress components is the source of the above-mentioned difficulties. In this problem, the influence of the load applied in the direction parallel to the crack plane manifests itself only in the second term of the series [3]. Therefore, this term should be clearly determined and studied in detail in the case of technological welding defects (faulty fusions, incomplete fusions, undercuts, and slag inclusions) and crack-like defects (scratches and cuts) in the base metal. The influence of the stress σ _OX along the crack axis on the stress tensor σ _x , σ _y , τ _xy and on the displacements u _x and u _y is confirmed by experimental studies of cracks by the photoelasticity method [4].     

Experimental study of parallel and inclined turbulent wall jets

An experimental study of the flow field in a two-dimensional wall jet has been conducted. All measurements were carried out using hot-wire anemometry. The experimental facility has a rectangular slot nozzle of high aspect ratio l/b = 100 (where l and b are the length and height slot, respectively). Mean velocities and Reynolds stresses were determined with three nozzle Reynolds numbers (Re = 1 × 10⁴, 2 × 10⁴ and 3 × 10⁴) and four different inclination angles between the wall and the flow velocity at the nozzle (β = 0°, 10°, 20° and 30°). Results indicate that all wall jets are self-preserving in the developed region. Normal to the wall two regions can be identified: one similar to a plane free jet and the other similar to a boundary layer. Downstream the interaction between these two regions creates a mixed or third region. The logarithmic region increases with the distance from the nozzle and with the Reynolds number. For the inclined wall jet, the spreading rate expressed in terms of jet half-width or maximum velocity decay with respect to the streamwise distance, asymptotes to a linear law. The streamwise locations where the jet becomes self-similar are farther from the exit than in parallel wall jet. The slope of both half-width and maximum velocity decay in the developed region are affected by both wall jet inclination angle and nozzle exit Reynolds number.