Evaluation on Spot Weld Models in Structural Dynamic Analysis of Automotive Body in White

Spot weld models are widely used in finite element analysis（FEA） of automotive body in white（BIW） to predict static,dynamic,durability and other characteristics of automotive BIW.However,few researches are done on evaluation of the validity of these spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.To evaluate the validity and accuracy of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW,two object functions,error function and deviation function,are introduced innovatively.Modal analysis of Two-panel and Double-hat structures,which are the dominated structures in BIW,is conducted,and the values of these two object functions are obtained.Based on the values of object functions,the validity of these spot weld models are evaluated.It is found that the area contact method（ACM2） and weld element connection（CWELD） can give more precise prediction in modal analysis of these two classical structures,thus are more applicable to structural dynamic analysis of automotive BIW.Modal analysis of a classical BIW is performed,which further confirms this evaluation.The error function and deviation function proposed in this research can give guidance on the adaptability of spot weld models in structural dynamic analysis of BIW.And this evaluation method can also be adopted in evaluation of other finite element models in static,dynamic and other kinds of analysis for automotive structures.

Structural-acoustic optimization of stiffened panels based on a genetic algorithm

For the structural-acoustic radiation optimization problem under external loading,acoustic radiation power was considered to be an objective function in the optimization method. The finite element method(FEM) and boundary element method(BEM) were adopted in numerical calculations,and structural response and the acoustic response were assumed to be de-coupled in the analysis. A genetic algorithm was used as the strategy in optimization. In order to build the relational expression of the pressure objective function and the power objective function,the enveloping surface model was used to evaluate pressure in the acoustic domain. By taking the stiffened panel structural-acoustic optimization problem as an example,the acoustic power and field pressure after optimized was compared. Optimization results prove that this method is reasonable and effective.

Characteristic Analysis and Comprehensive Control for the Horizontal Stripes of High-Grade Automotive Panels in Continuous Annealing

As to the horizontal stripes defect which exist on the surface of the high-grade automotive panels in continuous annealing process, an effective comprehensive control method is proposed on the basis of full consideration of the equipment and technological features of continuous annealing line. With five field tests as basis, the generation mechanism of the defect was analysised in detail and the comprehensive control measures were put forward. According to actual situation, a detailed technical plan was worked out .Then the relevant technologies were applied to a 1850 continuous annealing line. The statistics shows that this program acquired good effects. The incidence of horizontal stripes defect decreased from 100% to 2.78%. Meanwhile, the surface quality of strip also improved effectively, which created a larger economic benefit.

Stability and structural dimension of access mechanized panel

To acquire a knowledge of the stress-strain state in the process of mining beforehand, a numerical method was used to simulate the stoping process of access mechanized panel mining in No. 3 ore-body of Tonglushan mine; and for the sake of obtaining better stability, the optimal panel dimension and access stoping sequence were researched. The results show that the integral stability of the mechanized panel of No. 3 ore-body is passable in the process of winning at full level height; the stability of panel tends to be worse gradually with continuous increasing of panel width; and the better width of access panel in No.3 ore-body is less than 52 m. It is indicated that 3D elasto-plastic finite element method can make a satisfactory study of numerical simulation on the panel stability and its structural dimension in the test for the upward access mechanized-panel mining. The results of the theoretical calculation and analysis accord with the actual situation from the field ground pressure monitoring.

Is There Hysteresis in Unemployment in OECD Countries？ Evidence From Panel Unit Root Test With Structural Breaks

This study tests the hysteresis hypothesis of unemployment in fifteen OECD countries by using panel unit root tests which allow for structural breaks. We apply annual unemployment rates covering 1985-2008 periods. We test whether unemployment rates are stationary by using second generation tests which allow cross section dependency among series and panel unit root test based on structural break advanced by Carrion-i-Silvestre, Barrio-Castro and Lopez-Bazo （2005）. We find series as a stationary process with structural breaks according to Carrion-i Silvestre et al. （2005） test, while we find series as unit root process with second generation panel unit root test. According to the Carrion-i Silvestre et al. （2005） test, we find the evidence of absence of hysteresis in analyzed countries. As a result, temporary shocks have temporary effects on unemployment instead of permanent effect. Structural factors can affect the natural rate of unemployment and, therefore, unemployment would be stationary around a process that is subject to structural breaks. So, there still exists a unique natural rate of unemployment to which the economy eventually will converge.

