Identification and updating of loading in frameworks using dynamic measurements

This paper is concerned with the effect of structural loading on dynamic performance. This topic is recognised as being of importance when validating finite element (FE) models with experimental data. A strategy for including axial load effects in a model updating procedure is developed. The method can be used to identify loading in structural frameworks using measured dynamic data.The effectiveness of the new method is demonstrated by means of case studies involving both simulated and experimental data. The theoretical study allows aspects of the sensitivity of the method to realistic levels of experimental noise to be studied as well as the way in which dynamic load identification can be enhanced with static measurements. The experimental case study proves the practical success of the technique. Updated axial load parameters are compared with static measurements of the same quantities.     

A monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode

In this article we compare the classical monopole mass filter of von Zahn and the monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode. The experimental results and those of computer simulation for both mass spectrometers are presented. We show that the replacement of a conventional 90 degrees V-shaped electrode by an electrode with a hyperbolic profile substantially improves the peak shape of any given mass, and increases the mass resolution by a factor of 3-4 and the abundance sensitivity by a factor of 100. The potential of high analytical performance combined with electroforming techniques for electrode manufacture indicate future practical uses of such instruments. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rydberg states of carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide

The electronic absorption spectra of carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide have been reexamined. Model potential calculations have been used to calculate the energies of excited states in Rydberg approximation, and (npσ) and (npπ) Rydberg series have been assigned. For both molecules, the lowest excited ¹Π_g and ¹Π_u states are identified as Rydberg states. The lowest ${}^1\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ state is mainly Rydberg for CO₂, but contains some valence character for CS₂, There is no evidence for transitions to additional valence states of these symmetries.It is shown that $\text{LCAO}\text{MO}$ predictions about excited states can be misleading because of near-linear dependencies which arise in multicenter expansions. A consideration of the united atom orbitals for CO₂ and CS₂ predicts that there should be only the number of low-energy excited states which are found from the spectral analysis.     

Adaptive beamforming for nonstationary arrays

Adaptive beamformers automatically adjust to the input data on the sensors in an attempt to maximize the bearing resolution of a signal and minimize the effects of noise or interfering signals. To the author's knowledge, all adaptive beamformers currently available in the literature assume that the sensors are stationary over the time required to collect the data. This assumption is invalid on arrays of sensors mounted on nonstationary platforms, and results in poor beamforming performance. In this paper we present an adaptive beamformer that has been designed to operate on nonstationary arrays. The beamformer directly incorporates any changes in array shape or heading that may occur during the time required to collect the data. The output of the adaptive beamformer is shown for both synthetic data and for real data collected on a towed array. Results show that signal detection, bearing accuracy, bearing resolution, and interference suppression all increase when the array shape and track are incorporated into the beamformer if the sensor platform is not stationary.     

Local canted spin behaviour in Co1.4−x Zn x Ge0.4Fe1.2O4 spinels: A macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic study

DC magnetization, neutron depolarization and neutron diffraction (with both polarized and unpolarized neutrons) measurements have been reported for the Co_1.1−x Zn _x Ge_0.1Fe_1.2O₁ spinels with x=0.5, 0.6 and 0.7. Neutron depolarization and neutron diffraction measurements confirm the presence of a long range ferrimagnetic ordering of the local canted spins in these ferrite samples. The observed features of low field magnetization have been explained under the framework of thermally activated domain wall movement of ferrimagnetic arrangement of local canted spins. An important role of magnetic anisotropy (due to the presence of Co²⁺ ions) in establishing the magnetic ordering and domain kinetics in these ferrites has been observed.     

Identifying multiple axial load patterns using measured vibration data

Multiply redundant frames possess as many linearly independent axial load patterns as their degree of static indeterminacy. Any state of equilibrium can be described as the linear sum of these axial load patterns. As a frame is loaded in the multiple patterns, the changes in member axial loads affect the frame frequencies and mode shapes in a complicated way through geometric stiffening. By representing this behaviour in a finite element model (FEM), it is possible to measure the dynamic characteristics of a physical frame, update the axial loads in the FEM until the difference between measured and model frequencies is minimised and thus infer the member axial loads. What is updated is the factors on the axial load patterns and this is done iteratively using traditional model updating (Newton's method). Thus, all member axial loads can be identified using just a set of updating parameters equal in number to the degree of static indeterminacy. A numerical simulation and, for the first time, an implementation on a physical realisation of a multiply redundant frame using measured vibration data are presented herein and show that member loads can be identified to an encouraging degree of accuracy. Beneficial strategies such as formulating the problem on an orthonormal basis for the axial load patterns and a ‘modal tagging’ scheme, which helps to conserve the strength of the necessary, but otherwise typically compromised, pairing of mode shapes of the FEM to those measured, are discussed.     

Determination of electron affinity of carbonyl radicals by means of negative ion mass spectrometry

Appearance energies of [M-H](-) ions from carbonyl compounds R-CO-R' (R,R' = H, CH(3), NH(2), OH) have been measured by means of negative ion mass spectrometry in resonant electron capture mode. Values of electron affinity of the corresponding radicals, CH(2)&dbond;C(X)O, NH&dbond;C(X)O and O&dbond;C(X)O, have been determined. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.