Combined use of fly ash and silica to prevent the long-term strength retrogression of oil well cement set and cured at HPHT conditions

The long-term strength retrogression of silica-enriched oil well cement poses a significant threat to wellbore integrity in deep and ultra-deep wells, which is a major obstacle for deep petroleum and geothermal energy development. Previous attempts to address this problem has been unsatisfactory because they can only reduce the strength decline rate. This study presents a new solution to this problem by incorporating fly ash to the traditional silica-cement systems. The influences of fly ash and silica on the strength retrogression behavior of oil well cement systems directly set and cured under the condition of 200°C and 50 MPa are investigated. Test results indicate that the slurries containing only silica or fly ash experience severe strength retrogression from 2 to 30 d curing, while the slurries containing both fly ash and silica experience strength enhancement from 2 to 90 d. The strength test results are corroborated by further evidences from permeability tests as well as microstructure analysis of set cement. Composition of set cement evaluated by quantitative X-ray diffraction analyses with partial or no known crystal structure(PONKCS) method and thermogravimetry analyses revealed that the conversion of amorphous C-(A)-S-H to crystalline phases is the primary cause of long-term strength retrogression.The addition of fly ash can reduce the initial amount of C-(A)-S-H in the set cement, and its combined use with silica can prevent the crystallization of C-(A)-S-H, which is believed to be the working mechanism of this new admixture in improving long-term strength stability of oil well cement systems.

Long-term Antibacterial Properties and Bond Strength of Experimental Nano Silver-containing Orthodontic Cements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long time antibacterial properties and shear bond strength of experimental nano silver-containing cements （NSC）. Nano silver base inorganic antibacterial powder was added to the reinforced glass ionomer cement at five different weight ratios to obtain a series of nano silver-containing cements, then the antibacterial properties of three orthodontic cement products and five NSC samples were evaluated by the direct contact test （DCT） and the agar diffusion test （ADT）. The DCT, which was based on turbidness determination of bacterial growth in 96-well microtiter plates, was performed in both fresh and aged for 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks tested materials. The shear bond strengthes of three orthodontic cement products and five NSC samples were examined using a universal testing machine. The ADT results indicated that there were no significant differences between NSCs and ORTHO LC fresh specimens. In the DCT experiment, all fresh silver nanoparticles-containing tested samples presented powerful antibacterial properties, but they gradually lost the effective antimicrobial agents with the extension of aging time. Finally, none of the tested materials maintained its antibacterial property after aging for 8 weeks. A gradually decreasing trend of bond strength presented with the increasing incorporation of nano silver base inorganic antibacterial powder into the glass ionomer cement, even though all the tested material specimens reached the ideal bond strength range. We may conclude that NSCs can contribute to decrease the demineralization rate around brackets without compromising bond strength.

Determination of long-term strength of frozen loess after numerous freeze-thaw cycles

In order to determine the changing rule of long-term frozen soil strength and elucidate the connection between long-term strength and soil physical properties,frozen loess was subjected to 4,6,8,10,and 50 freeze-thaw cycles,under closed-state conditions in a constant-temperature box.The frozen samples were tested on a spherical template indenter,and the results show that under the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles,the long-term strength of frozen loess decreased; changes in the mechanical property indices were highly unstable during the first 10 cycles; the soil strength and density were the greatest at the eighth cycle while the void ratio was the smallest; and after eight cycles all of the indices had less fluctuation and certain rising or falling tendencies.By converting the number of freeze-thaw cycles into elapsed time in the tests,three different forecasting methods of long-term soil strength could be assessed and the soil equivalent cohesive force after 10 years,20 years,or 30 years could be estimated.