Numerical Computation of Motions and Structural Loads for Large Containership using 3D Rankine Panel Method

In this paper, we present the results of our numerical seakeeping analyses of a 6750-TEU containership, which were subjected to the benchmark test of the 2 nd ITTC–ISSC Joint Workshop held in 2014. We performed the seakeeping analyses using three different methods based on a 3D Rankine panel method, including 1) a rigid-body solver, 2) a flexible-body solver using a beam model, and 3) a flexible-body solver using the eigenvectors of a 3D Finite Element Model(FEM). The flexible-body solvers adopt a fully coupled approach between the fluid and structure. We consider the nonlinear Froude–Krylov and restoring forces using a weakly nonlinear approach. In addition, we calculate the slamming loads on the bow flare and stern using a 2D generalized Wagner model. We compare the numerical and experimental results in terms of the linear response, the time series of the nonlinear response, and the longitudinal distribution of the sagging and hogging moments. The flexible-body solvers show good agreement with the experimental model with respect to both the linear and nonlinear results, including the high-frequency oscillations due to springing and whipping vibrations. The rigid-body solver gives similar results except for the springing and whipping.

MOISTURE AND FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF HEMP MAT FOAM STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANEL SPECIMENS

The use of structural insulated panels(SIPs)for wall and roof assemblies in residential and commercial buildings is a well-known construction technique.SIPs typically use a combination of either expanded polystyrene foam(EPS)or polyurethane foam(PUR)as the core material.The covering or skin is predominantly oriented strand board(OSB).The OSB is either bonded to the foam with adhesive in the case of EPS,while polyurethane is used to provide adhesion with PUR SIPs.This paper presents the results of research that investigated the use of industrial hemp mat used as a skin for soy-based polyurethane foam panels.A series of tests were conducted to investigate moisture resistance and flexural behaviour on hemp mat foam panels.Moisture absorption behaviour was evaluated on three specimen types:uncoated,earth plaster and tung oil treated hemp mat.The absorption coefficient Aw was determined for all specimens.The tung oil treated specimens exhibited a water absorption coefficient that was 5.3%of that for untreated hemp mat panel specimens.Flexural tests were conducted on dry specimens with earth-plastered hemp mat,tung oil coated hemp mat,OSB and,untreated hemp mat skins.Tung oil provided resistance to tension failure and increased capacity to withstand considerable deformation without tensile failure in flexural specimens.Compared with pure foam specimens,untreated hemp mat improved flexural performance by 16.3%.

Nonlinear thermo-structural behavior of sandwich panels with truss cores under through-thickness gradient temperature field

A theoretical analysis is presented to predict the nonlinear thermo-structural response of metallicsandwich panels with truss cores under through-thickness gradient temperature field, which is acommon service condition for metallic thermal protection system （TPS）. The in-planetemperature distribution is assumed to be uniform, and through-thickness temperature field isdetermined by heat conduction. Two typical conditions are analyzed： nonlinear thermal bendingin fixed inside surface temperature, and thermal post-buckling in fixed temperature differencebetween two surfaces. Temperature-dependent mechanical properties are considered, andgradient shear stiffness and bending stiffness due to non-uniform temperature is included. Resultsindicate that the temperature-dependent material properties obviously affect bending resistance;however, the effect is negligible on post-buckling behavior. Influences of geometric parameters onthe thermo-structural behavior of the sandwich panel according to the present theoretical modelare discussed.

