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.

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.

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.

Effects of mechanical activation on the structural changes and microstructural characteristics of the components of ferruginous quartzite beneficiation tailings

The effects of mechanical activation in a planetary mill on the structural changes and microstructural characteristics of the components of ferruginous quartzite beneficiation railings generated by wet magnetic separation process were studied using X-ray and laser diffraction methods. The results revealed the relationship between variations in the mean particle size of activated powders and the milling time. The crystallite size, microstrain, lattice parameters and unit cell volumes were determined for different milling times in powder samples of quartz, hematite, dolomite, and magnetite from the beneficiation tailings. The main trends in the variation of the crystallite size of quartz, hematite, dolomite, and magnetite as a function mean particle size of powder samples were revealed. Changes in the particle shape as a function of the activation time was also investigated.

Mechanically Driven Alloying and Structural Evolution of Nanocrystalline Fe_(60)Cu_(40) Powder

Highly supersaturated nanocrystalline fcc Fe60Cu40 alloy has been prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental powders. The phase transformation is monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD),Mossbauer spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The powder obtained after milling is of single fcc structure with grain size of nanometer order. The Mossbauer spectra of the milled powder can be fitted by two subspectra whose hyperfine magnetic fields are 16 MA/m and 20 MA/m while that of pure Fe disappeared. EXAFS results show that the radial structure function (RSF) of Fe K-edge changed drastically and finally became similar to that of reference Cu K-edge, while that of Cu K-edge nearly keeps unchanged in the process of milling. These imply that bcc Fe really transforms to fcc structure and alloying between Fe and Cu occurs truly on an atomic scale. EXAFS results indicate that iron atoms tend to segregate at the boundaries and Cu atoms are rich in the fcc lattice. Annealing experiments show that the Fe atoms at the interfaces are easy to cluster to α-Fe at a lower temperature, whereas the iron atoms in the lattice will form γ-Fe first at temperature above 350℃, and then transform to bcc Fe

Structural Evolution of Fullerene during Mechanical Milling

Mechanical milling of fullerene (C60(C70)) was investigated to understand the structural evolu-tion. Mechanical milling could not destroy the molecular structure of C60(C70), while the longrange periodicity of the fCc crystalline structure was easiIy damaged. Longer miIIing time couldresult in the formation of C60(C70) polymer, including C60 dimer.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mechanically Alloyed Nd_(15)Fe_(70)T_(15)N_δ(T=V,Mo) Magnets

Structural and magnetic properties of Nd15Fe70T15Nδ(T=V, Mo) alloys, made by mechanical alloying (MA) followed by heat-treatment and nitriding, have been investigated systematically.Effects of annealing temperature on the structure and magnetic properties of the materials were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, AC susceptibility and high field magnetization measurements. Under pure argon atmosphere, the optimum temperatures for the heat treatment are found to be 75 and 850℃ for Nd15Fe7015Nδ and Nd15Fe70Mo15Nδ respectively. Correspondingly, the following magnetic properties are achieved : (1) Nd15Fe70V15Nδ:Br=0.63 T,,HC=8.01kA/cm (10.1 kOe), (BH )max=50.3 kJ/m3 (6 32 MGOe), (2) Nd15Fe70Mo15Nδ :Br=0.42 T. iHc=5.6 kA/cm (7.4 kOe), (BH )max=26.6 kJ/m3 (3.34 MGOe)

A systematic review of rigid-flexible composite pavement

Rigid-flexible composite pavement has gained significant popularity in recent decades.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research progress concerning rigid-flexible composite pavement,aiming to promote its application and address key issues while identifying future directions.The design theory and methodology of rigid-flexible composite pavement are discussed,followed by a description of its structural and mechanical behavior characteristics.The load stress,temperature stress,and their interactive effects between the asphalt layer and the rigid base were analyzed.It is clarified that the asphalt layer serves a dual role as both a“functional layer”and a“structural layer”.Typical distresses of rigid-flexible composite pavement,which primarily occur in the asphalt layer,were discussed.These distresses include reflective cracking,top-down cracking,rutting,and compressive-shear failure.Generally,the integrity of the rigid base and the interlaminar bonding conditions significantly impact the performance and distress of the asphalt layer.The technology for enhancing the performance of rigid-flexible composite pavement is summarized in three aspects:asphalt layer properties,rigid base integrity,and interlaminar bonding condition.The study concludes that developing high-performance pavement materials based on their structural behaviors is an effective approach to improve the performance and durability of rigid-flexible composite pavement.The integrated design of structure and materials represents the future direction of road design.

