Experimental investigation on fluid-induced slip behavior of fault filled with fault gouge

Fault zones are usually filled with fault gouge and accompanied by fault water.The coupled effect of fault gouge and water significantly impacts the slip behavior of the fault,which may weaken the fault structure and further induce rupture propagation and earthquakes.In this study,we carried out a laboratory experiment to investigate the fluid-induced slip behavior of fault filled with gouge.The friction evolution characteristic associated with fluid pressure and effective stress was investigated during the slip process.In addition,the role transformation process of the gouge on the slip behavior of fault was revealed.The experimental result indicates that the friction on the filled fault surface is significantly affected by fault gouge.The rupture of the gouge promotes fault slip and the fluid pressure plays a vital role in the initiation of fault slip.The fault gouge enhances the shearing strength of the fault and acts as a barrier before the initial slip under fluid injection.Nevertheless,the fault gouge would accelerate the fault slip and transform into lubricant after the initial slip.

In-situ investigation of atmospheric corrosion behavior of bronze under thin electrolyte layers using electrochemical technique

The atmospheric corrosion behavior of bronze under thin electrolyte layer （TEL） with different thicknesses was monitored using cathodic polarization curves, open circuit potential （OCP） and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. Cathodic polarization result indicates that the cathodic limiting current density increases with decreasing the TEL thickness. EIS result shows that the corrosion rate increases with decreasing the TEL thickness at the initial stage because the corrosion is dominated by the cathodic process, whereas after long immersion time, the corrosion degree with the TEL thickness is in the sequence of 150 μm 〉 310 μm〉 10μm ≈ bulk solution 〉 57 μm. The measurements of OCP and EIS present in-situ electrochemical corrosion information and their results are in good agreement with that of physical characterizations.

Experimental investigation of damage behavior of RC frame members including non-seismically designed columns

Reinforced concrete （RC） frame structures are one of the mostly common used structural systems, and their seismic performance is largely determined by the performance of columns and beams. This paper describes horizontal cyclic loading tests often column and three beam specimens, some of which were designed according to the current seismic design code and others were designed according to the early non-seismic Chinese design code, aiming at reporting the behavior of the damaged or collapsed RC frame strctures observed during the Wenchuan earthquake. The effects of axial load ratio, shear span ratio, and transverse and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on hysteresis behavior, ductility and damage progress were incorporated in the experimental study. Test results indicate that the non-seismically designed columns show premature shear failure, and yield larger maximum residual crack widths and more concrete spalling than the seismically designed columns. In addition, longitudinal steel reinforcement rebars were severely buckled. The axial load ratio and shear span ratio proved to be the most important factors affecting the ductility, crack opening width and closing ability, while the longitudinal reinforcement ratio had only a minor effect on column ductility, but exhibited more influence on beam ductility. Finally, the transverse reinforcement ratio did not influence the maximum residual crack width and closing ability of the seismically designed columns.

An Experimental Investigation on the Dynamic Behavior of Step Motor Drives

Step motors, compared to other drive systems, are low-cost and easy to use devices. However, despite these undeniable advantages, they are characterized by some critical running conditions, due to the loss of synchronization between the stator＇s magnetic field and the rotor. In order to theoretically investigate such a behavior, several complex mathematical models have been developed, which require several parameters to be defined. For most step motors, such parameters cannot be easily drawn from their data-sheets; on the contrary, in this paper the authors refer to a simplified electro-mechanical model where the most of the parameters are known from data-sheets. The dependence between electrical and mechanical quantities can be investigated by an experimental point of view. At this aim, a specific novel test rig has been designed and developed for either static or dynamic characteristics measurement of small size step motors. In particular, the test rig allow to measure rotor＇s angular position, motor＇s torque, currents flowing in the motor＇s phases. The paper ends with the report of the results of several experimental tests, carried-out on a small-size motor in different running conditions, and with some preliminary remarks on the basis of the measures analysis.