On Structure,production,and market of bamboo-based panels in China

Since bamboo has the advantages of straight grain, beautiful color, high strength and toughness, and excellent abrasion resistance, bamboo-based panels have been widely used in the fields of vehicle, construction, ship building, furniture, and decoration to partly take the place of wood, steel, plastic etc in China. This paper briefly described the basic component units, including strip, sliver, and particle, of bamboo-based panel and pointed out that to design the structure of bamboo-based panels should follow the principle of symmetric structure, surface forming method, and structuring principle of equalizing stress. According to the processing methods and formation of component units, the authors classified the bamboo-based panels in China into 13 types and presented the manufacturing technique and uses of the bamboo products, such as plybamboo, bamboo flooring, and bamboo-wood composite products in detail. In the last part of the paper, much information were offered on the output, market, and selling prospect of each type of bamboo-based panels.

POST-BUCKLING ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION OF INTEGRAL FUSELAGE PANEL SUBJECTED TO AXIAL COMPRESSION LOAD

Build-up panels for the commercial aircraft fuselage subjected to the axial compression load are studied by both experimental and theoretical methods.An integral panel is designed with the same overall size and weight as the build-up structure,and finite element models（FEMs）of these two panels are established.Experimental results of build-up panels agree well with the FEM results with the nonliearity and the large deformation,so FEMs are validated.FEM calculation results of these two panels indicate that the failure mode of the integral panel is different from that of the build-up panel,and the failure load increases by 18.4% up to post-buckling.Furthermore,the integral structure is optimized by using the multi-island genetic algorithm and the sequential quadratic programming.Compared with the initial design,the optimal mass is reduced by 8.7% and the strength is unchanged.

Construction of Design Guidelines for Optimal Automotive Frame Shape Based on Statistical Approach and Mechanical Analysis

A body frame composed of thin sheet metal is a crucial structure that determines the safety performance of a vehicle.Designing a correct weight and high-performance automotive body is an emerging engineering problem.To improve the performance of the automotive frame,we attempt to reconstruct its design criteria based on statistical and mechanical approaches.At first,a fundamental study on the frame strength is conducted and a cross-sectional shape optimization problem is developed for designing the cross-sectional shape of an automobile frame having a very high mass efficiency for strength.Shape optimization is carried out using the nonlinear finite element method and a meta-modeling-based genetic algorithm.Data analysis of the obtained set of optimal results is performed to identify the dominant design variables by employing the smoothing spline analysis of variance,the principal component analysis,and the self-organizing map technique.The relationship between the cross-sectional shape and the objective function is also analyzed by hierarchical clustering.A design guideline is obtained from these statistical approach results.A comparison between the statistically obtained design guideline and the conventional one based on the designers’experience is performed based on mechanical interpretation of the optimal cross-sectional frame.Finally,a mechanically reasonable new general-purpose design guideline is proposed for the cross-sectional shape of the automotive frame.

Metallurgical properties of CaO–SiO_(2)–Al_(2)O_(3)–4.6wt%MgO–Fe_(2)O_(3)slag system pertaining to spent automotive catalyst smelting

The metallurgical properties of the CaO–SiO_(2)–Al_(2)O_(3)–4.6wt%Mg O–Fe_(2)O_(3)slag system,formed by the co-treatment process of spent automotive catalyst(SAC)and copper-bearing electroplating sludge(CBES),were studied systematically in this paper.The slag structure,melting temperature,and viscous characteristics were investigated by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy,Raman spectroscopy,Fact Sage calculation,and viscosity measurements.Experimental results show that the increase of Fe_(2)O_(3)content(3.8wt%–16.6wt%),the mass ratio of CaO/SiO_(2)(m(CaO)/m(SiO_(2)),0.5–1.3),and the mass ratio of SiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3)(m(SiO_(2))/m(Al_(2)O_(3)),1.0–5.0)can promote the depolymerization of silicate network,and the presence of a large amount of Fe_(2)O_(3)in form of tetrahedral and octahedral units ensures the charge compensation of Al^(3+)ions and makes Al_(2)O_(3)only behave as an acid oxide.Thermodynamic calculation and viscosity measurements show that with the increase of Fe_(2)O_(3)content,m(Ca O)/m(SiO_(2)),and m(SiO_(2))/m(Al_(2)O_(3)),the depolymerization of silicate network structure and low-melting-point phase transformation first occur within the slag,leading to the decrease in melting point and viscosity of the slag,while further increase causes the formation of high-melting-point phase and a resultant re-increase in viscosity and melting point.Based on experimental analysis,the preferred slag composition with low polymerization degree,viscosity,and melting point is as follows:Fe_(2)O_(3)content of 10.2wt%–13.4wt%,m(CaO)/m(SiO_(2))of 0.7–0.9 and m(SiO_(2))/m(Al_(2)O_(3))of 3.0–4.0.This work provides a theoretical support for slag design in co-smelting process of SAC and CBES.

