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The application of pulse power discharge (PPD) technology in the crushing and dismantling of concrete structures has characteristics related to both green and environmental protection, as well as safety and reliability, with broad application prospects in the construction and municipal engineering fields in dense urban areas. Nevertheless, the research into using this technology to break reinforced concrete (RC) slabs is very limited, while the influence of key parameters on the crushing effect of reinforced concrete slabs is not clear. To solve this problem, a finite element model of an RC slab was established by ABAQUS. The effect of a shock wave generated by PPD on the surrounding concrete was simulated by an explosion-load equivalent, and the development process of concrete crack was simulated by a cohesive force model. Based on the results of the model analysis, the effects of reinforcement spacing, as well as diameter and concrete strength on the crushing effect of RC slabs were investigated. The results show that the increase in reinforcement diameter and the decrease in reinforcement spacing have a significant effect on limiting the development of cracks. According to the development of cracks, they can be divided into three types: edge cracks, cracks between central holes, and cracks between edge holes. The influence of reinforcement spacing and diameter on the first two crack widths is the most obvious. The increase in concrete strength also reduces the width of cracks. Based on the analysis results, the calculation expressions of the crushing effect of the PPD technique on RC slabs were established, which provides theoretical support for the popularization and application of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxide-based memristors by incorporating thermally enhanced layer (TEL) have showed great potential in electronic devices for high-efficient and high-density neuromorphic computing owing to the improvement of multilevel resistive switching. However, research on the mechanism of resistive switching regulation is still lacking. In this work, based on the method of finite element numerical simulation analysis, a bilayer oxide-based memristor Pt/HfO2 (5 nm)/Ta2O5 (5 nm)/Pt with the Ta2O5 TEL was proposed. The oxygen vacancy concentrates distribution shows that the fracture of conductive filaments (CF) is at the interface where the local temperature is the highest during the reset process. The multilevel resistive switching properties were also obtained by applying different stop voltages. The fracture gap of CF can be enlarged with the increase of the stopping voltage, which is attributed to the heat-gathering ability of the TEL. Moreover, it was found that the fracture position of oxygen CF is dependent on the thickness of TEL, which exhibits a modulation of device RS performance. These results provide a theoretical guidance on the suitability of memristor devices for use in high-density memory and brain-actuated computer systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a flexible eddy current TMR (FEC-TMR) sensor to monitor the internal crack of metal joint structures. First, the finite element model of the FEC-TMR sensor is established to analyze the influence of the sensor's crack identification sensitivity with internal crack propagation at different depths and determine the optimal location and exciting frequency of the sensor. Then, the optimal longitudinal spacing and exciting frequency of the sensor are tested by experiment. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation results, which verify the correctness of the simulation model. Finally, the experiment is carried out for internal cracks of different depths to verify that the sensor can monitor internal cracks, and the crack identification sensitivity gradually decreases with the increase in the depth of the crack from the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are two main types of anti-floating methods for underground structures; one is the passive anti-floating method represented by anti-draft piles, the other is the active anti-floating method which focuses on interceptor-discharge pressure-reducing (IDPR). In the design of an IDPR anti-floating system, the relief well system situated within the cut-off wall serves as the primary drainage channel. The determination of the seepage field distribution within the multi-well system is vital for the overall design. For the seepage field analysis of the IDPR anti-floating multi-well system, currently numerical analysis is usually used, and there is a lack of simplified analysis methods. The simplified analysis methods already available are based on the uniform distribution of wells in circular pits, while the conversion of non-circular pits into circular pits produce large errors, which are not conducive to promoting the use of the method. To address this, we propose a simplified calculation approach suitable for multi-well systems (arbitrary layout) within elliptical pits. The analytical solution of non-uniformly distributed wells in circular pits is deduced through the principle of superposition. Then, the ellipse is mapped into a circle by using conformal mapping. The resistance coefficient method is adopted, and the internal and external seepage fields are connected in series to obtain the total flow rate, as well as the distribution of the seepage field. This is based on the consideration of the permeability of the waterproof curtains and the bypassing seepage. According to the verification of the calculation example, the results of the simplified algorithm are similar to the results of the finite element method, which proves the accuracy of the method; at the same time, when applied to the actual engineering, the obtained calculation results coincide with the measured data, which proves the practicability and reliability of the method. The simplified method can provide an effective way to design an IDPR anti-floating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the noise generated by large mechanical equipment, a stackable and expandable acoustic metamaterial with