Characteristics of dynamic strain and strength of frozen silt under long-term dynamic loading

The dynamic swain and strength of frozen silt under long-term dynamic loading are studied based on creep tests. Three groups of tests are performed (Groups I, II, and III). The initial deviator stresses of Groups I and II are same and the dynamic stress ampli- tude of Group II is twice as that of Group I. The minimum value of dynamic stress in Group IlI is near zero and its dynamic stress amplitude is larger than those of Groups I and II. In tests of all three groups there are similar change trends of accttmulative sWain, but with different values. The accumulative swain curves consist of three stages, namely, the initial stage, the steady stage, and the gradual flow stage. In the tests of Groups I and II, during the initial stage with vibration times less than 50 loops the strain ampli- tude decreased with the increase of vibration times and then basically remained constant, fluctuating in a very small range. For the tests of Group III, during the initial and steady stages the sWain amplitude decreased with the increase of vibration times, and then increased rapidly in the gradual flow stage. The dynamic strength of frozen silt decreases and trends to terminal dynamic strength as the vibration times of loading increase.

Study on Single-fiber Pull-out Method for Evaluating Interfacial Strength in CFRP

Single-fiber pull-out testing (SFPOT) methods are frequently used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix in composite materials. To make such pull-out measurements, however, the length of embedded fiber must be small enough so that the fiber does not break before it is pulled freely. This is difficult to achieve by conventional methods with fibers of small diameter, such as the carbon fibers. In this paper, a fiber pull-out experiment is described. Specialized apparatus in our laboratory, as well as this technique for sample preparation are discussed in detail. The interfacial shear strength of carbon fiber/resin matrix composites is analyzed quantitatively by using the finite-element method. The SFPOT system has been proved to be an available means for the study of interfacial properties for carbon fiber/resin matrix composites.

Strength-Toughening Model of Eutectic Ceramic Composite with Inherent Defects

Strengthening and toughening mechanisms in composite ceramics is complex. A change in a single parameter induces multiple property variations. The multiple changes in properties are often incompletely represented in theoretical models. This incompleteness in the parameter chosen fails to explain the mechanism of failure in composite ceramics. The exponential toughness function is used to represent the pull-out toughening mechanism, which dominates the crack growth resistance curve（R-curve）. The strengthening-toughening model is established based on the Mori-Tanaka method（M-T method）. The influence of inherent defects on toughness function and strength is analyzed by using this model. The theoretical result is compared with the experiment data. This model exactly reflects the change in strength. The theoretical result indicates that defects change the toughness function. Moreover, micro-cracks increase toughness size ac, and the strength of crack instable extensions acutely decreases as defect content increases. This presented model establishes the relationship among the important mechanical parameters of defect, strength, elastic modulus, and the R-curve.

Long-term stability analysis of large-scale underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station

Numerical analysis of the optimal supporting time and long-term stability index of the surrounding rocks in the underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station was carried out based on the rheological theory. Firstly,the mechanical parameters of each rock group were identified from the experimental data; secondly,the rheological calculation and analysis for the cavern in stepped excavation without supporting were made; finally,the optimal time for supporting at the characteristic point in a typical section was obtained while the creep rate and displacement after each excavation step has satisfied the criterion of the optimal supporting time. Excavation was repeated when the optimal time for supporting was identified,and the long-term stability creep time and the maximum creep deformation of the characteristic point were determined in accordance with the criterion of long-term stability index. It is shown that the optimal supporting time of the characteristic point in the underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station is 5-8 d,the long-term stability time of the typical section is 126 d,and the corresponding largest creep deformation is 24.30 mm. While the cavern is supported,the cavern deformation is significantly reduced and the stress states of the surrounding rock masses are remarkably improved.

Experimental research on bond strength of deformed GFRP rebars with different surface configurations

Based on the Canadian Standards Association(CSA) criterion,experiments on 30 pull-out specimens were conducted to study the bond strength of deformed GFRP rebars with 8 different surface configurations.Each rebar was embedded in a 150 mm concrete cube,and the test embedded length was four times of the rebar diameter.Relationship between the mode of failure,the average bond strength and the average bond strength-slip for each rebar was analyzed.Results show that the failure mode of all specimens is the shearing off or desquamation of ribs,no splitting cracks appear on the cube specimens.The bond stress of deformed GFRP rebars mainly depends on the mechanical interaction between the ribs of the bar and the surrounding concrete,and the bond strength of deformed GFRP rebars is improved obviously.The optimal rib spacing is less than 2.5 times of the rebar diameter,and the rib height is more than 3% of the rebar diameter.

