Mechanical Testing of Solid–Solid Interfaces at the Microscale

In order to determine the influence of internal interfaces on the material’s global mechanical behavior, the strength of single interfaces is of great interest. The experimental framework presented here enables quantitative measurements of the initiation and propagation of interfacial cracks on the microscale. Cantilever beams are fabricated by focused ion beam milling out of a bulk sample, with an interface of interest placed close to the fixed end of the cantilever. Additionally, a U-notch is fabricated at the location of the interface to serve as a stress concentrator for the initiation of the crack. The cantilevers are then mechanically deflected using a nanoindentation system for high resolution load-displacement measurements. In order to determine the onset and propagation of damage, the stiffness of the cantilevers is recorded by partial unloads during the test as well as by making use of a continuous stiffness technique. A finite element model is used to normalize the load and stiffness in order to establish the framework for comparisons between different interfaces.     

Vapor Flow with Evaporation–Condensation on Solid Particles

Strongly nonequilibrium vapor (gas) flows in a region filled by solid particles are considered with allowance for particlesize variation due to evaporation–condensation on the particle surface. The study is performed by directly solving the kinetic Boltzmann equation with allowance for the transformation of the distribution function of gas molecules due to their interaction with dust particles.     

Solid mechanical problems in the “Risorgimento” generation

We want to give a synthetic idea of the history of some arguments of the solid mechanics drawn up in Italy during the last four decades of the 19th Century (Your virtue is to be corious; you want to penetrate into the causes, to go back to the seeds. … I know how from one of those trifles, that the uninitiated don’t get, you scientists can get out the spark, that gave light to the most remote truths./Voi … avete la virtù di essere curiosi; volete penetrare nelle cause, rimontare al seme. … So come da una di quelle inezie, le quali sfuggono all’attenzione dei profani, voi scienziati potete cavare la scintilla, che rischiara poi le verità più riposte.), Boito (Senso, 1883). The expression Risorgimento Generation is ascribable to Giovan Battista Guccia (1855–1914), with reference to the school of Francesco Brioschi (1824–1897), as inspiration of the foundation (1884) of the Mathematical Society of Palermo.     

Establishment of Several Differential Equations for the Case of Variable Solid Thermal Conductivity

In this paper we propose that the solid thermal conductivity variesfirst with the space coordinate according to a linear law and then with anexponential one.In this way We have set up six differential equationssuccessfully;and for variable density,variable specific heat as well asvariable conductivity,another six differential equations have also beendeduced.     

Multi-scale Fractured Coal Gas–Solid Coupling Model and Its Applications in Engineering Projects

With coal mining entering the geological environment of “high stress, rich gas, strong adsorption and low permeability,” the difficulty of joint coal and gas extraction clearly augments, the risk of solid–gas coupling dynamic disasters greatly increases, and the underlying mechanisms become more complex. In this paper, based on the characteristics of coal’s multi-scale structure and spatiotemporal variation, the multi-scale fractured coal gas–solid coupling model (MSFM) was built. In this model, the interaction between coal matrix and its fractures and the mechanical characteristics of gas-bearing coal were considered, as well as their coupling relationship. By MATLAB software, the stress–damage–seepage numerical computation programs were developed, which were applied into Comsol Multiphysics to simulate gas flow caused by coal mining. The simulation results showed the spatial variability of coal elastic modulus and cross-flow behaviors of coal seam gas, which were superior to the results of traditional gas–solid coupling model. And the numerical results obtained from MSFM were closer to the measured results in field, while the computation results of traditional model were slightly higher than the measured results. Furthermore, the MSFM in a large scale was verified by field engineering project.     

On the Buckling of an Infinite Beam of Finite Width Embedded in an Isotropic Elastic Solid∗

The present paper considers the problem of buckling of a beam of finite width that is embedded in bonded contact with an isotropic elastic solid. Analysis of the buckling problem is restricted to the class of slender beams of narrow width that exhibit flexure only in the longitudinal direction. The governing integral equations are solved in an approximate fashion. Numerical results presented indicate the manner in which the buckling load is influenced by the relative flexibility of the beam-elastic medium system.     

Three-Dimensional Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Single-Phase Permeability in Random Fractal Porous Media with Rough Pore–Solid Interface

Single-phase permeability k has intensively been investigated over the past several decades by means of experiments, theories and simulations. Although the effect of surface roughness on fluid flow and permeability in single pores and fractures as well as networks of fractures was studied previously, its influence on permeability in a random mass fractal porous medium constructed of pores of different sizes remained as an open question. In this study, we, therefore, address the effect of pore–solid interface roughness on single-phase flow in random fractal porous media. For this purpose, we apply a mass fractal model to construct porous media with a priori known mass fractal dimensions \(2.579 \le D_{\mathrm{m}} \le 2.893\) characterizing both solid matrix and pore space. The pore–solid interface of the media is accordingly roughened using the Weierstrass–Mandelbrot approach and two parameters, i.e., surface fractal dimension \(D_{\mathrm{s}}\) and root-mean-square (rms) roughness height. A single-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method is applied to simulate single-phase permeability in the corresponding porous media. Results indicate that permeability decreases sharply with increasing \(D_{\mathrm{s}}\) from 1 to 1.1 regardless of \(D_{\mathrm{m}}\) value, while k may slightly increase or decrease, depending on \(D_{\mathrm{m}}\), as \(D_{\mathrm{s}}\) increases from 1.1 to 1.6.     

