A Modifi ed Molecular Structure Mechanics Method for Analysis of Graphene

Based on molecular mechanics and the deformation characteristics of the atomic lattice structure of graphene, a modifi ed molecular structure mechanics method was developed to improve the original one, that is, the semi-rigid connections were used to model the bond angle variations between the C-Cbonds in graphene. The simulated results show that the equivalent space frame model with semi-rigid connections for graphene proposed in this article is a simple, efficient, and accurate model to evaluate the equivalent elastic properties of graphene. Though the present computational model of the semi-rigid connected space frame is only applied to characterize the mechanical behaviors of the space lattices of graphene, it has more potential applications in the static and dynamic analyses of graphene and other nanomaterials.

Analysis of static structural mechanics of vertical axis wind turbine with lift-drag combined starting structures

The finite element analysis was carried out for a composite vertical axis wind turbine with lift-drag combined starting structures to ensure the structure safety of a vertical axis wind turbine(VAWT).The static and modal analysis of rotor of a composite vertical axis wind turbine was conducted by using ANSYS software.The relevant contour sketch of stress and deformation was obtained.The analysis was made for static structural mechanics,modal analysis of rotor and the total deformation and vibration profile to evaluate the influence on the working capability of the rotor.The analysis results show that the various structure parameters lie in the safety range of structural mechanics in the relative standards.The analysis showing the design safe to operate the rotor of a vertical axis wind turbine.The methods used in this study can be used as a good reference for the structural mechanics′analysis of VAWTs.

Review of the book ＂Probabilistic Mechanics of Quasibrittle Structures＂

Reliability-based structural analysis and design are of paramount importance since no structures can be designed to be risk-free.It has been generally accepted that the design of engineering structures must often guarantee an extremely low failure risk on the order of 10^（-6）,which is difficult to achieve through direct verification by histogram testing or stochastic computations.

Editorial:Mechanics of intelligent materials and structures

Recently, intelligent or smart materials and structures have been received more and more attention due to their distinguished multi-field coupling properties and wide applications in aerospace, automobiles, civil structures, medical devices, information storage, energy harvesting and so on. It is of academic challenge to fully understand the complex multi-field coupling behaviors of various smart materials and structures, and of engineering sig- nificance to enhance the performance and reliability of these materials and structures in industrial applications. The papers in the special topic of Mechanics of Intelligent Materials and Structures focus on the understanding of the electromechanical, magneto-elastic, and magneto-rheological coupling behav- iors and properties of smart materials and structures for applications in vibration control, resonators, and various functional devices.

An 8-Node Plane Hybrid Element for StructuralMechanics Problems Based on the Hellinger-Reissner Variational Principle

The finite element method (FEM) plays a valuable role in computer modeling and is beneficial to the mechanicaldesign of various structural parts. However, the elements produced by conventional FEM are easily inaccurate andunstable when applied. Therefore, developing new elements within the framework of the generalized variationalprinciple is of great significance. In this paper, an 8-node plane hybrid finite element with 15 parameters (PHQ8-15β) is developed for structural mechanics problems based on the Hellinger-Reissner variational principle.According to the design principle of Pian, 15 unknown parameters are adopted in the selection of stress modes toavoid the zero energy modes.Meanwhile, the stress functions within each element satisfy both the equilibrium andthe compatibility relations of plane stress problems. Subsequently, numerical examples are presented to illustrate theeffectiveness and robustness of the proposed finite element. Numerical results show that various common lockingbehaviors of plane elements can be overcome. The PH-Q8-15β element has excellent performance in all benchmarkproblems, especially for structures with varying cross sections. Furthermore, in bending problems, the reasonablemesh shape of the new element for curved edge structures is analyzed in detail, which can be a useful means toimprove numerical accuracy.