A review of Al-based material dopants for high-performance solid state lithium metal batteries

As the world transitions to green energy, there is a growing focus among many researchers on the requirement for high-efficient and safe batteries. Solid-state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries(LIBs), offering higher energy density, enhanced safety, and longer lifespan. The rise of SSLMBs has brought about a transformation in energy storage, with aluminum(Al)-based material dopants playing a crucial role in advancing the next generation of batteries. The review highlights the significance of Al-based material dopants in SSLMBs applications, particularly its contributions to solid-state electrolytes(SSEs), cathodes, anodes,and other components of SSLMBs. Some studies have also shown that Al-based material dopants effectively enhance SSE ion conductivity, stabilize electrode and SSE interfaces, and suppress lithium dendrite growth, thereby enhancing the electrochemical performance of SSLMBs. Despite the above mentioned progresses, there are still problems and challenges need to be addressed. The review offers a comprehensive insight into the important role of Al in SSLMBs and addresses some of the issues related to its applications, endowing valuable support for the practical implementation of SSLMBs.

Multistable Mechanical Metamaterials:A Brief Review

Over the past decade,multistable mechanical metamaterials have been widely investigated because of their novel shape reconfigurability and programmable energy landscape.The ability to reversibly reshape among diverse stable states with different energy levels represents the most important feature of the multistable mechanical metamaterials.We summarize main design strategies of multistable mechanical metamaterials,including those based on self-assembly scheme,snap-through instability,structured mechanism and geometrical frustration,with a focus on the number and controllability of accessible stable states.Then we concentrate on unusual mechanical properties of these multistable mechanical metamaterials,and present their applications in a wide range of areas,including tunable electromagnetic devices,actuators,robotics,and mechanical logic gates.Finally,we discuss remaining challenges and open opportunities of designs and applications of multistable mechanical metamaterials.

Research on the Structural Rigidity Characteristics of a Reconfigurable TBM Thrust Mechanism

To improve the adaptability of TBMs in diverse geological environments,this paper proposes a reconfigurable Type-V thrust mechanism(V-TM)with rearrangeable working states,in which structural stiffness can be automatically altered during operation.Therefore,millions of configurations can be obtained,and thousands of instances of working status per configuration can be set respectively.Nonetheless,the complexity of configurations and diversity of working states contributes to further complications for the structural stiffness algorithm.This results in challenges such as difficulty calculating the payload compliance index and the environment adaptability index.To solve this problem,we use the configuration matrix to describe the relationship between propelling jacks under reconfiguration and adopt pattern vectors to describe the working state of each hydraulic cylinder.Then,both the dynamic compatible equation between propeller forces of the hydraulic cylinders and driving forces,and the kinematic harmonizing equation between the hydraulic cylinder displacements and their deformations are established.Next,we derive the stiffness analytical equation using Hooke’s law and the Jacobian Matrix.The proposed approach provides an effective algorithm to support structural rigidity analysis,and lays a solid theoretical foundation for calculating the performance indexes of the V-TM.We then analyze the rigidity characteristics of typical configurations under different working states,and obtain the main factors affecting structural stiffness of the V-TM.The results show the deviation degree of structural parameters in hydraulic cylinders within the same group,and the working status of propelling jacks.Finally,our constructive conclusions contribute valuable information for matching and optimization by drawing on the factors that affect the structural rigidity of the V-TM.

