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AbstractSustained mechanical loading on skeletal muscle tissue can lead to degeneration and cell damage over time, resulting in the development of pressure ulcers, particularly in hospital mattresses or for wheelchair-bound users. The primary risk factors for this damage are tissue ischemia caused by pressure in the contact area and tissue compressive strain. In this study, a multi-cell, multi-material foam mattress for the upper comfort layer was developed, with the aim of simultaneously minimizing soft tissue compressive strain and maximum surface pressure on the human buttocks zone. The levels of these factors were estimated using the finite element method (FEM). A multi-objective optimization (MOO) approach was employed, coupling the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) with FEM. This algorithm helped determine the required compressive strength and the optimal cell configurations to achieve the desired outcomes. The majority of the optimal solutions exhibited contact pressures (Cpresss) below the recommended threshold to avoid local tissue ischemia. The optimized cellular material configurations resulted in soft tissue compressive strain of 12% and Cpress of 3.4 kPa, indicating longer safety times for supine support on the foam mattress without the need for repositioning. The optimization process utilized 5 softer foam materials out of the 9 firmness levels tested to achieve these results. The proposed multi-cell, multi-material foam mattress model shows promise for the prevention of pressure sores, as suggested by the optimization findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclic loading of foundation structures in sand leads to an accumulation of plastic deformations in the structures. For shallow foundations of high and slender structures such as wind energy converters (WECs), an accumulation of the plastic rotations is expected under cyclic eccentric loading that is imposed by wind loads, which could be crucial for the proof of serviceability. A practical approach to predict the behavior of shallow foundations under high-cycle eccentric loading is under research. In this paper, a numerical approach, the cyclic strain accumulation method (CSAM), which has been validated for cyclically loaded monopiles, is adopted for shallow foundations under eccentric cyclic loading. Modifications to the CSAM are described, which are necessary to apply it to shallow foundations. The results that are gained with the modified method are compared with a medium-scale model test, in which the deformations of a footing with a diameter of 2.0 m under eccentric one-way cyclic loading were investigated. It can be concluded that the CSAM can make realistic predictions and shows satisfying agreement with the measured cyclic behavior. Although more experiments are needed to finally validate the method, the CSAM could be a promising numerical approach to account for the cyclic behavior of shallow foundations under eccentric cyclic loading in sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, flexible pavements across the globe have seen a significant reduction in their service life due to climate changes. The flexible pavements with unsaturated subgrades undergo volumetric changes during the drying and wetting phases, affecting their long-term deformation behavior. These phases cause significant variations in matric suction and groundwater table depth. This study employs a coupled pore pressure-deformation analysis on flexible pavements to investigate the impact of groundwater table depth and suction variations in unsaturated subgrades. Finite-element simulations using the Abaqus and developed USDFLD code were validated against literature data. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the suctions in subgrades during drying and subsequent wetting to evaluate the groundwater table depth. Furthermore, under heavy cyclic wheel loading, pavement-deformation analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of subgrade suction. The findings demonstrate that, after an initial drying phase at 5000 kPa suction, wetting over 180 days caused the groundwater level to rise from 5.45 m beneath the subgrade to the surface. This led to a 98% increase in surface-vertical deformations due to cyclic wheel loading after 180 days of wetting compared to the deformations during the drying phase at the same suction level. This assessment of groundwater-depth variations and long-term deformation behavior with the impact of suction improves the design and sustainability of flexible pavements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cellular materials made by the repetition of unit cells, that is, iron lattices have become appealing to mimic the structure of bone. The aim of the study is to choose the most adequate lattice structures, which have the compressive mechanical properties closer to the ones of bone, in the perspective of their use as temporary implants. Five types of unit cells were selected, such as, cubic (C), truncated octahedron (TO), truncated cubic (TC), rhombicuboctahedron (RCO), and rhombitrucated cuboctahedron (RTCO). The mechanical properties were assessed by numerical simulations with a finite-element analysis. The size effect was studied with the comparison of results among samples with different numbers of unit cells. Simulations covered a wide range of relative densities. Graded dense-in and dense-out configurations were constructed with lattices of types RTCO and TO, being the unit cells, themselves graded. Lattice structures RTCO and TO were found to be stable at every relative density studied, while C, TC and RCO lattices are unstable at low densities. The evaluation of size effects was not conclusive, which could be biased by other factors. The Young's modulus of RTCO and TO lattices enable to reproduce the properties of both trabecular and cortical bone, with an appropriate choice of the relative density. To mimic trabecular bone, only RTCO and TO structures with low relative densities, can be used, while arrangements of C, TC and RCO cells can only replicate the properties of cortical bone. Graded cells may have the same properties as non-graded with lower density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bundled parallel strand stay cables are important structural components of modern cable-stayed bridges. Strands commonly used in modern stay cables are seven-wire greased-and-sheathed strands. Stay cables primarily resist tension loads imposed by various loads, but they also resist bending stresses due to wind loads, vibration, and any traverse load applied on the cable. The movements of the deck and towers (at termination points of stay cables) also impose rotations at the cable ends, which will induce bending stresses in the strand bundles. Calculating and analyzing a stay cable's bending-induced stresses is an important consideration, especially regarding fatigue resistance. Traditionally, designers have assumed a noncomposite moment of inertia for the bundle of parallel strands because of the presumed lack of sufficient interstrand bond along the length of cables. Therefore, the composite effect is generally not considered, and the moment of inertia is typically assumed to be equal to the number of strands times the moment of inertia of an individual strand. This assumption neglects the fact that unrestrained relative slippage between strands cannot occur because the anchorage plates enforce displacement compatibility at cable ends. Also, deviation clamps and periodic cable bands (tying of the strand bundle together) along the free length of the cable may provide some degree of composite action. This study examines the global bending-induced stresses developed near the termination points of stay cables due to the application of transverse loads on the cable. Experiments and computational analyses are conducted to assess these stresses. The computational models are verified using laboratory experiments performed on a five-strand cable. Detailed and simplified