Search results for "Elastic"

A beam finite element for magneto-electro-elastic multilayered composite structures

2012

Abstract A new finite element based upon an elastic equivalent single-layer model for shear deformable and straight magneto-electro-elastic generally laminated beam is presented. The element has six degrees of freedom represented by the displacement components and the cross-section rotation of its two nodes. The magneto-electric boundary conditions enter the discrete problem as work-equivalent forces and moments while the electro-magnetic state characterization constitutes a post-processing step. The element possesses the superconvergence property for the static problem of beams with uniform cross-section and homogenous material properties along the beam axis direction. Moreover, it is free…

PBAT Based Composites Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Softwood Almond Shells

2021

This study explores the processability, mechanical, and thermal properties of biocompostable composites based on poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) as polymer matrix and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from softwood almond (Prunus dulcis) shells (as-MCC) as filler at two different weight concentration, i.e., 10 wt% and 20 wt%. The materials were processed by melt mixing and a commercial MCC (c-MCC) was used as filler comparison. The fibrillar shape of as-MCC particles was found to change the rheological behavior of PBAT, particularly at the highest concentration. The melt mixing processing allowed obtaining a uniform dispersion of both kinds of fillers, slightly reduci…

Joined effects of pennation angle and tendon compliance on fibre length in isometric contractions: a simulation study.

1998

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the joined behaviours of tendon and pennation angle during maximal isometric contractions. A musculotendon model of the human soleus muscle was simulated as a function of ankle joint position, which determines the soleus length. Analysis of the respective values of tendon length and pennation angle for various musculotendon lengths showed that the primary effects of tendon elasticity and pennation angle variation were to reduce the fibre length variations by absorption of the musculotendon lengthening. The efficiency of this reduction process was the highest at short soleus lengths and principally related to tendon length variations. Finally…

A method to transform a nonlocal model into a gradient one within elasticity and plasticity

2014

Abstract A method based on the principle of the virtual power (PVP) is presented, by which a mechanical problem of nonlocal elasticity, or plasticity, is transformed into one of gradient nature. Different Taylor series expansion techniques are applied to the driving local strain fields of the nonlocal problem, either full spatial expansion within the bulk volume, or uni-directional expansion along the normal to the thin boundary layer. This, at the limit when the boundary layer thickness tends to zero, makes the PVP of the nonlocal model transform itself into one featuring a counterpart gradient model. Also, for a class of “associated” nonlocal and gradient elasticity models (i.e. the kerne…

Increasing the elastic modulus of polyamides

1977

Bioorganic/inorganic hybrid composition of sponge spicules: matrix of the giant spicules and of the comitalia of the deep sea hexactinellid Monorhaph…

2007

The giant basal spicules of the siliceous sponges Monorhaphis chuni and Monorhaphis intermedia (Hexactinellida) represent the largest biosilica structures on earth (up to 3 m long). Here we describe the construction (lamellar organization) of these spicules and of the comitalia and highlight their organic matrix in order to understand their mechanical properties. The spicules display three distinct regions built of biosilica: (i) the outer lamellar zone (radius: >300 mu m), (ii) the bulky axial cylinder (radius: <75 mu m), and (iii) the central axial canal (diameter: <2 mu m) with its organic axial filament. The spicules are loosely covered with a collagen net which is regularly perforated …

Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Organofluorosilica Thin Films

2008

Fluorinated hybrid organic-inorganic silicates (ORMOSIL) thin films display exceptional mechanical properties in terms of both hardness and elastic modulus that can be finely tuned by varying the angular velocity of the spin coating process. Hence, as traditional alkyl-modified silica xerogels generally show poor mechanical behavior, these materials offer a solution to a major limitation to applicability of ORMOSIL-based films.

A Switchable Molecular Rotator: Neutron Spectroscopy Study on a Polymeric Spin-Crossover Compound

2012

A quasielastic neutron scattering and solid-state 2H NMR spectroscopy study of the polymeric spin-crossover compound {Fe(pyrazine)[Pt(CN) 4]} shows that the switching of the rotation of a molecular fragment-the pyrazine ligand-occurs in association with the change of spin state. The rotation switching was examined on a wide time scale (10 -13-10 -3 s) by both techniques, which clearly demonstrated the combination between molecular rotation and spin-crossover transition under external stimuli (temperature and chemical). The pyrazine rings are seen to perform a 4-fold jump motion about the coordinating nitrogen axis in the high-spin state. In the low-spin state, however, the motion is suppres…

Fractional Calculus as a New Perspective in the Viscoelastic Behaviour of the Intervertebral Disc

2022

The spinal column is the load-bearing structure of the human being along with its components, which together build a strong, resistant, and stable structure, but there are a few different pathologies from which it can suffer, such as herniated discs. The intervertebral disc acts as a shock absorber and ensures the spine’s great capacity to support high loads and different states of stress, thanks to its viscoelastic properties. Some studies have attempted to describe the viscoelastic behaviour of the intervertebral disc using classical rheological models, such as the Kelvin-Voigt, or multi-parameter models. Even if these models partially describe the viscoelastic response of disc, all visco…

The airway response to deep inspirations decreases with COPD severity and is associated with airway distensibility assessed by computed tomography.

2008

In patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the effect of deep inspirations (DIs) to reverse methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction is largely attenuated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the effectiveness of DI is reduced with increasing disease severity and that this is associated with a reduction in the ability of DI to distend the airways. Fifteen subjects [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I–II: n = 7; GOLD stage III–IV: n = 8] underwent methacholine bronchoprovocation in the absence of DI, followed by DI. The effectiveness of DI was assessed by their ability to improve inspiratory vital capacity and forced expira…