A finite difference method for the static limit analysis of masonry domes under seismic loads

Meccanica - The static limit analysis of axially symmetric masonry domes subject to pseudo-static seismic forces is addressed. The stress state in the dome is represented by the shell stress...     

Trace Functionals for a Class of Pseudo-Differential Operators in R n

In this paper we define trace functionals on the algebra of pseudo-differential operators with cone-shaped exits to infinity. Furthermore, we improve the Weyl formula on the asymptotic distribution of eigenvalues and make use of it in order to establish inclusion relations between the interpolation normed ideals of compact operators in L ²(R ⁿ ) and the above operator classes.     

Performance evaluation of fiber Bragg grating sensors by digital holographic technique, strain gauge measurement

In view of the growing interest for non-destructive tests of materials, geodynamical monitoring and in general remote sensing, there is a great effort to bring practical optical sensors from research labs to industrial and environmental applications. In this paper, we employ digital holographic technique as an efficient tool for evaluating the strain measurement capability of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). A cantilever beam has been employed as a test structure under loading test. The strain measurements results obtained by fiber-based sensors have been compared to those obtained by using full-field digital holographic technique and point-wise strain gauge sensors glued on the same cantilever beam. A simple theoretical model is also presented to interpret and compare the experimental results coming from different techniques.     

Twist points of planar domains

We establish a potential theoretic approach to the study of twist points in the boundary of simply connected planar domains.

     

Symmetries of BLT-Sets

We do the tentative beginnings of a study of BLT-sets of generalised quadrangles via their symmetries. In particular, the study of whorls about a line leads us to hyperbolic reflections preserving a BLT-set of Q(4, q).     

The hydrogen molecule in an arbitrarily oriented magnetic field

Summary The modifications induced by a magnetic field of arbitrary direction and intermediate strength (i.e not larger than 2.35·10⁵ tesla, the ?atomic tesla?) on the lowest singlet and triplet energy states of the hydrogen molecule are studied. Using a linear combination of products of field-modified atomic orbitals, it is found that increasing the field strength the depth of the singlet energy well increases and the equilibrium internuclear distance decreases, yielding more rigid and localized nuclear vibrations. For sufficiently strong fields perpendicular to the internuclear axis, the triplet state exhibits a bonding behaviour. An explanation of the above results is given in terms of the field-modified electronic-charge distributions in the internuclear region. Based on the thesis submitted by S. Basile to the University of Palermo for graduation in Physics.     

A remark on Serrin’s Theorem

An approximation theorem for families of weakly coercive convex functions by means of countably many smooth families of convex functions is proved. As a consequence, the classical “three-fold” lower semicontinuity theorem for integral functionals of the Calculus of Variations by James Serrin is unified in one single statement.     

The Nature of Community OR

This paper outlines the results of a study undertaken to investigate the nature of Community Operational Research (COR). The objective was to contact the people involved in COR through a series of personal interviews and a questionnaire survey, in order to clarify many of the issues that have emerged within the profession relating to the practice of OR within the community and voluntary sector. A total of 20 individuals were successfully contacted, and they have been responsible for at least two-thirds of the projects in the COR area.