finite-element models are developed. Bending-induced stress calculation procedures are developed using a simplified stay cable model. Practical Applications: This study proposes calculation procedures to address the important issue of bending-induced stresses in the design of the most crucial components of cable-stayed bridges—stay cables. At present, there are no reliable equations to estimate the maximum strand stresses due to bending action of stay cables under transverse loading. Therefore, qualification tests of relatively short stay cable specimens are sometimes utilized to evaluate fatigue resistance under bending action. For bridge design engineers, the proposed analysis approach and equations can be useful in assessing the long-term fatigue resistance of strands. This study establishes that bundles of greased-and-sheathed seven-wire strands do not act independently within the transition zone of stay cables near anchorages, and the angle change imposed due to transverse loading is not the only factor affecting bending-induced stresses. The size (number of strands) and the length of the cable are the other influential factors that must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NRA) offers a sustainable approach for NH3 production and NO3− removal but suffers from low NH3 yield rate (<1.20 mmol h−1 cm−2). We present bimetallic Cu11Ag3 nanotips with tailored local environment, which achieve an ultrahigh NH3 yield rate of 2.36 mmol h−1 cm−2 at a low applied potential of −0.33 V vs. RHE, a high Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 98.8 %, and long‐term operation stability at 1800 mg‐N L−1 NO3−, outperforming most of the recently reported catalysts. At a NO3− concentration as low as 15 mg‐N L−1, it still delivers a high FE of 86.9 % and an NH3 selectivity of 93.8 %. Finite‐element method and density functional theory calculations reveal that the Cu11Ag3 exhibits reduced adsorption energy barrier of *N intermediates, favorable water dissociation for *H generation and high energy barrier for H2 formation, while its tip‐enhanced enrichment promoting NO3− accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanocages exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance that strongly absorbs and scatters light at specific wavelengths, making them potentially valuable for photothermal therapy and biological imaging applications. However, investigations on metal nanocages are still confined to high-cost and small-scale synthesis. The comprehensive analysis of optical properties and optimal size parameters of metal nanocages is rarely reported. This paper simulates the effects of materials (Ag, Au, and Cu), size parameters, refractive index of the surrounding medium, and orientation on the light absorption and scattering characteristics of the nanocages using the finite-element method and the size-dependent refractive-index model for metal nanoparticles. The results show that the Ag nanocages have excellent light absorption and scattering characteristics and respond significantly to the size parameters, while the refractive index and orientation of the surrounding medium have less effect on them. The Au nanocages also possess superior light absorption properties at specific incident wavelengths. This study also identified the optimized sizes of three metal nanocages at incident light wavelengths commonly used in biomedicine; it was also found that, under deep therapy conditions, Ag nanocages in particular exhibit the highest volume absorption and scattering coefficients of 0.708 nm−1 and 0.583 nm−1, respectively. These findings offer theoretical insights into preparing target nanocage particles for applications in photothermal therapy and biological imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in manufacturing technologies have facilitated the efficient and cost-effective production of functionally graded (FG) sandwich members, offering exceptional structural performances. However, designing these members is challenging due to the difficulties in accurately determining their cross-sectional properties, especially within routine designs that rely on beam-column elements. To this end, this paper introduces a robust finite-element-based cross-section analysis method for FG sandwich sections considering arbitrary shapes and material gradients. A novel nonhomogeneous plane triangle (NPT) element is formulated to enhance the computational efficiency of the developed cross-section analysis approach. A new structural analysis software with a graphic user interface, namely MSASect2, is developed based on the proposed cross-section analysis approach for its convenient implementation in practice. Four examples are displayed to verify the correctness of the present study and MSASect2, indicating their potential to promote the broader application of FG sandwich sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a new in situ nondestructive testing (NDT) method to determine nonlinear parameters of subgrade soils and to establish a method to calculate the subgrade design modulus. The new method collects nonlinear characteristics of the subgrade by in situ test with various combinations of dynamic stress and static stress and back-calculates subgrade nonlinear parameters by machine learning algorithm. The highlight of this study is to solve the problem that the results of different test methods are not unique, and the stress-dependence characteristics of the subgrade are fully considered. The main work is as follows: (1) develop a new resilient modulus prediction model considering dynamic and static effects; (2) propose a novel in situ NDT method based on loading sequences; (3) establish a fuzzy back-propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm to compute subgrade nonlinear parameters; and (4) propose a calculation method of subgrade design modulus based on the principle of deflection equivalence and establish an empirical equation of subgrade design modulus. The results showed that the contact stress has an enhancing effect on resilient modulus of subgrade soils. The new in situ NDT method has been proved feasible in theory and can accurately obtain the nonlinear characteristics of the subgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural evolution of Andean-type orogens is strongly influenced by the geometry of the subducting slab. This study focuses on the flat-slab subduction of the Nazca Ridge and its effects on the South American Plate. The process of flat slab subduction impacts the stress distribution within the overriding plate and increases plate coupling and seismic energy release. Using the finite element method (FEM), we analyse interseismic and coseismic deformation along a 1000 km transect parallel to the ridge. We examine stress distribution, uplift patterns, and the impact of megathrust activity on deformation. To better define the crust's properties for the model, we developed a new thermal model of the Nazca Ridge subduction zone, reconstructing the thermal structure of the overriding plate. The results show concentrated stress at the upper part of the locked plate interface, extending into the Coastal and Western Cordilleras, with deeper stress zones correlating with seismicity. Uplift patterns align with long-term rates of 0.7–1 mm/yr. Cooling from flat-slab subduction strengthens the overriding plate, allowing far-field stress transmission and deformation. These findings provide insights into the tectonic processes driving stress accumulation, seismicity, and uplift along the Peruvian margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, considering the thermal effects, a PN GaN/AlN heterojunction in a piezomagnetic and piezoelectric semiconductor composite fiber driven by dynamic magnetic loads is studied. The true nonlinear constitutive equations of the electric current density for the composite heterojunction are employed. Thus, a nonlinear finite‐element method (FEM) is adopted to obtain dynamic responses of the composite heterojunction, including the mechanical displacement, electric