An asymptotic Reissner–Mindlin plate model

A mathematical study via variational convergence of a periodic distribution of classical linearly elastic thin plates softly abutted together shows that it is not necessary to use a different continuum model nor to make constitutive symmetry hypothesis as starting points to deduce the Reissner–Mindlin plate model.     

Aeroelastic analysis of cantilever plates using Peters’ aerodynamic model,and the influence of choosing beam or plate theories as the structural model

In this paper, the aeroelastic analyses of a rectangular cantilever plate of varying aspect ratio is presented. The classical plate theory has been selected as the structural model. The main point that distinguishes this study from previously reported research is employing Peters’ theory to model aerodynamic effect which is not straightforward. The Peters’ aerodynamic model was originally developed to provide lift and moment, which is only applicable to the structural model based on the beam theories. In this study, using the basic concept of the Peters’ aerodynamic model in addition to utilizing the Fourier series, the pressure distribution is derived, which makes Peters’ model applicable to structural models based on plate theory. This combination provides a much simpler state–space aeroelastic model for plates in comparison to the prevalent panel methods, which could lead to a significant reduction in computational time. In addition, the aeroelastic response of the plate with respect to changes in the structural model from the beam theory to the plate theory is evaluated. By using data from an experiment carried out at Duke University, the theoretical results are evaluated. Furthermore, the differences in structural models obtained from the plate and beam theories can be divided into two distinct parts, which are responsible for differences in bending and torsional behaviors of the structure, separately. This approach enables us to measure the effects of differences of each behavior separately, which could provide with a new insight into the problem. It has been determined that the flutter speeds obtained from the beam and plate aeroelastic models are little affected by the difference in bending behavior, but rather is mainly caused by the difference in torsional frequencies.     

The recent progress of functionally graded CNT reinforced composites and structures

In the last decade,the functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composites(FG-CNTRCs)have attracted considerable interest due to their excellent mechanical properties,and the structures made of FG-CNTRCs have found broad potential applications in aerospace,civil and ocean engineering,automotive industry,and smart structures.Here we review the literature regarding the mechanical analysis of bulk CNTR nanocomposites and FG-CNTRC structures,aiming to provide a clear picture of the mechanical modeling and properties of FG-CNTRCs as well as their composite structures.The review is organized as follows:(1)a brief introduction to the functionally graded materials(FGM),CNTRCs and FG-CNTRCs;(2)a literature review of the mechanical modeling methodologies and properties of bulk CNTRCs;(3)a detailed discussion on the mechanical behaviors of FG-CNTRCs;and(4)conclusions together with a suggestion of future research trends.     

TiC-MgO composite: an X-ray transparent and machinable heating element in a multi-anvil high pressure apparatus

ABSTRACT

TiC-MgO composite was developed as a heating element for X-ray study in the multi-anvil high pressure apparatus. We synthesized TiC-MgO blocks (50–70 wt.% of TiC) by compression in a cold isostatic press followed by baking in a gas flow furnace. Heaters of tubular shape were manufactured from the synthesized blocks either by lathe or numerically controlled milling machine. The so-produced heating elements have been proved to generate temperatures up to 2250?K at 10?GPa, condition where classical graphite heaters are not suitable anymore due to graphite-diamond transition. These new heaters have been successfully used for in situ X-ray radiography and diffraction measurements on liquid Fe alloys, exploiting excellent X-ray transparency.     

Dynamic and buckling analysis of polymer hybrid composite beam with variable thickness

This work deals with a study of the dynamic and buckling analysis of polymer hybrid composite(PHC) beam. The beam has variable thickness and is reinforced by carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and nanoclay(NC) simultaneously. The governing equations are derived based on the first shear deformation theory(FSDT). A three-phase HalpinTsai approach is used to predict the mechanical properties of the PHC. We focus our attention on the effect of the simultaneous addition of NC and CNT on the vibration and buckling analysis of the PHC beam with variable thickness. Also a comparison study is done on the sensation of three impressive parameters including CNT, NC weight fractions, and the shape factor of fillers on the mechanical properties of PHC beams,as well as fundamental frequencies of free vibrations and critical buckling load. The results show that the increase of shape factor value, NC, and CNT weight fractions leads to considerable reinforcement in mechanical properties as well as increase of the dimensionless fundamental frequency and buckling load. The variation of CNT weight fraction on elastic modulus is more sensitive rather than shear modulus but the effect of NC weight fraction on elastic and shear moduli is fairly the same. The shape factor values more than the medium level do not affect the mechanical properties.     