An Exploratory Investigation of Difficulties in Applying Functional Behavior Assessment and Implementing Behavioral Intervention Plans in ADHD Programs in Saudi Arabia

Functional behavior assessment(FBA)and behavioral intervention plans(BIPs)can be effective for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD);however,teachers may face difficulties when implementing FBA procedures and,in turn,BIPs because of lack of time,insufficient training,and multiplicity of beliefs.Thus,it is important to identify the difficulties teachers may face and the obstacles that can deter them from implementing intervention plans.This is a worthwhile endeavor because nearly all classrooms will have students with behavioral problems who will benefit from specifically designed educational interventions.This study aimed to identify the difficulties in applying FBA and the barriers in implementing BIPs among Saudi teachers in specialized ADHD programs.Using the descriptive-analytical approach,a questionnaire targeting difficulties and barriers was admi-nistered to 209 public school teachers from specialized ADHD programs in Saudi Arabia.The results revealed that the difficulty level of applying FBA in ADHD programs was high.The level of barriers in implementing BIPs was moderate.Finally,the study indicated that barriers in implementing BIPs could be predicted by the difficulties of applying FBA.The results suggest the importance offinding better practices,restructuring the provision of ADHD programs,training teachers,improving assessment tool availability,and ensuring cooperation between school administrators and teachers.

Experimental investigation on dilatancy behavior of water-saturated sandstone

It is important to study the dilatancy property of water-saturated rock for understanding the engineering behavior of loaded rock mass. This study carried out the uniaxial and triaxial compressive experiments on the water-saturated red sandstone, analyzed the influences of confining pressure and pore pressure on dilatancy property of water-saturated rock, and discussed the reasonable basis of the stress of dilatancy onset as a strength design parameter of rock engineering, finally established the prediction model of the stress of dilatancy onset under the impacts of confining pressure and pore pressure. The results show that the strength parameters(the stress of dilatancy onset and peak strength) and deformation parameters(axial strain and circumferential strain) of water-saturated sandstone increase with the confining pressure, and the relations can be fitted with a positive linear function. The cohesion and internal friction angle obtained from the stress of dilatancy onset decrease by 11.57% and 7.33%, respectively, when compared with those obtained from the peak strength. The strength parameters and deformation parameters of water-saturated sandstone decrease basically with the increase of pore pressure, in which the relations between strength parameters or axial strain and pore pressure can be fitted with a negative linear function. However, the relation between the peak circumferential strain and the pore pressure should be characterized by a negative exponential function, and the circumferential strain at dilatancy onset isn't affected by the pore pressure.

Experimental investigation of creep behavior of clastic rock in Xiangjiaba Hydropower Project

There are many fracture zones crossing the dam foundation of the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Project in southwestern China. Clastic rock is the main media of the fracture zone and has poor physical and mechanical properties. In order to investigate the creep behavior of clastic rock, triaxial creep tests were conducted using a rock servo-controlling rheological testing machine. The results show that the creep behavior of clastic rock is significant at a high level of deviatoric stress, and less time-dependent deformation occurs at high confining pressure. Based on the creep test results, the relationship between axial strain and time under different confining pressures was investigated, and the relationship between axial strain rate and deviatoric stress was also discussed. The strain rate increases rapidly, and the rock sample fails eventually under high deviatoric stress. Moreover, the creep failure mechanism under different confining pressures was analyzed. The main failure mechanism of clastic rock is plastic shear, accompanied by a significant compression and ductile dilatancy. On the other band, with the determined parameters, the Burgers creep model was used to fit the creep curves. The results indicate that the Burgers model can exactly describe the creep behavior of clastic rock in the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Project.

Experimental and numerical investigation of Weibullian behavior of grain crushing strength

The Weibullian behavior of single grain crushing strength was investigated experimentally and numerically with the aim of enhancing the understanding of rock grain breakage.The morphologies of pebble grains were obtained using white light 3D laser scanning and image processing.A grain shape library was constructed for grain shape analysis with different shape descriptors.The use of the shape library and grain stability analysis is discussed for a suggested procedure to rotate a grain to its most stable configuration.Single grain crushing tests were performed for 30 pebbles to obtain force-displacement curves and fracture patterns.Each grain was compressed diametrically between flat platens.As expected,the values of the stress at bulk fracture follow a Weibull distribution.A procedure for generating crushable agglomerates with realistic particle shapes was demonstrated,which was accomplished in the discrete element modeling(DEM)of the single grain crushing test.The work presented here is novel in that both the heterogeneous micro-structures and randomly distributed flaws are considered.The DEM results demonstrate that the proposed modeling approach and calibrated parameters are reliable and can reflect the crushing behavior of rock pebbles.Finally,three parametric studies were presented evaluating the effects of micro-crack density,micro-crack disorder,and grain morphology on the Weibullian behavior of the crushing strength,none of which has previously been thoroughly considered.These three studies provide a deeper insight into the origin of the Weibullian behavior of single grain crushing strength.

