Lateral earth pressure of granular backfills on retaining walls with expanded polystyrene geofoam inclusions under limited surcharge loading

Existing studies have focused on the behavior of the retaining wall equipped with expanded polystyrene(EPS)geofoam inclusions under semi-infinite surcharge loading rather than limited surcharge loading.In this paper,the failure mode and the earth pressure acting on the rigid retaining wall with EPS geofoam inclusions and granular backfills(henceforth referred to as EPS-wall),under limited surcharge loading are investigated through two-and three-dimensional model tests.The testing results show that different from the sliding of almost all the backfill in the EPS-wall under semi-infinite surcharge loading,only an approximately triangular backfill slides in the wall under limited surcharge loading.The distribution of the lateral earth pressure on the EPS-wall under limited surcharge loading is non-linear,and the distribution changes from the increase of the wall depth to the decrease with the increase of the limited surcharge loading.An approach based on the force equilibrium of a differential element is developed to predict the lateral earth pressure behind the EPS-wall subjected to limited surcharge loading,and its performance was fully validated by the three-dimensional model tests.

ELASTIC MODULUS REDUCTION METHOD FOR LIMIT LOAD EVALUATION OF FRAME STRUCTURES

A new strategy for elastic modulus adjustment is proposed based on the element bearing ratio （EBR）,and the elastic modulus reduction method （EMRM） is proposed for limit load evaluation of frame structures. The EBR is defined employing the generalized yield criterion,and the reference EBR is determined by introducing the extrema and the degree of uniformity of EBR in the structure. The elastic modulus in the element with an EBR greater than the reference one is reduced based on the linear elastic finite element analysis and the equilibrium of strain energy. The lower-bound of limit-loads of frame structures are analyzed and the numerical example demonstrates the flexibility,accuracy and effciency of the proposed method.

Fatigue Life Prediction under Service Load Considering Strengthening Effect of Loads below Fatigue Limit

Lightweight design requires an accurate life prediction for structures and components under service loading histories. However, predicted life with the existing methods seems too conservative in some cases, leading to a heavy structure. Because these methods are established on the basis that load cycles would only cause fatigue damage, ignore the strengthening effect of loads. Based on Palmgren-Miner Rule （PMR）, this paper introduces a new method for fatigue life prediction under service loadings by taking into account the strengthening effect of loads below the fatigue limit. In this method, the service loadings are classified into three categories： damaging load, strengthening load and none-effect load, and the process for fatigue life prediction is divided into two stages： stage I and stage II, according to the best strengthening number of cycles. During stage I, fatigue damage is calculated considering both the strengthening and damaging effect of load cycles. While during stage II, only the damaging effect is considered. To validate this method, fatigue lives of automobile half shaft and torsion beam rear axle are calculated based on the new method and traditional methods, such as PMR and Modified Miner Rule （MMR）, and fatigue tests of the two components are conducted under service loading histories. The tests results show that the percentage errors of the predicted life with the new method to mean life of tests for the two components are –3.78% and –1.76% separately, much lesser than that with PMR and MMR. By considering the strengthening effect of loads below the fatigue limit, the new method can significantly improve the accuracy for fatigue life prediction. Thus lightweight design can be fully realized in the design stage.

Limit Load Solution for Electron Beam Welded Joints with Single Edge Weld Center Crack in Tension

Limit loads are widely studied and several limit load solutions are proposed to some typical geometry of weldments.However,there are no limit load solutions exist for the single edge crack weldments in tension（SEC（T））,which is also a typical geometry in fracture analysis.The mis-matching limit load for thick plate with SEC（T） are investigated and the special limit load solutions are proposed based on the available mis-matching limit load solutions and systematic finite element analyses.The real weld configurations are simplified as a strip,and different weld strength mis-matching ratio M,crack depth/width ratio a/W and weld width 2H are in consideration.As a result,it is found that there exists excellent agreement between the limit load solutions and the FE results for almost all the mis-matching ration M,a/W and ligament-to-weld width ratio（W-a）/H.Moreover,useful recommendations are given for evaluating the limit loads of the EBW structure with SEC（T）.For the EBW joints with SEC（T）,the mis-matching limit loads can be obtained assuming that the components are wholly made of base metal,when M changing from 1.6 to 0.6.When M decreasing to 0.4,the mis-matching limit loads can be obtained assuming that the components are wholly made of base metal only for large value of（W-a）/H.The recommendations may be useful for evaluating the limit loads of the EBW structures with SEC（T）.The engineering simplifications are given for assessing the limit loads of electron beam welded structure with SEC（T）.