A Hyper-redundant Elephant’s Trunk Robot with an Open Structure:Design,Kinematics,Control and Prototype

As for the complex operational tasks in the unstructured environment with narrow workspace and numerous obstacles,the traditional robots cannot accomplish these mentioned complex operational tasks and meet the dexterity demands.The hyper-redundant bionic robots can complete complex tasks in the unstructured environments by simulating the motion characteristics of the elephant’s trunk and octopus tentacles.Compared with traditional robots,the hyper-redundant bionic robots can accomplish complex tasks because of their flexible structure.A hyper-redundant elephant’s trunk robot(HRETR)with an open structure is developed in this paper.The content includes mechanical structure design,kinematic analysis,virtual prototype simulation,control system design,and prototype building.This design is inspired by the flexible motion of an elephant’s trunk,which is expansible and is composed of six unit modules,namely,3UPS-PS parallel in series.First,the mechanical design of the HRETR is completed according to the motion characteristics of an elephant’s trunk and based on the principle of mechanical bionic design.After that,the backbone mode method is used to establish the kinematic model of the robot.The simulation software SolidWorks and ADAMS are combined to analyze the kinematic characteristics when the trajectory of the end moving platform of the robot is assigned.With the help of ANSYS,the static stiffness of each component and the whole robot is analyzed.On this basis,the materials of the weak parts of the mechanical structure and the hardware are selected reasonably.Next,the extensible structures of software and hardware control system are constructed according to the modular and hierarchical design criteria.Finally,the prototype is built and its performance is tested.The proposed research provides a method for the design and development for the hyper-redundant bionic robot.

Effects of H on Electronic Structure and Ideal Tensile Strength of W： A First-Principles Calculation

We investigate the structure, energetics, and the ideal tensile strength of tungsten （W） with hydrogen （H） using a first-principles method. Both density of states （DOS） and the electron localization function （ELF） reveal the underlying physical mechanism that the tetrahedral interstitial H is the most energetically favorable. The firstprinciples computational tensile test （FPCTT） shows that the ideal tensile strength is 29.1 GPa at the strain of 14% along the [001] direction for the intrinsic W, while it decreases to 27.1 GPa at the strain of 12% when one impurity H atom is embedded into the bulk W. These results provide a useful reference to understand W as a plasma facing material in the nuclear fusion Tokamak.

Occurrences and Formation Mechanisms of Botryoidai Structures from the Sinian Dengying Formation,Sichuan Basin,China

ObjectiveThis study aims to characterize the occurrences and interior structural features of botryoidal structures from the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin of Southwestern China, and to shed light on their formation mechanism.

Steady-State Cornering Properties of a Non-pneumatic Tire with Mechanical Elastic Structure

Mechanical elastic wheel(ME-wheel)is a new type of non-inflatable safety tyre,and the structure is significantly different from traditional pneumatic tyre.In order to investigate cornering properties of ME-wheel,experimental research on mechanics characteristics of ME-wheel under steady-state cornering conditions are carried out.The test of steady-state cornering properties of ME-wheel at different experimental parameter conditions is conducted by test bench for dynamic mechanical properties of tyre.Cornering property curves are used to analyze the steady-state cornering properties of ME-wheel,namely the variation tendency of lateral force or aligning torque with the increase of side-slip angle.Moreover,evaluation indexes for cornering properties of ME-wheel are extracted and the effect of different experimental parameters(including vertical load,friction coefficient,and speed)on cornering properties of ME-wheel is contrastively analyzed.The proposed research can provide certain reference to facilitate structure parameters and cornering properties optimizing process of ME-wheel.

Conversion between solid and beam element solutions of finite element method based on meta-modeling theory:development and application to a ramp tunnel structure

In this study, a new method for conversion of solid finite element solution to beam finite element solution is developed based on the meta-modeling theory which constructs a model consistent with continuum mechanics. The proposed method is rigorous and efficient compared to a typical conversion method which merely computes surface integration of solid element nodal stresses to obtain cross-sectional forces. The meta-modeling theory ensures the rigorousness of proposed method by defining a proper distance between beam element and solid element solutions in a function space of continuum mechanics. Results of numerical verification test that is conducted with a simple cantilever beam are used to find the proper distance function for this conversion. Time history analysis of the main tunnel structure of a real ramp tunnel is considered as a numerical example for the proposed conversion method. It is shown that cross-sectional forces are readily computed for solid element solution of the main tunnel structure when it is converted to a beam element solution using the proposed method. Further, envelopes of resultant forces which are of primary importance for the purpose of design, are developed for a given ground motion at the end.