multiple tortuous channels (SEAM–MTCs) was developed in this study. The proposed SEAM–MTCs consisted of odd panels, even panels, chambers, and a final closing plate, and these component parts could be fabricated separately and then assembled. The influencing factors, including the number of layers N, the thickness of panel t0, the size of square aperture a, and the depth of chamber T0 were investigated using acoustic finite element simulation. The sound absorption mechanism was exhibited by the distributions of the total acoustic energy density at the resonance frequencies. The number of resonance frequencies increased from 13 to 31 with the number of layers N increasing from 2 to 6, and the average sound absorption coefficients in [200 Hz, 6000 Hz] was improved from 0.5169 to 0.6160. The experimental validation of actual sound absorption coefficients in [200 Hz, 1600 Hz] showed excellent consistency with simulation data, which proved the accuracy of the finite element simulation model and the reliability of the analysis of influencing factors. The proposed SEAM–MTCs has great potential in the field of equipment noise reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited occupied space and various noise spectrum requires an adjustable sound absorber with a smart structure and tunable sound absorption performance. The hexagonal acoustic metamaterial cell of the multiple parallel-connection resonators with tunable perforating rate was proposed in this research, which consisted of six triangular cavities and six trapezium cavities, and the perforation rate of each cavity was adjustable by moving the sliding block along the slideway. The optimal geometric parameters were obtained by the joint optimization of the acoustic finite element simulation and cuckoo search algorithm, and the average sound absorption coefficients in the target frequency ranges of 650–1150 Hz, 700–1200 Hz and 700–1000 Hz were up to 0.8565, 0.8615 and 0.8807, respectively. The experimental sample was fabricated by the fused filament fabrication method, and its sound absorption coefficients were further detected by impedance tube detector. The consistency between simulation data and experimental data proved the accuracy of the acoustic finite element simulation model and the effectiveness of the joint optimization method. The tunable sound absorption performance, outstanding low-frequency noise reduction property, extensible outline structure and efficient space utilization were favorable to promote its practical applications in noise reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active optics and aberration correction techniques for sparse aperture segmented mirrors are studied. A finite element model of the sparse aperture segmented mirror was established, and a multi-aperture aberration polynomial was derived. According to the hard spot theorem, a co-phase maintenance method based on the change of the edge sensor position in the conventional mode is derived. And a co-phase maintenance method based on the change of the aberration of the segmented mirror surface without the participation of the edge sensor is proposed. The method can correct aberrations of the segmented mirror surface, which are caused by the rigid body displacement along the horizontal direction of the segments. This method can reduce the RMS of the segmented mirror surface to 2.2 nm. The correction principle of the Warping Harness (WH) technique is derived. For the problems of tedious steps and a small number of target aberrations, the correction method is proposed to directly target the aberrations of the segmented mirrors, which is simple and has a wider range of target aberrations. Using this method, the amplitude of each aberration of the stitched mirror is corrected to below 10 − 4 nm . It is also verified that combining the generalized ridge estimation method and the differential evolution algorithm can effectively solve the correction quantity. Finally, it is verified that the SiC material can effectively improve the adaptability of the segmented mirror to gravity load by reducing the mirror's weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the common difficulties of noise control in a low frequency region, an adjustable parallel Helmholtz acoustic metamaterial (APH-AM) was developed to gain broad sound absorption band by introducing multiple resonant chambers to enlarge the absorption bandwidth and tuning length of rear cavity for each chamber. Based on the coupling analysis of double resonators, the generation mechanism of broad sound absorption by adjusting the structural parameters was analyzed, which provided a foundation for the development of APH-AM with tunable chambers. Different from other optimization designs by theoretical modeling or finite element simulation, the adjustment of sound absorption performance for the proposed APH-AM could be directly conducted in transfer function tube measurement by changing the length of rear cavity for each chamber. According to optimization process of APH-AM, The target for all sound absorption coefficients above 0.9 was achieved in 602–1287 Hz with normal incidence and that for all sound absorption coefficients above 0.85 was obtained in 618–1482 Hz. The distributions of sound pressure for peak absorption frequency points were obtained in the finite element simulation, which could exhibit its sound absorption mechanism. Meanwhile, the sound absorption performance of the APH-AM with larger length of the aperture and that with smaller diameter of the aperture were discussed by finite element simulation, which could further show the potential of APH-AM in the low-frequency sound absorption. The proposed APH-AM could improve efficiency and accuracy in adjusting sound absorption performance purposefully, which would promote its practical application in low-frequency noise control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We systematically study the fatigue failure of the Ag/Poly (3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(P3HT)/WO3/ITO/PET flexible memristor under variable temperatures, which simulates essential synaptic learning functions. The theoretical calculations