Graphical method based on modified maximum force criterion to indicate forming limit curves of 22MnB5 boron steel sheets at elevated temperatures

A new approach for predicting forming limit curves(FLCs)at elevated temperatures was proposed herein.FLCs are often used to predict failure and determine the optimal forming parameters of automotive parts.First,a graphical method based on a modified maximum force criterion was applied to estimate the FLCs of 22MnB5 boron steel sheets at room temperature using various hardening laws.Subsequently,the predicted FLC data at room temperature were compared with corresponding data obtained from Nakazima's tests to obtain the best prediction.To estimate the FLC at elevated temperatures,tensile tests were conducted at various temperatures to determine the ratios of equivalent fracture strains between the corresponding elevated temperatures and room temperature.FLCs at elevated temperatures could be established based on obtained ratios.However,the predicted FLCs at elevated temperatures did not agree well with the corresponding FLC experimental data of Zhou et al.A new method was proposed herein to improve the prediction of FLCs at elevated temperatures.An FLC calculated at room tem-perature was utilized to predict the failure of Nakazima's samples via finite element simulation.Based on the simulation results at room temperature,the mathematical relationships between the equivalent ductile fracture strain versus stress triaxiality and strain ratio were established and then combined with ratios between elevated and room temperatures to calculate the FLCs at different temperatures.The predicted FLCs at elevated temperatures agree well with the corresponding experimental FLC data.

A theoretical model for the estimation of maximum impact force from a rockfall based on contact theory

Rockfall poses a great threat to buildings and personal security. To understand the dynamic characteristics of rockfalls is a prerequisite for disaster prevention and assessment. Models for rockfalls in different forms are established based on the theory of rigid body motion. The equivalent velocity considering the rotational effect is determined by the energy ratio. Besides, considering plastic deformation and nonlinear hardening, the maximum impact force is estimated based on the Hertz contact theory. Then, a case study is carried out to illustrate the applicability of the model and sensitive analyses on some affecting parameters are also made. Calculation results show that the maximum impact force increases with the increasing of incident velocity, angle and slope gradient reflected by the changing of energy ratio. Moreover, the model for the estimation of maximum impact force is validated by two different scales of experiments and compared with other theoretical models. Simulated maximum impact forces agree well with the experiments.

Development of the artificial seabed technology and implementation pretrial well in the South China Sea

This paper introduces the recent highly significant activity of China Oilfield Services Ltd. （COSL） in the South China Sea, where COSL conducted pretrial drilling in June of 2008. The paper discusses some key research and new practices which led to the fabrication of related equipment which was evaluated in the trial. The market for deepwater drilling in the world has grown over the past 10 years but there are few drilling vessels or platforms suitable for drilling in deepwater or super deepwater. China needs equipment capable of deepwater drilling operations. COSL has some semisubmersible platforms, but they are only considered suitable for operations in water depths less than 475 m. An enabling technology, referred to as an artificial seabed, has been under development by COSL since 2004, and it applies the research results and experiences of many experts in deepwater drilling. COSL hopes this technology will allow drilling to depths of approximately 1 000-1 500m with its current platforms. The paper presents research progress and improvements in fabrication and necessary upgrades to equipment for extending deepwater drilling. The pretrial well was executed at a water depth of nearly 500m. COSL will drill the trial well around 2009 at the same location in the South China Sea.

Prediction of forming limit curve for pure titanium sheet

Commercially pure titanium（CP Ti） has been actively used in the plate heat exchanger due to its light weight, high specific strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. However, researches for the plastic deformation characteristics and press formability of the CP Ti sheet are not much in comparison with automotive steels and aluminum alloys. The mechanical properties and hardening behavior evaluated in stress-strain relation of the CP Ti sheet are clarified in relation with press formability. The flow curve denoting true stress-true strain relation for CP Ti sheet is fitted well by the Kim-Tuan hardening equation rather than Voce and Swift models. The forming limit curve（FLC） of CP Ti sheet as a criterion for press formability was experimentally evaluated by punch stretching test and analytically predicted via Hora＇s modified maximum force criterion. The predicted FLC by adopting Kim-Tuan hardening model and appropriate yield function shows good correlation with the experimental results of punch stretching test.

Equivalent damping of SDOF structure with Maxwell damper

To predict the maximum earthquake response of an SDOF structure with a Maxwell fluid damper or supplemental brace-viscous damper system using the seismic design response spectrum technique,a new approach is presented to determine the first-and second-order equivalent viscous damping and stiffness,the peak responses,and the damper force of the above structure.Based on the fact that the dynamic characteristics of a general linear viscoelastically damped structure are fully determined by its free vibration properties and the relaxation time constants of a Maxwell fluid damper and supplemental brace-viscous damper system in engineering practice are all small,the method of improved multiple time scales and the equivalent criterion in which all free vibration properties are the same are used to obtain the first-and second-order equivalent viscous damping and stiffness of the above structure in closed form.The accuracy of the proposed method is higher and significantly better than that of the modal strain energy method.Furthermore,in the parametric range of the requirements of the Chinese ＂Code for Seismic Design of Buildings＂,the error of the proposed second-order equivalent system for the abovementioned engineering structure is not more than 0.5%.

