Sulfur as a supplementary filler for bitumen-silica composites

Summary Dynamic-mechanical properties of bitumen-sulfur mixtures, containing more than 10% sulfur, change with time up to one month ageing. Composites were prepared by adding silica to these mixtures. In general, the time-temperature-superposition principle applies. Moreover, the viscoelastic properties of the bitumen matrix are not significantly altered by the presence of sulfur. However, the triple time-temperature-interfacial area equivalence principle could not be verified, in this instance, since the interfacial area between sulfur, the new filler, and bitumen could not be established.With 11 figures     

A pattern-based method for bounding the effective response of a nonlinear composite

This paper deals with the prediction of the effective properties of nonlinear composites. Rather than bounding the effective energy, this work aims at bounding directly the effective stress-strain response, by extending a method originally introduced by Milton and Serkov (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 1295) and recently refined by Talbot and Willis (Proc. Roy. Soc. 460 (2004) 2705). In this paper, bounding the effective response is achieved by introducing a linear comparison composite with the same micro-geometry as the given nonlinear composite, as Ponte Castañeda (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 39 (1991) 45) did for the energy. It is found that any lower bound for the energy of the linear comparison composite generates a corresponding bound for the stress-strain response of the nonlinear composite. A selection of examples is presented to illustrate the method and compare the bounds obtained with existing results.     

用KBKZ型本构方程表征Boger流体黏弹性

用4个KBKZ积分型本构方程(Wagner模型、PSM模型、2e模型以及3r模型)描述了一种Boger流体的黏弹性．采用最小二乘法拟合G′和G″获得材料的松弛时间谱,采用非线性规划方法拟合N1得到各模型的衰减函数参数,结果表明,4个模型都可以准确地表征该Boger流体的流变特性．由于Wagner模型、PSM模型较简单,选择这两个模型表征Boger流体的黏弹性是合适的。     

Magnetically modified microbial cells： A new type of magnetic adsorbents

Microbial cells, either in free or immobilized form, can be used for the preconcentration or removal of metal ions, organic and inorganic xenobiotics or biologically active compounds. Magnetic modification of these cells enables to prepare magnetic adsorbents that can be easily manipulated in difficult-to-handle samples, such as suspensions, in the presence of external magnetic field. In this review, typical examples of magnetic modifications of microbial cells are presented, as well as their possible applications for the separation of organic xenobiotics and heavy metal ions.     

三维网络结构增强复合材料磨损模型的研究

考虑网络结构增强体特殊的拓扑结构因素和弹性模量影响,利用复合材料磨损率最小化和最大化假设,建立了网络结构增强复合材料的磨损模型,同时制备了不同体积分数的Si3N4陶瓷增强Al-Mg合金复合材料,并将其磨损试验结果数据拟合到模型中.结果表明,所建立的模型可以反映复合材料增强相的体积分数、复合材料的弹性模量和磨损率之间的数学关系,证明复合材料的摩擦磨损率随增强相体积分数的增加而逐渐降低,当体积分数超过45%～50%时,磨损率随增强相体积分数的增加而逐渐增大.该模型不同于Khruschov模型和Zum-Gahr 模型,其关系不遵循线性规则.与增强体复合材料的磨损试验数据拟合表明,该模型能够较好地反映网络结构增强复合材料的磨损性能,具有一定普遍性.     

SEDIMENTATION OF CYLINDRICAL PARTICLES IN A VISCOELASTIC LIQUID： SHAPE-TILTING

1.IntroductionItiswell-knownthattheorientationoflongbodieswithonedimensionbeingmuchlargerthantheothertwoinliquidsofdifferentnatureisafundamentalissueinmanyproblemsofpracticalinterest.Theseproblemscoverawiderangeofapplications,includingmanufacturingofshort-fibercomposites(Advani,1994;Leeetal.,1997),separationofmacromoleculesbyelectrophoresis(Grossman&Soane,1990;Hames&Rickwood,1984;Trainor,1990;Tinlandetal.,2000),flow-inducedmicrostructures(Joseph,2000),modelsofbloodflow(Schmid-Schonbein&Wel…     

A hierarchical algorithm for predicting the linear viscoelastic properties of polymer melts with long-chain branching

