Electronic transport in LCMO/BTO composites

A series of (1 ? x)La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃/(x)BaTiO₃ composites has been synthesized by the solid state route. Microstructural and transport studies on these samples show a complete immiscibility between metallic ferromagnet, La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ (LCMO) and insulating ferroelectric, BaTiO₃ (BTO). Temperature dependent electrical transport studies show evidence of both intrinsic and extrinsic colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effects. Inclusion of BTO in LCMO phase results in high resistive samples with a metal-insulator transition at temperature T_{p 1} originating from intrinsic effect and another dominant metal-insulator transition at temperature T_{p 2} caused because of extrinsic effect. T_{p 2} decreases up to a certain percentage of BTO content above which this trend of variation is reversed.     

An easy way to controllably synthesize one-dimensional Sm B_6 topological insulator nanostructures and exploration of their field emission applications

A convenient fabrication technique for samarium hexaboride(SmB_6) nanostructures(nanowires and nanopencils) is developed, combining magnetron-sputtering and chemical vapor deposition. Both nanostructures are proven to be single crystals with cubic structure, and they both grow along the [001] direction. Formation of both nanostructures is attributed to the vapor-liquid-solid(VLS) mechanism, and the content of boron vapor is proposed to be the reason for their different morphologies at various evaporation distances. Field emission(FE) measurements show that the maximum current density of both the as-grown nanowires and nanopencils can be several hundred μA/cm~2, and their FN plots deviate only slightly from a straight line. Moreover, we prefer the generalized Schottky-Nordheim(SN) model to comprehend the difference in FE properties between the nanowires and nanopencils. The results reveal that the nonlinearity of FN plots is attributable to the effect of image potential on the FE process, which is almost independent of the morphology of the nanostructures.All the research results suggest that the SmB_6 nanostructures would have a more promising future in the FE area if their surface oxide layer was eliminated in advance.     

On prestress stiffness analysis of bolt-plate contact assemblies

Bolt connections are among the most important connections used in structures. The stiffnesses of the bolt and of the connected members are the primary qualities that control the lifetime of the connection. The stiffness of the bolt can be estimated rather easily, in contrast to the member stiffness, but with finite element (FE) and contact analysis, it is possible to find the stiffness of the member. In the case of many connections and for practical applications, it is not suitable to make a full FE analysis. The purpose of the present paper is to find simplified expressions for the stiffness of the member, including the case when the width of the member is limited. The calculation of the stiffness is based on the FE, including the solution to the contact problem, and we express the stiffness as a function of the elastic energy in the structure, whereby the definition of the displacements related to the stiffness is circumvented. The contact analysis is performed using a method where iterations are not necessary, and the results are compared to alternative available results. New practical formulas for the stiffnesses are suggested.     

滚压强化的残余应力的数值仿真及工艺分析

表面滚压强化,由于在表层引起加工硬化和残余压应力,可以十分有效地提高构件、零件疲劳强度,而滚压强化的有限元数值仿真,将成为分析优化滚压强化工艺的重要手段.本文建立了连续多、圈滚压工艺的有限元数值仿真模型,获得了比较合理的滚压变形与残余应力结果.在此基础上对滚压工艺做了进一步分析.结果表明,滚压变形的进给量太大.滚压的转速太快都容易造成工件表层残余应力分布的不均匀甚至形成残余拉应力;在滚压与未滚压的过度区域,从表面到心部的近1mm范围内,均未出现人们通常所担心的残余拉应力.这将在工程生产实践中,为滚压工艺制订提供重要的依据.     

Controlled growth and field emission of vertically aligned AlN nanostructures with different morphologies

The controllable growth of three different morphologies of AlN nanostructures (nanorod, nanotip and nanocrater) arrays are successfully realized by using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technology. All three nanostructures are of single crystal h-AlN with a growth orientation of [001]. Their growth is attributed to the vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. To investigate the factors affecting field emission (FE) properties of AlN nanostructures, we compare their FE behaviours in several aspects. Experimental results show that AlN nanocrater arrays possess the best FE properties, such as a threshold field of 7.2~V/μm and an emission current fluctuation lower than 4%. Moreover, the three AlN nanostructures all have good field emission properties compared with a number of other excellent cathode nanomaterials, which suggests that they are future promising FE nanomaterials.     