potential, and electron and hole concentrations. By comparing dynamic responses with those derived by COMSOL Multiphysics, the nonlinear FEM is verified. Based on numerical results, regulation effects of the temperature on distributions of the mechanical displacement, electron and hole concentrations, and temperature–current–voltage characteristics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic neutralizers, also known as dynamic absorbers, are efficient means of mitigating vibrations in structures. They have been particularly effective in addressing broad-band passive vibration control in structures with high modal density through the use of multi-degrees of freedom (MDoF) and viscoelastic materials (VEMs). Therefore, sandwich-type or constrained-layer beams can offer great potential when used as MDoF control devices. However, there is limited literature exploring these structures as auxiliary systems, with coupling typically assumed to be single-point and limited to only translational degrees of freedom (DoFs). In this context, this article presents a methodology to determine the dynamic behavior of a compound system, coupling the displacement and rotation DoFs between a metal structure–referred to as the primary system–and a MDoF auxiliary system. The coupling is achieved by utilizing an equivalent dynamic stiffness obtained at the base of the auxiliary system through ANSYS finite-element software, providing a robust and comprehensive approach. A Matlab code transfers the auxiliary system's geometry and properties to ANSYS, where the dynamic stiffness at the base is determined and subsequently coupled to the primary system. A MDoF auxiliary system of the constrained-layer type with VEM was studied, and both single-point and distributed coupling were analyzed. The auxiliary system was attached to a cantilever metal beam for numerical and experimental validation. The proposed generalized equivalent dynamic stiffness model accurately estimates the response of the compound system, offering a 25% reduction in response computation time compared to the finite-element model of the complete compound system. This methodology enables the accurate representation of compound system dynamics while minimizing computational time, making it valuable for the optimal design of a set of MDoF viscoelastic dynamic neutralizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fully discrete semi-convex-splitting finite-element scheme with stabilization for a Cahn–Hilliard cross-diffusion system is analyzed. The system consists of parabolic fourth-order equations for the volume fraction of the fiber phase and solute concentration, modeling pre-patterning of lymphatic vessel morphology. The existence of discrete solutions is proved, and it is shown that the numerical scheme is energy stable up to stabilization, conserves the solute mass, and preserves the lower and upper bounds of the fiber phase fraction. Numerical experiments in two space dimensions using FreeFem illustrate the phase segregation and pattern formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by buckle-induced structural deformation, a new type of tensegrity robot using bending bars is proposed. First, a combination of numerical calculation and the finite-element simulation method was adopted to determine the influence of geometric parameters on equivalent stiffness, and the basic configuration parameters were determined. Then, the tensegrity dynamical model and the ground contact model were established using a nonlinear finite-element method, and four rolling gaits of the robot were realized by driving diagonal cables. Finally, an experimental prototype of the bending bar tensegrity robot was built for rolling gait experiments. The results show that the experimental rolling motion is in good agreement with the theoretical model. Through continuous curve path rolling, the minimum turning radius of the robot was determined, and the motion mode of the prismatic tensegrity robot was enriched. Practical Applications: Tensegrity structure is a self-balancing system composed of compression bars and tension cables, which has aroused numerous scholars' research interest in civil architecture, mechanical engineering, aerospace, biomedical, and other fields. The results cover model design, form-finding analysis, static equilibrium stability analysis, optimization design, dynamic response analysis, and so on. In fact, when the tensegrity mechanism is applied to a mobile robot, a change in shape can be achieved by shortening some cables with the actuator, so the system's stiffness contradicts the ability to deform. The focus of this work is to propose a new type of bending bar design that can replace the spring to meet the needs of large deformation and avoid weakening the structure's overall stiffness. This design realizes the rolling motion mode of the robot and can be applied to the motion mode of other prismatic tensegrity robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is a contribution to the study of the effects of temperature on vibrations and stability of laminated composite plates using the finite element method. Thus, a DMQP/ml bending finite element with 4 nodes and 3 degrees of freedom based on the first order shear theory is extended to consider the effects of temperature on vibration and stability of laminated composite plates. The effect of the dependence of material properties on temperature as well as the effect of the of thermal stresses on the natural frequencies of laminated plates are studied simultaneously. A parametric study was carried out to highlight the effect of certain parameters on the vibration behavior of the laminated plates. The study showed that in most cases, the natural frequencies of vibration decrease with the increase in temperature. On the other hand, if the temperature inflicted on the plate coincides with the critical buckling temperature, the natural frequencies tend towards zero. Moreover, based on experimental data, this paper presents a study of the effect of temperature on the vibration behavior of a laminated T300/5208 Graphite/Epoxy plate. The study showed that temperature significantly changes the properties of the materials as well as the vibration behavior of the plate.

The permeability in the natural clay layer is obviously anisotropic, and the flow of water in the pores often deviates from Darcian law. In order to analyze the effect of anisotropic non-Darcian flow on the two-dimensional consolidation of a saturated clay layer, the vertical and horizontal permeability laws of saturated clay were measured by the falling-head permeability test. It was found that the flow of water in both directions can be described by Hansbo's flow equation, and Hansbo's flow parameters in these two directions were obviously different. Then, the two-dimensional Terzaghi consolidation equations were modified considering the anisotropic Hansbo's flow and discretized into finite-element formulations. The validity of the numerical model was verified through comparison with the literature solutions. The effect of the anisotropic Hansbo's flow on the consolidation process of a two-dimensional saturated clay layer was analyzed under different lower boundary conditions. The numerical results indicated that in the initial stage of consolidation, the excess pore pressure is slightly concentrated in a specific area below the loading boundary. Moreover, variations in the lower boundary conditions have little effect on the distribution of excess pore pressure, and the influence of the different Hansbo's flow parameters in the vertical direction on the dissipation rate of excess pore pressure is not evident. However, in the middle and late stages of consolidation, the pore-water pressure with the permeable lower boundary condition is significantly lower compared to that with the impermeable lower boundary condition. Additionally, increasing the values of Hansbo's flow parameters in the vertical direction further impedes the dissipation rate of excess pore pressure, which in turn slows down the