Study on the resistance spot welding technology of 22MnMoB hot stamping quenched steel

In this paper, the spot welding technology of a new kind of 22MnMoB hot stamping quenched steel sheet was systematically studied by power frequency spot welder. Through a series of technology and test experiments, we have obtained the optimal spot welding technological parameter condition. According to the results, the relations among spot welding technological parameter, welding nugget, mechanical property and fracture mode were discussed. The effects of all the welding parameters such as welding current, welding time and electrode force on the quality of joint can be boiled down to one thing--the diameter of welding nugget. The experimental results showed that welding nugget diameter determines the mechanical property of spot welding joint and the relation between welding nugget diameter and the mechanical property of joint presents a kind of linear mathematic representation. There are two typical fracture models of 22MnMoB hot stamping quenched steel sheet, i.e., interracial fracture and nugget pullout. Other than mild steel or normal high strength steel, in the shearing tensile test, hot stamping quenched steel has a great tendency to fail in interfacial mode due to the effects of high strength matrix structure, welding soft zone and the porosity level of fusion zone.

Interaction analysis of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls

Back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls （BBMSEWs） are encountered in bridge approaches, ramp ways, rockfall protection systems, earth dams, levees and noise barriers. However, available design guidelines for BBMSEWs are limited and not applicable to numerical modeling when back-to-back walls interact with each other. The objective of this paper is to investigate, using PLAXIS code, the effects of the reduction in the distance between BBMSEW, the reinforcement length, the quality of backfill material and the connection of reinforcements in the middle, when the back-to-back walls are close. The results indicate that each of the BBMSEWs behaves independently if the width of the embankment between mechanically stabilized earth walls is greater than that of the active zone. This is in good agreement with the result of FHWA design guideline. However, the results show that the FHWA design guideline underestimates the lateral earth pressure when back-to-back walls interact with each other. Moreover, for closer BBMSEWs, FHWA design guideline strongly overestimates the maximum tensile force in the reinforcement. The investigation of the quality of backfill material shows that the minor increase in embankment cohesion can lead to significant reductions in both the lateral earth pressure and the maximum tensile force in geosynthetic. When the distance between the two earth walls is close to zero, the connection of reinforcement between back-to-back walls significantly improves the factor of safety.

Maximizing the Minimum and Maximum Forcing Numbers of Perfect Matchings of Graphs

Let G be a simple graph with 2n vertices and a perfect matching.The forcing number f(G,M) of a perfect matching M of G is the smallest cardinality of a subset of M that is contained in no other perfect matching of G.Among all perfect matchings M of G,the minimum and maximum values of f(G,M) are called the minimum and maximum forcing numbers of G,denoted by f(G) and F(G),respectively.Then f(G)≤F(G) ≤n-1.Che and Chen(2011) proposed an open problem:how to characterize the graphs G with f(G)=n-1.Later they showed that for a bipartite graph G,f(G)=n-1 if and only if G is complete bipartite graph K_(n,n).In this paper,we completely solve the problem of Che and Chen,and show that f(G)=n-1 if and only if G is a complete multipartite graph or a graph obtained from complete bipartite graph K_(n,n) by adding arbitrary edges in one partite set.For all graphs G with F(G)=n-1,we prove that the forcing spectrum of each such graph G forms an integer interval by matching 2-switches and the minimum forcing numbers of all such graphs G form an integer interval from [n/2] to n-1.

A Comparison of the Effect of 20-and 40-Min Session Durations of External Counterpulsation on Neuromuscular Function,Cortisol and Comfort in Physically Active Young Men

Objectives External Counterpulsation (ECP) is a well-established treatment for coronary disease,with interest growing in the potential to act as a sports recovery modality or pre-performance strategy.This pilot study compared the effects of dif-ferent ECP durations upon neuromuscular function (NF),cortisol and subjective perceptions in a rested state.Methods Eleven physically active male volunteers received two ECP treatments (Renew Sport,Singapore) of differing duration (20-min and 40-min) in a randomised,repeated measures crossover design.Testing occurred pre-ECP,post-ECP,and 24-h post-ECP.NF testing comprised counter-movement jumps (CMJs) and 6-s sprint cycling.Saliva samples were analysed for cortisol.Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE,6 to 20) and Bipolar Comfort Scales (-10 to 10) quantified partici-pants' experiences,and ECP duration preference was examined.Repeated measures ANOVA and effect size (ES:Cohen's d) analysed NF and cortisol results.Paired t-tests analysed RPE and comfort ratings.Results ECP demonstrated no effect,neither positive nor negative,upon NF outcome measures in both groups.A trend of reduced salivary cortisol levels across both groups following ECP was observed (P =0.066).No RPE difference existed between groups.20-min of ECP was rated as significantly more comfortable than 40-min (P < 0.05) and participants pre-dominantly identified the 20-min ECP session as "more acceptable".Conclusions These results indicate that there were no effects for either duration upon the defined outcome measures,and thus,in these circumstances,no differences between the two durations were observed with respect to effects upon NF and salivary cortisol.The use of ECP warrants further investigation for potential benefits to performance before it can be proposed as an effective preparatory modality.