The hierarchical model proposed earlier [Larson in Macromolecules 34:4556–4571, 2001] is herein modified by inclusion of early time fluctuations and other refinements drawn from the theories of Milner and McLeish for more quantitative prediction. The hierarchical model predictions are then compared with experimental linear viscoelastic data of well-defined long chain branched 1,4-polybutadienes and 1,4-polyisoprenes using a single set of parameter values for each polymer, which are obtained from experimental data for monodisperse linear and star polymers. For a wide range of monodisperse branched polymer melts, the predictions of the hierarchical model for monodisperse melts are very similar to those of the Milner–McLeish theories, and agree well with experimental data for many, but not all, of the branched polymer samples. Since the modified hierarchical model accounts for arbitrary polydispersity in molecular weight and branching distributions, which is not accounted for in the Milner–McLeish theories, the hierarchical algorithm is a promising one for predicting the relaxation of general mixtures of branched polymers.     

一种颗粒复合材料物理性能计算模型与工程应用

结合傅里叶描述子法与格林函数法提出了任意形状夹杂物的Eshelby张量计算方法,基于分步夹杂法建立了一种具有任意形状颗粒的复合材料物理性能预测理论模型。通过傅里叶描述子法对扫描电镜(SEM)图像中颗粒形貌进行数学表征,构建由多个细观结构参数组合的几何模型;利用格林函数求解夹杂物Eshelby张量,考虑颗粒形态、大小和组分性能,研究细观结构对颗粒复合材料有效性能的影响。在此基础上,设计了一款颗粒复合材料物理性能预测软件。以铜铬合金为研究对象,分析重构的细观模型与预测的结果,并与有限元计算结果进行对比,验证了该计算模型的有效性和可靠性,以及在工程计算应用中的可行性。     

A PREDICTIVE APPROACH TO THE IN-PLANE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STITCHED COMPOSITE LAMINATES

This contribution attempts to model the alteration of the in-plane elastic properties in laminates caused by stitching,and to predict the in-plane effective tensile strength of the stitched composite laminates.The distortion of in-plane fibers is considered to be the main cause that affects the in-plane mechanical properties.A fiber distortion model is proposed to characterize the fiber misalignment and the fiber content concentration due to stitching.The undistorted region,the fiber distortion region,the resin-rich pocket and the through-thickness reinforcement section are taken into account.The fiber misalignment and inhomogeneous fiber content due to stitching have been formulated by introducing two parameters,the distortion width and maximum misalignment.It has been found that the ply stress concentration in stitched laminates is influenced by the two concurrent factors,the stitch hole and inhomogeneous fiber content.The stitch hole brings about the stress concentration whereas the higher fiber content at the local region induced by stitching restrains the local deformation of the composite.The model is used to predict the tensile strength of the [0/45/0/-45/90/45/0/-45]_(2s) T300/QY9512 composite laminate stitched by Kevlar 29 yarn with different stitching configurations,showing an acceptable agreement with experimental data.     

A study on validity of using average fiber aspect ratio for mechanical properties of aligned short fiber composites with different fiber aspect ratios

A closed-form solution using the actual distribution of the fiber aspect ratio is proposed for predicting the stiffness of aligned short fiber composite. The present model is the simplified form of Takao and Taya’s model and the extended version of Taya and Chou’s model, where Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method modified for finite fiber volume fraction is employed. The validity of using average fiber aspect ratio for predicting the composite stiffness is justified in terms of the scatter of fiber aspect ratio, fiber volume fraction, and constituents‘ Young’s modulus ratio, comparing with the results by the present model. The guideline for selection of either the actual distribution or the average fiber aspect ratio is presented for the better prediction of the composite stiffness.     

三维机织复合材料的弹性性能预报模型

建立了基于等效响应比拟技术的三维机织复合材料弹性性能预报模型．首先将三维机织物的结构单元分解为4个子元(经纱、纬纱、填充纱和接结纱),用几何模型去估算这些子元的体积分数．然后依据不同的外载形式,将复合材料的应力-应变关系等效地表达为3组诸子元所组成的三维弹簧网络．根据刚度系数的物理意义,采用不同的弹簧网络连接形式,并按体积平均化方法获得材料总体刚度矩阵中相应的刚度系数,进而计算得到三维机织复合材料的9个弹性系数．该模型考虑了层内交织经纱、层间交织接结纱的弯曲以及材料内部纯树脂区对三维机织复合材料弹性性能的影响．试验结果与模型的理论预测值进行比较,表明这个模型是有效的。     

A new method to the (2+1)-dimensional modified KP equation

By means of the auxiliary ordinary differential equation method, we have obtained many solitary wave solutions, periodic wave solutions and variable separation solutions for the (2+1)-dimensional KP equation. Using a mixed method, many exact solutions have been obtained.     

