Hinged dissection of polyominoes and polyforms

A hinged dissection of a set of polygons S is a collection of polygonal pieces hinged together at vertices that can be rotated into any member of S. We present a hinged dissection of all edge-to-edge gluings of n congruent copies of a polygon P that join corresponding edges of P. This construction uses kn pieces, where k is the number of vertices of P. When P is a regular polygon, we show how to reduce the number of pieces to k/2(n−1). In particular, we consider polyominoes (made up of unit squares), polyiamonds (made up of equilateral triangles), and polyhexes (made up of regular hexagons). We also give a hinged dissection of all polyabolos (made up of right isosceles triangles), which do not fall under the general result mentioned above. Finally, we show that if P can be hinged into Q, then any edge-to-edge gluing of n congruent copies of P can be hinged into any edge-to-edge gluing of n congruent copies of Q.     

Hinged Dissections Exist

We prove that any finite collection of polygons of equal area has a common hinged dissection. That is, for any such collection of polygons there exists a chain of polygons hinged at vertices that can be folded in the plane continuously without self-intersection to form any polygon in the collection. This result settles the open problem about the existence of hinged dissections between pairs of polygons that goes back implicitly to 1864 and has been studied extensively in the past ten years. Our result generalizes and indeed builds upon the result from 1814 that polygons have common dissections (without hinges). Our proofs are constructive, giving explicit algorithms in all cases. For two planar polygons whose vertices lie on a rational grid, both the number of pieces and the running time required by our construction are pseudopolynomial. This bound is the best possible, even for unhinged dissections. Hinged dissections have possible applications to reconfigurable robotics, programmable matter, and nanomanufacturing.     

Exact modes for post-buckling characteristics of nonlocal nanobeams in a longitudinal magnetic field

An exact mode solution that investigates the prebuckling and postbuckling characteristics of nonlocal nanobeams with fixed–fixed, hinged–hinged, and fixed–hinged boundary conditions in a longitudinal magnetic field is determined. The geometric nonlinearity arising from mid-plane stretching is considered to obtain the nonlinear governing equation of motion by virtue of Hamilton's principle. The influences of the nonlocal and magnetic parameters on the prebuckling and postbuckling dynamics of nanobeams with various boundary conditions are evaluated, indicating that the critical buckling force can be decreased with the increase of the nonlocal parameter while can be increased with increasing the magnetic parameter. It is demonstrated that the first natural frequency of the nanobeam with fixed–fixed and fixed–hinged conditions in postbuckling configuration is increased from zero to a constant value for higher values of the nonlocal parameter with increasing the axial force. The second natural frequency of the buckled nanobeam is always decreased with an increase of the nonlocal parameter. The results show that the internal resonance between the first and second modes of the postbuckling nanobeams can be quickly and easily activated by increasing the nonlocal parameters, especially for fixed–fixed and hinged–hinged boundary conditions. In addition, the results obtained by exact mode solution are compared those obtained by classical mode solution. It is found that the classical mode is valid only for nonlocal nanobeams with the hinged–hinged boundary conditions.     

A Problem on Hinged Dissections with Colours

We examine the following problem. Given a square C we want a hinged dissection of C into congruent squares and a colouring of the edges of these smaller squares with k colours such that we can transform the original square into another with its perimeter coloured with colour i, for all i in We have the restriction that the moves have to be realizable in the plane, so when swinging the pieces no overlappings are allowed. We show a solution for k colours that uses p² pieces, with p an even number and at least this by using a necklace made of the p² pieces and an ingenious way to wrap it into a square.Supported by PAPIIT(UNAM) of Mexico Proyecto IN-110802Supported by CONACYT of Mexico Proyecto 37450-AFinal version received: June 11, 2003     

Maximization and minimization in problems involving the bi-Laplacian

This paper concerns minimization and maximization of the energy integral in problems involving the bi-Laplacian under either homogeneous Navier boundary conditions or homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Physically, in case of N = 2, our equation models the equilibrium configuration of a non-homogeneous plate Ω which is either hinged or clamped along the boundary. Given several materials (with different densities) of total extension |Ω|, we investigate the location of these materials inside Ω so to maximize or minimize the energy integral of the corresponding plate.     