consolidation process of the clay layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical investigation of free-standing cantilever walls subjected to horizontal seismic loads was carried out using nonlinear elastoplastic finite-element approach. The numerical model was validated using centrifuge tests and a numerical study. This study emphasizes the acceleration response, deformation mechanism, and active earth thrust (Pae) of seismically induced cantilever retaining walls. A detailed parametric study was conducted to analyze the effect of the entire earthquake motion, wall dimensions, and soil characteristics on the active earth thrust behind the wall stem (Pae_stem) and along the virtual plane passing through the wall heel (Pae_vp). The study found that the Pae_stem and Pae_vp decrease with an increase in peak ground acceleration (PGA) up to approximately 0.55 g because they are impacted significantly by the translational and rotational displacement of the cantilever wall. In addition, the magnitude of Pae_stem is smaller than that of Pae_vp. Based on the parametric investigation and regression analysis, an equation for Pae_stem and Pae_vp is proposed and was verified by comparing it with the results of the finite-element study and existing numerical work. The proposed equation provides improved prediction of the active earth thrust of a cantilever wall at an early design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axial magnetic gears, recognized for their high torque at low speeds, face significant challenges, such as magnetic leakage and torque ripple, which impede their transmission stability and efficiency. To address these challenges, this paper introduces an innovative H-type demagnetization ring magnetization axial magnetic gear. This axial magnetic gear aims to enhance torque density and minimize magnetic leakage. H-type demagnetization blocks are employed to augment the transverse magnetic path. The performance of this novel gear is compared with the conventional T-type gear using comprehensive finite-element modeling. The analysis focuses on the magnetic field distribution, air-gap magnetic flux density, spatial harmonics, and torque characteristics. Results obtained in this study indicate the superiority of the H-type gear in achieving a higher static torque density and a lower torque ripple, making it a promising solution for efficiency improvement in various industrial applications. The objective of this study is to empirically validate the enhanced performance of the H-type gear, and to contributing to the advancement of axial magnetic gear technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in situ stress conditions of reservoirs are the fundamental parameters for determining the arrangements of horizontal boreholes and assessing borehole stability, especially for the exploration and exploitation of unconventional oil and gas. The borehole wall stress relief method (BWSRM) is a new technique that can directly measure three-dimensional (3D) stress without any assumptions regarding the stress field. In deep vertical borehole situations, a new experiment is proposed to prevent electronic components from becoming damp while simultaneously maintaining borehole stability. The effect of drilling fluid pressure on the strain measurement of the stress relief processes is studied. The finite-element model (FEM) simulates the stress relief process and verifies the theoretical solutions under different testing depths. The results show that complete stress relief is impossible under deep vertical borehole conditions, and the wall drilling process changes the stress conditions of the measured points from modified plane strain to triaxial compression. Therefore, the data measured by the strain gauges cannot be directly imported into the original relationships between the measured strains and far-field stress. The comparisons between the original theoretical solutions and FEM results indicate that if the confining pressure is ignored, then the maximum error between the measured and real in situ stress components is over 35%. After correcting the estimated strain data using the proposed methods, the stress tensors obtained from theoretical equations are consistent with the natural stress tensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time, full-field simulation of the tube hydroforming process is crucial for deformation monitoring and the timely prediction of defects. However, this is rather difficult for finite-element simulation due to its time-consuming nature. To overcome this drawback, in this paper, a surrogate model framework was proposed by integrating the finite-element method (FEM) and machine learning (ML), in which the basic methodology involved interrupting the computational workflow of the FEM and reassembling it with ML. Specifically, the displacement field, as the primary unknown quantity to be solved using the FEM, was mapped onto the displacement boundary conditions of the tube component with ML. To this end, the titanium tube material as well as the hydroforming process was investigated, and a fairly accurate FEM model was developed based on the CPB06 yield criterion coupled with a simplified Kim–Tuan hardening model. Numerous FEM simulations were performed by varying the loading conditions to generate the training database for ML. Then, a random forest algorithm was applied and trained to develop the surrogate model, in which the grid search method was employed to obtain the optimal combination of the hyperparameters. Sequentially, the principal strain, the effective strain/stress, as well as the wall thickness was derived according to continuum mechanics theories. Although further improvements were required in certain aspects, the developed FEM-ML surrogate model delivered extraordinary accuracy and instantaneity in reproducing multi-physical fields, especially the displacement field and wall-thickness distribution, manifesting its feasibility in the real-time, full-field simulation and monitoring of deformation states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we present the results of analyzing the technical feasibility of an old invention by Henry Muncaster from the perspective of mechanical engineering, specifically focusing on the resistance of materials. The invention is a two-cylinder steam engine with a parallel motion crosshead, for which plans were published in the Model Engineer magazine in 1957. This complex device, composed of 76 elements and lacking descriptive information, has been the subject of a recent article that illustrated its design through the engineering drawing discipline and a 3D CAD model. To provide reliable information and conduct a comprehensive study of its technical feasibility, an extensive linear static analysis was performed. This analysis considered two critical positions of the piston inside the cylinder: upper dead center and lower dead center. We determined the optimal range of working pressures necessary to achieve a safety factor within the optimal design range of two to four. The results include von Mises stresses, displacements, and safety factor distributions, confirming that the optimal working pressure range for steam intake is between 1.885 and 3.550 MPa. This ensures that the safety factor values remain between 2.01 and 3.78. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe a numerical framework for achieving passive thermal cloaking of arbitrary shapes in both static and transient regimes. The design strategy is cast as the solution of an optimal control problem (OCP) for the heat equation where the coefficients of the thermal diffusivity matrix take the role of control functions, and the distance between the uncloaked and the cloaked field is minimized in a suitable observation domain. The control actions enter bilinearly in the heat equation, thus making the resulting OCP nonlinear, and its analysis non-trivial. We show that optimal diffusivity coefficients exist both for the static and the transient case; we derive a system of first-order necessary optimality conditions; finally, we carry out their numerical approximation using the finite-element method. A series of numerical test cases assess the capability of our strategy to tackle passive thermal cloaking of arbitrarily complex two-dimensional objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study free vibrations of open noncircular cylindrical shells with elliptic cross sections. A computational model based on the finite-element method is developed. Numerical calculations were carried out for several versions of boundary conditions imposed at the ends. The numerical analysis makes it possible to establish the dependence of frequencies and the modes of free vibrations of noncircular cylindrical shells on the eccentricity of the elliptic cross section and the type of cutting of the shell. The obtained results are important for the evaluation of the load-carrying capacity of structural shell elements of the corresponding shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By alternately stacking layers of two materials that differ in their Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivity, a composite material with artificial anisotropy of thermal and electrical transport properties is formed. Due to the transverse Seebeck effect, a thermoelectric (TE) voltage is generated perpendicular to a temperature gradient ΔT, that is applied at a certain angle φ with respect to the stacked layers (0° < φ < 90°). The TE properties of layered artificial anisotropic materials are described analytically using existing concepts and extending the available definitions to develop a consistent image of anisotropic media for TE energy generation. Based on these analytical descriptions, the TE performance of ceramic oxide–metal composites and transverse TE generators (TTEG) made of them are numerically calculated and presented in contour plots. These so‐called micro‐ and macro‐Babin plots map the influence of internal geometric parameters, i.e., the layer thickness ratio νt$\left(\nu\right)_{\text{t}}$ and the angle φ of the applied temperature gradient with respect to the stacked layers. Based on these diagrams, the optimal TTEG geometry can be narrowed down in a simple and fast way. In addition, the diagrams are used for a material screening to evaluate the suitability of different oxide ceramics for use in a TTEG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time‐domain finite‐element method based on an arbitrary quadrilateral mesh is proposed to simulate two dimensional seismoelectric and electroseismic waves in SHTE mode. By decoupling the electrokinetic coupling equation, we can solve seismic waves and electromagnetic waves independently. For the simulation of seismic wavefield, we utilize a more compact second‐order unsplit perfectly matched layer that is easier to implement in finite‐element methods. Moreover, to avoid errors caused by the quasi‐static approximation, we directly solve the full‐wave electromagnetic equations when simulating the electromagnetic wavefield. Our computational domain is discretized using arbitrary quadrilateral meshes, which offers possibilities in handling undulating terrain and complex anomalies in the underground. To ensure computational accuracy, we utilized biquadratic interpolation as our finite‐element basis functions, which provides higher precision compared to bilinear interpolation. We validate our time‐domain finite‐element method by comparing its results with analytical solutions for a layered model. We also apply our algorithm to the modelling of an underground aquifer and a complex anomalous hydrocarbon reservoir under undulating terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is a contribution to the study of the effects of temperature on vibrations and stability of laminated composite plates using the finite element method. Thus, a DMQP/ml bending finite element with 4 nodes and 3 degrees of freedom based on the first order shear theory is extended to consider the effects of temperature on vibration and stability of laminated composite plates. The effect of the dependence of material properties on temperature as well as the effect of the of thermal stresses on the natural frequencies of laminated plates are studied simultaneously. A parametric study was carried out to highlight the effect of certain parameters on the vibration behaviour of the laminated plates. The study showed that in most cases the natural frequencies of vibration decrease with the increase in temperature. On the other hand, if the temperature inflicted on the plate coincides with the critical buckling temperature, the natural frequencies tend towards zero. Moreover, based on experimental data, this paper presents a study of the effect of temperature on the vibration behaviour of a laminated T300/5208 Graphite/Epoxy plate. The study showed that temperature significantly changes the properties of the materials as well as the vibration behaviour of the plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing development of micro aerial vehicle, the impact resistance of the structure has gradually become a research hotspot. The beetle's exoskeleton not only provides important protection for its body and flexible wings but also ensures its good flight performance. Therefore, the beetle's exoskeleton has become an important research content in the field of bio-mimetic micro aerial vehicles. In this study, taking the internal structure of the beetle's exoskeleton as the research object, a kind of bio-mimetic lightweight thin-walled impact-resistant structure that can be used in the micro aerial vehicle is proposed. The energy absorption characteristics of the bio-mimetic structure under axial impact loading are calculated and analyzed by the numerical simulation method, and the important parameters such as impact angle, protective layer thickness, and wall thickness are optimized and discussed. The main results include that the filling method of the hollow column has a certain correlation with the energy absorption characteristics of the structure under different impact angles, and among the different cross-sectional shapes, the hollow column with a circular cross-sectional configuration has the best energy absorption ability. In addition, as the internal space of the structure increase exponentially, the decrease of specific energy absorption value of the bio-mimetic structure is relatively small. Finally, the wall thickness with good energy absorption characteristics is about 1.5 mm, while the preferred span length of the structure is between 90 and 120 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precast slab bridges are an attractive option for short- to medium-span bridges; however, the presence of longitudinal joints and concrete overlays adds great complexity to the transverse load distribution (TLD) analysis. Currently, one of the most commonly used methods for simplified analysis relies on the semiempirical formulas provided in AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications; yet, these formulas have certain limitations in their applicability. This study presents an algorithm based on the transfer matrix method (TMM) to determine the TLD of precast slab bridges. A connection model utilizing shear-and-torsion spring hinges (STSHs) is proposed to simulate the structural behavior of shear keys and the overlay of precast slab bridges in TLD calculations. The transfer matrices and transfer equations between slabs and between joints are established. The TLD for slabs is then computed by introducing boundary conditions and solving transfer equations. In addition, the finite-element method (FEM), along with the existing field tests of two different bridges, is used to verify the accuracy and validity of the proposed method. The study concludes that the TMM shows high algorithmic efficiency compared to the FEM modeling procedure and better precision and applicability than the semiempirical equations provided in AASHTO LRFD. Moreover, extended parametric studies are conducted on the effects of the thickness of concrete