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPUTER SIMULATION ON DYNAMIC BUCKLING BEHAVIOR OF LIQUID-FILLED CYLINDRICAL SHELLS UNDER AXIAL IMPACT

This article reports an experimental investigation on the axial impact buckling of thin metallic cylindrical shells fully filled with water. Low velocity impact tests are carried out by DHR-9401 drop hammer rig. The whole process of dynamic buckling is simulated using LS-DYNA computer code. The consistency between experimental observation and numerical simulation is quite satisfactory. The investigation indicates that quite high internal hydrodynamic pressure occurs inside the shell during the impact process. Under the combined action of the high internal pressure and axial compression plastic buckling occurs easily in the thin-walled shells and buckling modes take on regular and axisymmetric wrinkles.

Numerical investigation of dynamical behavior of tethered rigid spheres in supersonic flow

The dynamical behavior of two tethered rigid spheres in a supersonic flow is numerically investigated. The tethered lengths and radius ratios of the two spheres are different. The two spheres, which are centroid axially aligned initially, are held stationary first, then released, and subsequently let fly freely in a supersonic flow. The mean qualities of the system and the qualities of the bigger sphere are considered and compared with the situations without the tether. In the separation process, six types of motion caused by the spheres, tether, and fluid interaction are found. The results show that the mean x-velocity of the system changes in a different manner for different radius ratios, and the x-velocity of the bigger sphere is uniformly reduced but through different mechanisms.

Numerical investigation on the tensile fracturing behavior of rock-shotcrete interface based on discrete element method

Four groups of numerical models of Brazilian tests on rock-shotcrete interfaces were successfully conducted by PFC2D. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of shotcrete were considered. Six different undulations of rock-shotcrete interface were set up. The influences of multiple parameters on the bearing characteristics of the rock-shotcrete interface were studied. The results showed that a better support performance can be obtained by increasing the Young’s modulus of shotcrete rather than the tensile strength of shotcrete. For different tensile strength and Young’s modulus, the increase of sawtooth height has different effects on the support performance. The failure mechanism of the rock-shotcrete interfaces was analysed in detail. The stress shielding effect and stress concentration effect caused by the shape characteristics of rock-shotcrete interface were observed. The influence of these parameters on the overall support performance should be fully considered in a reasonable support design.

SEM in-situ investigation on fatigue cracking behavior of P/M Rene95 alloy with surface inclusions

The low-cycle fatigue behavior of powder metallurgy Rene95 alloy containing surface inclusions was investigated by in-situ observation with scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The process of fatigue crack initiation and early stage of propagation behavior indicates that fatigue crack mainly occurs at the interface between the inclusion and the matrix. The effect of inclusion on the fatigue crack initiation and the early stage of crack growth was very obvious. The fatigue crack growth path in the matrix is similar to the shape of inclusion made on the basis of fatigue fracture image analysis. The empiric relation between the surface and inside crack growth length, near a surface inclusion, can be expressed. Therefore, the fatigue crack growth rate or life of P/M Rene95 alloy including the inclusions can be evaluated on the basis of the measurable surface crack length parameter. In addition, the effect of two inclusions on the fatigue crack initiation behavior was investigated by the in-situ observation with SEM.

Experimental and numerical investigations on the tensile mechanical behavior of marbles containing dynamic damage

To investigate the degradation mechanism of static tensile mechanical behaviors of marble containing dynamic damage,multiple impact loading tests were performed on the disc marble samples,and then static Brazilian tests were conducted for the damaged samples.Besides,coupling modeling technology of finite difference method(FDM)—discrete element method(DEM)was used to carry out the numerical investigation.The results show that after multiple impacts,more white patches appear on the surface,and some microcracks,macro-fractures as well as pulverized grains are found by optical microscopic.The static tensile strength decreases with the increase of the dynamic damage variable characterized by the ultrasonic wave velocity of sample.The interaction between grains in the damaged sample becomes intense in the subsequent static loading process,causing a relatively large strain.The volume of the fragments falling off around the loading points becomes larger as impact number increases.As the dynamic damage increases,the absorbed energy of sample during the static loading first decreases and then tends to be stable.Both the stress concentration and the breakage of the force chains are the root causes of the degradation of the static tensile strength.

