Determination of thermal expansion coefficient of a monofilament polyamide fiber using digital image correlation

Coiled polymer actuators are a type of artificial muscles that are a promising development in the field of smart materials. The coefficient of thermal expansion of monofilament polyamide fibers is a crucial parameter for understanding the actuation of coiled fibers. The main purpose of this work is to develop a new methodology for estimating the coefficient of thermal expansion and the transition temperature of monofilament polymer fibers. In the experimental procedure, axial deformations of monofilament polyamide fiber samples were induced by temperature variations using a controlled thermal system. These deformations were determined from images of polyamide samples using the digital image correlation method. Two different approaches based on distinct temperature conditions were conducted. An alternative model with three parameters, including the coefficient of thermal expansion, was introduced to describe the thermal-mechanical behavior of monofilament polyamide fibers. Moreover, polyamide samples were also characterized using four conventional methodologies. Results indicated that the coefficient of thermal expansion changed of a modest negative value to a large negative value and this transition occurred around the glass transition temperature of the polyamide. The thermal expansion curves demonstrate good repeatability and all estimated parameters were in accordance with literature, indicating that the proposed approach can be suitable for the proposed study. This investigation may help in understanding of the intrinsic thermal-mechanical behavior of polymeric monofilaments employed as actuators.     

Investigation on interlaminar delamination tendency of multidirectional carbon fiber composites

In this investigation carbon fiber reinforced laminates with different orientation layups are prepared and studied under tensile loading condition. Multiple strain measurement techniques, namely, resistive strain gauges, embedded optical sensors and digital image correlation are used to analyze stress-strain behavior simultaneously through the thickness of composite materials, and to determine the sequence of failure in different plies. Inconsistencies of strains measured through different methods is correlated with the tendency for interlaminar delamination, therefore demonstrating the ability of multi-instrument approach to describe damage progress through the thickness of multidirectional laminates. Complementary analysis through acoustic emission methods reveals that the angle of off-axis surface plies can influence the sequence of failure under tensile loading condition, and damage monitoring capabilities of acoustic emission system is directly affected by delamination tendency of surface plies. Remarkably, the delayed failure of off-axis plies is shown to be related to reorientation of these layer towards loading direction using infrared thermography method.     

Dynamic fracture testing of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) single-edge notched beam

Dynamic fracture in single-edge notched polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) beams have been investigated by three-point-bending impact testing with a drop-weight machine. A high-speed camera combined with the digital image correlation (DIC) method is used to capture the impact-induced crack initiation and propagation, as well as the beam deformation fields and the open mode strain at the original notch tip. The crack propagation length is recorded and the instantaneous crack velocity is calculated. Furthermore, the dynamic fracture toughness K_Id is quantified from the loading-displacement relations at different impact velocities. The effects of the impact velocity and impact energy on dynamic fracture toughness, fracture initiation strain, as well as the corresponding influences on the fracture propagation velocity, are discussed.     

A technique for in situ X-ray computed tomography of deformation-induced cavitation in thermoplastics

Deformation-induced cavitation influences the mechanical response of polymeric materials, but acquiring in situ measurements of the spatial evolution of cavities has typically necessitated the use of synchrotron radiation sources. The objective of this study is to develop and demonstrate a method allowing for in situ measurements of deformation-induced cavitation in axisymmetric polymer specimens, using a home-laboratory X-ray computed tomography setup. The method is demonstrated by assessing deformation-induced cavitation of mineral-filled PVC in a repeated loading-unloading experiment. A temporal resolution of about 3 s is obtained by exploiting the axisymmetry of notched round tensile specimens. The evolution of relative density was captured throughout the experiment, revealing an interplay between void nucleation and void growth. Combined with surface deformation measurements obtained by digital image correlation, the present technique yields data suitable for calibration and validation of material models.     

Testing the accuracy of employee-reported data: An inexpensive alternative approach to traditional methods

Although Information Technology (IT) solutions improve the collection and validation of operational data, Operations Managers must often rely on self-reported data from workers to make decisions. The problem with this data is that they are subject to intentional manipulation, thus reducing their suitability for decision-making. A method of identifying manipulated data, digital analysis, addresses this problem at low cost. In this paper, we demonstrate how one uses this method in real-world companies to validate self-reported data from line workers. The results of our study suggest that digital analysis estimates the accuracy of employee reported data in operations management, within limited contexts. These findings lead to improved operating performance by providing a tool for practitioners to exclude inaccurate information.     

Polyhedral approximation and practical convex hull algorithm for certain classes of voxel sets

In this paper we introduce an algorithm for the creation of polyhedral approximations for certain kinds of digital objects in a three-dimensional space. The objects are sets of voxels represented as strongly connected subsets of an abstract cell complex. The proposed algorithm generates the convex hull of a given object and modifies the hull afterwards by recursive repetitions of generating convex hulls of subsets of the given voxel set or subsets of the background voxels. The result of this method is a polyhedron which separates object voxels from background voxels. The objects processed by this algorithm and also the background voxel components inside the convex hull of the objects are restricted to have genus 0. The second aim of this paper is to present some practical improvements to the discussed convex hull algorithm to reduce computation time.     

关于廊坊市信息化建设有关问题的探讨

本文作者对廊坊市信息化建设存在的问题进行了分析，并提出了推进我市信息化建设的建议。     

SIMPLIFIED LATTICE REALIZAT ION OF FIR DIGITAL FILTERS

This paper suggests a simplified lattice structure for implementing FIR digital filters,which halvesthe hardware requirements of a conventional lattice realization.The conversion algorithms between directrealizations and the simplified lattice forms are given.Furthermore,the algorithms for linear phase FIR fil-ters are simplified.The principal results are illustrated by a practical example.     

Used digital speckle correlation method to realize orientation function of optical mouse

Used digital speckle correlation method (DSCM) to realize orientation function of optical mouse is researched. The experiment is designed to obtain the dynamic speckle patterns which are shot by CCD, then the DSCM is used to process the sequential images and also the experiment is simulated. The experimental results show the DSCM can confirm orientation function of the optical mouse, and have a good agreement with the simulation results, and the resolution we obtained is higher than the resolution of mouse on the market.