overlay and the relative flexibility coefficients of slabs on the TLD of bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses modelling and numerical issues in the simulation of the Landau-de Gennes (LdG) model of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) with cholesteric effects. We propose a fully implicit, (weighted) L2 gradient flow for computing energy minimizers of the LdG model, and note a time-step restriction for the flow to be energy decreasing. Furthermore, we give a mesh size restriction, for finite-element discretizations, that is critical to avoid spurious numerical artifacts in discrete minimizers, particularly when simulating cholesteric LCs that exhibit 'twist.' Furthermore, we perform a computational exploration of the model and present several numerical simulations in three dimensions, on both slab geometries and spherical shells, with our finite-element method. The simulations are consistent with experiments, illustrate the richness of the cholesteric model, and demonstrate the importance of the mesh size restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductions in automobile weight and carbon dioxide emission are critical for the further development of the automobile industry. Aluminum is a lightweight material that can replace copper in automobile electronic equipment; therefore, laser welding of aluminum and copper is a subject of extensive research. This study investigates the influence of the laser strategy on the laser welding of aluminum and copper while preventing the formation of brittle Al–Cu intermetallic compounds. Aluminum and copper plates with a length of 20 mm and thickness of 0.3 and 1 mm, respectively, are used for the experiment. A continuous-wave laser with a power of 500 W and a spot beam radius of 150 μm is employed to irradiate the aluminum surface at different scan speeds. An electroless-plated nickel layer is used as a buffer between aluminum and copper, and the experimental results show that it can prevent copper surface damage and the formation of Al–Cu compounds during laser welding. In addition, the simulation and experimental results reveal that the residual thermal stress after laser welding can be reduced by heat treatment at different temperatures prior to laser irradiation. [Display omitted] • Al–Cu compound can be avoided during the laser welding process by the electroless nickel layer. • Residual thermal stress can be decreased by controlling the pre-heat treatment temperature for the metal before the laser weld. • Tension strength of welded joint will be decided by the laser scan speed in the welding process. • The contact area of the Al–Cu interface will affect the residual thermal stress after laser welding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils are generally operated in a closed-loop persistent current mode, which is crucial for ensuring long-term stability and minimizing heat generation in various applications. However, factors such as joint resistance, flux creep, and losses due to external fields can lead to accelerated decay of the coil's current, making it challenging to achieve an effective persistent current mode. To gain insight into the current decay characteristics of HTS coils, we built a finite element method based model coupled with a lumped parameter electric circuit model. The model is initially verified against the experiment of an inductive magnetized HTS coil subject to a magnetic field perpendicular to the tape surface. The results indicate that the proposed model is highly effective in predicting the current decay behavior of this magnetized HTS coil and is able to provide high accuracy. With the help of this model, we have experimentally and numerically studied the behavior of a current-carrying closed-loop HTS coil subject to external alternating fields. The HTS coil is charged by a DC power supply and then shorted using a thermally-controlled persistent current switch. The current decay behavior of the HTS coil is examined under various scenarios. The simulation results show excellent agreement with experimental data, further validating the effectiveness and versatility of the modeling strategy. The influence of both local and global screening currents on the current decay performance of the closed-loop HTS coils has been investigated. For every case examined, rapid demagnetization occurred in the initial cycle of the applied alternating field. Furthermore, the current decay rate demonstrated a slight dependence on the frequency of the applied fields. Additionally, the resulting resistance has been thoroughly characterized. These insights contribute to the knowledge of the behavior and performance of closed-loop HTS coils, facilitating their practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exact sub and supersonic soliton solutions of the one-dimensional Westervelt equation are presented, describing the propagation of pressure waves with high amplitude or frequency in nonlinear acoustic media. The sub and super-sonic waves only exist on a pedestal, in the absence of which the excitations propagate at the same speed as the small amplitude waves. For nonzero background, the soliton velocity is dependent on the linear acoustic properties such as, ambient density and sound speed, as also the nonlinearity coefficient. The nonlinearity coefficient is known to vary significantly with pathological conditions of tissue, often modeled by Westervelt equation, and hence these nonlinear characteristic excitations may find application in tissue tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the horizontal bearing behaviors of an innovative type of foundation, the monopile–friction wheel hybrid foundation, for offshore wind turbines (OWTs). First, the scouring morphology of a monopile–friction wheel composite foundation under unidirectional flow is obtained by means of laboratory flume model tests. Then, the effects of key scouring parameters and the height of the loading point are further investigated through numerical simulations in terms of deformations, soil resistance distributions, and bearing ratios. The results indicate that for composite foundations, the effects of scouring parameters and the height of the loading point on the lateral bearing behaviors are not negligible, with the scouring depth having the most significant effect, followed by the scouring angle, and finally the scouring extent. Between them, the friction wheel contributes more than 40% to the bearing capacity while about 50% is borne by the pile side. In addition, the prediction formulas for the bearing ratios are obtained taking into account the scouring pits. The results provide valuable insights into understanding the load-bearing behaviors of composite foundations and their engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the crushing rate and improve the yield of rice during the milling process, it is significant from a fundamental standpoint to understand the mechanical behaviors of rice under external loads. In this paper, the mechanical properties and fracture morphologies of rice with various moisture contents have been analyzed in detail by experiments and the finite‐element (FE) method. In FE simulations, two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) composite models have been established with the cohesive zone model characterizing the interface strength. The results show that the moisture content determines the endosperm cell wall interface strength, and a linear relationship between the interface strength and moisture content has been obtained. In particular, three fracture patterns of brown rice are observed by the competition between the interface strength of starch granule and endosperm cell wall interface strength. Good agreements between FE predictions and experimental results indicate that the combination of the 2D and 3D composite models with the cohesive zone model can provide accurate predictions of the fracture behaviors of brown rice. This investigation should be of great help for understanding the moisture content‐dependent