Stress tensor determination by modified hydraulic tests on pre-existing fractures:Method and stress constraints

The hydraulic testing of pre-existing fractures(HTPF)is one of the most promising in situ stress measurement methods,particularly for three-dimensional stress tensor determination.However,the stress tensor determination based on the HTPF method requires at least six tests or a minimum of 14-15 tests(under different conditions)for reliable results.In this study,we modified the HTPF method by considering the shear stress on each pre-existing fracture,which increased the number of equations for the stress tensor determination and decreased the number of tests required.Different shear stresses were attributed to different fractures by random sampling;therefore,the stress tensors were obtained by searching for the optimal solution using the least squares criterion based on the Monte Carlo method.Thereafter,we constrained the stress tensor based on the tensile strength criterion,compressive strength criterion,and vertical stress constraints.The inverted stress tensors were presented and analyzed based on the tensorial nature of the stress using the Euclidean mean stress tensor.Two stress-measurement campaigns in Weifang(Shandong Province,China)and Mercantour road tunnel(France)were implemented to highlight the validity and efficiency of the modified HTPF(M-HTPF)method.The results showed that the M-HTPF method can be applied for stress tensor inversion using only three to four tests on pre-existing fractures,neglecting the stress gradient.The inversion results were confined to relatively small distribution dispersions and were significantly reliable and stable due to the shear stresses on the fractures and the stress constraints employed.The M-HTPF method is highly feasible and efficient for complete stress tensor determination in a single borehole.

Significance of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity tests as biomarkers of premature ovarian insufficiency: A case control study

BACKGROUND Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)is a condition that causes secondary amenorrhea owing to ovarian hypofunction at an early stage.Early follicular depletion results in intractable infertility,thereby considerably reducing the quality of life of females.Given the continuum in weakened ovarian function,progressing from incipient ovarian failure(IOF)to transitional ovarian failure and further to POI,it is necessary to develop biomarkers for predicting POI.The oxidative stress states in IOF and POI were comprehensively evaluated via oxidative stress[diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites(d-ROMs)]test and anti-oxidant capacity[biological antioxidant potential(BAP)].METHODS Females presenting with secondary amenorrhea over 4 mo and a follicle stimulating hormone level of>40 mIU/mL were categorized into the POI group.Females presenting with a normal menstrual cycle and a follicle stimulating hormone level of>10.2 mIU/mL were categorized into the IOF group.Healthy females without ovarian hypofunction were categorized into the control group.Among females aged<40 years who visited our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022,we recruited 11 patients into both POI and IOF groups.For the potential antioxidant capacity,the relative oxidative stress index(BAP/d-ROMs×100)was calculated,and the oxidative stress defense system was comprehensively evaluated.RESULTS d-ROMs were significantly higher in the POI and IOF groups than in the control group,(478.2±58.7 U.CARR,434.5±60.6 U.CARR,and 341.1±35.1 U.CARR,respectively)(U.CARR is equivalent to 0.08 mg/dL of hydrogen peroxide).However,no significant difference was found between the POI and IOF groups.Regarding BAP,no significant difference was found between the control,IOF,and POI groups(2078.5±157.4μmol/L,2116.2±240.2μmol/L,and 2029.0±186.4μmol/L,respectively).The oxidative stress index was significantly higher in the POI and IOF groups than in the control group(23.7±3.3,20.7±3.6,and 16.5±2.1,respectively).However,no significant difference was found between the POI and IOF groups.CONCLUSION High levels of oxidative stress suggest that evaluating the oxidative stress state may be a useful indicator for the early detection of POI.

A thermal stress loading technique for large-sized hot dry rock mechanical tests

Testing of large-sized specimens is becoming increasingly important in deep underground rock mechanics and engineering.In traditional mechanical loading,stresses on large-sized specimens are achieved by large host frames and hydraulic pumps,which could lead to great investment.Low-cost testing machines clearly always have great appeal.In this study,a new approach is proposed using thermal expansion stress to load rock specimens,which may be particularly suitable for tests of deep hot dry rock with high temperatures.This is a different technical route from traditional mechanical loading through hydraulic pressure.For the rock mechanics test system of hot dry rock that already has an investment in heating systems,this technology may reduce the cost of the loading subsystem by fully utilizing the temperature changes.This paper presents the basic principle and a typical design of this technical solution.Preliminary feasibility analysis is then conducted based on numerical simulations.Although some technical details still need to be resolved,the feasibility of this loading approach has been preliminarily confirmed.