A Modified Molecular Structural Mechanics Method for Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes

A modified molecular structural mechanics method, based on molecular mechanics and similar to the finite element method, was developed. The energy of a system was expressed by the force field functions of the molecular mechanics. Under the small deformation assumption and by the principle of minimum potential energy, the system function was established. The properties of tension and bending of single-walled carbon nanotubes were analyzed. The Young＇s modulus is about 0.36 TPa nm, which agrees perfectly with the results of previous analysis by other researchers. It is found, for the first time, that the Young＇s moduli, for Zigzag nanotubes, are different from each other when the system energy was expressed as the sum of two or three individual energy terms in molecular mechanics. Whereas, the Young＇s moduli were the same for the Armchair nanotubes. It is found, when simulating the bending, that the deflections are closer to the theoretical ones, of the classical elasticity, when the diameter of the carbon nanotube increases.

The action mechanisms and structures designs of F-containing functional materials for high performance oxygen electrocatalysis

Non-renewable fossil fuels have led to serious problems such as global warming,environmental pollution,etc.Oxygen electrocatalysis including oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)plays a central role in clean energy conversion,enabling a number of sustainable processes for future air battery technologies.Fluorine,as the most electronegative element(4.0)not only can induce more efficient regulation for the electronic structure,but also can bring more abundant defects and other novel effects in materials selection and preparation for favorable catalysis with respect to the other nonmetal elements.However,an individual and comprehensive overview of fluorine-containing functional materials for oxygen electrocatalysis field is still blank.Therefore,it is very meaningful to review the recent progresses of fluorine-containing oxygen electrocatalysts.In this review,we first systematically summarize the controllable preparation methods and their possible development directions based on fluorine-containing materials from four preparation methods.Due to the strong electron-withdrawing properties of fluorine,its control of the electronic structure can effectively enhance the oxygen electrocatalytic activity of the materials.In addition,the catalytic enhancement effect of fluorine on carbonbased materials also includes the prevent oxidation and the layer peeling,and realizes the precise atomic control.And the catalytic improvement mechanism of fluorine containing metal-based compounds also includes the hydration of metal site,the crystal transformation,and the oxygen vacancy induction.Then,based on their various dimensions(0D–3D),we also have summarized the advantages of different morphologies on oxygen electrocatalytic performances.Finally,the prospects and possible future researching direction of F-containing oxygen electrocatalysts are presented(e.g.,novel pathways,advanced methods for measurement and simulation,field assistance and multi-functions).The review is considered valuable and helpful in exploring the novel designs and mechanism analyses of advanced fluorine-containing electrocatalysts.

Formation Mechanism of Curved Martensite Structures in Cu-based Shape Memory Alloys

The curved martensite structures have been observed in CuZnAI-based shape memory alloys by both transmission electron microscope and optical microscope. It was found that the curved martensite structures observed in as-solution treated, as-aged and as-trained alloys usually occurred around dislocation tangles or precipitate, at the plate boundary or grain boundary, and when the growing plates collided with each other or alternate mutually.

Influence of Molecular Structure on the Dimerization Reactivity of Germaaromatic Compounds: a Theoretical Study

Density functional theory （DFT） calculations, at the B3LYP/6-311G＊＊ level of theory, were performed to study the reaction mechanism and potenti4the potential energy surface of the studied reactions was investigated. Our calculation results show that [2 ＋ 2] and [4 ＋ 4] reactions are concerted and synchronous processes; while [4 ＋ 2] reactions proceed via a concerted but asynchronous way in general. [2 ＋ 2] and [4 ＋ 2] reactions of germabenzenes and 1-germana- phthalene proceed much more easily than the corresponding [4 ＋ 4] reaction, both thermo- dynamically and kinetically; while most [4 ＋ 2] paths have lower activation barrier than the corres- ponding [2 ＋ 2] ones. As the number of six-membered aromatic rings in reactant molecules becomes larger, [2 ＋ 2], [4 ＋ 2] and [4 ＋ 4] reactions become easier to proceed. The influence of substituents at the Ge atom of germabenzenes on the potential energy surface of [2 ＋ 2] and [4 ＋ 2] reactions correlates with their electronic properties and volume. Solvent effect is not crucial for the potential energy surfaces of the studied reactions.