Structural Synthesis of a Class of 2R2T Hybrid Mechanisms

Conventional overconstrained parallel manipulators have been widely studied both in industry and academia,however the structural synthesis of hybrid mechanisms with additional constraints is seldom studied,especially for the four degrees of freedom（DOF） hybrid mechanisms.In order to develop a manipulator with additional constraints,a class of important spatial mechanisms with coupling chains（CCs） whose motion type is two rotations and two translations（2R2T） is presented.Based on screw theory,the combination of different types of limbs which are used to construct parallel mechanisms and coupling chains is proposed.The basic types of the general parallel mechanisms and geometric conditions of the kinematic chains are given using constraint synthesis method.Moreover,the 2R2T motion pattern hybrid mechanisms which are derived by adding coupling chains between different serial kinematic chains（SKCs） of the corresponding parallel mechanisms are presented.According to the constraint analysis of the mechanisms,the movement relationship of the moving platform and the kinematic chains is derived by disassembling the coupling chains.At last,fourteen novel hybrid mechanisms with two or three serial kinematic chains are presented.The proposed novel hybrid mechanisms and construction method enrich the family of the spatial mechanisms and provide an instruction to design more complex hybrid mechanisms.

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.

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.

The Mechanism of Structural Control of Ore Formation and Geochemical Characteristics in the Massive Sulfide Deposits of the Wushan Copper Ore Field,Jiangxi

The ore-controlling mechanism of the bedding fault system in the massive sulfide deposits of the Wushancopper orefield may be generalized as the control of ore deposition by optimum surface in an ore-formingstructural trap. The mechanism has three major features: (1) timing of mineralization; (2) positioning of hostformation; and (3) dependence of ore-controlling structure on properties of rocks. The 'optimum surface' is adivisional structural plane which marks obvious difference in physical, chemical and mechanical properties andis favorable for mineralization. It is also a unity of structures. lithofacies and orebodies. The structural and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposits indicate the migration trend of the ma-jor characteristic clements in the ore-controlling fault belt: elements with a small radius (Si, Fe, Mg and Al)moved towards and concentrated at the center of the belt while large-radius ones (Ca, K and Na) were remotefrom the center.

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.

Mechanical Behaviour and Structure Instability of Al_3Ti Alloy

Trialuminide alloys of elements such as Ti. Nb or Zr are of particular interest as materials for high temperature usage because their density is very low and specific strength and elastic rnoduli are then very high. This report concentrates on recent work on Al3Ti alloys which have been alloyed with ternary elements such that the higher symmetry ordered cubic structure is obtained, leading to somewhat easier operation of deformation mechan isms and hence improved ductility and toughness.Fine details of the crystal structure of cubic trialuminides are considered here and it is shown that the materials generally possess some remnant tetragonal chemical ordering which can affect their me chanical behaviour. In addition the compositional range over which a stable single phase is retained is shown to be extremely small, such that in most cases the materials examined show some form of microstructural instability. These instabilities affect the mechanical behaviour of the materials, for exarnple producing general strengthening. leading to precipitation hardening du ring hig h temperature testing, and causing age hardening instabilities during high temperature static or dynamic testing.Such structural instabifity feads to significant modifications at superdislocations, affecting both the dislocation cores and their associated APB's. Failure for these cubic materials still occurs at very small plastic strains and seems to be determined by difficulties of superdislocation creation near a propagating crack rather than by problems of suitable dislocation configuration and mobility. Possible ways to enhance ductility and toughness by alloying and microstructural modification will be discussed.

Supply-Side Structural Reforms of China's Industries

Supply-side structural reforms are structural adjustments and institutional reforms to address the mismatch between supply and demand and improve TFP. The mismatch is exhibited at the supply side and arises from structural contradictions and must be addressed through reforms. Supply-side structural reforms can be analyzed at the levels of firms, industries and government to arrive at theoretical and systematic conclusions that offer practical guidance. Based on this perspective, this paper proposes policy recommendations on how to deal with zombie firms, reduce cost for manufacturing companies, deepen SOE reforms, eliminate overcapacity, implement ＂Made in China 2025＂ and Internet＋ strategies, promote Beijing-l^anjin-Hebei integrated development, as well as develop the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the old industrial bases of the northeast.