A new Monte Carlo model for predicting the mechanical properties of fiber yarns

Understanding the complicated failure mechanisms of hierarchical composites such as fiber yarns is essential for advanced materials design. In this study, we developed a new Monte Carlo model for predicting the mechanical properties of fiber yarns that includes statistical variation in fiber strength. Furthermore, a statistical shear load transfer law based on the shear lag analysis was derived and implemented to simulate the interactions between adjacent fibers and provide a more accurate tensile stress distribution along the overlap distance. Simulations on two types of yarns, made from different raw materials and based on distinct processing approaches, predict yarn strength values that compare favorably with experimental measurements. Furthermore, the model identified very distinct dominant failure mechanisms for the two materials, providing important insights into design features that can improve yarn strength.     

基于迟滞行为的2D-SiC/SiC复合材料组份力学性能分析

基于剪滞理论, 建立了单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料的加卸载理论模型, 分析了基体长碎块和短碎块对材料迟滞力学行为的不同影响. 通过拉伸循环加卸载试验, 获得了2D-SiC/SiC 复合材料的迟滞应力—应变行为.依据材料基体损伤特点, 将试验结果代入长碎块对应理论推导结果, 计算得到了4 个表征材料组份性能的参数:基体开裂应力为90 MPa, 热残余应力为19 MPa, 界面脱粘能为3.1 Jm2, 界面滑移力为74 MPa. 最后结合少量短碎块的存在对试验结果的影响, 定性分析了计算结果的偏差. 结果表明, 获得的材料组分性能参数具有较小的分散性, 并能够准确表征材料整体的力学行为.      

Magnetic field assisted fluidization： A modified Richardson-Zaki equation

Magnetic particles can be uniformly fluidized by coupling the gas flow with an externally imposed magnetic field. Interparticle forces generated by the magnetic field cause aggregation of the particles in chain-like structures preferentially oriented along the magnetic field lines. In the present paper, we study the implications of the formation of these special types of aggregates on the empirical Richardson-Zaki （RZ） equation, originally proposed to describe the expansion of fluidized beds of non-aggregated particles. We have addressed two important issues, namely the flow regime, which is a function of the size of the aggregates, and the effect of shape and orientation of the chain-like aggregates with respect to gas flow on fluid drag. We propose a modified RZ equation （MRZE） in which the velocity scale, given by the terminal settling velocity of the individual aggregates, and the RZ exponent are predetermined as a function of the chain length. The chain length depends on the ratio of the magnetic energy to gravitational energy, and is estimated from the magnetic field intensity, and particle magnetization, size and density. Predictions of the MRZE are successfully compared with published results in the literature on the expansion of magnetic particles in the presence of externally applied magnetic fields.     

Three-phase plane composites of minimal elastic stress energy: High-porosity structures

The paper establishes exact lower bound on the effective elastic energy of two-dimensional, three-material composite subjected to the homogeneous, anisotropic stress. It is assumed that the materials are mixed with given volume fractions and that one of the phases is degenerated to void, i.e., the effective composite is porous. Explicit formula for the energy bound is obtained using the translation method enhanced with additional inequality expressing certain property of stresses. Sufficient optimality conditions of the energy bound are used to set the requirements which have to be met by the stress fields in each phase of optimal effective material regardless of the complexity of its microstructural geometry. We show that these requirements are fulfilled in a special class of microgeometries, so-called laminates of a rank. Their optimality is elaborated in detail for structures with significant amount of void, also referred to as high-porosity structures. It is shown that geometrical parameters of optimal multi-rank, high-porosity laminates are different in various ranges of volume fractions and anisotropy level of external stress. Non-laminate, three-phase microstructures introduced by other authors and their optimality in high-porosity regions is also discussed by means of the sufficient conditions technique. Conjectures regarding low-porosity regions are presented, but full treatment of this issue is postponed to a separate publication. The corresponding “G-closure problem” of a three-phase isotropic composite is also addressed and exact bounds on effective isotropic properties are explicitly determined in these regions where the stress energy bound is optimal.     