Limit equilibrium stability analysis of slopes under external loads

Two calculation modes for the effect of external load on slope stability, i.e., mode I in which the external load is thought to act on slope surface, and mode II in which the external load is thought to act on slip surface along the force action line, were considered. Meanwhile, four basic distribution patterns of external load were used, of which complex external loads could be composed. In analysis process, several limit equilibrium methods, such as Swedish method, simplified Bishop method, simplified Janbu method, Spencer method, Morgenstern-Price(M-P) method, Sarma method, and unbalanced thrust method, were also adopted to contrast their differences in slope stability under the external load. According to parametric analysis, some conclusions can be obtained as follows:(1) The external load, with the large magnitude, small inclination angle, and acting position close to the slope toe,has more positive effect on slope stability;(2) The results calculated using modes I and II of external load are similar, indicating that the calculation mode of external load has little influence on slope stability;(3) If different patterns of external loads are equivalent to each other, their slope stability under these external loads are the same, and if not, the external load leads to the better slope stability,as action position of the resultant force for external load is closer to the lower sliding point of slip surface.

PLASTIC LIMIT LOAD ANALYSIS OF DEFECTIVE PIPELINES

The integrity assessment of defective pipelines represents a practically important task of structural analysis and design in various technological areas,such as oil and gas indus- try,power plant engineering and chemical factories.An iterative algorithm is presented for the kinematic limit analysis of 3-D rigid-perfectly plastic bodies.A numerical path scheme for radial loading is adopted to deal with complex multi-loading systems.The numerical procedure has been applied to carry out the plastic collapse analysis of pipelines with part-through slot under internal pressure,bending moment and axial force.The effects of various shapes and sizes of part-through slots on the collapse loads of pipelines are systematically investigated and evaluated.Some typical failure modes corresponding to different configurations of slots and loading forms are studied.

FRACTURE LIMIT LOAD OF CONE SHAPE PART IN DRAWING PROCESS

The deformation characters and load status of the blank＇s potential fracture zone are analyzed at the moment when blank is approaching to punch comer in drawing process of cone shape part. Based on tension instability theory, the formula for calculating fracture limit load of cone shape part in drawing process is derived. Also, the formula is analyzed and verified by experiment.

Limit Load Analysis of Pipes with Local Wall-thinning

The loss of metal in a pipe due to corrosion usually results in localized thinned areas with various depths and an irregular shape on its surface. In this paper, a number of numerical models of pipes with different size defects are established. The limit loads of these pipes are researched using the nonlinear finite element method. The effect of defect parameters of the local wall-thinning pipes on the limit load is discussed. The results show that limit loads decrease obviously when the depths and lengths of the defect increase. However, when the defect length reaches a certain value, the effect of defect length on limit loads is not significant. These results are compared with the results of the method of API 579. When the defect length is adequately small, the results of FEM are in good agreement with the ones of APl 579, but when the defect depth and length is adequately large, the API 579 is not suitable.

An Analysis on Limit Load for Corroded Submarine Pipelines

By means of elastic-plastic finite element analysis, a systematic nonlinear analysis of material and geometry has been carried out for submarine pipelines. A criterion for deriving limit load is studied. Based on this criterion, the limit load for corroded submarine pipelines is calculated. The corrosion length, corrosion depth and corrosion width affect the limit load. A solution to limit load is proposed and proved valid through comparison of the solution with burst test results and ASME B31G solutions.

A Multi-mode Electronic Load Sensing Control Scheme with Power Limitation and Pressure Cut-off for Mobile Machinery

In mobile machinery,hydro-mechanical pumps are increasingly replaced by electronically controlled pumps to improve the automation level,but diversified control functions(e.g.,power limitation and pressure cut-off)are integrated into the electronic controller only from the pump level,leading to the potential instability of the overall system.To solve this problem,a multi-mode electrohydraulic load sensing(MELS)control scheme is proposed especially considering the switching stability from the system level,which includes four working modes of flow control,load sensing,power limitation,and pressure control.Depending on the actual working requirements,the switching rules for the different modes and the switching direction(i.e.,the modes can be switched bilaterally or unilaterally)are defined.The priority of different modes is also defined,from high to low:pressure control,power limitation,load sensing,and flow control.When multiple switching rules are satisfied at the same time,the system switches to the control mode with the highest priority.In addition,the switching stability between flow control and pressure control modes is analyzed,and the controller parameters that guarantee the switching stability are obtained.A comparative study is carried out based on a test rig with a 2-ton hydraulic excavator.The results show that the MELS controller can achieve the control functions of proper flow supplement,power limitation,and pressure cut-off,which has good stability performance when switching between different control modes.This research proposes the MELS control method that realizes the stability of multi-mode switching of the hydraulic system of mobile machinery under different working conditions.