地震力冲击下梁桥桥台的非线性动力分析

提出了梁桥岸墩与桥板间预留空隙（变温伸缩用）时桥身与桥台的有限无非线性动力分析模型，给出了模拟墩顶橡胶支承、土压力基底摩擦力及可闭合空隙的特殊非线性单元，从而分析了地震时在桥板冲击作用下整个桥梁上部结构及桥台的非线性动力性能及安全度，并与计算桥台抗剪安全系数的简化能量法所给出的桥台滑移量做了数值对比     

间断Galerkin有限元和有限体积混合计算方法研究

通过局部坐标变换而建立的非正交单元间断Galerkin(DG)有限元计算方法计算精度高， 但计算量大、内存需求大；而非结构网格有限体积方法虽然准确计算热流的问题目 前还没有完全解决，但其具有计算速度快和内存需求小的优点. 该研究是将有 限元和有限体积方法的优点结合，发展有限元和有限体积的混合方法. 在物面 附近黏性占主导作用的区域内采用有限元方法进行计算，在远离物面的区域采用快速的有限 体积方法进行计算，在有限元和有限体积方法结合处要保证通量守恒. 通过算例说明有 限元和有限体积混合方法既能保证黏性区域的热流计算精度和流场结构的分辨率，又能 降低内存需求和提高计算效率，使有限元方法应用于复杂外形(实际工程问题)的计 算成为可能.     

On improving weakly coupled cavity models for vibro-acoustic predictions and design

The vibro-acoustic characteristics of a cavity based on its vibro-acoustic FE model at times do not correlate well with the corresponding measured vibro-acoustic characteristics. Structural dynamic modeling errors that are often associated with the structural domain of the cavity are the main reasons for this discrepancy. This paper addresses this issue and deals with the improvement of the vibro-acoustic FE models of weakly coupled cavities. This particular application, hitherto, has not been much addressed, though the improvement of purely structural dynamic systems has been researched a lot. An experimental example of a 3D rectangular-box cavity with a flexible plate is considered. The study demonstrates that the improvement of the vibro-acoustic FE models through FE model updating can be an effective approach to obtain more accurate vibro-acoustic predictions. The study further addresses the question whether these improved vibro-acoustic models are suitable for vibro-acoustic design. This is answered by analyzing the accuracy with which the improved vibro-acoustic FE model predicts the effects of the structural modifications. It is finally concluded that the predictions based on the unimproved vibro-acoustic models may not be reliable and can have significant error, while the improved vibro-acoustic models give an improvement in the predictive capability of the model and are also found suitable for vibro-acoustic design.     

Temperature dependent mechanical behaviour of PVDF: Experiments and numerical modelling

The mechanical behaviour of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is analysed. To this end, tensile tests are performed on both smooth and notched specimens, for several values of the notch radius in order to set specific values of the stress triaxiality ratio in the net section. Tests were performed at various temperatures and at various strain rates. Experimental data together with fracture surface examinations by SEM allow the dependence of deformation and void growth processes on strain rate and temperature to be investigated. This experimental work was carried out in order to test the mechanics of porous media model. For each investigated temperature, constitutive relations take both porosity and strain rate sensitivity into account. The model is proposed for deformation leading to crazing. The material coefficients are optimised by imposing a continuous dependence on temperature.     

Development of an Internal Bone Remodelling Theory and Applications to Some Problems in Orthopaedic Biomechanics*

Bone tissue is a porous, heterogeneous and anisotropic material, which adapts its mechanical properties depending of the local stress level. This evolutive behaviour of the bone is normally known as bone remodelling. In this work, a bone-remodelling theory, based on the principles of continuum damage mechanics, is presented. The corresponding mathematical formulation has been implemented in a finite element code in order to predict the bone response after implantation of a prosthesis or fixation. Although the present model is not based on experimental verification, the model predicts important qualitative experimental results, being still necessary to test against experimental/clinical work. The main aim of this paper has been, therefore, the qualitative study of the long-term bone evolution, especially of the human femur when different types of implants are employed. A comparative analysis between two widely used hip prostheses (the Exeter and the SHP), has been performed. We have also studied the treatment of proximal femoral fractures by means of extramedullary and intramedullary implants.