Selection of shaped charges parameters for producing aluminum particles with velocities in the range of 2.5-16 km/s

Testing rocket and space technology objects in ground conditions for resistance to the impact of meteoroids and fragments of space debris can be carried out using shaped charges. To substantiate the design parameters of shaped charges that ensure the formation of aluminum particles in a wide velocity range(from 2.5 to 16 km/s), numerical modeling of the formation process was carried out within the framework of a two-dimensional axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics using three different computing codes to increase the reliability of the results. The calculations consider shaped charges with a diameter of 20-100 mm with aluminum liners of various shapes. It is shown that the formation of particles with velocities close to the lower limit of the considered range is ensured by gently sloping segmental liners of degressive thickness. To form higher-velocity particles with velocities over 5 km/s, it is proposed to use combined liners, the jet-forming part of which has the shape of a hemisphere of constant thickness or the shape of a semi-ellipsoid or semi-superellipsoid of rotation of degressive thickness.

Machine learning optimization strategy of shaped charge liner structure based on jet penetration efficiency

Shaped charge liner(SCL)has been extensively applied in oil recovery and defense industries.Achieving superior penetration capability through optimizing SCL structures presents a substantial challenge due to intricate rate-dependent processes involving detonation-driven liner collapse,high-speed jet stretching,and penetration.This study introduces an innovative optimization strategy for SCL structures that employs jet penetration efficiency as the primary objective function.The strategy combines experimentally validated finite element method with machine learning(FEM-ML).We propose a novel jet penetration efficiency index derived from enhanced cutoff velocity and shape characteristics of the jet via machine learning.This index effectively evaluates the jet penetration performance.Furthermore,a multi-model fusion based on a machine learning optimization method,called XGBOOST-MFO,is put forward to optimize SCL structure over a large input space.The strategy's feasibility is demonstrated through the optimization of copper SCL implemented via the FEM-ML strategy.Finally,this strategy is extended to optimize the structure of the recently emerging CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy conical liners and hemispherical copper liners.Therefore,the strategy can provide helpful guidance for the engineering design of SCL.

The interaction between a shaped charge jet and a single moving plate

Reactive armour is a very efficient add-on armour against shaped charge threats.Explosive reactive armour consists of one or several plates that are accelerated by an explosive.Similar but less violent acceleration of plates can also be achieved in a completely inert reactive armour.To be efficient against elongated jets,the motion of the plates needs to be inclined against the jet such that a sliding contact between the jet and the plates is established.This sliding contact causes a deflection and thinning of the jet.Under certain circumstances,the contact will become unstable,leading to severe disturbances on the jet.These disturbances will drastically reduce the jet penetration performance and it is therefore of interest to study the conditions that leads to an unstable contact.Previous studies on the interaction between shaped charge jets and flyer plates have shown that it is mainly the forward moving plate in an explosive reactive armour that is effective in disturbing the jet.This is usually attributed to the higher plate-to-jet mass flux ratio involved in the collision of the forward moving plate compared to the backward moving plate.For slow moving plates,as occurs in inert reactive armour,the difference in mass flux for the forward and backward moving plate is much lesser,and it is therefore of interest to study if other factors than the mass flux influences on the protection capability.In this work,experiments have been performed where a plate is accelerated along its length,interacting with a shaped charge jet that is fired at an oblique angle to the plate’s normal,either against or along the plate’s velocity.The arrangement corresponds to a jet interacting with a flyer plate from a reactive armour,with the exception that the collision velocity is the same for both types of obliquities in these experiments.The experiments show that disturbances on the jet are different in the two cases even though the collision velocities are the same.Numerical simulations of the interaction support the observation.The difference is attributed to the character of the contact pressure in the interaction region.For a backward moving plate,the maximum contact pressure is obtained at the beginning of the interaction zone and the contact pressure is therefore higher upstream than downstream of the jet while the opposite is true for a forward moving plate.A negative interface pressure gradient with respect to the jet motion results in a more stable flow than a positive,which means that the jet-plate contact is more stable for a backward moving plate than for a forward moving plate.A forward moving plate is thus more effective in disturbing the jet than a backward moving plate,not only because of the higher jet to plate mass flux ratio but also because of the character of the contact with the jet.