and finite element analysis results indicate that the P3HT/WO3 interface plays a key role in device fatigue failure at variable temperatures. As the temperature dropped from 100 to −30 °C, a significant decrease in the loosely adsorbed polymer chains and flattened chains occurs at the P3HT/WO3 interface and thus leads to the deterioration of the P3HT/WO3 interface. The weak P3HT/WO3 interfacial bonding substantially accelerates the crack propagation under low-temperature flexural cycles, which will ultimately cause the device to deteriorate. Our work may provide some useful information for future achievement of flexible memory synapses utilized in cryogenic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acoustic metamaterial absorber of parallel–connection square Helmholtz resonators is proposed in this study, and its sound absorption coefficients are optimized to reduce the noise for the given conditions in the factory. A two–dimensional equivalent simulation model is built to obtain the initial value of parameters and a three–dimensional finite element model is constructed to simulate the sound absorption performance of the metamaterial cell, which aims to improve the research efficiency. The optimal parameters of metamaterial cells are obtained through the particle swarm optimization algorithm, and its effectiveness and accuracy are validated through preparing the experimental sample using 3D printing and measuring the sound absorption coefficient by the standing wave tube detection. The consistency between the experimental data and simulation data verifies feasibility of the proposed optimization method and usefulness of the developed acoustic metamaterial absorber, and the desired sound absorption performances for given conditions are achieved. The experimental results prove that parallel–connection square Helmholtz resonators can achieve an adjustable frequency spectrum for the low frequency noise control by parameter optimization, which is propitious to promote its application in reducing the noise in the factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By analyzing dynamic track geometric irregularity data of high-speed railway (HSR) with ballast track in China, there is a peak of [5, 11] m wavelength for the longitudinal level at the beam joint of simply supported girder bridges. The difference between the absolute value of track longitudinal level at the beam joint and that at the midspan is one to three mm. Under annual temperature cycle, the ballast at the beam joint loosens because of the bridge–track interaction, which results in the longitudinal level at the beam joint gets larger in winter and smaller in summer, that means the longitudinal level is negatively correlated with temperature, and at the same time, the development of the track longitudinal level and Track Quality Index (TQI) with the temperature are given. In addition, the vertical acceleration of axle box and bogie, and wheel–rail vertical force are larger when the train passes the beam joint than when it passes the midspan, which threatens running safety significantly. This article established a three-dimensional vehicle–track–bridge finite element model (FEM), thus the thresholds of track longitudinal level at the beam joint for simply supported girder bridge with ballast track in 250 km/h HSR were proposed, i.e., the maximum of dynamic track longitudinal level is 14 mm, and the maximum of static value is 11 mm. Once one of the two thresholds exceeds the corresponding limit, the train speed should be reduced to 160 km/h or below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The obtained optimal sound absorption performance can promote practical application of a composite structure of a microperforated panel and porous metal in noise reduction. The composite structure of a microperforated panel and porous metal is a promising sound absorber for industrial noise reduction, sound absorption performance of which can be improved through parameter optimization. A theoretical model is constructed for the composite structure of a microperforated panel and porous metal based on Maa's theory and the Johnson–Champoux–Allard model. When the limited total thickness is 30 mm, 50 mm, and 100 mm respectively, dimensional optimization of structural parameters of the proposed composite structure is conducted for the optimal average sound absorption coefficient in the frequency range (2000 Hz, 6000 Hz) through a cuckoo search algorithm. Simulation models of the composite structures with optimal structural parameters are constructed based on the finite element method. Validations of the optimal composite structures are conducted based on the standing wave tube method. Comparative analysis of the theoretical data, simulation data, and experimental data validates feasibility and effectiveness of the parameter optimization. The optimal sandwich structure with an actual total thickness of 36.8 mm can obtain the average sound absorption coefficient of 97.65% in the frequency range (2000 Hz, 6000 Hz), which is favorable to promote practical application of the composite structures in the fields of sound absorption and noise reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The longitudinal ultrasonic guided waves in oblique defects pipes were investigated experimentally and numerically in the paper. A novel method of the defect detection for pipes is proposed based on the Duffing–Holmes chaotic oscillator. Five kinds of defects with inclined angle of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° were discussed and analyzed, respectively. Based on the experiment, the corresponding simulations were conducted by using finite element software LS-DYNA. Both experimental and numerical results show that this proposed method could be used to inspect the weaker guided waves; and the reflection coefficient of echo increases with the decrease of the inclined angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For large bearing capacity and low current consumption of the magnetic suspension platform, a 2-DOF electromagnetic actuator with a new structure of halbach array is proposed to improve driving force