compression and impact behaviors of rice. Practical applications: Brown rice can be obtained by removing the husk through a hulling machine. During these processes, external loads, such as compression and impact, will damage the microstructure of brown rice, which results in a loss rate as high as 25%. Understanding the mechanical properties of brown rice with different moisture contents will be of great help in designing the equipment used in rice processing operations and extending the yield of polished rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aortic dissection is associated with a high mortality rate. Although computational approaches have shed light on many aspects of the disease, a sensitivity analysis is required to determine the significance of different factors. Because of its complex geometry and high computational expense, the three-dimensional (3D) fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation is not a suitable approach for sensitivity analysis. Methods: We performed a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to investigate the sensitivity of hemodynamic quantities to the lumped parameters of our zero-dimensional (0D) model with numerically calculated lumped parameters. We performed local and global analyses on the effect of the model parameters on important hemodynamic quantities. Results: The MCS showed that a larger lumped resistance value for the false lumen and the tears result in a higher retrograde flow rate in the false lumen (the coefficient of variation, c v , i = 0.0183 , the sensitivity S X i σ = 0.54 , Spearman's coefficient, ρ s = 0.464 ). For the intraluminal pressure, our results show a significant role in the resistance and inertance of the true lumen (the coefficient of variation, c v , i = 0.0640 , the sensitivity S X i σ = 0.85 , and Spearman's coefficient, ρ s = 0.855 for the inertance of the true lumen). Conclusion: This study highlights the necessity of comparing the results of the local and global sensitivity analyses to understand the significance of multiple lumped parameters. Because of the efficiency of the method, our approach is potentially useful to investigate and analyze medical planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe industrial applications of singly curved shells significantly increased in modern engineering structures and several of those have non-uniform boundary conditions. A detailed relative performance study for the non-uniformly restricted shells can popularize their use further among practicing engineers. The literature review confirms that there is dearth of research studies in this area. This paper aims to fill up that void. A finite element code of C0 continuity combining von-Karman strains, first order shear deformation theory and eight noded curved elements is proposed. Wide variety of shell problems are solved for different boundary conditions, laminations, radii of curvatures, thickness, and plan dimensions. Relative nondimensional deflections and fundamental frequencies are studied for varying boundaries. It is concluded that although the performances of shells are comparable for different boundaries, the shells with CCCC edges offer better performances. These shells should have longer span along the arch direction, a symmetric 16°/-16°/-16°/16° laminate, side/thickness = 100, and radius of curvature/plan = 0.75 to achieve minimum deflection and maximum fundamental frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of three-layer cylindrical elements with an inhomogeneous filler rested on the Winkler elastic foundation under various boundary conditions is studied. The distances between ribs in the light filler are much larger than the dimensions of the ribs cross-sections. Because of this, the theory of independent static and kinematic hypotheses is applied to each layer. In accordance with the Hamilton-Ostrogradsky variational principle the motion equations of the three-layer cylindrical shells rested on the Winkler elastic foundation and natural boundary conditions are obtained using the models of Timoshenko's shell and rod theory. This made it possible to produce an adequate finite-element model for three-layer cylindrical shells of different materials and obtained numerical results of the nature of dynamic behavior of a three-layer structure on an elastic foundation by employing the finite element method. The influence of the physical-mechanical parameters of layers of cylindrical structures on natural frequencies, methods of fastening their ends, parameter of shells elastic foundation on their dynamics under axisymmetric internal impulsive loading is investigated. New mechanical effects are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of defects (splitting) on the stress–strain state of a three-layer cylindrical panel under the action of an aircraft engine jet is studied numerically, by the finite-element method. Two versions of honeycomb filler are considered. The polymer's sheathing consists of individual polymer composite layers. Results for panels with and without defects are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAdvancements in technology have revolutionized healthcare, with notable impacts on auditory health. This study introduces a novel approach aimed at optimizing materials for middle ear prostheses to enhance auditory performance. We developed a finite element (FE) model of the ear incorporating a pure titanium TORP prosthesis, validated against experimental data. Subsequently, we applied Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) methodology, utilizing linear, exponential, and logarithmic degradation functions to modify prosthesis materials. Biocompatible materials suitable for auditory prostheses, including Stainless Steel, titanium, and Hydroxyapatite, were investigated. Our findings indicate that combinations such as Stainless Steel with titanium and Hydroxyapatite offer improved outcomes compared to pure titanium and Hydroxyapatite ceramic, in terms of both displacement and stress. Additionally, personalized prostheses tailored to individual patient needs are feasible, underscoring the potential for further advancements in auditory healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fretting damage on contacting surfaces introduces major challenges in mechanical assemblies. Thermal sprayed hardmetal coatings are extensively used for surface modification in tribological applications under demanding conditions and may also be subjected to fretting-inducing loading. In the present work, the fretting behavior of High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) and High Velocity Air–Fuel (HVAF) sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings against quenched and tempered (QT) steel was studied by using a single bolt joint-type fretting experiment. This experimental approach was selected to obtain realistic data on the fretting fatigue performance of the contact pairs (both coating-to-steel and coating-to-coating). Experimental results were completed with continuum-scale linear elastic finite element method (FEM) calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a compact mid-infrared (MIR) transverse-electric (TE)-pass polarizer is presented and numerically examined. The introduced polarizer is built on silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) platform. Such platform boasts key features such as minimal power consuming, superior linearity, and transmission with high speed, making it particularly advantageous for various applications, especially in the MIR spectrum. The proposed design is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible based on bi-metallic materials, aluminium doped zinc oxide and titanium nitride, as alternative plasmonic materials. Large coupling between the surface plasmon and fundamental transverse magnetic (TM) modes is occurred in the silicon core by the bimetallic effect. Nevertheless, the transverse-electric mode can travel with negligible losses. The suggested TE-pass polarizer attains, at a 2 µm operating wavelength, an extinction