Experimental investigation on seismic behavior of single piles in sandy soil

This paper describes a quasi-static test program featuring lateral cyclic loading on single piles in sandy soil. The tests were conducted on 18 aluminum model piles with different cross sections and lateral load eccentricity ratios, e/d, （e is the lateral load eccentricity and d is the diameter of pile） of 0, 4 and 8, embedded in sand with a relative density of 30% and 70%. The experimental results include lateral load-displacement hysteresis loops, skeleton curves and energy dissipation curves. Lateral capacity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of single piles under seismic load were evaluated in detail. The lateral capacities and the energy dissipation capacity of piles in dense sand were much higher than in loose sand. When embedded in loose sand, the maximum lateral load and the maximum lateral displacement of piles increased as e/d increased. On the contrary, when embedded in dense sand, the maximum lateral load of piles decreased as e/d increased. Piles with a higher load eccentricity ratio experienced higher energy dissipation capacity than piles with e/d of 0 in both dense and loose sand. At a given level of displacement, piles with circular cross sections provided the best energy dissipation capacity in both loose and dense sand.

Explosion behavior investigation and safety assessment of large-format lithium-ion pouch cells

Large-format lithium-ion(Li-ion) batteries with high energy density for electric vehicles are prone to thermal runaway(or even explosion) under abusive conditions. In this study, overcharge induced explosion behaviors of large-format Li-ion pouch cells with Li[NiCoMn]Ocathode at different current rates(C-rates)(0.5C, 1C, 2C) were investigated. The explosion characteristics of the cells were elucidated by discussing the evolution of the cell voltage, the surface temperature and the shock wave pressure.Generally, the whole overcharge process could be divided into four stages according to the evolution of several key parameters and the overcharge behaviors;the overcharge C-rate has a great influence on cells’ thermal behaviors. The experimental results showed that the thermal runaway process of Liion cells caused by overcharging consisted of two kinds of explosions, physical explosion and chemical explosion. The existence of observable negative pressure zone in the pressure curves indicated that the Li-ion cells are not a self-supplying oxygen system during the explosion. Further, the explosion dynamics parameters were matched. An explosion TNT-equivalent conversion strategy that depended on the pressure of the shock wave was utilized to evaluate the released energy and its hazards. In addition, with respect to the overcharge of Li-ion pouch cells, a safety assessment method and a safety management method were proposed based on the explosion behaviors. From the perspective of battery safety, this study is of great significance for the safety design of Li-ion cells and can provide guidance for engineers to optimize the safety function of battery packs.

Numerical investigation of the mechanical behavior of the backfill–rock composite structure under triaxial compression

To ensure safe and economical backfill mining,the mechanical response of the backfill–rock interaction system needs to be understood.The numerical investigation of the mechanical behavior of backfill–rock composite structure(BRCS)under triaxial compression,which includes deformation,failure patterns,strength characteristics,and acoustic emission(AE)evolution,was proposed.The models used in the tests have one rough interface,two cement–iron tailings ratios(CTRs),four interface angles(IAs),and three confining pressures(CPs).Results showed that the deformation,strength characteristics,and failure patterns of BRCS under triaxial compression depend on IA,CP,and CTR.The stress–strain curves of BRCS under triaxial compression could be divided into five stages,namely,compaction,elasticity,yield,strain softening,and residual stress.The relevant AE counts have corresponding relationships with different stages.The triaxial compressive strengths of composites increase linearly with the increase of the CP.Furthermore,the CP stress strengthening effect occurs.When the IAs are45°and 60°,the failure areas of composites appear in the interface and backfill.When the IAs are 75°and 90°,the failure areas of composites appear in the backfill,interface,and rock.Moreover,the corresponding failure modes yield the combined shear failure.The research results provide the basis for further understanding of the stability of the BRCS.