Crossing Numbers of Periodic Graphs

A graph is periodic if it can be obtained by joining identical pieces in a cyclic fashion. It is shown that the limit crossing number of a periodic graph is computable. This answers a question of Richter [1, Problem 4.2].     

Vibrations of an annular plate under the influence of a force rotating at a constant velocity

An exact solution is obtained for a dynamic problem concerning the bending of circular and annular plates under the influence of a force rotating at a constant angular velocity. It is shown that this problem is related to the problem of the bending of a plate under the influence of a harmonic load. Velocities leading to resonance are found and their first values are calculated for circular hinged and rigidly fastened plates.Translated from Dinamicheskie Sistemy, No. 4, pp. 62–65, 1985.     

Comparing variational methods for the hinged Kirchhoff plate with corners

The hinged Kirchhoff plate model contains a fourth order elliptic differential equation complemented with a zeroeth and a second order boundary condition. On domains with boundaries having corners the strong setting is not well‐defined. We here allow boundaries consisting of piecewise C^{2, 1}‐curves connecting at corners. For such domains different variational settings will be discussed and compared. As was observed in the so‐called Saponzhyan–Babushka paradox, domains with reentrant corners need special care. In that case, a variational setting that corresponds to a second order system needs an augmented solution space in order to find a solution in the appropriate Sobolev‐type space.     

Stability of glass-reinforced plastic columns

The stability of circular columns of unidirectional glass-reinforced plastic (EF-32-301) is investigated for two types of end conditions: hinged at both ends and one end hinged, the other fixed. The experimental data are compared with theory [1]. A relationship is established between the change in reduced length and the shear parameter.Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 906–910, September–October, 1968.     

修正多重尺度法在圆薄板大挠度弯曲问题中的应用及其渐近性研究(Ⅰ)

本文应用修正多重尺度法研究圆板在铰链和简单支承条件下的大挠度弯曲。作出其级数解,分析其边界层效应和证明其渐近性。     

Compactness and dichotomy in nonlocal shape optimization

We prove a general result about the behaviour of minimizing sequences for nonlocal shape functionals satisfying suitable structural assumptions. Typical examples include functions of the eigenvalues of the fractional Laplacian under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Exploiting a nonlocal version of Lions' concentration-compactness principle, we prove that either an optimal shape exists or there exists a minimizing sequence consisting of two “pieces” whose mutual distance tends to infinity. Our work is inspired by similar results obtained by Bucur in the local case.     

The effect of variability in a closed-loop conveyor system

A production system consisting of a work station, a loading and unloading stations linked by a closed-loop material-handling system is considered. The material-handling system consists of two continuous line conveyors. Each conveyor is assumed to have a specified constant velocity, length and capacity. The work station is assumed to have a single machine, an unloading station and no local storage. In this production system the work pieces, which at their instant of arrival find the work station busy, are blocked. Those work pieces bypass the work station and are transported by the conveyor to the loading station to merge with the incoming work pieces to be transported to the work station again. The above production system is modeled by a G/G/1/0 queueing loss system with retrials, stationary counting arrival process, generally distributed service times, a single server and no waiting room. The flow of work pieces inside the system is modeled by a point process and is approximated by a renewal process. To analyze the asymptotic performance of the above system, a recursive procedure is developed. Furthermore, an expression for the asymptotic distribution of the number of work pieces along each conveyor is derived and is used to control the congestion along the material handling system. Finally numerical results are provided and compared against those from a simulation study.     

On Polynomial Solutions of Generalized Moisil-Théodoresco Systems and Hodge-de Rham Systems

The aim of the paper is to study relations between polynomial solutions of generalized Moisil-Théodoresco (GMT) systems and polynomial solutions of Hodge-de Rham systems and, using these relations, to describe polynomial solutions of GMT systems. We decompose the space of homogeneous solutions of GMT system of a given homogeneity into irreducible pieces under the action of the group O(m) and we characterize individual pieces by their highest weights and we compute their dimensions.     