Emerging Trends in Automotive Lightweighting through Novel Composite Materials

Owing to unprecedented climate change issues in recent times, global automotive industry is striving hard in developing novel functional materials to improve vehicle’s fuel efficiency. It is believed that more than a quarter of all combined greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are associated with road transport vehicles. All these facts in association with heightened consumer awareness and energy security issues have led to automotive lightweighting as a major research theme across the globe. Almost all North American and European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) related to automotive industry have chalked out ambitious weight reduction plans in response to stricter environmental regulations. This review entails main motives and current legislation which has prompted major OEMs to have drastic measures in bringing down vehicle weight to suggested limits. Also discussed are recent advances in developing advanced composites, and cellulose-enabled light weight automotive composites with special focus on research efforts of Center for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing (CBBP), University of Toronto, Canada.

Research on the Impact of Industrial Agglomeration and Structural Upgrade on County Economic Growth under the New Normal Condition-Based on the Empirical Study of 101 County Counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces

In this paper, the method of generalized moments of data and systems for 101 counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces is used to analyze the impact of industrial agglomeration and industrial structure upgrading on county economic growth. The real diagnosis result indicated that, the industry gathers with the industrial structure promotes has the forward function to the county territory economic growth rate, in the sample time that had not discovered the industry gathers to the economical growth existence non-linearity in？ uence. On the other hand, the industrial structure promotes to the county territory economy long-term growth power is stronger, later period should break through the present stage in the manufacturing industry mature county territory through the industrial structure promotion strategy the industry to glide down.

Development of Composite Cellular Cores for Sandwich Panels Based on Folded Polar Quadra-Structures

An idea to develop a family of cellular cores for sandwich panels using a technology of prepreg folding is presented. Polar folded quadra structures are regarded as a geometric basis for these cores whose standard frag ment has lhe fourlh degree of axial symmelry. The classification of the polar strucluresaredeseribedanda method of various quadra slrueture synthesis is developed. A possibilily to provide high strength of lhe structure due m preservation of faces reinforcement pattern is presented. Arrangemen! of the plane core on a bi curvature surface is also introduced. Besides, provision of isotropyof the core in two or three directions are described. Finally, exam ples of cellular folded cores manufaclured from basalt reinforced plaslic are demonslrated.

Health diagnosis of ultrahigh arch dam performance using heterogeneous spatial panel vector model

Currently,more than ten ultrahigh arch dams have been constructed or are being constructed in China.Safety control is essential to long-term operation of these dams.This study employed the flexibility coefficient and plastic complementary energy norm to assess the structural safety of arch dams.A comprehensive analysis was conducted,focusing on differences among conventional methods in characterizing the structural behavior of the Xiaowan arch dam in China.Subsequently,the spatiotemporal characteristics of the measured performance of the Xiaowan dam were explored,including periodicity,convergence,and time-effect characteristics.These findings revealed the governing mechanism of main factors.Furthermore,a heterogeneous spatial panel vector model was developed,considering both common factors and specific factors affecting the safety and performance of arch dams.This model aims to comprehensively illustrate spatial heterogeneity between the entire structure and local regions,introducing a specific effect quantity to characterize local deformation differences.Ultimately,the proposed model was applied to the Xiaowan arch dam,accurately quantifying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of dam performance.Additionally,the spatiotemporal distri-bution characteristics of environmental load effects on different parts of the dam were reasonably interpreted.Validation of the model prediction enhances its credibility,leading to the formulation of health diagnosis criteria for future long-term operation of the Xiaowan dam.The findings not only enhance the predictive ability and timely control of ultrahigh arch dams'performance but also provide a crucial basis for assessing the effectiveness of engineering treatment measures.