ratio (ER) of 17.5 dB accompanied by an insertion loss (IL) of 0.1 dB at a device length of 3 µm. Moreover, the introduced polarizer design is simple and has high resilience to fabrication errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piezocone penetration test (CPTu) is a common geotechnical field test to evaluate soil properties. In interpreting the CPTu field measurements, soil drainage conditions are mostly considered completely drained or undrained; however, partial drainage conditions govern for such soils as silts or clayey sand mixtures. Previous studies show that neglecting partial drainage conditions causes incorrect estimation of soil geotechnical parameters. Most studies have been conducted using calibration chambers and centrifuge tests on clayey soils. Due to the complications in modeling the piezocone test, few numerical studies have been performed under partially drained conditions, especially on coarse-grained soils. Among the challenges of numerical modeling of CPTu, one can mention the difficulty of modeling soil structure in large strain mode and soil–water interaction behavior. In this paper, piezocone penetration tests were modeled using the advanced hypoplastic constitutive model and finite-element method. The behavior of Firoozkooh sandy soil under different drainage conditions and relative densities was analyzed. Then, the effect of cone penetration on the surrounding soils was discussed. It was shown that drainage conditions and the soil relative densities significantly affected the trend of variations in excess pore-water pressure (EPWP) generated around the piezocone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical treatment of the pectus excavatum has led to the introduction of the Nuss procedure, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves inserting a metal bar under the sternum through a small lateral thoracic incision. An additional metal bar was inserted in patients with pectus excavatum to improve the retention of the restored chest wall after the Nuss procedure. However, a need still exists to analyze the mechanistic advantages and disadvantages of the double-bar method owing to the increased surgical time and proficiency. The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the efficiency of single- and double-bar methods using rotational and equilibrium displacement simulations of the Nuss procedure. A finite-element model was constructed for two types of metal bars inserted into the chest wall. Boundary conditions for the rotation and equilibrium displacements were set for the metal bar. The anterior sternal translation, Haller index and maximum equivalent stress and strain owing to the behavior of the metal bar were estimated and compared with the single-bar method and postoperatively acquired patient data. The simulation results showed that the influences of the intercostal muscle and equilibrium after rotation displacement were significant. The stresses and strains were distributed across the two metal bars, and the upper-metal bar was heavily loaded. The double-bar method was advantageous regarding the load distribution effects of the two metal bars on the chest wall. However, mechanical assessments are also important because an excessive load is typically applied to the upper-metal bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this study is a punch-elastic half-space system under compressive force. The paper solves the problem of determining contact stresses and displacements. The content of results is the constructed models and the assessment of their adequacy. This work considers the problem of pressing a rigid plane double-connected punch on a homogeneous and isotropic elastic half-space. To obtain an analytical solution, a variant of the perturbation method based on the expansion of the potential of a simple layer distributed over a double-connected region by a small parameter was applied. The problem of pressing a flat punch in the form of a non-circular ring is reduced to a sequence of problems for a punch in the form of a circular ring. This allows us to use a known solution for a circular ring. Finite element models were built using ANSYS. A group of models was constructed to take into account possible damage in the event that the punch-elastic half-space system is exposed to difficult natural conditions or an aggressive environment during a certain time of modeling. A database was formed for the purpose of further transferring it to CLIPS. Sets of rules and knowledge were compiled. A generalizing algorithm was developed for the problems of constructing and analyzing mathematical and computer models of contact interaction between a rigid cylindrical punch with a flat double-connected base with an elastic half-space under the action of a compressive force. The problem of determining the geometric shape of the cross-section of an annular punch in the plan for the punch-elastic half-space system was solved for the case when the contact zone is not known in advance. The devised approach could be employed in engineering calculations for strength and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the energy pile is known as an efficient dual-purpose system nowadays, the interactive response under simultaneous mechanical and thermal loads requires further investigation. An attempt has been made to evaluate the effect of different factors on load-displacement response and bearing capacity, including different loading conditions, pile geometry, and ground conditions using a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model. The energy pile model was validated and then subjected to thermal loadings of +10°C, +20°C, and −10°C in saturated and dry sandy soil with different relative densities and coefficients of thermal expansion. In addition, analyses were carried out in conditions from the tip of the pile being embedded in very loose sand to being embedded in a rock-hard layer to provide a comprehensive coverage of all the scenarios in engineering practice. Results indicate that the ultimate bearing capacity of the energy pile can increase by 25.5% or decrease by 13% depending on the applied temperature and geotechnical conditions. When the pile is heated and cooled, the bearing capacity increases and decreases, respectively, while for the piles placed in dense and saturated sand, sand with a larger thermal expansion coefficient, or socketed into a very hard layer with 60 to 100 times higher elastic modulus compared with the upper layer, the effect of thermal loads on the pile bearing capacity are more noticeable. Results show that in piles with a smaller diameter, the temperature variation effects are slightly higher. The findings of the study are useful for engineers in design practice to optimize the performance of energy piles under different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serviceability of wooden structures involves multiphysical phenomena, notably the interactions among creep, plasticity, and damage. The influence of creep on the initialization of the damage and on its growth and spread can be adjusted by an additional alpha parameter in order to take into account the coupled effect between creep and damage more properly. We integrate an orthotropic viscoelastic model, based on the generalized Kelvin chain, with an orthotropic damage model, capturing both the immediate nonlinear elastic–plastic–damage response and the time-dependent viscous response of timber. The combination of these material models is important to obtain a realistic description of wood behavior, because the timber shows an immediate nonlinear elastic–plastic–damage response, but also the time-dependent viscous response. In this paper, we algorithmize, implement, and validate the concept of 'creep damage', a phenomenon observed in wooden structures. Benchmark tests reveal two distinct patterns of damage in beech wood, immediate postload damage that evolves over time and damage that occurs and spreads during the loading period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]