A new calculation method for axial load capacity of separated concrete-filled steel tubes based on limit equilibrium theory

A new calculation method for axial load capacity of separated concrete-filled steel tubes based on limit equilibrium theory was proposed,which took into account the decrease of confinement effect by steel tube and the non-uniform distribution of ultimate stress in cored concrete.The accuracy of the analytical result is validated through running the numerical result by finite element method (FEM) and experimental data as well.The influences of the key parameters on the load capacity of the concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) was studied,including the separation ratio,concrete compressive strength,and steel strength.The results indicate that the load capacity of the tube increases with concrete strength and steel strength under the separation ratio less than 4%,while decreases with a higher separation ratio improved.

A Discusion on Limited Load-Carrying Capacity of Rectangular Plates

The elastic-plastic method is often used in designing the inner flat bulkhead plates of submarines, and the upper structure of ships and drilling platforms. Such bulkhead plates can bear the load only once. For the improvement of the load-carrying capacity or the reduction of the weight of plates, the yield line analytical method is employed in this paper to design the bulkhead plate to improve economy and increase the effiective load. Besides, a further sutdy of this method has been made theoretically and experimentally, and the data of the limited load-carrying capacity of the plate have been obtained. Furthermore, the safety coefficients for such a method are presented, which can be used as reference for related departments and staffs.

Study on Limited Filamentous Sludge Bulking Test in A/O Activated Sludge Process

[Objective] This study aimed to make use of the limited filamentous sludge bulking characteristics to purify water quality and save energy. [Method] The effects of dissolved oxygen （DO） on sludge bulking were explored by changing the DO con- centration in the aerobiotic pool of NO system from the low load （0.25 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）） and the medium to high load （0.55 kgCOD/（kg MLSSod））. [Result] In the NO activated sludge system, when the sludge load was 0.25 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）, DO=1.5 mg/L, the sludge index was at around 250, while when the sludge load- ing was 0.55 kg COD/（kg MLSS.d）, DO=1.5 mg/L, the sludge index was close to 300, occurring the limited filamentous bulking. The bulked sludge still showed high removal rates to COD, SS, nitrogen and phosphorus. [Conclusion] It could improve the oxygen transfer rate and reduce the aeration rate at low DO conditions to achieve energy-saving.

Study on Failure Mechanism and Bearing Capacity of Three-Dimensional Rectangular Footing Subjected to Combined Loading

This paper presents two kinematic failure mechanisms of threc-dimensional rectangular footing resting on homogeneous undrained clay foundation under uniaxial vertical loading and uniaxial moment loading. The failure mechanism under vertical loading comprises a plane strain Prandti-type mechanism over the central part of the longer side, and the size of the mechanism gradually reduces at the ends of the longer side and over the shorter side as the corner of rectangular footing is being approached where the direction of soil motion remains normal to each corresponding side respectively. The failure mechanism under moment loading comprises a plane strain scoop sliding mechanism over the central part of the longer side, and the radius of scoop sliding mechanism increases linearly at the ends of the longer side. On the basis of the kinematic failure mechanisms mentioned above, the vertical ultimate bearing capacity and the ultimate bearing capacity against moment or moment ultimate bearing capacity are obtained by use of upper bound limit analysis theory. At the same time, numerical analysis results, Skempton＇ s results and Salgado et al. ＇s results are compared with this upper bound solution. It shows that the presented failure mechanisms and plastic limit analysis predictions are validated. In order to investigate the behaviors of undrained clay foundation beneath the rectangular footing subjected to the combined loadings, numerical analysis is adopted by virtue of the general-purpose FEM software ABAQUS, where the clay is assumed to obey the Mohr-Coulomb yielding criterion. The failure envelope and the ultimate bearing capacity are achieved by the numerical analysis results with the varying aspect ratios from length L to breadth B of the rectangular footing. The failure mechanisms of rectangular footing which are subjected to the combined vertical loading V and horizontal loading H （Vertical loading V and moment loading M, and horizontal loading H and moment loading M respectively are observed in the finite element analysis. ） is explained by use of the upper bound plasticity limit analysis theory. Finally, the reason of eccentricity of failure envelope in H-M loading space is given in this study, which can not be explained by use of the traditional ＇ swipe test＇.

