Analysis of thermally induced multistable composites

This paper models the non-linear flexural response of laminates that have piecewise variation of lay-up in the planform, using finite element analysis. Attention is focused on the effects that thermal stresses have on the potential multiple shapes of a composite structure. Unsymmetric laminates may possess more than a single equilibrium configuration, and during the cool-down the solution thus bifurcates at a critical temperature. In static analyses, numerical solutions are often coaxed to converge into one or the other branch of the solution. A methodology to overcome this problem is presented. Such modelling is necessary to allow application of multistable composite within morphing aircraft structures as multistable composites could provide a viable solution for the realisation of shape-adaptable structures.     

Feedback stabilization of snap-through buckling in a preloaded two-bar linkage with hysteresis

We study a linearly damped preloaded two-bar linkage that exhibits hysteresis due to the presence of multiple attracting equilibria. The dynamics at the unstable equilibrium, through which a snap-through buckle occurs, are not linearizable due to a solution-dependent singularity. We stabilize the unstable equilibrium using two distinct non-linear controllers. The feedback-linearization controller requires knowledge of the linkage parameters, whereas the robust version of the intrinsic non-linear proportional-derivative controller requires only an upper bound on the stiffness.     

Ductile–brittle transitions in the fracture of plastically deforming,adhesively bonded structures. Part II: Numerical studies

To enable the effective and reliable use of structural adhesive bonding in automotive applications, the cohesive properties of a joint need to be determined over a wide range of loading rates. In this paper, a strategy for determining these properties has been described and used to analyze a set of experimental results presented in a companion paper. In the particular system studied, a crack growing in a toughened quasi-static mode could make a catastrophic transition to a brittle mode of fracture. The cohesive parameters for both the toughened and brittle modes of crack growth were determined by comparing numerical predictions from cohesive-zone simulations to the results of experimental tests performed using double-cantilever beam specimens and tensile tests. The cohesive parameters were found to be essentially rate-independent for the toughened mode, but the toughness dropped by a factor of four upon a transition to the brittle mode. The results of wedge tests were used as an independent verification of the cohesive parameters, and to verify that the quasi-static properties remained rate-independent to very high crack velocities corresponding to conditions of low-velocity impact. The effects of friction, and the use of the wedge test to determine cohesive parameters, were also explored.     

Classification of Harmonic Functions in the Exterior of the Unit Ball

We solve the Laplace equation in an exterior infinite spherical domain with nonlinear (quadratic) boundary conditions on the spherical boundary. We linearize the problem and, under the additional assumption that the distinguishing function is spherically symmetric, write the solution by using the formal power series method with recursion of the series coefficients. Applying the Poincaré--Perron theorem, we describe the space of convergent formal power series and calculate its dimension. Estimating the roots of the fourth-degree characteristic polynomial corresponding to the given problem, we also calculate the dimension of the space of functions whose gradient at each point of the sphere is orthogonal to the linear combination of an axially symmetric dipole and a quadrupole. In conclusion, we state several unsolved problems arising in geophysical applications.     

Motion Control by ZV Shaper Synthesis Extended for Fractional Systems and Its Application to CRONE Control

Shaping command input or preshaping is used for reducing system oscillation in motion control. Desired systems inputs are altered so that the system finishes the requested move without residual oscillation. This technique, developed by N.C. Singer and W.P. Seering, is used for example in the aerospace field, in particular in flexible structure control. This paper presents the study of ZV shaper for explicit fractional derivative systems (generalized derivative systems). A robustness study of ZV shaper is then presented and applied to improve second generation CRONE control response time. Results from simulation and from a DC motor bench are also given.     

Oblique-basis shell-model calculations

A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator in a box is used to introduce the oblique-basis concept. The method is extended to the nuclear shell model by combining traditional spherical shell model states, which yield a diagonal representation of the usual single-particle interaction, with SU(3) shell model collective configurations that track deformation. An application to ²⁴Mg, using the realistic two-body interaction of Wildenthal, is used to explore the validity of this mixed-mode shell-model scheme. The theory is also applied to lower pf-shell nuclei, ^44–48Ti and ⁴⁸Cr, using the Kuo-Brown-3 interaction. These nuclei show strong SU(3) symmetry breaking due mainly to the single-particle spin-orbit splitting. Nevertheless, the results also show that yrast band B(E2) values are insensitive to fragmentation of SU(3) symmetry. Specifically, the quadrupole collectivity as measured by B(E2) strengths remains high even though the SU(3) symmetry is rather badly broken. The results suggest that an oblique-basis mixed-mode shell-model theory may be useful in situations where competing degrees of freedom dominate the dynamics.     

Evolution of the high power THz source program at Jefferson Lab

We report the evolution of the high power THz source program at Jefferson Lab. The source is based on coherent synchrotron radiation in which short bunches of relativistic electrons radiate when traversing a dipolar magnetic field. In our first accelerator we produced 20 W of broadband THz light. Our upgraded accelerator with higher current and improved THz extraction optics will considerably enhance the output power to >100 W. In this paper we describe the source in some detail and present theoretical calculations for the upgrade.     

Searches for single-spin asymmetry in the inclusive production of neutral pions in the central region at a proton beam energy of 70 GeV

Results are presented that were obtained by measuring single-spin asymmetry in the inclusive production of neutral pions in the reaction p+p ↑→ π ⁰+X at x _F≈0. A beam of 70-GeV protons was extracted directly from the vacuum chamber of the accelerator by means of a bent single crystal. For transverse momenta in the range 1.0<p _T<3.0 GeV/c, the single-spin asymmetry independently measured by two detectors is zero within the errors. This result is in agreement with Fermilab data obtained at 200 GeV, but it is at odds with CERN data measured at 24 GeV.