受限亚音速气流中倒置悬臂壁板静气弹稳定性的理论及实验研究

板壳结构在航空航天、高速列车、能量采集等诸多工程领域已经得到了广泛应用. 将悬臂壁板倒置于轴向气流中并在壁板周围流场中设置刚性壁面可有效地调控壁板的失稳速度, 是俘能器优化设计的重要措施之一. 但针对刚性壁面作用下亚音速气流中倒置悬臂壁板的失稳机制仍需要开展深入研究. 本文以受限亚音速气流中倒置的二维悬臂壁板为对象, 以理论分析及风洞实验为手段, 研究了单侧刚性壁面效应对倒置悬臂壁板静态失稳特性的影响规律. 在理论分析中, 首先应用镜像函数法来处理壁面约束条件, 基于算子理论研究获得了以Possio积分方程为表征的壁板气动力, 壁面效应实际表征为一包含移位Tricomi算子的复合算子; 然后将壁板失稳方程的求解问题转化为定区间上的函数逼近问题; 最后, 依据Wererstrass定理并利用最小二乘法求解该最优函数, 以获得系统的失稳临界参数. 在试验研究中依据压杆稳定原理设计了壁板静态失稳的测试方法并完成了风洞实验. 理论分析结果表明, 壁板会发生发散(静气动弹性)失稳, 临界动压随壁板与壁面间距的增加而增大并最终趋于稳定(无壁面情况); 通过理论与风洞实验结果的对比分析, 验证了本文气动力及理论分析的适用性及准确性. 针对倒置悬臂壁板结构的气动弹性失稳问题, 本文提出的方法不涉及系统方程的离散及特征值求解问题, 而是将其转化为了定区间上的函数逼近问题进行求解, 这为弹性结构静气动弹性失稳问题的研究提供了一个可行的新思路.      

Miscanthus stem fragment – Reinforced polypropylene composites: Development of an optimized preparation procedure at small scale and its validation for differentiating genotypes

The production of ligno-cellulosic biomass-based composites requires the development of new methodologies to evaluate the reinforcement potential of a given biomass, such as miscanthus studied in the work. Miscanthus stems from thirteen genotypes were broken into elongated fragments and mixed with polypropylene composites in an internal mixer. The aim is to find the best protocol able to discriminate miscanthus genotypes for their reinforcement capability. The following process parameters were optimized in order to maximize the reinforcement effect of the stem fragment filler: mixing parameters (mixing time, rotor speed and chamber temperature), temperature, fragment content, size and length distributions and coupling agent. The relationship between the process parameters and the mechanical properties of composites were analyzed to evaluate the influence of genotype on reinforcement performance, showing the robustness of the protocol in effectively discriminating genotypes according to their reinforcing capacity.     

Chemical versus Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Nano‐onion/Polypyrrole Composites for Supercapacitor Electrodes

The development of high‐surface‐area carbon electrodes with a defined pore size distribution and the incorporation of pseudo‐active materials to optimize the overall capacitance and conductivity without destroying the stability are at present important research areas. Composite electrodes of carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) and polypyrrole (Ppy) were fabricated to improve the specific capacitance of a supercapacitor. The carbon nanostructures were uniformly coated with Ppy by chemical polymerization or by electrochemical potentiostatic deposition to form homogenous composites or bilayers. The materials were characterized by transmission‐ and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermogravimetric analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, piezoelectric microgravimetry, and cyclic voltammetry. The composites show higher mechanical and electrochemical stabilities, with high specific capacitances of up to about 800 F g^?1 for the CNOs/SDS/Ppy composites (chemical synthesis) and about 1300 F g^?1 for the CNOs/Ppy bilayer (electrochemical deposition).     

Highly Efficient Copper(II) Ion Sorbents Obtained by Calcium Carbonate Mineralization on Functionalized Cross‐Linked Copolymers

A new type of Cu^II ion sorbents is presented. These are obtained by CaCO₃ mineralization from supersaturated solutions on gel‐like cross‐linked polymeric beads as insoluble templates. A divinylbenzene–ethylacrylate–acrylonitrile cross‐linked copolymer functionalized with weakly acidic, basic, or amphoteric functional groups has been used, as well as different initial inorganic concentrations and addition procedures for CaCO₃ crystal growth. The morphology of the new composites was investigated by SEM and compared to that of the unmodified beads, and the polymorph content was established by X‐ray diffraction. The beads, before and after CaCO₃ mineralization, were tested as sorbents for Cu^II ions. The newly formed patterns on the bead surface after Cu^II sorption were observed by SEM, and the elemental distribution on the composites and the chemical structure of crystals after interaction with Cu^II were investigated by EDAX elemental mapping and by FTIR‐ATR spectroscopy, respectively. The sorption capacity increased significantly after CaCO₃ crystals growth on the weak anionic bead surface (up to 1041.5 mg Cu^II/g sample) compared to that of unmodified beads (491.5 mg Cu^II/g sample).