The thermal decomposition of K2Pt(CN)4Br2 and K2Pt(CN)4

The thermal decomposition of K₂Pt(CN)₄Br₂ was studied by thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The reduction of the platinum occurs in several steps, each evolving cyanogen. The first step corresponded to the formation of a complex of apparently Pt(III) with bridging cyanide ions. The second and third steps which form Pt(II) with primarily terminal cyanide ions and finally the metal, are not well resolved. K₂Pt(CN)₄-8H₂O first lost water of hydration and then a single molecule of cyanogen corresponding to the formation of platinum metal and KCN.     

Infrared characterization of polymorphism in polybutene-1

The transformations of the polymorphic forms of polybutene-1 (I,II,III) were studied by infrared spectroscopy. Attenuated total reflectance spectra demonstrate that the II → I transformation occurs initially and most rapidly on the film surfaces. Electron irradiation experiments showed the II → I conversion can be suppressed by irradiation. The degree of suppression was dependent on the irradiation dose. Comparison of spectra on irradiation in air and vacuum indicate that radiation-produced radicals are scavenged by oxygen, preventing intermolecular crosslinking and allowing normal expansion of the helix during transformation. In addition, remolding an irradiated sample of II caused immediate conversion to I rather than its return to II as was noted when unirradiated samples are remolded. These observations are related to certain conformational changes in the molecular structure.     

Bifurcation and stability of a two-tower system under wind-induced parametric,external and self-excitation

A two-degree of freedom nonlinear system, describing the dynamics of two towers exposed to turbulent wind flow and linked by a nonlinear viscous device, is considered. The steady component of the wind is responsible for self-excitation, while the turbulent part causes both parametric and external excitations, considered in a specific resonance condition. The possible occurrence of multiple Hopf bifurcations is taken into account. The periodic and quasi-periodic solutions are studied after applying a perturbation scheme. The effect of the viscous device on the dynamics of the structure is analyzed, in order to investigate its effectiveness in mitigating the oscillations of the two independent towers.     

GBT pre-buckling and buckling analyses of thin-walled members under axial and transverse loads

This paper presents an analytical approach for pre-buckling and buckling analyses of thin-walled members implemented within the framework of the Generalised Beam Theory (GBT). With the proposed GBT cross-sectional analysis, the set of deformation modes used in the analysis is represented by the dynamic modes obtained for an unrestrained frame representing the cross-section. In this manner, it is possible to account for the deformability of the cross-section in both pre-buckling and buckling analyses. Different loading conditions, including both axial and transverse arrangements, are considered in the applications to highlight under which circumstances the use of the GBT deformation modes is required for an adequate representation of the pre-buckling and buckling response. The numerical results have been validated against those determined using a shell element model developed in the finite element software ABAQUS.     

Dynamics of taut strings traveled by train of forces

This paper analyzes the dynamical response of taut strings crossed by systems of traveling forces at constant velocity. Starting from the classic solution for the single moving load, the effect of trains of forces having a step equal to the string length is dealt with. The response is formulated in terms of a linear map, whose reiteration furnishes the discrete-time response, and enables the investigation of the asymptotic behavior of the system. The analytical solution highlights the presence of many critical velocities, for which an instability phenomenon by response accretion may occur. The presence of damping inhibits the onset of instability but also allows to attain large displacements, especially in correspondence of the first critical velocities of the undamped string. Finite-difference numerical solutions confirm the full validity of the proposed analytical solutions. A simple procedure to deduce an improved solution for the problem of the single moving force is outlined in the Appendix.     

Solution to the problem of Nicolai

We consider the problem of Nicolai on dynamic stability of an elastic cantilever rod loaded by an axial compressive force P and a twisting tangential torque L in continuous formulation. The problem is to find the stability region for non-equal principal moments of inertia of the rod in the space of three parameters: P, L and the parameter α for the ratio of principal moments of inertia. New governing equations and boundary conditions, which form the basis for analytical and numerical studies, are derived. An important detail of this formulation is that the pre-twisting of the rod due to the torque L is taken into account. The singular point on the stability boundary at the critical Euler force P_E is recognized and investigated in detail. For an elliptic cross-section of a uniform rod the stability region is found numerically with the use of the Galerkin method and the exact numerical approach. The obtained numerical results are compared with the analytical formulas of the asymptotic analysis.     

On the Reconstitution Problem in the Multiple Time-Scale Method

Higher-order multiple-scale methods for general multiparameter mechanical systems are studied. The role played by the control and imperfection parameters in deriving the perturbative equations is highlighted. The definition of the codimension of the problem, borrowed from the bifurcation theory, is extended to general systems, excited either externally or parametrically. The concept of a reduced dynamical system is then invoked. Different approaches followed in the literature to deal with reconstituted amplitude equations are discussed, both in the search for steady-state solutions and in the analysis of stability. Four classes of methods are considered, based on the consistency or inconsistency of the approach, and on the completeness or incompleteness of the terms retained in the analysis. The four methods are critically compared and general conclusions drawn. Finally, three examples are illustrated to corroborate the findings and to show the quantitative differences between the various approaches.