Search

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junction failure are common and costly complications after long-segment adult spinal deformity (ASD) correction. Although much research has focused on the concept of "softening the landing" to prevent proximal junction pathologies, long-segment constructs largely deviate from the force-deformation curve of the physiologic spine. Our novel distributed loading technique for ASD correction is described using multimaterial, long-segment constructs to create a biomechanically sound, yet physiologic, decremental stiffness toward the rostral end. Operative steps detail the custom-designed constructs of dual-headed pedicle screws and varied rod diameters and materials (cobalt chromium or titanium) for an initial 20 patients (mean 66.6 ± 4.8 years). Standing scoliosis films were obtained preoperatively and at regular intervals postoperatively to assess for PJK. No patient had evidence of PJK or proximal junction failure at latest radiographic follow-up (mean 17.9 months, range 13−25 months). Radiographic findings for sagittal vertical axis averaged 11.2 ± 5.6 cm preoperatively and 3.6 ± 2.3 cm postoperatively. Compared with preoperative parameters, postoperative reductions in pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch averaged 28.7 ± 12.9 degrees, and sagittal vertical axis averaged 7.6 ± 5.2 cm while PJA was essentially unchanged. Preliminary results suggest that the distributed loading technique is promising for prevention of PJK with stiffness gradients that mimic the force-deformation curve of the physiologic posterior tension band. Our technique may optimize the degree of stress at the proximal junction without overwhelming the anterior column bony while remodeling and mature arthrodesis takes place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock masses with a distinct structure may present a transversely isotropic character; thus, the stress state in a transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface is an important way to assess the behavior of the interaction between the distributed loading and the surroundings. Most previous theoretical analyses have considered a loading direction that is either vertical or horizontal, and the stress distribution that results from the effect of different loading directions remains unclear. In this paper, based on the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface theory, a stress solution that is applicable to distributed loading in any direction is proposed to further examine the loading effect. The consistency between the analytical solution and numerical simulations showed the effectiveness of the proposal that was introduced. Then, it was utilized to analyze the stress distribution rule by changing the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of the model. The effects of the formation dip angle on the stress state are also examined. The stress distribution, depending on the physical property parameters and relative angle, is predicted using an analytical solution, and the mechanisms associated with the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface subjected to the loading in any direction are clarified. Additionally, extensive analyses regarding this case study, with respect to the mechanical behavior associated with changes in the stress boundary, is available. Hence, the proposed analytical solution can more realistically account for the loading problem in many engineering practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock masses with a distinct structure may present a transversely isotropic character; thus, the stress state in a transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface is an important way to assess the behavior of the interaction between the distributed loading and the surroundings. Most previous theoretical analyses have considered a loading direction that is either vertical or horizontal, and the stress distribution that results from the effect of different loading directions remains unclear. In this paper, based on the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface theory, a stress solution that is applicable to distributed loading in any direction is proposed to further examine the loading effect. The consistency between the analytical solution and numerical simulations showed the effectiveness of the proposal that was introduced. Then, it was utilized to analyze the stress distribution rule by changing the Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus of the model. The effects of the formation dip angle on the stress state are also examined. The stress distribution, depending on the physical property parameters and relative angle, is predicted using an analytical solution, and the mechanisms associated with the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface subjected to the loading in any direction are clarified. Additionally, extensive analyses regarding this case study, with respect to the mechanical behavior associated with changes in the stress boundary, is available. Hence, the proposed analytical solution can more realistically account for the loading problem in many engineering practices.