Editorial: Special subject on the mechanical behavior of thermal protection materials and structures

The thermal protection materials and structures are widely used in hypersonic vehicles for the purpose of thermal insulation, and their mechanical behavior is one of the key issues in design and manufacture of hypersonic vehicles. It is our great pleasure to present the seven papers in this special subject of Theoretical ＆ Applied Mechanics Letters （TAML） and introduce the recent progresses on the mechanical behavior of thermal protection materials and structures by the authors.

Theoretical Study of the Structure,Mechanism of Detonation Initiation and Stability of Transition Metal Carbohydrazide Nitrates

The geometric structure, mechanism of detonation initiation and stability of transition metal carbohydrazide （CHZ） nitrates are investigated via density functional theory. The obtained results show that the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof （HSE） functional yields the most accurate geometry. The initiating reaction of detonation in [Mn（CHZ）3]（NO3）2 and [Zn（CHZ）3]（NO3）2 is the formation of NO3 radicals. The calculated heat of formation and energy gap predict that the Mn and Zn complexes, which have the half-filled （3d5） and full-filled （3d10） electron configurations for the transition metal ions, respectively are more stable than the Co, Ni and Cu complexes. This indicates that the electron configuration of transition metal ion plays an important role in the stabilities of these energetic complexes.

Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Cu-SnO_2-rGO based Composites Prepared by Plasma Activated Sintering

A novel chemical technique combined with unique plasma activated sintering（PAS） was utilized to prepare consolidated copper matrix composites（CMCs） by adding Cu-SnO2-rGO layered micro powders as reinforced fillers into Cu matrix. The repeating Cu-SnO2-rGO structure was composed of inner dispersed reduced graphene oxide（r GO）, SnO2 as intermedia and outer Cu coating. SnO2 was introduced to the surface of rGO sheets in order to prevent the graphene aggregation with SnO2 serving as spacer and to provide enough active sites for subsequent Cu deposition. This process can guarantee rGO sheets to suffi ciently disperse and Cu nanoparticles to tightly and uniformly anchor on each layer of rGO by means of the SnO2 active sites as well as strictly control the reduction speed of Cu^2＋. The complete cover of Cu nanoparticles on rGO sheets thoroughly avoids direct contact among rGO layers. Hence, the repeating structure can simultaneously solve the wettability problem between rGO and Cu matrix as well as improve the bonding strength between rGO and Cu matrix at the well-bonded Cu-SnO2-rGO interface. The isolated rGO can effectively hinder the glide of dislocation at Cu-rGO interface and support the applied loads. Finally, the compressive strength of CMCs was enhanced when the strengthening effi ciency reached up to 41.

Effect of Cooling Rate after hot Deformation on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Wear Resistance Cast iron

The effect of cooling rate after 40% hot deformation on structure and mechanical properties of low alloy wear resistance cast iron was investigated by metallographic, scanning electron microscopes and detection of properties. The results show that for the cast steel after deformed, the amount of granular carbides of precipitation during the cooling decreased with the increase of the cooling rate, but the hardness was obviously enhanced, as a result, better mechanical properties will be obtained by force air cooling(cooling rate is about 7 ℃·s-1). And the reason of the change for structure and mechanical properties of the cast steel were analyzed.

INFLUENCE OF LANTHANUM ON THE STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUMSILICON EUTECTIC ALLOY

This paper deals with the characteristics of silicon modification with lanthanum of Al-Si eutectic alloy in sand mold and metal mold with optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,electron microprobe and X-ray diffractometer.It is found that the amount of lanthanum,liquid alloy condition,holding time and stir- ring liquid influence the modification of silicon.The modification of silicon with lanthanum is of long effectiveness and has a“incubation time”.The modification can improve the ductility(δ_s)and tensile strength (σ_b)of the alloy,but their maximum values are not corresponding to the same amount of lanthanum.

“Standby” EMT and “immune cell trapping” structure as novel mechanisms for limiting neuronal damage after CNS injury

The central nervous system （CNS） contains the two most important organs, the brain and spinal cord, for the orchestration of the mental and physical activities of life. Because of its importance, the human body has evolved barrier systems to protect CNS tissue from the external environment. This barrier is a membrane composed of tightly apposed cells and is selectively permeable to specific molecules by way of membrane transporters.