J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals

Background The prospective association of dietary thiamine intake with the risk of cognitive decline among the general older adults remains uncertain.Aims To investigate the association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals.Methods The study included a total of 3106 participants capable of completing repeated cognitive function tests.Dietary nutrient intake information was collected through 3-day dietary recalls and using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption.Cognitive decline was defined as the 5-year decline rate in global or composite cognitive scores based on a subset of items from the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified.Results The median follow-up duration was 5.9 years.There was a J-shaped relationship between dietary thiamine intake and the 5-year decline rate in global and composite cognitive scores,with an inflection point of 0.68 mg/day(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.56 to 0.80)and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.Before the inflection point,thiamine intake was not significantly associated with cognitive decline.Beyond the inflection point,each unit increase in thiamine intake(mg/day)was associated with a significant decrease of 4.24(95%Cl:2.22 to 6.27)points in the global score and 0.49(95%Cl:0.23 to 0.76)standard units in the composite score within 5 years.A stronger positive association between thiamine intake and cognitive decline was observed in those with hypertension,obesity and those who were non-smokers(all p<0.05).Conclusions This study revealed a J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals,with an inflection point at 0.68 mg/day and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.

Arc additive manufacturing of gradient hot forging die with shaped waterways

Under the working environment of high temperature and strong load impact,hot forging die is prone to failure which reduces the service life of die.Using arc additive manufacturing in the die cavity,a gradient material hot forging die with high precision,superior per-formance,and conformal cooling channels is developed.This improves the toughness of the die cavity and reduces the working temperature,thereby forming an isothermal field,which is an effective method to enhance the lifespan of the hot forging die.Three kinds of gradient flux-cored wires are designed for the surface of 5CrNiMo steel,and the microstructure and mechanical properties between gradient interfaces were studied.Based on the spatial curved structure of shaped waterways in the hot forging die cavity,a study was conducted on the strategy of partitioned forming for the manufacturing of the die with shaped waterways.In order to avoid interference with the arc gun,the hot for-ging die is divided into four regions,namely the transition region,upper,middle,and lower region,based on a combination of cavity depth and internal U-shaped and quadrilateral structures.The results show that the developed flux-cored wires have good moldability with straight sides of deposited metal under different process parameters and flat surface without cracks,pores and other defects.Under the same working conditions,the life of hot forging die formed by the gradient materials is more than multiple times that of the single material hot forging die,and the temperature gradient field of the shaped waterway die is 7℃/cm smaller than that of traditional straight waterway.

Study on jet formation behavior and optimization of trunconical hypercumulation shaped charge structure

Combining the methods of theoretical,numerical and experimental,this research focuses on the jet formation behavior and optimization of trunconical hypercumulation shaped charge structure.With the three-stage division,formation theory of trunconical hypercumulation shaped charge jet is established based on micro element method.By dimensional analysis,main control parameters are identified and their effect on jet formation are analyzed.Through numerical modelling and orthogonal optimization method,influence of the factors and their levels over the indicators of jet tip velocity and jet length as well as order of the significance of each factor and level are obtained.Penetration experiments of trunconical hypercumulation shaped charge based on the orthogonal optimization reveals its advantage over traditional conical shaped charge structure,and finally determines the optimal influence factor level combination.The research and results would provide useful guide for the design and application of trunconical hypercumulation shaped charge structure.

Experimental and numerical study on the influence of shaped charge liner cavity filing on jet penetration characteristics in steel targets