A Highly Conductive Porous Medium for Solid–Gas Reactions: Effect of the Dispersed Phase on the Thermal Tortuosity

The heat transfer in a highly conductive material constituted by a graphite matrix in which a granular phase is dispersed is studied. The effective thermal conductivity of this anisotropic porous composite medium used in solid–gas reactors can vary largely with the component fractions. The effect of the dispersed grains on the deformable structure of the matrix is considered. A model developed on the basis of thermal tortuosity by analogy with mass transfer is adequately correlated with experimental results.     

Distinguishing Features of One Model of an Elastic Solid Associated with the Long–Range Interaction at the Molecular Level

A model of an elastic solid in the form of a system of elastically connected rigid elements is proposed. It is shown that the long–range interaction should be taken into account. The mathematical model proposed is, in essence, the physical model of a solid, which substantially broadens the range of its application.     

Laboratory of Solid Lubrication in Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(A Brief Introduction)

Laboratory of solid lubrication was established in Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences with the ratification of Chinese Academy of Sciences in August 1987. Research Professor Yan Dongsheng, specially invited consultant and the member of the division of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the honorary director of this laboratory. Associate research professors Xue Qunji and Gu Zeming of Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics are the head and the deputy head of this laboratory. The academic committee of the laboratory consists of 18 scientists at home and abroad (cf. appendix 1). Research professor Dang Hongxin, the vice-chairman of Chinese Society of Tribology of CMES, is the head of this committee.     

A Novel Relative Permeability Model Based on Mixture Theory Approach Accounting for Solid–Fluid and Fluid–Fluid Interactions

A novel model is presented for estimating steady-state co- and counter-current relative permeabilities analytically derived from macroscopic momentum equations originating from mixture theory accounting for fluid–fluid (momentum transfer) and solid–fluid interactions (friction). The full model is developed in two stages: first as a general model based on a two-fluid Stokes formulation and second with further specification of solid–fluid and fluid–fluid interaction terms referred to as \(R_{{i}}\) (i =  water, oil) and R, respectively, for developing analytical expressions for generalized relative permeability functions. The analytical expressions give a direct link between experimental observable quantities (end point and shape of the relative permeability curves) versus water saturation and model input variables (fluid viscosities, solid–fluid/fluid–fluid interactions strength and water and oil saturation exponents). The general two-phase model is obeying Onsager’s reciprocal law stating that the cross-mobility terms \(\lambda _\mathrm{wo}\) and \(\lambda _\mathrm{ow}\) are equal (requires the fluid–fluid interaction term R to be symmetrical with respect to momentum transfer). The fully developed model is further tested by comparing its predictions with experimental data for co- and counter-current relative permeabilities. Experimental data indicate that counter-current relative permeabilities are significantly lower than corresponding co-current curves which is captured well by the proposed model. Fluid–fluid interaction will impact the shape of the relative permeabilities. In particular, the model shows that an inflection point can occur on the relative permeability curve when the fluid–fluid interaction coefficient \(I>0\) which is not captured by standard Corey formulation. Further, the model predicts that fluid–fluid interaction can affect the relative permeability end points. The model is also accounting for the observed experimental behavior that the water-to-oil relative permeability ratio \(\hat{{k}}_{\mathrm{rw}} /\hat{{\mathrm{k}}}_{\mathrm{ro}} \) is decreasing for increasing oil-to-water viscosity ratio. Hence, the fully developed model looks like a promising tool for analyzing, understanding and interpretation of relative permeability data in terms of the physical processes involved through the solid–fluid interaction terms \(R_{{i}}\) and the fluid–fluid interaction term R.     

Derivation of a Darcy’s Law for a Porous Medium Composed of Two Solid Phases Saturated by a Single- Phase Fluid: A Homogenization Approach

The objective of this article is to derive a macroscopic Darcy’s law for a fluid-saturated moving porous medium whose matrix is composed of two solid phases which are not in direct contact with each other (weakly coupled solid phases). An example of this composite medium is the case of a solid matrix, unfrozen water, and an ice matrix within the pore space. The macroscopic equations for this type of saturated porous material are obtained using two-space homogenization techniques from microscopic periodic structures. The pore size is assumed to be small compared to the macroscopic scale under consideration. At the microscopic scale the two weakly coupled solids are described by the linear elastic equations, and the fluid by the linearized Navier–Stokes equations with appropriate boundary conditions at the solid–fluid interfaces. The derived Darcy’s law contains three permeability tensors whose properties are analyzed. Also, a formal relation with a previous macroscopic fluid flow equation obtained using a phenomenological approach is given. Moreover, a constructive proof of the existence of the three permeability tensors allows for their explicit computation employing finite elements or analogous numerical procedures.