Contribution of Stress Testing to the Management of Ischemic Heart Disease in Mali

Introduction: Exercise stress testing (on a treadmill or ergometer bicycle) is an important test in cardiology for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This test in Mali is still in its beginning compared to other countries in the sub-region. The lack of data in Mali prompted this study, which aimed to evaluate the indications of this activity and its diagnostic contribution to cardiology in Mali. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. The study was conducted at the “TOUCAM” medical clinic in Kati based on the analysis of stress test reports between January 2016 and August 2022. Result: During the study period, we documented 73 patients who underwent exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer for suspected coronary heart disease. The mean age of our patients was 47.5 ± 13.8 years (14 and 79 years). Males accounted for the majority (78.1%). The sex ratio is 3.5. More than half of our patients were overweight or obese (77.1%). Hypertension and diabetes affected 52.1% and 25.8% of patients, respectively. 20.8% of patients had coronary artery disease. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (56.8%) and beta-blockers (51.3%). The main indications were chest pain (63.0%) and ischemia detection (15.1%). A modified STEEP protocol was used. The majority of our patients (71.2%) achieved at least 85% of their maximum theoretical heart rate. The main reason for the termination of the study was fatigue (57.3%). The average duration was 11.3 ± 4.2 minutes. 24.7% thought the stress tests were positive and 17.8% thought they were controversial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of stress testing in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease, especially in settings where we have very limited access to coronary angiography.

Full-scale pullout tests of rock anchors in a limestone quarry focusing on bond failure at the anchor-grout and grout-rock interfaces

Rock anchors are a common safety measure for stabilising large-scale infrastructure,such as bridge towers,retaining walls,rock slopes and windmills.There are four principal failure modes for rock anchors:(a)tensile failure of the steel anchor,(b)anchor-grout interface failure,(c)grout-rock interface failure,and(d)rock mass uplift.Field tests were performed in a limestone quarry.These tests were designed to test failure modes B and C through pullout.In the tests of failure mode B,the shear stress on the anchor-grout interface is the largest at the top of the grout column and attenuates towards the distal end for small loads.The shear stress becomes uniformly distributed when the applied load is approximately 50%of the ultimate pullout load.The anchors designed to test failure mode C were installed with an endplate and had a higher toughness than the straight bar anchors.The shear stress on the grout-rock interface is the largest at the endplate and attenuates upward before slip starts along the interface.When the ultimate pullout load is reached,and the grout column starts to slip,the shear stress is approximately constant.The bond shear strength on the anchor-grout interface was approximately 20%of the uniaxial compressive strength of the grout,and the bond strength of the grout-rock interface was around 5%for that of the grout.The grout-rock interface is likely determined by whichever is weaker,the grout or the rock.

Effects of stress conditions on rheological properties of granular soil in large triaxial rheology laboratory tests

In order to study the rheological properties of red stone granular soil,a series of rheological experiments were executed on large tri-axial rheological apparatus.Under 100,200 and 300 kPa confining stress conditions,the rheological tests were carried out.These experiment results showed that the stress conditions,especially the stress level were the critical influencing factors of the rheological deformation properties.Under the low stress level(S=0.1),the granular soil showed the elastic properties,and there was no obvious rheological deformation.Under the middle stress level(0.2<S≤0.6),creep curves showed the linear viscoelastic rheological properties.However,under the high stress level(S>0.8) creep curves showed the non-linear viscous plastic rheological properties.Especially,under the stress level of S=1.0,the accelerated rheological phase of creep curves occurred at early time with a trend of failure.The stress level had obvious effects on the final rheological deformation of the soil sample,and the final rheological deformation increments nonlinearly increased with stress level.The final rheological deformation increment and step was little under low stress level,while it became large under high stress level,which showed the nonlinearly rheological properties of the granular soil.The confining pressure also had direct effects on final rheological deformation,and the final rheological deformation linearly increased with confining pressure increments.

Analysis of the stress ratio of anisotropic rocks in uniaxial tests

The effect of structural discontinuities on the progressive failure process of anisotropic rocks should be paid particular attention.The crack damage stress σ_(cd),also considered as the yield strength,and the relationship between σ_(cd) and the uniaxial peak strength σ_(ucs) of anisotropic rocks for different orientations 8 of the isotropy planes with respect to the loading directions were investigated theoretically and experimentally.A theoretical relation of σ_(cd)/σ_(ucs) with the function of the shape parameter m was established.Additionally,uniaxial compression tests of shale samples were conducted for several inclinations θ.The test result of σ_(cd)/σ_(ucs) was close to the theoretical value for a given orientation.Furthermore,both experimental results and theoretical solutions of σ_(cd)/σ_(ucs) were independent of the inclination θ while σ_(cd) andσ_(ucs) were strongly affected by θ.The strength ratio σ_(cd)/σ_(ucs) may therefore be an intrinsic property of anisotropic rocks and could be used to predict the failure of rock samples.