Penetration characteristic(size and shape of penetration craters made in high hardness ARMSTAL 30PM steel) of shaped charge jets formed after detonations of modified PG-7VM warheads was analyzed in the article. Modifications consisted in removing the frontal part of the grenade(fuse, ballistic cap and conductive cone) and introducing of the liner cavity filling made of polyacetal copolymer POM-C. The filings in the form of solid cones with three different heights(33%, 66% and 100% of H-the height of original PG-7VM liner) were placed inside of the hollow cone shaped charge liner. As opposed to the vast majority of previously published works(in which warhead optimization studies were focused on increasing of the depth of penetration in rolled homogeneous armor steel) the main aim of the presented modifications was to maximize the damage ratio(diameters of craters, inlet and outlet holes) of target perforated by shaped charge jet at the cost of the loss of part of the jet penetration capability. According to the best knowledge of the authors such approach to the use of the old PG-7VM warheads has not been analyzed so far. Taking into consideration high stock levels of PG-7VM warheads, and the fact that they are continuously being replaced by more efficient and more sophisticated high-explosive anti-tank warheads, it seems reasonable to look for alternate applications of the warheads withdrawn from the service. Thanks to the introduction of proposed modifications the warheads could be used by special forces or other assault units as directional mines or statically detonated cutting shaped charges as well as by combat engineers as universal charges used in various types of engineering or sapper works. The research included experimental penetration tests and their numerical reproduction in the LS-Dyna software with the simulation methodology defined and validated in previous works of the authors.Small differences(average error = 10-20%) were identified between the experimental and numerical results(dimensions of craters made in steel targets were compared) what confirmed the reliability of the modelling methodology and enabled its use for further optimization of the shapes of fillings. Within the analyzed variants of warheads modifications maximum diameters of penetration craters were obtained for the filling of the height of h = 2/3H. The diameters of holes in individual steel plates were increased by 164%, 70%, 65%(for the first, second and third plate, respectively) in relation to the variant without filling. The results of the study indicated that with the use of different materials of fillings and their various heights it is possible to control the shape of penetration craters pierced in the steel targets.

Influence of the Inclination Angle on Mixed Convection and Heat Transfer in a“T”Shaped Double Enclosure

The effect of the tilt angle on mixed convection and related heat transfer in a“T”shaped double enclosure with four heated obstacles on the bottom surface is numerically investigated.The considered obstacles are constantly kept at a relatively high(fixed)temperature,while the cavity’s upper wall is cooled.The finite volume approach is used to solve the mass,momentum,and energy equations with the SIMPLEC algorithm being exploited to deal with the pressure-velocity coupling.Emphasis is put on the influence of the tilt angle on the solution symmetry,flow structure,and heat exchange through the walls.The following parameters and related ranges are considered:Rayleigh number 104≤Ra≤5.105,tilt angle 0°≤φ≤90°,Reynolds number 100≤Re≤1000,Prandtl number Pr=0.72,block height B=0.5,opening width C=0.15,and distance between blocks D=0.5.The results reveal different branches of solutions on varying Re andφ.They also show that the symmetry of the solution regarding the P_(2)axis is retained for all cases with no tilt and for values of Re between 100 and 1000.

Eye-shaped keyboard for dual-hand text entry in virtual reality

We propose an eye-shaped keyboard for high-speed text entry in virtual reality (VR), having the shape of dual eyes with characters arranged along the curved eyelids, which ensures low density and short spacing of the keys. The eye-shaped keyboard references the QWERTY key sequence, allowing the users to benefit from their experience using the QWERTY keyboard. The user interacts with an eye-shaped keyboard using rays controlled with both the hands. A character can be entered in one step by moving the rays from the inner eye regions to regions of the characters. A high-speed auto-complete system was designed for the eye-shaped keyboard. We conducted a pilot study to determine the optimal parameters, and a user study to compare our eye-shaped keyboard with the QWERTY and circular keyboards. For beginners, the eye-shaped keyboard performed significantly more efficiently and accurately with less task load and hand movement than the circular keyboard. Compared with the QWERTY keyboard, the eye-shaped keyboard is more accurate and significantly reduces hand translation while maintaining similar efficiency. Finally, to evaluate the potential of eye-shaped keyboards, we conducted another user study. In this study, the participants were asked to type continuously for three days using the proposed eye-shaped keyboard, with two sessions per day. In each session, participants were asked to type for 20min, and then their typing performance was tested. The eye-shaped keyboard was proven to be efficient and promising, with an average speed of 19.89 words per minute (WPM) and mean uncorrected error rate of 1.939%. The maximum speed reached 24.97 WPM after six sessions and continued to increase.

