On the convergence rate of Fourier series

The rate of convergence of a Fourier‐series representation of a given function depends on the nature of the function and of its derivatives. This is shown by using the graphical outputs of a desk computer for different cases. For full‐range series, the effects of continuity and discontinuity of the function and its first derivatives are shown first. The advantage of half‐range formulae due to the free choice of function in the second half‐range are demonstrated next, along with the importance of choice of sine and cosine series according to the function being represented. Finally, a method is given of modifying the given function in a simple manner whereby a dramatic increase in the rate of convergence of the Fourier series is obtained. Examples of the Gibbs overshoot and its elimination are included.     

Spectral stability results for higher-order operators under perturbations of the domain

We analyze the spectral behavior of higher-order elliptic operators when the domain is perturbed. We provide general spectral stability results for Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. Moreover, we study the bi-harmonic operator with the so-called intermediate boundary conditions. We give special attention to this last case and analyze its behavior when the boundary of the domain has some oscillatory behavior. We will show that there is a critical oscillatory behavior and that the limit problem depends on whether we are above, below or just sitting on this critical value.     

Weak Pullback Attractors of Non-autonomous Difference Inclusions

Weak pullback attractors are defined for non-autonomous difference inclusions and their existence and upper semi continuous convergence under perturbation is established. Unlike strong pullback attractors, invariance and pullback attraction here are required only for (at least) a single trajectory rather than all trajectories at each starting point. The concept is thus useful, in particular, for discrete time control systems.     

Solute-diffusion-controlled dislocation creep in pure aluminium containing 0.026 at.% Fe

Pure aluminium containing about 200?at.ppm Fe in solution is shown to creep about 10⁶ times slower at 200°C than the same aluminium containing a negligible amount of iron in solution. The high creep resistance of the Al–200?at.ppm?Fe alloy is attributed to the presence of subgrain boundaries containing iron solute atoms. It is proposed that the opposing stress fields from subgrain boundaries and from the piled-up dislocations during creep are cyclically relaxed, by iron solute diffusion, to allow climb of the lead dislocation in the pile-up. The mechanism is a form of mechanical ratcheting. The model is applied to Al–Fe alloys and correctly predicts that the creep rate is controlled by the rate of iron solute diffusion and by a temperature dependence equal to the activation energy for iron diffusion, namely Q _c?=?221?kJ?mol^?1. Basic creep studies on solid-solution alloying with solute atoms that diffuse slowly in the lattice of aluminium (e.g. manganese, chromium, titanium and vanadium) appear worthy of study as a way of enhancing creep strength and of understanding creep mechanisms involving solute-atom-containing subgrain boundaries.     

Singular field decomposition based on path-independent integrals

A method is developed by which the field generated by a source (measured or numerically evaluated) is decomposed in a series of singular self-equilibrating linear elastic field components. These elementary sources form an elastic equivalent of the real source, the set of their magnitudes representing a ‘spectral decomposition’ of the investigated field. The decomposition is performed using path–independent interaction integrals computed through the field of interest, far from the source. The method may be used to investigate internal field sources, such as dislocations, as well as sources of field perturbation, such as crack tips or wedges. The method is applied to the analysis of the core structure of an edge dislocation in aluminium. The dislocation is represented in an atomistic simulation and a model core is sought in the form of a series of multipoles or elementary linear elastic field sources. The field of the dislocation is composed from the Volterra solution and higher–order components induced by the nonlinear behaviour of the material in the core region. The magnitude of the component elementary sources is determined from the numerically evaluated field far from the core. This expansion characterizes the core structure. Its variation associated with the core deformation as the dislocation is loaded against the Peierls barrier is investigated.     

Effects of porosity on the measured fracture energy of brittle materials

Although it is known that growing cracks will interact with pores, it is unclear whether the magnitude of this effect is sufficient to influence the fracture energy. To study this, experiments have been carried out where cracks have been grown through simple distributions of pores in poly(methyl methacrylate). These show that the applied force required to grow the crack between two pores can be greater than that required to grow the crack in the pore-free material. Direct observation during crack growth shows that this increase in applied force is associated with the crack front becoming curved. Based on these observations, the effect of equiaxed pores on the fracture energy of brittle materials has been quantitatively described. The analysis predicts how the relative fracture energy should be influenced by the pore volume fraction, and that it should be independent of the size of the pores or the fracture energy of the matrix. These predictions give good agreement with experimental measurements in different ceramic materials, in which the microstructure of the matrix surrounding the pores does not change with pore volume fraction.     

Statistical approach to multiple-q modulated structures: average Patterson analysis

Using a statistical approach, the average unit cells have been constructed for modulated structures with different types of modulation, from simple sinusoidal to square-wave functions. The obtained unit cells fully describe diffraction intensities of the main reflections and their satellites. A universal distribution, valid for different lengths of the modulation vector, has been found. Average Patterson functions have been constructed and used to distinguish between different types of modulation.