A new method for computing the uniaxial modulus of articular cartilages using modified inhomogeneous triphasic model

It is well known that subtle changes in structure and tissue composition of articular cartilage can lead to its degeneration. The present paper puts forward a modified layered inhomogeneous triphasic model with four parameters based on the inhomogeneous triphasic model proposed by Narmoneva et al. Incorporating a piecewise fitting optimization criterion, the new model was used to obtain the uniaxial modulus Ha, and predict swelling pattern for the articular cartilage based on ultrasound-measured swelling strain data. The results show that the new method can be used to provide more accurate estimation on the uniaxial modulus than the inhomogeneous triphasic model with three parameters and the homogeneous mode, and predict effectively the swell- ing strains of highly nonuniform distribution of degenerated articular cartilages. This study can provide supplementary information for exploring mechanical and material properties of the cartilage, and thus be helpful for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis-related diseases.     

A new method for characterizing the interphase regions of carbon nanotube composites

The elastic properties of a carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite are affected by many factors such as the CNT–matrix interphase. As such, mechanical analysis without sufficient consideration of these factors can give rise to incorrect predictions. Using single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) reinforced Polyvinylchloride (PVC) as an example, this paper presents a new technique to characterize interphase regions. The representative volume element (RVE) of the SWCNT–PVC system is modeled as an assemblage of three phases, the equivalent solid fiber (ESF) mimicking the SWCNT under the van der Waals (vdW) forces, the dense interphase PVC of appropriate thickness and density, and the bulk PVC matrix. Two methods are proposed to extract the elastic properties of the ESF from the atomistic RVE and the CNT-cluster. Using atomistic simulations, the thickness and the average density of interphase matrix are determined and the elastic properties of amorphous interphase matrix are characterized as a function of density. The method is examined in a continuum-based three-phase model developed with the aid of molecular mechanics (MM) and the finite element (FE) method. The predictions of the continuum-based model show a good agreement with the atomistic results verifies that the interphase properties of amorphous matrix in CNT-composites could be approximated as a function of density. The results show that ignoring either the vdW interaction region or the interphase matrix layer can bring about misleading results, and that the effect of internal walls of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the density and thickness of the dense interphase is negligible.     

The bimodal theory of plasticity: A form-invariant generalisation

The bimodal plasticity model of fibre-reinforced materials is currently available and applicable only in association with thin-walled fibrous composites containing a family of straight fibres which are conveniently assumed parallel with the x₁-axis of an appropriately chosen Cartesian co-ordinate system. Based on reliable experimental evidence, the model suggests that plastic slip in the composite operates in two distinct modes; the so-called matrix dominated mode (MDM) which depends on a matrix yield stress, and the fibre dominated mode (FDM) which depends also on the fibre yield stress. Each mode is activated by different states of applied stress, has its own yield surface (or surfaces) in the stress space and has its own segment on the overall yield surface of the composite. This paper employs theory of tensor representations and produces a form-invariant generalisation of both modes of the model. This generalisation furnishes the model with direct applicability to relevant plasticity problems, regardless of the shape of the fibres or the orientation of the co-ordinate system. It thus provides a proper mathematical foundation that underpins important physical concepts associated with the model while it also elucidates several technical relevant issues. A most interesting of those issues is the revelation that activation of the MDM plastic regime is possible only if the applied stress state allows the fibres to act like they are practically inextensible. Moreover, activation of the more dominant, between the two MDM plastic slip branches is possible only if conditions of material incompressibility hold, in addition to the implied condition of fibre inextensibility. A direct mathematical connection is thus achieved between basic, experimentally verified concepts of the bimodal plasticity model and a relevant mathematical model originated earlier from the theory of ideal fibre-reinforced materials. An additional issue of discussion involves the number of independent yield stress parameters that the bimodal theory needs to take into consideration. Moreover, an analytical expression is provided of a relatively simple mathematical surface that possesses all known features of the FDM yield surface; currently captured with the aid of both experimental and computational means. The present study is guided by the existing relevant experimental evidence which, however, is principally associated with the plastic behaviour of solids reinforced by strong fibres. Nevertheless, several of the outlined developments are expected to be applicable to composite materials containing a single family of more compliant or even weak fibres.