This paper presents an efficient technique to determine equivalents of towel bar antenna dielectric standoffs in the form of wires with distributed loadings using WIPL-D Pro (3-D EM solver) software. Starting from the product, we will determine its basic characteristics and propose simplifications in modeling for further analysis. Benefits of this technique are simplicity of modeling and fast, but still accurate, simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to high vulnerability of steel structures to elevated temperatures and the need for taking adequate and effective measures to reduce human and financial losses in fires, a thorough understanding of such behaviour is of utmost importance. In this research, a half-scale 3D model, comprising moment-resisting frames, equipped with flush end-plate connections, in one direction, and braced frames in the other, was subjected to a scaled ISO 834 standard fire. The maximum attained temperature was 1055 °C. The results showed that the structure tolerates high temperatures for an appreciable amount of time before collapsing. Moreover, for thick flush end-plates, which were used in this study, the collapse was initiated by bolt failure, giving rise to the idea of using more/stronger bolts and weaker end-plates to delay the overall collapse of the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The static behavior of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) axial chain under distributed loading is examined. The FPU system examined in the paper is a nonlinear elastic lattice with linear and quadratic spring interaction. A dimensionless parameter controls the possible loss of convexity of the associated quadratic and cubic energy. Exact analytical solutions based on Hurwitz zeta functions are developed in presence of linear static loading. It is shown that this nonlinear lattice possesses scale effects and possible localization properties in the absence of energy convexity. A continuous approach is then developed to capture the main phenomena observed regarding the discrete axial problem. The associated continuum is built from a continualization procedure that is mainly based on the asymptotic expansion of the difference operators involved in the lattice problem. This associated continuum is an enriched gradient-based or nonlocal axial medium. A Taylor-based and a rational differential method are both considered in the continualization procedures to approximate the FPU lattice response. The Padé approximant used in the continualization procedure fits the response of the discrete system efficiently, even in the vicinity of the limit load when the non-convex FPU energy is examined. It is concluded that the FPU lattice system behaves as a nonlocal axial system in dynamic but also static loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure of a discrete elastic-damage axial system is investigated using both a discrete and an equivalent continuum approach. The Discrete Damage Mechanics approach is based on a microstructured model composed of a series of periodic elastic-damage springs (axial Discrete Damage Mechanics lattice system). Such a discrete damage system can be associated with the finite difference formulation of a Continuum Damage Mechanics evolution problem. Several analytical and numerical results are presented for the tensile failure of this axial damage chain under its own weight. The nonlocal Continuum Damage Mechanics models examined in this paper are mainly built from a continualization procedure applied to centered or uncentered finite difference schemes. The asymptotic expansion of the first-order upward difference equations leads to a first-order nonlocal model, whereas the asymptotic expansion of the centered finite difference equations leads to a second-order nonlocal Eringen's approach. To complete this study, a phenomenological nonlocal gradient approach is also examined and compared with the first continualization methods. A comparison of the discrete and the continuous problems for the chains shows the effectiveness of the new micromechanics-based nonlocal Continuum Damage modeling, especially for capturing scale effects. For both continualized approaches, the length scale of the nonlocal models depends only on the cell size, while for the so-called phenomenological approach, the length scale may depend on the loading parameter. This apparent load-dependent length scale, already discussed in the literature with numerical arguments, is found to be sensitive to the postulated structure of the nonlocal model calibrated according to a lattice approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, beams that form part of structural systems are subjected to vertical distributed loading along their length. Distributed loading affects moment and shear distribution, and consequently spread of inelasticity, along the beam length. However, the finite element models developed so far for seismic analysis of frame structures either ignore the effect of vertical distributed loading on spread of inelasticity or consider it in an approximate manner. In this paper, a beam-type finite element is developed, which is capable of considering accurately the effect of uniform distributed loading on spreading of inelastic deformations along the beam length. The proposed model consists of two gradual spread inelasticity sub-elements accounting explicitly for inelastic flexural and shear response. Following this approach, the effect of distributed loading on spreading of inelastic flexural and shear deformations is properly taken into account. The finite element is implemented in the seismic analysis of plane frame structures with beam members controlled either by flexure or shear. It is shown that to obtain accurate results the influence of distributed beam loading on spreading of inelastic deformations should be taken into account in the inelastic seismic analysis of frame structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on the Reissner assumptions, this paper is concerned with the bending analysis of simply supported sandwich plates with functionally graded core and orthotropic face sheets subjected to transverse distributed loadings. First, the expressions of the displacements, stresses and internal forces of the sandwich plate are presented according to the constitutive relations and stress states of the core and face sheets. Then, the solutions of bending equilibrium equations are derived by expanding the deflection w, transverse shearing forces Qx and Qy with double trigonometric series that satisfy the simply supported boundary conditions. Finally, the proposed solution is validated by comparing the results with available elasticity solutions for a square sandwich plate with an isotropic core and finite element simulations for one with functionally graded core. The Young's modulus of the functionally graded core is assumed to be graded by a power law distribution of volume fractions of the constituents, and the Poisson's ratio is held constant. And the effects of the core's top-bottom Young's modulus ratio ? and volume fraction exponent n 0 on the variation of the displacements of the functionally graded sandwich plate are also examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

SUMMARY This paper presents the closed-form solutions for the elastic fields in two bonded rocks induced by rectangular loadings. Each of the two bonded rocks behaves as a transversely isotropic linear elastic solid of semi-infinite extent. They are completely bonded together at a horizontal surface. The rectangular loadings are body forces along either vertical or horizontal directions and are uniformly applied on a rectangular area. The rectangular area is embedded in the two bonded rocks and is parallel to the horizontal interface. The classical integral transforms are used in the solution formulation, and the elastic solutions are expressed in the forms of elementary harmonic functions for the rectangular loadings. The stresses and displacements in the rocks induced by both the horizontal and vertical body forces are also presented. The numerical results illustrate the important effect of the anisotropic bimaterial properties on the stress and displacement fields. The solutions can be easily implemented for numerical calculations and applied to problems encountered in rock mechanics and engineering. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of the control accuracy in electrohydraulic loading systems caused by load increment, this paper proposes a multi-cylinder electrohydraulic digital loading (MEDL) technology for accurate reproduction of large load. A traditionally used single cylinder loading (SCL) is replaced by a new hydraulic cylinders group that includes N hydraulic cylinders at each point, in which one is controlled by the electrohydraulic servo valve and the others (N-1) are controlled by the on-off valve. The areas of the on-off valve controlled (OVC) cylinders form an increasing geometric sequence with a common ratio of 2. In addition, the force of the servo valve controlled (SVC) cylinder can be regulated continuously, and the OVC cylinders have only two states of no force or maximum force. There should be no force tracking error caused by nonlinear factors for the OVC cylinders. Thus, a continuous accurate large loading can be achieved by changing the working area of the cylinders group. Moreover, an improved full closed-loop (FCL) control strategy is proposed to solve the load reverse sudden change caused by the asynchronous opening and closing of the servo valve and on-off valve. With a case of N = 4 for MEDL, AMESim simulation results illustrated that the tracking error of the 4-cylinder group was about 1/6 of the single cylinder under a case of 40 kN. Furthermore, extensive experiments conducted on a real full loading bench under the FCL control method indicated that compared with SCL, the tracking error of the 4-cylinder group with a multi-step signal and various-frequency sinusoidal signals were reduced by 73% and 46%, respectively. Both simulation and experimental results proved that the proposed MEDL technology improved the loading accuracy and optimized the dynamic performance of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]