Assessment of Fatigue Strength of An Offshore Floating Production and Storage Unit

The procedure of assessment of structural fatigue strength of an offshore floating production and storage and offloading unit (FPSO) in this paper. The emphasis is placed on the long-term prediction of wave induced loading, the refined finite element model for hot spot stress calculation, the combination of stress components, and fatigue damage assessment based on S-N curve.

土层锚杆蠕变试验研究

目前在工程中，往往注重锚杆的荷载变形行为，很少关注其时间效应行为。我们做了2根土层灌浆锚杆的拉拔蠕变试验，并对锚杆拉拔的蠕变特征进行了分析。首先利用锚杆拉拔蠕变曲线画出了等时拉拔力一位移曲线，然后计算各时刻等时曲线的割线刚度，并分析了刚度和时间之间的关系。建立了锚杆抗拔的流变力学模型，并由此得到了长期抗拔力随时间的变化规律，求导出锚杆拉拔的长期抗拔力。结果表明，锚杆的长期抗拔力约为瞬时抗拔力的85％～90％。

Glutamate receptor delocalization in postsynaptic membrane and reduced hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease

Mounting evidence suggests that synaptic plasticity provides the cellular biological basis of learning and memory, and plasticity deficits play a key role in dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanisms by which synaptic dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease remain unclear. In the present study, Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice were used to determine the relationship between decreased hippocampal synaptic plasticity and pathological changes and cognitive-behavioral deterioration, as well as possible mechanisms underlying decreased synaptic plasticity in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease-like diseases. APP/PS1 double transgenic(5 XFAD; Jackson Laboratory) mice and their littermates(wild-type, controls) were used in this study. Additional 6-weekold and 10-week-old 5 XFAD mice and wild-type mice were used for electrophysiological recording of hippocampal dentate gyrus. For10-week-old 5 XFAD mice and wild-type mice, the left hippocampus was used for electrophysiological recording, and the right hippocampus was used for biochemical experiments or immunohistochemical staining to observe synaptophysin levels and amyloid beta deposition levels. The results revealed that, compared with wild-type mice, 6-week-old 5 XFAD mice exhibited unaltered long-term potentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Another set of 5 XFAD mice began to show attenuation at the age of 10 weeks, and a large quantity of amyloid beta protein was accumulated in hippocampal cells. The location of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor subunits in synaptosomes was decreased. These findings indicate that the delocalization of postsynaptic glutamate receptors and an associated decline in synaptic plasticity may be key mechanisms in the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. The use and care of animals were in strict accordance with the ethical standards of the Animal Ethics Committee of Capital Medical University,China on December 17, 2015(approval No. AEEI-2015-182).

Novel rechargeable calcium phosphate nanoparticle-containing orthodontic cement

White spot lesions （WSLs）, due to enamel demineralization, occur frequently in orthodontic treatment. We recently developed a novel rechargeable dental composite containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate （NACP） with long-term calcium （Ca） and phosphate （P） ion release and caries-inhibiting capability. The objectives of this study were to develop the first NACP- rechargeable orthodontic cement and investigate the effects of recharge duration and frequency on the efficacy of ion re-release. The rechargeable cement consisted of pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate （PMGDM） and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate （EBPADMA）. NACP was mixed into the resin at 40% by mass. Specimens were tested for orthodontic bracket shear bond strength （SBS） to enamel, Ca and P ion initial release, recharge and re-release. The new orthodontic cement exhibited an SBS similar to commercial orthodontic cement without CaP release （P〉 0.1）. Specimens after one recharge treatment （e.g., 1 min immersion in recharge solution repeating three times in one day, referred to as ＂1 min 3 times＂） exhibited a substantial and continuous re-release of Ca and P ions for 14 days without further recharge. The ion re-release did not decrease with increasing the number of recharge/re-release cycles （P〉 0.1）. The ion re-release concentrations at 14 days versus various recharge treatments were as follows： 1 min 3 times〉3 min 2 times〉 1 min 2 times〉6 min 1 time〉3 min 1 time〉 1 min 1 time. In conclusion, although previous studies have shown that NACP nanocomposite remineralized tooth lesions and inhibited caries, the present study developed the first orthodontic cement with Ca and P ion recharge and long-term release capability. This NACP-rechargeable orthodontic cement is a promising therapy to inhibit enamel demineralization and WSLs around orthodontic brackets.