Experimental investigation on behaviors of bolt-supported rock strata surrounding an entry in large dip coal seam

In order to investigate the behaviors and stability of rock strata surrounding an entry with bolt supporting in large dip coal seams (LDCSs) dipping from 25° to 45°, a self-developed rotatable experimental frame for similar material simulation test was used to build the model with the dip of 30°, based on analyses of geological and technological conditions in Huainan mine area, Anhui, China. The strata behaviors, such as extracting- and mining-induced stresses development, deformation and failure modes, were synthetically integrated during working face advancing. Results show that the development characteristics of mining-induced stress and deformation are asymmetrical in the roadway. The strata behaviors are totally different in different sections of the roadway. Because of asymmetrically geometrical structure influenced by increasing dip, strata dislocating, rock falling and breaking occur in roof. Then, squeezing, collapsing and caving of coal happen in upper- and lower-rib due to shearing action caused by asymmetrical roof bending and dislocating. Owing to the absence of supporting, floor heaving is very violent and usually the zone of floor heaving develops from the lower-rib to upper-rib. Engineering practices show that, due to the asymmetrical characteristics of rock pressure and roadway configuration, it is more difficult to implement bolt supporting system to control rock stability of roadways in LDCSs. The upper-rib and roof of entries are the key sections. Consequently, it is reliable to use asymmetrical bolt-mesh-cable supporting system to control rock stability of roadways based on the asymmetrical characteristics of roadway configuration and strata behaviors.

Laboratory investigation into effect of bolt profiles on shear behaviors of bolt-grout interface under constant normal stiffness (CNS) conditions

Rock bolts have been widely used for stabilizing rock mass in geotechnical engineering.It is acknowledged that the bolt profiles have a sound influence on the support effect of the rock bolting system.Previous studies have proposed some optimal rib parameters(e.g.rib spacing);unfortunately,the interface shear behaviors are generally ignored.Therefore,determination of radial stress and radial displacement on the bolt-grout interface using traditional pull-out tests is not possible.The load-bearing capacity and deformation capacity vary as bolt profiles differ,suggesting that the support effect of the bolting system can be enhanced by optimizing bolt profiles.The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of bolt profiles(with/without ribs,rib spacing,and rib height)on the shear behaviors between the rock bolt and grout material using direct shear tests.Thereby,systematic interfacial shear tests with different bolt profiles were performed under both constant normal load(CNL)and constant normal stiffness(CNS)boundary conditions.The results suggested that rib spacing has a more marked influence on the interface shear behavior than rib height does,in particular at the post-yield stage.The results could facilitate our understanding of bolt-grout interface shear behavior under CNS conditions,and optimize selection of rock bolts under in situ rock conditions.

Experimental investigation of performance properties and agglomeration behavior of fly ash from gasification of corncobs

The gasification industries make use of biomass residue as feedstock to produce synthesis gas,but the gasification of this waste biomass generates tons of ash everyday.Performance properties and agglomeration behavior of corncob ash(CCA) collected from the gasification of corncobs in a pilot-scale gasification station were investigated by using some experimental methods.Based on the chemical composition results,the agglomeration tendency of CCA from combustion and gasification process was also analyzed.Chemical analysis shows that the fly ash is mainly composed of inorganic matters formed by K,Mg,Ca,Na,Fe,Al,S,etc.The agglomeration characteristics indicate that the slagging degree increases with the increase of ashing temperature,and the slagging tendency of these CCA samples from gasification or combustion is different with various slagging indices.All CCA samples from combustion or gasification can cause slagging/fouling problems in thermal conversion systems.The applications of CCA are closely related to its performances,and CCA has the potential to be used in various fields,for example,as a material for ceramic products and activated carbon,as an adsorbent,as a crude fertilizer,and as a structural material.

First-Principles Investigation on the Fully Compensated Ferrimagnetic Behavior in Ti_2NbSb and TiZrNbSb

The electronic structures of Ti_2NbSb with Hg_2CuTi structure and TiZrNbSb with LiMgPdSn structure are investigated using first-principles calculations.The results indicate that Ti_2NbSb is a fully compensated ferrimagnetic spin-gapless semiconductor with an energy gap of 0.13 e V,and TiZrNbSb is a half-metallic fully compensated ferrimagnet with a half-metallic gap of 0.17 e V.For Ti_2NbSb,the total energy of the Hg_2CuTi structure is0.62 e V/f.u.higher than that of the L2_(1) structure,which is the ground state,and for TiZrNbSb,the total energy of the structure considered in this work is only 0.15 e V/f.u.larger than that of the ground state.Thus both of them may be good candidates for spintronic applications.