Shaped Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying Based Waveform for Fifth Generation Communication

Fifth generation(5G)wireless networks must meet the needs of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things(IoT),Vehicle-to-everything(V2X),Video on Demand(VoD)services,Device to Device communication(D2D)and many other bandwidth-hungry multimedia applications that connect a huge number of devices.5G wireless networks demand better bandwidth efficiency,high data rates,low latency,and reduced spectral leakage.To meet these requirements,a suitable 5G waveform must be designed.In this work,a waveform namely Shaped Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying based Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing(SOQPSK-OFDM)is proposed for 5G to provide bandwidth efficiency,reduced spectral leakage,and Bit Error Rate(BER).The proposed work is evaluated using a real-time Software Defined Radio(SDR)testbed-Wireless open Access Research Platform(WARP).Experimental and simulation results show that the proposed 5G waveform exhibits better BER performance and reduced Out of Band(OOB)radia-tion when compared with other waveforms like Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Key-ing(OQPSK)and Quadrature Phase Shift Keying(QPSK)based OFDM and a 5G waveform candidate Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing(GFDM).BER analysis shows that the proposed SOQPSK-OFDM waveform attains a Signal to Noise Ratio(SNR)gain of 7.2 dB at a BER of 10�3,when compared with GFDM in a real-time indoor environment.An SNR gain of 8 and 6 dB is achieved by the proposed work for a BER of 10�4 when compared with QPSK-OFDM and OQPSK-OFDM signals,respectively.A significant reduction in OOB of nearly 15 dB is achieved by the proposed work SOQPSK-OFDM when compared to 16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation(QAM)mapped OFDM.

《Six Ideas that Shaped Physics》以及其课程实践——以华盛顿大学“物理学导论”的教学为例

为世界各地100多所高等院校所使用的《Six Ideas》(全称《Six Ideas that Shaped Physics》)一书,以在物理学发展的历史长河中有着不可替代地位的6大物理思想为主线改变了以力学、热学、电磁学、光学等传统物理的编排模式.《Six Ideas》的每一卷均按照历史发展的故事线索展开,强调概念和定律的内在思想和应用条件,范题注重用文字或图形转译问题等框架模式;每一单元的内容编排不仅适合学生自学,同时为教师50分钟课堂教学量身定制;是适合学生"主动学习"教学模式可操作性极强的一本难得的物理学导论教材.本篇以此书为教科书的美国华盛顿大学关于E卷第九单元课堂教学案例,展示关于此书的教与学.

Seismic Behavior of Specially Shaped Column Joints with X-Shaped Reinforcement

To investigate the seismic behavior of specially shaped column joints with X-shaped reinforcement,two groups of specimens with or without X-shaped reinforcement in joint core region were tested under constant axial compression load and low reversed cyclic loading,which imitated low to moderate earthquake force.The seismic behavior of specially shaped column joints with X-shaped reinforcement in terms of bearing capacity,displacement,ductility,hysteretic curve,stiffness degradation and energy dissipation was studied and compared to that without Xshaped reinforcement in joint core region.With the damage estimation model,the accumulated damage was analyzed.The shearing capacity formula of specially shaped column joints reinforced by X-shaped reinforcement was proposed with a simple form.The test results show that X-shaped reinforcement is an effective measure for improving the seismic behavior of specially shaped column joints including deformation behavior,ductility and hysteretic characteristic.All specimens were damaged with gradual stiffness degeneration.In addition,X-shaped reinforcement in the joint core region is an effective way to lighten the degree of cumulated damage.The good seismic performance obtained from the specially shaped column joint with X-shaped reinforcement can be used in engineering applications.The test value is higher than the calculated value,which indicates that the formula is safe for the design of specially shaped column joints.

RESEARCH ON T SHAPED HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE MEMBERS SUBJECTED TO AXIAL COMPRESSION AND BIAXIAL BENDING

Based on experiments, a computer program is developed. The calculated results agree well with the experimental results. The flexural behavior of T shaped high strength concrete members subjected to axial compression and biaxial bending is studied. The main factors affecting the flexural behavior of T shaped high strength concrete members are loading angle, axial compression ratio and reinforcement ratio.