Experimental study on rheological deformation and stress properties of limestone

The systematic experiment regarding the general uniaxial compression test and the creep deformations of the typical limestones from the surrounding rock of the highway tunnels were made.The relationship between the axial stress and the delayed deformation steady value was obtained from the creep tests under low loading stresses.By the least square method,the parameters of Nishihara creep model were calculated from the creep curves.The results indicate that the strain change always lags behind the increase of stress,and the long-term strength of the limestone is about 80.6% of the stress at the volumetric strain reversal which is obtained from the conventional uniaxial compression test.

Laboratory creep tests for time-dependent properties of a marble in Jinping Ⅱ hydropower station

In order to investigate the time-dependent behaviors of deep hard rocks in the diversion tunnel of Jinping II hydropower station, uniaxial creep tests were carried out by using the triaxial testing machine RC-2000. The axial compressive load was applied step by step and each creep stage was kept for over several days. Test results show that： （1） The lateral deformation of rock specimens is 2-3 times the axial compressive deformation and accelerates drastically before damage, which may be employed as an indicator to predict the excavation-induced instability of rocks. （2） The resultant deformation changes from compression to expansion when the Poisson＇s ratio is larger than 0.5, indicating the starting point of damage. （3） In the step-loading stages, the Poisson＇s ratio approximately remains constant; under constantly imposed load, the Poisson＇s ratio changes with elapsed time, growing continuously before the specimen is damaged. （4） When the applied load reaches a certain threshold value, the rock deteriorates with time, and the strength of rocks approximately has a negative exponent relation with time. （5） The failure modes of the deep marble are different in long- and short-term loading conditions. Under the condition of short-term loading, the specimen presents a mode of tensile failure; while under the condition of long-term loading, the specimen presents a mode of shear failure, followed by tensile failure.

Influence of Limited Soil on the Root Distribution and Anchorage of Vitex negundo L.

Field pull-out and laboratory tests were applied to investigate the effect of metal bolts and wire netting on plant root distribution and anchorage characteristics of 9-year-old Vitex negundo L. growing on a weakly weathered rocky slope (38°). Root number, length and diameter were recorded and single root specimens were classified and tested for tensile strength. The results show that root anchorage is different between the two constructions by bolts and wire. Under limited soil condition, root anchorage ability is 80% lower than when there is sufficient soil due to the reduction of the diameter and number of all second-order lateral roots, as well as the reduction of the tensile strength of the embedded second-order and first-order lateral roots on limited soil. We conclude that the distribution and anchorage of Vitex negundo L. is affected by limited soil availability on rocky slopes.

Analysis of Soil Fertility Evolution Characteristics in Main Eucalyptus Producing Areas of Guangxi from 1993 to 2018

The research aimed to explore the impact of long-term continuous planting management mode on soil fertility evolution of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi and evolution characteristics of each soil fertility index,and establish a reasonable management method of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi.Main production area of eucalyptus in Guangxi was taken as the research object,and the soil fertility quality of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi from 1993 to 2018 was evaluated by means of fuzzy mathematics by selecting soil chemical properties such as p H,organic matter,total nitrogen,total phosphorus,total potassium,alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen,available phosphorus and available potassium.The results showed that the soil p H value of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi decreased from 4.83 to 4.63,a decrease of 4.14%.The contents of soil organic matter,total phosphorus,available nitrogen and available potassium all showed a significant decreasing trend.The soil fertility quality index( IFI) was between 0.475 and 0.613,and the overall fertility index was low.The soil of eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi showed a trend of acidification under continuous management during 1993-2018.In the actual production,it should pay more attention to soil improvement,advocate soil testing and reasonable fertilization,reduce the use of acid fertilizer,increase the application of organic fertilizer and slow release fertilizer,and ensure the ecological health and sustainable development of eucalyptus plantation.

