On the elastodynamics of stiffened plates

Summary A method of determining the response of a stiffened elastic plate to a dynamic excitation is presented here. Green's function for such a combined system has been systematically derived based on the eigenfunctions of the system obtained through the application of Galerkin's method. With that Green's function a wide range of dynamic forcing functions can be considered.

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Zur elastodynamik versteifter platten

Übersicht Vorgestellt wird eine Methode zur Ermittlung der Antwort versteifter Platten auf dynamische Erregungen. Mit Hilfe der Eigenfunktionen des Systems, die durch Anwendung der Galerkin-Methode gewonnen werden, wird die Greensche Funktion solcher kombinierten Tragwerke systematisch hergeleitet. Damit kann ein weiter Bereich dynamischer Anregungsfunktionen behandelt werden.

     

Mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites: a review

There has been a growing interest in the utilization of sisal fibres as reinforcement in the production of polymeric composite materials. Natural fibres have gained recognition as reinforcements in fibre polymer–matrix composites because of their mechanical properties and environmental friendliness. The mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites have been studied by many researchers and a few of them are discussed in this article. Various fibre treatments, which are carried out in order to improve adhesion, leading to improved mechanical properties, are also discussed in this review paper. This review also focuses on the influence of fibre content and fabrication methods, which can significantly affect the mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites.     

On the flexural vibration of an elastic plate carrying a concentrated mass

Summary The dynamic response of an elastic plate carrying a concentrated mass is analysed. Despite the presence of a singular mass distribution function, a rigorous analysis leading to a closed-form solution in the form of an infinite series has been made. By developing Green's function for the associated partial differential equation, any form of dynamic excitation is easily considered.

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Ein beitrag zu den biegeschwingungen einer elastischen platte mit einer punktförmigen zusatzmasse

Übersicht Untersucht wird das dynamische Verhalten einer elastischen Platte mit punktförmiger Zusatzmasse. Ungeachtet der Masseverteilung mit Singularität wird eine mathematisch strenge Behandlung, die zu einer geschlossenen Lösung in der Form unendlicher Reihen führt, unternommen. Durch Entwicklung der Greenschen Funktion für die assoziierte partielle Differentialgleichung lassen sich beliebige dynamische Erregungen behandeln.

     

On the Application of the Perturbation Method in the Buckling Optimization of a Heavy Elastic Column of Constant Aspect Ratio

This paper addresses the problem of maximizing the first Euler load of a column of constant aspect ratio (moment of inertia varies with the square of the cross-sectional area), considering the column self-weight, subject to the constraint of fixed volume of column material and height. The coupled nonlinear integro-differential equations of optimality and stability, generated through variational principles, have been solved using the method of parameter perturbation. The optimal column has cross-sectional area that follows a perturbed two-thirds power law; the first Euler load is up to 87% larger than that of the corresponding column of uniform cross-section having the same volume and height.     

Dynamic analysis of constrained elastic systems

Summary The dynamic behaviour of a vertical cantilever carrying a concentrated mass at the top, and elastically constrained atsome point is examined. Green's function of the associated unconstrained problem is developed, using which the differential equation of the constrained problem is transformedinto an integral equation. The latter has been shown to be a contractive mapping ensuring both existence and uniqueness of solution.

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Analyse der Dynamik einer elastischen Säule mit Feder-Fesselung

Übersicht Untersucht wird das dynamische Verhalten einer vertikalen Säule, die an der Spitze eine Einzelmasse trägt und in einer gewissen Höhe an eine Feder gefesselt ist. Die Greensche Funktion des assoziierten Problems ohne Fesselung wird entwickelt und mit ihr die Differentialgleichung des Systems mit Fesselung in eine Integralgleichung überführt. Für letztere wird gezeigt, daß sie eine kontrahierende Abbildung ist und daher die Existenz und Eindeutigkeit der Lösung gewährleistet ist.

     

The periodic and eigen solutions of the equation governing a nonrotating viscoelastic earth model under transient force

The problem of existence of the periodic solution of the equation governing a nonrotating viscoelastic earth model under transient force is examined. By first formulating the governing equations, using the methods of Coleman and Noll (Rev. Modern Physics33 (2) (1961), 239–249), Dahlen and Smith (Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc. London A279 (1975), 583–624), and Biot (“Mechanics of Incremental Deformations,” Wiley, New York, 1965), these equations are subjected to oscillatory displacement resulting in an eigenvalue problem whose solutions are the viscoelastic-gravitational displacement eigenfunctions U(x) with associated eigenfrequencies ω. A theorem is then proved to show the existence of a periodic solution.     

Extraction and Characterization of Natural Cellulose Fibers from Maize Tassel

This article reports on the extraction and characterization of novel natural cellulose fibers obtained from the maize (tassel) plant. Cellulose was extracted from the agricultural residue (waste biomaterial) of maize tassel. The maize tassel fibers were obtained after treatment with NaOH and were carefully characterized while the chemical composition was determined. The chemical composition of the maize tassel fibers showed that the cellulose content increased from 41% to 56%, following alkali treatment. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of maize tassel fibers confirmed that this chemical treatment also shows the way to partial elimination of hemicelluloses and lignin from the structure of the maize tassel fibers. X-ray diffraction results indicated that this process resulted in enhanced crystallinity of the maize tassel fibers. The thermal properties of the maize tassel fibers were studied by the TGA technique and were found to have improved significantly. The degradation temperature of the alkali-treated maize tassel fiber is higher than that of the untreated maize tassel fibers. This value convincingly showed the potential of maize tassel fibers for use in reinforced biocomposites and waste water treatment.