Three-dimensional stability analysis of anisotropic and non-homogeneous slopes using limit analysis

A method of three-dimensional loaded slope stability for anisotropic and nonhomogeneous slopes was presented based on the upper-bound theorem of the limit analysis approach. The approach can be considered as a modification and extension of the solutions. The influences of friction angle, anisotropy factor, nonhomogeneous factor, slope angle, ratio of width to depth, and load on the slope crest were investigated. The results show that solutions are suitable to deal with the purely cohesive soils and frictional/cohesive soils, isotropic and anisotropic, homogeneous and nonhomogeneous, loaded and unloaded cases.

Molecular dynamics analysis on bending mechanical behavior of alumina nanowires at different loading rates

The molecular dynamics(MD)model ofα-Al_(2)O_(3) nanowires in bending is established by using LAMMPS to calculate the atomic stress and strain at different loading rates in order to study the effect of loading rate on the bending mechanical behaviors of theα-Al_(2)O_(3) nanowires.Research results show that the maximum surface stress−rotation angle curves ofα-Al_(2)O_(3) nanowires at different loading rates are all divided into three stages of elastic deformation,plastic deformation and failure,where the elastic limit point can be determined by the curve symmetry during loading and unloading cycle.The loading rate has great influence on the plastic deformation but little on the elastic modulus ofα-Al_(2)O_(3) nanowires.When the loading rate is increased,the plastic deformation stage is shortened and the material is easier to fail in brittle fracture.Therefore,the elastic limit and the strength limit(determined by the direct and indirect MD simulation methods)are closer to each other.The MD simulation result ofα-Al_(2)O_(3) nanowires is verified to be valid by the good agreement with the improved loop test results.The direct MD method becomes an effective way to determine the elastic limit and the strength limit of nanoscale whiskers failed in brittle or ductile fracture at arbitrary loading rate.

Towards establishing practical multi-hazard bridge design limit states

In the U.S., the current Load and Resistance Factor Design （LRFD） Specifications for highway bridges is a reliability-based formulation that considers failure probabilities of bridge components due to the actions of typical dead load and frequent vehicular loads. Various extreme load effects, such as earthquake and vessel collision, are on the same reliability-based platform. Since these extreme loads are time variables, combining them with not considered frequent. non- extreme loads is a significant challenge. The number of design limit state equations based on these failure probabilities can be unrealistically large and unnecessary from the view point of practical applications. Based on the opinion of AASHTO State Bridge Engineers, many load combinations are insignificant in their states. This paper describes the formulation of a criterion to include only the necessary load combinations to establish the design limit states. This criterion is established by examining the total failure probabilities for all possible time-invariant and time varying load combinations and breaking them down into partial terms. Then, important load combinations can be readily determined quantitatively,

Analytic Solution of Elasto-Plastic Stress in Infinite Slope under Uniform Load

According to the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion, the stress field of the infinite slope is derived under a vertical uniform load q on the top of the slope. It is indicated that elastic and elasto-plastic states would occur in the slope. When q is smaller than the critical load, q(p), the slope is in the elastic state. If q equals q(p), the slope is in the critical state, and the plastic deformation would occur along the critical angle. With the increase of q, the plastic zone would extend, and the slope is in the elasto-plastic State. If q equals limit load, the slope is in the limit equilibrium state. The slope may be divided into three zones. Some charts of the critical angle, the critical and limit load coefficients are presented in this paper.

Limit Requirements Simulation of Sundial Solar Tracking Machine

Sundial solar tracking machines are machines that tracking the sun,and can promote sunshine receiving efficiency of solar panels.Their operations are strongly influenced by wind load.Previous studies were focused on tracking accuracy and tracking methods,the influence of wind load to the operation of the tracking machines has not caused enough attention,so that many tracking machines did not have the reasonable design basis,which led to unreasonable design and high maintenance costs,and had seriously influenced the application and popularization of the tracking machines.Therefore,the 16 m2 sundial solar tracking machine is taken as research object from the perspective of wind load.A series of computational fluid dynamics（CFD） analyses are carried out on the model of the 16 m2 sundial solar tracking machine.Firstly,in order to make CFD analyses carry on smoothly,after the three-dimensional solid model is established,the model is simplified,and grids are meshed on the simplified model.Then,in the virtual environment,to make the simulation closer to real but at the same time not too complex to make simulation hard to realize,assumptions of the nature of air flow are conducted,boundary conditions of the analyses are set reasonably,and appropriate CFD analysis solver is also chosen.Finally,the results of the CFD analyses are also analyzed and sorted;and limit requirements（i.e.,force conditions of limit case）,such as the maximum load and the maximum total torque,are provided for the further finite element analyses（FEA） and the optimization design of the products.This paper presents an effective computer simulation analysis method for the design and optimization of this type of solar tracking machine,and this method can greatly shorten the development cycle and cost.