Economic Growth and Interaction between Financial and Industrial Structure - Empirical Analysis on Provincial Panel Data

In recent years, China's economic growth speed has been slowing down, leading to the problems of overcapacity and unbalanced regional economic development, and the mismatch between industrial and financial structure is becoming intense. Therefore, this paper, starting with the relationship among economic growth, industrial structure and financial structure, summarizes the research by the former scholars. On this basis, by using data of 31 provincial panel data in China from 2007 to 2016, the article aims to find out the relationship between the industrial structure and economic growth, the relationship between the financial structure and economic growth and the relationship between the interaction of financial and industrial structure and economic growth. Finally, the corresponding policy recommendations are obtained following the systematical empirical conclusions. The conclusions of this paper are as follows:(1) developing indirect financing mode can effectively drive China's economic growth.(2) continuing to develop the second industry can play a catalytic role in the economic growth in most areas of China.(3) the interaction between the financial structure and the industrial structure can promote the economic growth significantly. However, the matching effect of the financial structure and industrial structure in China has not been completely formed, and the industrial upgrading should be guided to be structurally reformed through the policy.

Vibration analysis of steel structures including the effect of panel zone flexibility based on the energy method

New approximate formulas are proposed to determine the natural frequencies of structures considering the effects of panel zone flexibility and soil-structure interaction. Several structures with various earthquake resisting systems are idealized as prismatic cantilever flexural-shear beams. Floor masses are considered as lumped masses at each story level and masses of columns are evenly distributed along the cantilever beam. Soil-structure interaction is considered as axial and rotational springs, whose potential energy are formulated and incorporated into overall potential energy of the structure. Subsequently, natural frequency equations are derived on the basis of energy conservation principle. The effect of axial forces on natural frequency is also considered in the proposed formulas. Using the method presented in this study, natural frequencies are computed using a simplified method with no complex numerical modeling. The proposed formulas are verified via experimental and numerical methods. Close agreement between the results from these three approaches are observed. Furthermore, the effects of panel zone flexibility, continuity plates and doubler plates on the natural frequencies of buildings are investigated.

The effects of population aging on industrial structure upgrading:Empirical analysis of provincial and threshold characteristics in China

Global population aging trends are intensifying,presenting multifaceted economic and social challenges for countries worldwide.As the world’s largest developing country,China has entered a phase of extreme demographic aging,posing significant questions about its impact on the ongoing upgrading of industrial structures.How does this demographic shift influence the upgrading of industrial structures,and does technological innovation mitigate or exacerbate this impact?The empirical results indicate that population aging impedes upgrading the industrial structure,while technological innovation positively affects the relationship between the two.Moreover,using technological innovation as a threshold variable,the impact of population aging on industrial structure upgrading evolves in a“gradient”manner from“impediment”to“insignificant”to“promotion”as the technological innovation levels increase.These findings offer practical guidance for tailoring industrial policies to different stages of technological advancement.

A Modified Principal Component Analysis Method for Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Debonding Recognition Based on Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing Signals

The safety and integrity requirements of aerospace composite structures necessitate real-time health monitoring throughout their service life.To this end,distributed optical fiber sensors utilizing back Rayleigh scattering have been extensively deployed in structural health monitoring due to their advantages,such as lightweight and ease of embedding.However,identifying the precise location of damage from the optical fiber signals remains a critical challenge.In this paper,a novel approach which namely Modified Sliding Window Principal Component Analysis(MSWPCA)was proposed to facilitate automatic damage identification and localization via distributed optical fiber sensors.The proposed method is able to extract signal characteristics interfered by measurement noise to improve the accuracy of damage detection.Specifically,we applied the MSWPCA method to monitor and analyze the debonding propagation process in honeycomb sandwich panel structures.Our findings demonstrate that the training model exhibits high precision in detecting the location and size of honeycomb debonding,thereby facilitating reliable and efficient online assessment of the structural health state.