Research on the Bending Impact Resistance and Transverse Fracture Characteristics of Bamboo under the Action of Falling Weight

Drop weight impact tester was used to accurately measure the bending impact resistance of various parts of Phyllostachys edulis,commonly known as moso bamboo,with a growth cycle of 3–8 years.Cellulose crystallinity in the bottom(B),middle(M)and top(T)of bamboo at different ages was calculated using peak height analysis in X-ray diffraction.Heatmap of Spearman correlation analysis was used to represent the correlation between chemical composition and impact mechanics.The breaking load(BL),fracture energy(FE)and impact deflection(ID)of 3–8-year-old bamboo were found to be in the range of~670–2120 N,~5.17–15.55 J,and~3.60–~17.76 mm,respectively.As the growth period of bamboo rises,the cellulose crystallinity at the B and T decreases first and then increases,while that for the M increases first and then remains stable.Similarly,the bending impact performance of bamboo was found to become stable with its growth and age.The flexural impact and toughness of the 4-year-old bamboo base material were better than other specimens.The enhancement in the bending impact properties of bamboo at different growth periods was influenced by the lignin content,while the value of FE was mainly positively correlated with ash,cold and hot water extracts and benzyl alcohol content.However the content of holocellulose and pentosan,air-dry density and,base density negatively influenced the FE.With the change in the height of the bamboo,the correlation between its impact mechanical properties and chemical composition gradually decreased.This study provides data support and theoretical basis for the age-appropriate thinning and application of moso bamboo.

Risk Analysis of Breakwater Caisson Under Wave Attack Using Load Surface Approximation

A new load surface based approach to the reliability analysis of caisson-type breakwater is proposed. Uncertainties of the horizontal and vertical wave loads acting on breakwater are considered by using the so-called load surfaces, which can be estimated as functions of wave height, water level, and so on. Then, the first-order reliability method（FORM） can be applied to determine the probability of failure under the wave action. In this way, the reliability analysis of breakwaters with uncertainties both in wave height and in water level is possible. Moreover, the uncertainty in wave breaking can be taken into account by considering a random variable for wave height ratio which relates the significant wave height to the maximum wave height. The proposed approach is applied numerically to the reliability analysis of caisson breakwater under wave attack that may undergo partial or full wave breaking.

Observation of a Chemical Softener’s Effects on Stem-Specific Lignocellulosic <i>Brassica napus</i>(Type: Canola) (Cultivar: HYHEAR 3) Fiber Quality

Chemical softener (Cepreton UN) is used to soften the cellulosic fiber (cotton) in the textile industries to make clothes better to touch. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Cepreton UN on both physical (length, aspect ratio, contact angle, and moisture regain) and mechanical (load at break, elongation at break, tensile stress, young’s modulus, and tenacity) properties of the lignocellulosic canola (HYREAR 3) fibers extracted from narrow, medium, and wide stems. ANOVA showed that fiber diameter had strong effects on elongation at break, load at break, tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio for all fibers. Corrgram values showed that tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio were negatively correlated to fiber diameter whereas load at break and tenacity were mostly positively correlated to fiber diameter. The fibers were treated with 2% and 10% Cepreton UN and compared with control fibers. In most cases, the fiber diameter was decreased in both 2% and 10% treated medium stem fibers. The mean values of elongation at break, load at break, tenacity, and contact angle were decreased for 10% and increased for 2% and the mean values of tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio were decreased for 2% and increased for 10% treated medium stem fibers. Moisture regain (%) mostly decreased for 2%, and increased for 10% treated fibers. Low pH (4.5) had an almost similar effect on fibers as 2% Cepreton UN. Overall, 2% Cepreton UN treatment is found to be better than 10% to make canola fibers less stiff and low pH was found to be an alternative softener treatment strategy.

The Effect of Stem Diameter on the <i>Brassica napus</i>(Type: Canola) (Cultivar: HYHEAR 3) Fiber Quality

A matured canola plant has different types of stems based on the diameter, such as narrow (immature), medium (mature), and wide (over mature). Therefore, this study was focused on investigating the properties of the extracted canola (HYREAR 3) fibers from 3 different diameter of stems (narrow, medium and wide). The physical (average length, aspect ratio, contact angle, and moisture regain) and mechanical (load at break, elongation at break, tensile stress, young’s modulus, and tenacity) properties of fibers were measured. ANOVA showed that stem diameter had effects on all fiber properties except for average length and elongation at break. Fiber diameter also had significant effects on load at break, elongation at break, aspect ratio, tensile stress, and young’s modulus. In corrgram, it was found that tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio were negatively correlated to fiber diameter whereas load at break and tenacity were positively associated. Mean values showed that stem diameter had effects on all fiber properties except for average length. The mean values of fiber diameter, load at break, elongation at break, tenacity, and contact angle were highest and the lowest mean values were observed for tensile stress, young’s modulus and aspect ratio in fibers of 7 - 10 mm stems (medium matured), hence found to be less stiff. Moisture regain ability showed that canola fibers isolated from ≥8 mm stem diameter were more hydrophobic whereas contact angle measurement showed relatively more hydrophobic nature of 7 - 10 mm stem fibers. Therefore, this study provided an insightful understanding of the quality of the canola fibers of different stems which will ultimately help to choose the best stem to extract different qualities of fibers for commercial uses.

Weibull Statistics Strength Investigation of Synthetic Link Chains Made from Ultra-Strong Polyethylene Fibers

Chains are typically used for tension load transfer. They are very flexible and allow easy length adjustment by hooking at the links. Steel is the traditional material for chains. Recently, synthetic link chains made from ultra-strong polyethylene fibers, branded as Dyneema&#174;, are commercially available. These chains offer a highly improved strength to weight ratio. So far, one type of such chains is available, and it has a Working Load Limit of 100 kN. 50 of such chains, containing 6 links were tested to fracture. The strength of each chain and the location of the failed link were documented during testing for later interpretation. Weibull statistics was applied in order to extrapolate towards the allowable load for very low failure risks (high reliability). Two approaches were used. One extrapolation was based on all results;the other was applied after recognition that the end links failed under a slight negative influence by the connection to the testing equipment. Thus, in fact two populations are mixed, the chains with failing end links and the chains with failing central links. So considering the population without the failing end links is more representative for pure chain behavior without clamping effects. The results from this latter consideration showed a higher Weibull exponent, thus a more realistic extrapolation behavior. Both methods indicate that the reliability at the working load limit of 100 kN is very good.