Numerical simulation of influences of the earth medium's lateral heterogeneity on co- and post-seismic deformation

Many studies revealed that the Earth medium＇s lateral heterogeneity can cause considerable effects on the co- and post-seismic deformation field. In this study, the threedimensional finite element numerical method are adopted to quantify the effects of lateral heterogeneity caused by material parameters and fault dip angle on the co- and postseismic deformation in the near- and far-field. Our results show that： 1） the medium＇s lateral heterogeneity does affect the co-seismic deformation, with the effects increasing with the medium＇s lateral heterogeneity caused by material parameters; 2） the Lame parameters play a more dominant role than density in the effects caused by lateral heterogeneity; 3） when a fault＇s dip angle is smaller than 90, the effects of the medium＇s lateral heterogeneity on the hanging wall are greater than on the footwall; 4） the impact of lateral heterogeneity caused by the viscosity coefficient on the post-seismic deformation can affect a large area, including the near- and far-field.

Influence of process parameters on the microstructural evolution of a rear axle tube during cross wedge rolling

In the shaping process of cross wedge rolling（CWR）, metal undergoes a complex microstructural evolution, which affects the quality and mechanical properties of the product. Through secondary development of the DEFORM-3D software, we developed a rigid plastic finite element model for a CWR-processed rear axle tube, coupled with thermomechanical and microstructural aspects of workpieces. Using the developed model, we investigated the microstructural evolution of the CWR process. Also, the influence of numerous parameters, including the initial temperature of workpieces, the roll speed, the forming angle, and the spreading angle, on the grain size and the grain-size uniformity of the rolled workpieces was analyzed. The numerical simulation was verified through rolling and metallographic experiments. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated and experimental results, which demonstrated the reliability of the model constructed in this work.

Numerical modeling of thermally-induced fractures in a large rock salt mass

Numerical modeling of thermally-induced fractures is a concern for many geo-structures including deep underground energy storage caverns. In this paper, we present the numerical simulation of a large-scale cooling experiment performed in an underground rock salt mine. The theory of fracture mechanics was embedded in the extended finite element code used. The results provide reliable information on fracture location and fracture geometry. Moreover, the timing of the fracture onset, as well as the stress redis- tribution due to fracture propagation, is highlighted. The conclusions of this numerical approach can be used to improve the design of rock salt caverns in order to guarantee their integrity in terms of both their tightness and stability.

Surface micro/nanostructure evolution of Au-Ag alloy nanoplates： Synthesis, simulation, plasmonic photothermal and surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications

This study reports the controllable surface roughening of Au-Ag alloy nanoplates via the galvanic replacement reaction between single-crystalline triangular Ag nanoplates and HAuC14 in an aqueous medium. With a combination of experimental evidence and finite element method （FEM） simulations, improved electromagnetic field （E-field） enhancement around the surface-roughened Au- Ag nanoplates and tunable light absorption in the near-infrared （NIR） region （-800-1,400 nm） are achieved by the synergistic effects of the localized surface plasmon resonance （LSPR） from the maintained triangular shape, the controllable Au-Ag alloy composition, and the increased surface roughness. The NIR light extinction enables an active photothermal effect as well as a high photothermal conversion efficiency （78.5%）. The well-maintained triangular shape, surface- roughened evolutions of both micro- and nanostructures, and tunable NIR surface plasmon resonance effect enable potential applications of the Au-Ag alloy nanoplates in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection of biomolecules through 785-nm laser excitation.

Experiment and Simulation for Rolling of Diamond–Cu Composites

We demonstrate an innovative preparation approach of diamond/Cu composites by powder-in-tube technique and rolling. A small copper tube was loaded with Ti- and Cu-coated diamond particles, mad then the diamond particles were combined with Cu matrix by composite rolling. The morphology and element distribution of the interface between diamond and Cu were determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometer. Finite element method （FEM） simulation was used to analyze the rolling process associated with experiment by DEFORM-3D. The final experimental results showed that homogeneous distribution of diamond particles could be observed in the center layer of the composites. According to the contrast experiments, the sample, whose diamond particle size is 0.12-0.15 mm and thickness of pre-rolling is 1.2 mm, showed relatively complete morphologies and homogeneous distribution. Experimental results indicated a poor efficacy of excessive rolling reduction. The thermal conductivity of the composites is about 453 W （m K）-1 by theoretical calculation. For FEM simulation, roiling strain and temperature field of the composites were simulated by DEFORM-3D. Simulation results were interpreted, and numerical results verified the reliability of the model. The simulation predicted that the local area of large strain, indicative of the strain along the thickness direction, could be intensified by adding diamond particles.