Linear Shaped Charge Cutting Property and Charge Cutting Mechanism of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn Alloy

The linear shaped charge cutting technology is an effective technology for aircraft separation.It can separate invalid components from aircrafts timely to achieve light-weight.Magnesium alloy is the lightest metal material,and can be used to cast effective light-weight components of an aircraft construction.However,the application study of the linear shaped charge cutting technology on magnesium alloy components is basically blank.In response to the demand for the linear separation of magnesium alloys,the Mg-12Gd-0.5Y-0.4Zn alloy is selected to carry out the target shaped charge cutting test.The effects of the shaped charge line density,cutting thickness,and mechanical properties on the cutting performance of the alloy are studied.The shaped charge cutting mechanism is analyzed through the notch structure.The results show that the linear shaped charge cutting performance is significantly affected by the penetration and the collapse.The higher the linear density is,the stronger the ability of the linear shaped charge cutter is,and the greater the penetration depth is,which is advantageous.However,the target structure will be damaged when it is too large(e.g.,4.5 g·m^(-1)).Within 12 mm,when the cutting thickness of the target increases,the penetration depth increases.The lower the tensile strength is,the greater the penetration depth is,and the more conducive the penetration depth to the shaped charge cutting is.When the elongation(EL)increases to 12%,the collapse of the target is incomplete and the target cannot be separated.When the tensile strength of the Mg-Gd-Y-Zn alloy is less than 350 MPa,the EL is less than 6.5%,the cutting thickness is less than 12 mm,and the linear shaped charge cutting of the magnesium alloy can be achieved stably.

Experimental investigation of penetration performance of shaped charge into concrete targets

In order to develop a tandem warhead that can effectively destroy concrete targets, this paper explores the penetration performance of shaped charges with different cone angles and liner materials into concrete targets by means of experiments. The penetration process and the destruction mechanism of concrete targets by shaped charges and kinetic energy projectiles are analyzed and compared. Experimental results suggest that both kinetic energetic projectile and shaped charge are capable of destroying concrete targets, but the magnitudes of damage are different. Compared with a kinetic energy projectile, a shaped charge has more significant effect of penetration into the target, and causes very large spalling area. Hence, a shaped charge is quite suitable for first-stage charge of tandem warhead. It is also found that, with the increase of shaped charge liner cone angle, the depth of penetration decreases gradually while the hole diameter becomes larger. Penetration depth with copper liner is larger than of aluminum liner but hole diameter is relatively smaller, and the shaped charge with steel liner is between the above two cases. The shaped charge with a cone angle of 100° can form a jet projectile charge （JPC）. With JPC, a hole with optimum depth and diameter on concrete targets can be formed, which guarantees that the second-stage warhead smoothly penetrates into the hole and explodes at the optimum depth to achieve the desired level of destruction in concrete targets.

Shaped charge penetration into high-and ultrahigh-strength Steel-Fiber reactive powder concrete targets

Experiments on shaped charge penetration into high and ultrahigh strength steel-fiber reactive powder concrete(RPC) targets were performed in this paper.Results show that the variation of penetration depth and crater diameter with concrete strength is different from that of shaped charge penetration into normal strength concrete(NSC).The crater diameter of RPC is smaller than that of NSC penetrated by the shaped charge.The jet particles are strongly disturbed and hardly reach the crater bottom because they pass through the narrow channel formed by jet penetration into the RPC.The effects of radial drift velocity and gap effects of jet particles for a shaped charge penetration into RFC target are discussed.Moreover,a theoretical model is presented to describe the penetration of shaped charge into RPC target.As the concrete strength increases,the penetration resistance increases and the entrance crater diameter decreases.Given the drift velocity and narrow crater channel,the low-velocity jet particles can hardly reach the crater bottom to increase the penetration depth.Moreover,the narrow channel has a stronger interference to the jet particles with increasing concrete strength;hence,the gap effects must be considered.The drift velocity and gap effects,which are the same as penetration resistance,also have significant effects during the process of shaped charge penetration into ultrahigh-strength concrete,The crater profiles are calculated through a theoretical model,and the results are in good agreement with the experiments.