coefficients. The structure and the working principle are introduced. An accurate sub domain model of the new structure is established to accurately and rapidly calculate the magnetic field distribution for obtaining the parameters and performance of the electromagnetic actuators. The analytical model results are verified by the finite element method. The force/torque model of the magnetic suspension platform is established based on the proposed 2-DOF electromagnetic actuator. Three position-sensitive detectors and six accelerometers are applied to perceive in real time the posture and vibration acceleration of the platform, respectively. Their hardware information is introduced and measurement models are established based on the layout. Finally, the electromagnetic characteristics of the proposed actuator are investigated and compared with the conventional counterpart by finite element analysis. The results show that the average magnetic field, 0.432 T, horizontal and vertical force coefficient, 92.3 N/A and 30.95 N/A, and torque in x and z direction, 3.61 N·m and 8.49 N·m, of the proposed actuator are larger than those of the conventional one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Post-necking stress–strain relations of bolts are investigated. • Tensile fracture and thread stripping of bolts under tension are simulated. • Mechanism of thread stripping of bolts is discussed. Failure of bolts exposed to tension is generally avoided in the design of bolted connections due to the smaller deformation capacity of bolts than the connected plates. This is one of the reasons why few studies focus on the tensile failure behaviour of bolts. However, failure behaviour of bolts is essential for the advanced finite element analysis especially relevant to the deformation capacity and failure mode of bolted connections. This paper presents a numerical study on the fracture of partially threaded bolts under tension incorporating damage models, with which the failure mechanism of bolts can be better understood. The post-necking stress–strain relation is firstly calibrated to describe the behaviour of bolt threaded parts at large deformation. Then, direct tension tests on partially threaded bolts with different threaded lengths within the grip are modelled using ABAQUS with the explicit solver. Two criteria for fracture are investigated: the void growth model (VGM) and a model proposed by Bao and Wierzbicki (BW). The former is adopted to simulate the tensile fracture of bolts and the latter is used to predict the thread stripping failure. Results indicate that bolt failure modes of tensile fracture and thread stripping can be well predicted by combining the calibrated post-necking stress–strain relation and a suitable fracture criterion in the analysis. It is revealed that the large plastic strain in the threads introduced by thread rolling process is a major reason for the thread stripping failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sound absorption performance of a porous metal can be improved by compression and optimal permutation, which is favorable to promote its application in noise reduction. The 10-layer gradient compressed porous metal was proposed to obtain optimal sound absorption performance. A theoretical model of the sound absorption coefficient of the multilayer gradient compressed porous metal was constructed according to the Johnson-Champoux-Allard model. Optimal parameters for the best sound absorption performance of the 10-layer gradient compressed porous metal were achieved by a cuckoo search algorithm with the varied constraint conditions. Preliminary verification of the optimal sound absorber was conducted by the finite element simulation, and further experimental validation was obtained through the standing wave tube measurement. Consistencies among the theoretical data, the simulation data, and the experimental data proved accuracies of the theoretical sound absorption model, the cuckoo search optimization algorithm, and the finite element simulation method. For the investigated frequency ranges of 100–1000 Hz, 100–2000 Hz, 100–4000 Hz, and 100–6000 Hz, actual average sound absorption coefficients of optimal 10-layer gradient compressed porous metal were 0.3325, 0.5412, 0.7461, and 0.7617, respectively, which exhibited the larger sound absorption coefficients relative to those of the original porous metals and uniform 10-layer compressed porous metal with the same thickness of 20 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A welded connection consists of three main material zones, the base material (BM), the heat-affect zone (HAZ), and the weld metal (WM). The strength of HAZ depends on the BM grade and manufacturing process, electrode grade, and welding parameters. Under certain conditions, HAZ has the lowest material strength, especially for high-strength steel. Therefore, a semi-empirical methodology is proposed to establish a constitutive model of HAZ necessary for predicting the fracture position of welded connections. This methodology is based on an engineering approach to consider HAZ as an isotropic and homogeneous material, with no consideration of different volumetric fractions of microstructures within a HAZ. The equivalent material properties of HAZ in butt-welded hollow section connections were investigated experimentally and numerically. Hardness tests and microstructure investigations were conducted to determine the boundaries of material variations and the width of HAZ. The stress–strain relationship of HAZ was established and calibrated based on tensile coupon tests and finite element analyses. Using the calibrated HAZ stress–strain relationship, the effect of transverse constraint imposed by the adjacent and stronger material (BM and WM) on HAZ was evaluated in the welded connections. Finally, the new methodology of a semi-empirical constitutive model based on the Swift model was used to propose equivalent characteristics of HAZ as a function of the mechanical properties of BM for a specific welding procedure considered in the project. • A semi-empirical constitutive model for HAZ is proposed based on the BM mechanical properties. • The