Stabilization of a platform under wind loads

The Steward platform is employed in dynamic simulation of a number of controlled mechanical systems, in control of the active surface of a telescope mirror, and other constructions. Position and orientation of this platform is regulated by changing the lengths of its supporting bars, and corresponding change of their angles relative to the base. Viable motions of the platform depend on how the bars are hinged to the base and to the platform. This paper studies dynamics and stabilization of a platform leaning on three bars of controlled length under wind loads. This problem is of interest for design of active mirror surfaces of radio telescopes. __________ Translated from Fundamentalnaya i Prikladnaya Matematika, Vol. 11, No. 7, pp. 97–115, 2005.     

Critical states of thin-wall conical gyroscopes elastically attached to a rotating platform

The analysis of effects of emergence of critical states of rigid and elastic thin-wall conical shell frustums hinged or elastically attached by their smaller edges to a rotating platform is performed on the basis of hybrid differential equations. The cases of simple and compound rotations of the carrying platform are considered. It is established that in the case of simple rotation the peculiarities of the critical state onset for the rigid and elastic shells are determined by relationships between their axial inertia moments, whereas in compound rotation the first frequencies of precession resonant vibrations of elastic shells do not depend on elastic pliability of the ties between the shell and the platform.     

Geometrically exact solution of a buckling column with asymmetric boundary conditions

For the symmetrically supported Euler buckling column with both ends hinged the classical stability theory yields simple trigonometric functions as buckling modes, i.e. w(x) = A sin αx. The eigenvalues α are just multiples of π. In comparison, the analysis of the asymmetrically supported Euler buckling column with one end clamped and the other end hinged is more complicated: The buckling modes are a combination of trigonometric functions in form of w(x) = A (sin αx − αx cos (αL)). The eigenvalues follow from a transcendental equation. Applying a geometrically exact theory to the aforementioned Euler buckling problems, a similar relation in the complexity of the analyses will naturally arise. Using, e.g., the elastica model the buckling behavior of the symmetrically supported column is represented by elliptic integrals. However, the determination of the buckling behavior of the asymmetrically supported column turns out to be much more complex and elaborate. This article presents a direct comparison of the symmetrically and asymmetrically supported buckling columns regarding their analyses by means of classical stability theory and by the geometrically exact theory of the elastica. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Localization of eigenforms and limit transformations in problems of the stability of rectangular plates

Problems of the stability (buckling) of compressed rectangular plates are considered. It is assumed that evenly distributed compressive forces are applied to the opposite hinged edges, while the remaining two edges are not fastened and are free from external actions. It is shown that an increase in the length ratio of the hinged and unfastened sides in close proximity to the free boundary results in the localization of eigenforms corresponding to the lowest eigenvalues.     

Analytical modelling of the in-plane compressive behaviour of pile fibres in Spacer Fabric Composites

The mechanical behaviour of Spacer Fabric Composites (SFC) is highly influenced by their pile fibres. Within this work, the in-plane compressive behaviour of pile fibres in SFC is investigated. An analytical model is developed based on rigid hinged struts. Therefore, a representative part of the continuous fibre is chosen. The bending behaviour and the interaction of the pile fibre with facesheet fibres is modelled using rotational and extension springs respectively. The system proposed is fully defined by three generalized coordinates. The total potential energy of the system is determined and used to obtain information about the deformation behaviour. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hinged and supported plates with corners

We consider the Kirchhoff–Love model for the supported plate, that is, the fourth-order differential equation Δ² u?=?f with appropriate boundary conditions. Due to the expectation that a downwardly directed force f will imply that the plate, which is supported at its boundary, touches that support everywhere, one commonly identifies those boundary conditions with the ones for the so-called hinged plate: u?=?0?=?Δu ? (1 ? σ ) κ u _n . Structural engineers however are usually aware that rectangular roofs tend to bend upwards near the corners, and this would mean that u?=?0 is not appropriate. We will confirm this behavior and show the difference of the supported and the hinged plates in case of domains with corners.