A comparative study for the impact performance of shaped charge JET on UHPC targets

With the development of two-stage munitions(a precursor shaped charge(SC)and a following kinetic energy projectile)to attack the hard concrete targets,as well as the increasing applications of ultra-high performance concrete(UHPC)in both civil and military protective structures,a comparative study on the impact performance of SC formed jet on UHPC target is performed experimentally and numerically at present.Firstly,a series of jet penetration/perforation test on the UHPC,45# steel and UHPC/45# steel composite targets are conducted.By assessing the penetration depth and borehole(crater and tunnel)diameter,the influences of target material and configuration as well as the standoff distance of SC on the impact performance of jet are experimentally discussed.Then,by adopting the 2 D multi-material Arbitrary Lagrange-Euler(ALE)algorithm,Fluid-Structure Interaction(FSI)method and erosion algorithm implemented in the finite element code LS-DYNA,the formation and impact performance of jet in the present test are well reproduced.Finally,based on the validated numerical algorithms,constitutive models and the corresponding parameters,the influences of target material(UHPC,NSC and 45# steel),standoff distance,target configuration(stacked and spaced)and weight efficiency on the impact performance of jet are further discussed.The derived conclusions could provide helpful references for evaluating the ballistic performance of jet and designing the protective structures.

The Optimal Cross-section Design of the “Trapezoid-V” Shaped Drainage Canal of Viscous Debris Flow

Debris flow drainage canal is one of the most widely used engineering measures to prevent and manage debris flow hazards.The shape and the sizes of the cross-section are important parameters when design debris flow drainage canal.Therefore,how to design the appropriate shape and sizes of the cross-section so that the drainage canal can have the optimal drainage capacity is very important and few researched at home and abroad.This study was conducted to analyze the hydraulic condition of a Trapezoid-V shaped drainage canal and optimize its cross-section.By assuming characteristic sizes of the cross-section,the paper deduced the configuration parameter of the cross-section of a Trapezoid-V shaped debris flow drainage canal.By theory analysis,it indicates that the optimal configuration parameter is only related to the side slope coefficient and the bottom transverse slope coefficient.For this study,the Heishui Gully,a first-order tributary of the lower Jinsha River,was used as an example to design the optimal cross-section of the drainage canal of debris flow.

Penetration and internal blast behavior of reactive liner enhanced shaped charge against concrete space

Penetration and internal blast behavior of reactive liner enhanced shaped charge against concrete space were investigated through experiments and simulations.The volume of the enclosed concrete space is about 15 m^(3).The reactive liner enhanced shaped charge utilizes reactive copper double-layered liner,which is composed of an inner copper liner and an outer reactive liner,while the reactive material liner is fabricated by PTFE/Al(Polytetrafluoroethylene/Aluminum)powders through cold-pressing and sintering.Static explosion experiments show that,compared with the shaped charge which utilizes copper liner,the penetration cavity diameter and spalling area of concrete by the novel shaped charge were enlarged to 2 times and 4 times,respectively.Meanwhile,the following reactive material had blast effect and produced significant overpressure inside the concrete closed space.Theoretical analysis indicates concrete strength and detonation pressure of reactive material both affect the penetration cavity diameter.To the blast behavior of reactive material inside the concrete space,developing TNT equivalence model and simulated on AUTODYN-3 D for analysis.Simulation results reproduced propagation process of the shock wave in concrete space,and revealed multi-peaks phenomenon of overpressure-time curves.Furthermore,the empirical relationship between the peak overpressure and relative distance for the shock wave of reactive material was proposed.

Frame property of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns under cyclic loading

A 1/3-scale reinfored concrete(RC) frame of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns was tested under low frequency cyclic loading.The damage characteristic,bearing capacity,deformation capacity and ductility were analyzed.The restoring force model of the frame was obtained based on the study of the hysteresis curve measured in experiment,and the stiffness degeneration characteristics of every storey of the frame were analyzed.Finally the accumulated damage was analyzed with the damage assessment model.It is shown that the seismic behavior of this frame of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns is generally good,but the bottom of first floor column is a weak part,which should be paid more attention in design,and the restoring force model derived from this experiment can be seen as a valuable guide for design and non-linear finite element analysis for this kind of structure.