Search results for "Mechanical Engineering & Transports"
showing 10 items of 408 documents
A note on the higher order strain and stress tensors within deformation gradient elasticity theories: Physical interpretations and comparisons
2016
Abstract Higher order strain and stress tensors encompassed within gradient elasticity theories are discussed with a particular concern to the physical meaning of double and triple stresses. A single rule is shown to hold for the physical interpretation of the indices of a higher order stress tensor both within distortion gradient and strain gradient theories, whereas the analogous Mindlin’s rule holds only within distortion gradient theories. Double and triple stresses are discussed separately with the aid of simple illustrative examples. A corrigendum to a previous paper by the author (IJSS 50 (2013) 3749–3765) is also presented.
Centrifuge tests on strip footings on sand with a weak layer
2017
Tests on small-scale physical models of a strip footing resting on a dense sand bed containing a thin horizontal weak soil layer were carried out at normal gravity (1 g ). The results, reported in a companion paper, point out that the weak layer plays an important role in the failure mechanism and the ultimate bearing capacity of the footing if it falls within the ground volume relevant to the behaviour of the sand–footing system. The same problem was also investigated by means of centrifuge tests on reduced-scale models at 25 g and 40 g . The results of these tests, reported and discussed in this paper, confirm that failure mechanisms are governed substantially by the presence of the weak…
Application of Genetic Algorithm on Parameter Optimization of Three Vehicle Crash Scenarios
2017
Abstract This paper focuses on the development of mathematical models for vehicle frontal crashes. The models under consideration are threefold: a vehicle into barrier, vehicle-occupant and vehicle to vehicle frontal crashes. The first model is represented as a simple spring-mass-damper and the second case consists of a double-spring-mass-damper system, whereby the front mass and the rear mass represent the vehicle chassis and the occupant, respectively. The third model consists of a collision of two vehicles represented by two masses moving in opposite directions. The springs and dampers in the models are nonlinear piecewise functions of displacements and velocities respectively. More spec…
The Behaviour of Mistuned Piezoelectric Shunt Systems and Its Estimation
2016
This paper addresses monoharmonic vibration attenuation using piezoelectric transducers shunted with electric impedances consisting of a resistance and an inductance in series. This type of vibration attenuation has several advantages but suffers from problems related to possible mistuning. In fact, when either the mechanical system to be controlled or the shunt electric impedance undergoes a change in their dynamical features, the attenuation performance decreases significantly. This paper describes the influence of biases in the electric impedance parameters on the attenuation provided by the shunt and proposes an approximated model for a rapid prediction of the vibration damping performa…
Magnesium alloys (WE43 and ZE41) characterisation for laser applications
2004
International audience; One of the most important parameters in laser treatment is the quantity of beam energy absorbed by the substrate. Despite its important role played in laser processes, this factor is rarely available for the laser sources wavelengths and at high temperatures reached during such treatments. A series of experiments were carried out in order to characterise, from this point of view, two types of magnesium alloys, WE43 and ZE41, often used in laser applications (cladding, alloying, welding, etc.). The results represent an important step in order to understand Mg-alloys behaviour under laser beam action.
Crack growth in fillet welded steel joints subjected to membrane and bending loading modes
2020
Abstract The present paper presents the results from extensive studies of the fatigue damage evolution in fillet welded steel joints subjected to Constant Amplitude (CA) stress under membrane and bending loading modes. The welded joints in question are F class details (category 71) with plate thicknesses ranging from 25 to 32 mm. The steel quality is a medium strength carbon manganese steel. Crack growth histories for the shallow semi-elliptical shaped cracks emanating from the weld toe are obtained by an Alternating Current Potential Drop (ACPD) technique. These growth histories are presented in detail and modelled by Linear Elastic Facture Mechanics (LEFM). The calculations follow the rec…
The function of mirror neurons in the learning process
2017
In the last years, Neurosciences have developed very much, being elaborated many important theories scientific research in the field. The main goal of neuroscience is to understand how groups of neurons interact to create the behavior. Neuroscientists studying the action of molecules, genes and cells. It also explores the complex interactions involved in motion perception, thoughts, emotions and learning. Brick fundamental nervous system is the nerve cell, neuron. Neurons exchange information by sending electrical signals and chemical through connections called synapses. Discovered by a group of Italian researchers from the University of Parma, neurons - mirror are a special class of nerve …
Virtual element method for computational homogenization of composite and heterogeneous materials
2020
Abstract In this study, a two-dimensional multi-region framework, based on the use of the Virtual Element Method (VEM), is developed for computational materials homogenization and applied to different classes of widely employed heterogeneous materials. The VEM has recently emerged as a powerful generalisation of the Finite Element Method capable of dealing with very general polygonal mesh elements, including non-convex or highly distorted elements. Such features are appealing for the treatment of problems whose analysis domains present complex or statistical morphological features, which would generally require careful and time-consuming mesh/data preparation and regularization. In this wor…
A Fiber Optic Strain Gage Sensor for Measuring Preload in Thick Composite Bolted Joints
2019
Mechanical fastening is a popular choice in joining composites because of the ability to transfer high loads and the ease of assembly and disassembly. In this study, the failure behavior of composite–aluminum single lap bolted joint is investigated. In particular, the effects of varying the preload on the bolt are examined. In order to accurately measure the preload, a specialized sensor that uses a fiber Bragg grating sensor embedded in the bolt is proposed and created. This sensor is realized for the current tests but can be expanded to other applications. An experimental study of bolted single-lap joints varying the tightening torque value has been carried out and, in order to validate t…
The effect of through-thickness compressive stress on mode II interlaminar fracture toughness
2017
Abstract The effect of through-thickness compressive stress on mode II interlaminar fracture toughness is investigated experimentally and replicated numerically. The modified Transverse Crack Tensile specimen recently proposed by the authors is used, together with an experimental device designed to apply a constant transverse compressive stress on the surface of the specimen. Experiments are conducted using IM7/8552 specimens for different compressive stresses, ranging from 0 to 100 MPa, covering all the practical applications commonly encountered in the aeronautical industry (e.g., tightened filled holes or bolted joints). It is shown that mode II interlaminar fracture toughness increases …