transverse constraint may increase the resistance of HAZ by 29%. • The width of HAZ is 3.2 mm on average regardless of the thickness and steel grade. • The majority (92%) of HAZ width varies between 2 mm and 4 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Experimental vibration measurements on a concrete-filled steel tube arch bridge. • Condition of a concrete-filled steel tube arch bridge using finite element model updating. • An improved artificial fish swarm algorithm is proposed. • Solving inverse problem to evaluate the strength and rigidity of the structures. This study aims to assess the condition of a Concrete-Filled Steel Tube (CFST) arch bridge using in-situ vibration measurements, Finite Element Model Updating (FEMU) and an Improved Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm (IAFSA). Dynamic coefficients, derailment coefficients and wheel unloading rates are extracted from the responses of running safety assessment. An updated finite element model using a kriging model and IAFSA is employed to evaluate the strength and rigidity of the structures. The results indicate that the natural frequencies and damping ratios of the CFST arch bridge meet the requirements of design code. The maximum bridge dynamic coefficient is found to be 1.085, indicating that the bridge dynamic performance is good. The wheel unloading rates of vehicle and locomotive exceed the specification limit, indicating that the track condition has to be improved before the bridge is operated. By updating an initial FE model, the errors between the predicted and the measured parameters are reduced to less than 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Track smoothness maintenance of high-speed railway mainly depends on track fine tuning. Currently, track fine tuning relies mainly on the manual inspection conducted using track inspection trolley. Such an adjustment process is inefficient, time consuming, and contains discrepancies between the theoretical plan and actual effect. Therefore, the coupling physical constraint of adjacent fasteners (CPC-AF) are explained based on the finite element model, and an analytical calculation method based on the element stiffness matrix model is proposed. Meanwhile, while converting the deviation to irregularity, different starting positions of the reference chord affect the conversion result. Therefore, a track irregularity conversion error (TICE) correction constraint was proposed to overcome this effect. Based on the Pareto optimal theory, a ballastless track fine-tuning model was established. The experimental results show that the model can effectively optimize the track irregularity and its adjustment range under complex constraints. It addresses the issue of discrepancy between the theoretical fine-tuning plan and actual results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The slop of minor-major strain relationship reveals the internal transverse constraint in a butt-welded coupon during tensile loading. • The HAZ boundary is identified by the slop of the minor-major strain relationship. • 'V' and 'monotonic' shapes of the slop distribution along the loading direction exist in the HAZ region. • The HAZ boundary identified by the slop of the minor-major strain relationship is verified by hardness and microstructure results. The coupon specimen with a transverse butt weld in the middle could be used for determining local constitutive properties of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the weld metal (WM) based on the digital image correlation (DIC). However, limited research is reported to demonstrate how to identify the boundary of each region in DIC results. Accordingly, it is difficult to determine the adequate gauge length for measuring the strain of each region and establishing a stress–strain curve for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of structural problems. In this paper, a method for identifying the region's boundary is proposed based on coupon tests using three steel grades, S355, S500, and S700, corresponding to three weld matching types, match, overmatch, and undermatch, respectively. First, the hardness and the microstructure investigation were conducted to determine the region's boundary. Then, the boundary was identified based on the DIC result using the proposed method. Finally, the identified HAZ regions were verified against hardness results. Using the proposed method, the gauge length for measuring the strain of a single region, such as HAZ and WM, are determined based on the DIC results. The primary purpose is to establish the stress–strain relationship for FEA of welded joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microperforated compressed porous metal panel (MCPMP) absorber was proposed to develop novel sound absorber with excellent sound absorption performance, fewer utilized materials, and more lightweight. Through treating the compressed porous metal with high compression ratio as microperforated panel, theoretical sound absorption model of the MCPMP absorber was constructed through equivalent circuit approach. Structural parameters of the MCPMP absorber were optimized by cuckoo search algorithm for different target frequency range. The obtained optimal MCPMP absorbers were verified by finite element simulation and validated through standing wave tube measurement. Consistencies among the theoretical data, simulation data, and experimental data proved feasibility and accuracy of theoretical sound absorption model, cuckoo search optimization algorithm, and finite element simulation method. Actual average sound absorption coefficients of the optimal MCPMP absorbers with limited total thickness of 20 mm were 0.4679, 0.7069, and 0.7299 when the target frequency ranges were 100–2000 Hz, 100–4000 Hz, and 100–6000 Hz respectively. By comparison with sound absorption performance of the original porous metal and those of the 10-layer gradient compressed porous metal, effectiveness and practicality of the optimal MCPMP absorber was proved. The developed MCPMP absorber was favorable to enrich the sound absorption theory and promote its practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]