Effects of interface parameters on the transport properties of nanocomposites

This study introduces a continuum medium approximation(CMA)and an empirical effective medium approxi-mation(EMA)-type formulation to estimate the transport properties,including electrical conductivity,thermal conductivity,Seebeck coefficient,and Hall mobility,of nanostructured composites.The CMA incorporates the interface parameters mediated by newly introduced distribution functions to resolve predictions that deviate from the inclusion properties at its volume fraction of 1 in current EMAs and yields predictions agreed well with both the empirical EMA and experimental data.The empirical EMA-type formulation resolves the differ-ences in CMA predictions for the media A_(1-x)B_(x)and B_(1-x)A_(x)and provides a unique prediction that agrees very well with experimental data at a given volume fraction ranging from 0 to 1.The effects of the interface param-eters on the transport properties were investigated.The results indicated that the efficiency of nanostructured composites could be further improved by optimizing the interface parameters.

A simplified method for the determination of vertically loaded pile-soil interface parameters in layered soil based on FLAC3D

The numerical analysis of pile-soil interaction commonly requires a lot of trial works to determine the interface parameters and the accuracy cannot be ensured normally. Considering this, this paper first conducts a sensitivity analysis to figure out the influence of interface parameters on the bearing behavior of a single pile in sand. Then, a simplified method for the determination of pile-soil interface parameters in layered soil is proposed based on the parameter studies. Finally, a filed loading test is used for the validation of the simplified method, and the calculated results agree well with the monitoring data. In general, the simplified method proposed in this paper works with higher accuracy and consumes less time compared with the traditional trial works, especially on the determinations ofinterfacial cohesive and interracial friction angle.

AN ALGORITHM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING BLACK-BOX TEST CASES

Selection of test cases plays a key role in improving testing efficiency. Black-box testing is an important way of testing, and its validity lies on the selection of test cases in some sense. A reasonable and effective method about the selection and generation of test cases is urgently needed. This letter first introduces some usualmethods on black-box test case generation,then proposes a new algorithm based on interface parameters and discusses its properties, finally shows the effectiveness of the algorithm.

One-dimensional nonlinear consolidation analysis of soil with continuous drainage boundary

Following the assumptions proposed by MESRI and ROKHSAR,the one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation problem of soil under constant loading is studied by introducing continuous drainage boundary.The numerical solution is derived by using finite difference method and its correctness is assessed by comparing with existing analytical and numerical solutions.Based on the present solution,the effects of interface parameters,stress ratios(i.e.,final effective stress over initial effective stress,N_(σ))and the ratio c_(c)/c_(k)of compression index to permeability index on the consolidation behavior of soil are studied in detail.The results show that,the characteristics of one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of soil are not only related to c_(c)/c_(k)and N_(σ),but also related to boundary conditions.In the engineering practice,the soil drainage rate of consolidation process can be designed by adjusting the values of interface parameters.

Disturbed state concept as unified constitutive modeling approach

A unified constitutive modeling approach is highly desirable to characterize a wide range of engineeringmaterials subjected simultaneously to the effect of a number of factors such as elastic, plastic and creepdeformations, stress path, volume change, microcracking leading to fracture, failure and softening,stiffening, and mechanical and environmental forces. There are hardly available such unified models. Thedisturbed state concept （DSC） is considered to be a unified approach and is able to provide materialcharacterization for almost all of the above factors. This paper presents a description of the DSC, andstatements for determination of parameters based on triaxial, multiaxial and interface tests. Statementsof DSC and validation at the specimen level and at the boundary value problem levels are also presented.An extensive list of publications by the author and others is provided at the end. The DSC is considered tobe a unique and versatile procedure for modeling behaviors of engineering materials and interfaces. 2016 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Numerical analysis and capacity evaluation of composite sprayed concrete lined tunnels

Spray-applied membranes for waterproofing of sprayed concrete tunnels have led to the possibility of shear transfer between primary and secondary linings through the membrane interface,with the potential for reducing overall lining thickness.Laboratory tests have shown a reasonable degree of composite action in beam specimens.In this study,a numerical model previously calibrated against such tests is applied to a whole tunnel,considering soil–structure interaction and staged lining construction.The model shows composite action,and load sharing between the lining layers is expected in the tunnel as in the beams.Parametric studies over the practical range of interface stiffness values show that composite action is maintained,although at high interface stiffness,excessive bending may be imposed on the secondary lining,requiring additional reinforcement.An effcient composite shell design with minimal additional rein-forcement is achievable if the secondary lining thickness is reduced as compared to current practice.Robustness of the system,measured in terms of the interface’s ability to transfer stress under unequal loading causing distortion on the tunnel,is found to be generally ade-quate.However,adjacent construction in close proximity may provide insuffcient margin on membrane tensile de-bonding,particularly if the membrane is partially or fully saturated.