A new method based on the shear lag model for accurate determination of ice adhesion shear strength on solid surface

Accurate measurement of the interfacial shear strength between ice and solid surface has important reference significance for the design of anti-icing and de-icing functional surfaces.In this paper,a new method is proposed based on the shear lag model of a single fiber pulled out from matrix,in order to accurately determine the interfacial shear strength(ISS)between ice and metals.The maximum pull-out force at the initiation of interface debonding is well measured in the pull-out test of a metal fiber embedded in an ice matrix.A shear lag model similar to the pull-out test is established and a closed-form relation between the non-uniform interfacial shear stress and the pull-out force is achieved.When the pull-out force reaches its peak value,the ice/metal ISS can be consequently determined as the maximum interfacial shear stress.Such a method takes into account the stress concentration at the interface,which overcomes underestimation of ice/solid ISS based on the apparent strength in previous studies.The achieved ISS is proven to not only have good convergence,but also be independent of the size and embedded depth of metal fibers.Based on the present method,the enhancing effects of freezing temperature and surface roughness on the ice adhesion are further disclosed.The present research provides a simple and reliable approach to accurately calibrate the ice/solid ISS,which should be of important reference significance for the design and assessment of anti-icing functional surfaces.

全长黏结螺纹玻璃纤维增强聚合物抗浮锚杆蠕变试验研究

通过4根全长黏结螺纹玻璃纤维增强聚合物(GFRP)抗浮锚杆在长期荷载作用下的拉拔蠕变试验,研究GFRP抗浮锚杆抗拔的蠕变力学模型,计算出模型中的蠕变参数并对模型的正确性进行验证。另外,引入时间损伤效应的概念,结合蠕变力学模型推导出GFRP抗浮锚杆的长期抗拔力。结果表明,中风化花岗岩中GFRP抗浮锚杆在40%的极限荷载下才发生蠕变,GFRP锚杆在低荷载水平下蠕变性能优良,能够满足工程需要;Burgers力学模型能够很好地描述GFRP抗浮锚杆的蠕变规律,模型预测结果与试验结果具有较好的吻合程度,且随着拉拔荷载的增大,模型中的各力学参数均逐渐减小;建立的蠕变损伤模型用于预测GFRP抗浮锚杆的长期抗拔力具有较好的适用性。

Does Resisted Sled Towing Improve the Physical Qualities of Elite Youth Soccer Players of Differing Maturity Status?

Purpose Sled towing has been shown to be an effective method to enhance the physical qualities in youth athletes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 6-week sled towing intervention on muscular strength,speed and power in elite youth soccer players of differing maturity status.Method Seventy-three male elite youth soccer players aged 12-18 years(Pre-Peak Height Velocity[PHV]n = 25;Circa-PHV n = 24;Post-PHV n = 24)from one professional soccer academy participated in this study.Sprint assessments(10 m and 30 m),countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull were undertaken before(T1)and after(T2)a 6-week intervention.The training intervention consisted of 6 weeks(2xper week,10 sprints over 20 m distance)of resisted sled towing(linear progression 10%-30%of body mass)during the competitive season.Bayesian regression models analysed differences between T1 and T2 within each maturity group.Results There were minimal changes in strength,speed and power(P=0.35-0.80)for each maturity group across the 6-week intervention.Where there were changes with greater certainty,they are unlikely to represent real effect due to higher regres-sion to the mean(RTM).Conclusion It appears that a 6-week sled towing training programme with loadings of 10%-30%body mass only maintains physical qualities in elite youth soccer players pre-,circa-,and post-PHV.Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of this training method in long-term athletic development programmes.