Finite element analysis on deformation of high embankment in heavy-haul railway subjected to freeze-thaw cycles

Finite element simulations are increasingly providing a versatile environment for this topic. In this study, a two-dimensional finite element analysis is conducted to predict the deformation of high embankment in Bazhun heavy-haul railway, China. A recently developed nonlinear softening-type constitutive model is utilized to model the be- havior of subgrade filling materials subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. For the convenience of practical application, the dynamic loading induced by a vehicle is treated as a quasi-static axle load. The deformation of this embankment with different moisture content under freeze-thaw cycles is compared. The results show that when subjected to the first freeze-thaw cycle, the embankment experienced significant deformation variations. Maximum deformation was usually achieved after the embankment with optimum moisture content experienced six freeze-thaw cycles, however, the em- bankment with moisre content of 8.0% and 9.5% deforms continuously even after experiencing almost ten freeze-thaw cycles. Overall, this study provides a simple nonlinear finite element approach for calculating the deformation of the embankment in changing climate conditions.

Two-dimensional zero thermal expansion in low-cost Mn_(x)Fe_(5−x)Si_(3) alloys via integrating crystallographic texture and magneto-volume effect

Zero thermal expansion(ZTE)alloys have unique aspects in the application of the engineering of precise dimensional control.However,the harsh conditions to realize ZTE,i.e.,appropriate coupling among spin,lattice,and charge upon heating,have limited the ZTE alloys by very few numbers of species.In this work,we report a route to achieving twodimensional(2D)ZTE behavior by regulating crystallographic texture and magneto-volume effects(MVEs)in volumetric positive thermal expansion alloys.This is illustrated in a series of Mn_(x)Fe_(5-x)Si_(3)compounds by those earth-abundant elements.As a result,a 2D ZTE performance with a coefficient of thermal expansion α_(1)=0.45×10^(-7)K^(-1) over a broad temperature window of 10–310 K was observed in MnFe4Si3.The experimental results by synchrotron X-ray diffraction,neutron diffraction,microscopy,and magnetization measurements reveal that such a ZTE behavior is strongly coupled with fiber crystallographic texture and magnetic moment at the crystallographic 6g site that dominates MVEs in the a-b plane.The competition between ferromagnetic Fe_(4d)–Fe_(6g)(J_(FM))and antiferromagnetic Mn_(4d)–Mn_(6g)(J_(AFM))interactions makes the Mn_(1.5)Fe_(3.5)Si_(3) and Mn_(2)Fe_(3)Si_(3)compounds show mixed magnetism and negative thermal expansion(NTE).The integral approach presented here can be used to extend the scope of ZTE/NTE species in other magnetic or ferroelectric materials.

Strong Coupling of Magnetism and Lattice Induces Near-Zero Thermal Expansion over Broad Temperature Windows in ErFe10V2−xMox Compounds

Alloys with low thermal expansion could overcome thermal stress issues under temperature-fluctuated conditions and possess important application prospects,while they are restricted to finite chemical components and temperature windows.In this study,we report a novel class of near-zero thermal expansion(near ZTE)alloys,ErFe_(10)V_(2−x)Mo_(x),over a wide temperature range(120–440 K).Neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements demonstrated that the ErFe_(10)V_(2−x)Mo_(x)compounds exhibited complex ferrimagnetic(FIM)structures below Curie temperature(TC).The near-ZTE behaviors were closely related to the itinerant Fe 3d moments in the collinear FIM states,as well as the geometric[−Fe−Fe−]linkages.Further,X-ray absorption near-edge structure(XANES)spectra revealed that the nonmagnetic substitution changed the electronic valence states of Fe atoms,which,in turn,changed Fe 3d moments and TC,hence,regulating the thermal expansion behaviors.Our work provides an insight into chemical modifications of thermal expansion in magnetic intermetallic compounds.