Assessment of cyclic deformation and critical stress amplitude of jointed rocks via cyclic triaxial testing

Jointed rock specimens with a natural replicated joint surface oriented at a mean dip angle of 60were prepared,and a series of cyclic triaxial tests was performed at different confining pressures and cyclic deviatoric stress amplitudes.The samples were subjected to 10,000 loading-unloading cycles with a frequency of 8 Hz.At each level of confining pressure,the applied cyclic deviatoric stress amplitude was increased incrementally until excessive deformation of the jointed rock specimen was observed.Analysis of the test results indicated that there existed a critical cyclic deviatoric stress amplitude(i.e.critical dynamic deviatoric stress)beyond which the jointed rock specimens yielded.The measured critical dynamic deviatoric stress was less than the corresponding static deviatoric stress.At cyclic deviatoric stress amplitudes less than the critical dynamic deviatoric stress,minor cumulative residual axial strains were observed,resulting in hysteretic damping.However,for cyclic deviatoric stresses beyond the critical dynamic deviatoric stress,the plastic strains increased promptly,and the resilient moduli degraded rapidly during the initial loading cycles.Cyclic triaxial test results showed that at higher confining pressures,the ultimate residual axial strain attained by the jointed rock specimen decreased,the steadystate dissipated energy density and steady-state damping ratio per load cycle decreased,while steadystate resilient moduli increased.

Dynamic stress accumulation model of granite residual soil under cyclic loading based on small-size creep tests

The creep behaviors of granite residual soil with pre-stress of 100 kPa was investigated by a series of small size creep tests. Three different types of strain curves were obtained at different stress levels. Based on creep characteristics of the granite residual soil under different stress levels, a creep model of the granite residual soil was established by rheological theory, and related parameters of the model were determined according to the experimental data at the same time. Further on, based on the established creep model, a theoretical model of dynamic stress accumulation in the granite residual soil under cyclic loading was deduced. It is found that there is a threshold of dynamic stress accumulation in this theoretical model. The dynamic stress accumulation laws of the granite residual soil are different under different cyclic loading stress. Finally, with the dynamic stress accumulation laws in the small-size samples of granite residual soil under different cycle loading studied and the experimental results comparing with the theoretical results, it verifies the validity of the theoretical model.

Development of multi-functional anchorage support dynamic-static coupling performance test system and its application

In underground engineering with complex conditions,the bolt(cable)anchorage support system is in an environment where static and dynamic stresses coexist,under the action of geological conditions such as high stresses and strong disturbances and construction conditions such as the application of high prestress.It is essential to study the support components performance under dynamic-static coupling conditions.Based on this,a multi-functional anchorage support dynamic-static coupling performance test system(MAC system)is developed,which can achieve 7 types of testing functions,including single component performance,anchored net performance,anchored rock performance and so on.The bolt and cable mechanical tests are conducted by MAC system under different prestress levels.The results showed that compared to the non-prestress condition,the impact resistance performance of prestressed bolts(cables)is significantly reduced.In the prestress range of 50–160 k N,the maximum reduction rate of impact energy resisted by different types of bolts is 53.9%–61.5%compared to non-prestress condition.In the prestress range of 150–300 k N,the impact energy resisted by high-strength cable is reduced by76.8%–84.6%compared to non-prestress condition.The MAC system achieves dynamic-static coupling performance test,which provide an effective means for the design of anchorage support system.

The Risk Role of Defeat on the Mental Health of College Students:A Moderated Mediation Effect of Academic Stress and Interpersonal Relationships

Background:College students face significant academic and physiological changes,making them more susceptible to psychological issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation.Feelings of defeat can exacerbate these risks by increasing academic stress.However,interpersonal relationships can moderate the impact of academic stress on students’mental health.Utilizing the presage–process–product model,this study aims to empirically investigate how feelings of defeat influence depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation among college students.Additionally,it explores the mediating role of academic stress and the moderating role of various types of interpersonal relationships.Methods:A total of 1612 college students(750 females,862 males,mean age=19.64±0.62 years)were recruited through cluster sampling.Data were collected via offline questionnaires administered by a trained psychology teacher and a postgraduate student,ensuring high reliability with two examiners per class.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was used to examine the impact of defeat on mental health outcomes,while mediation analysis was conducted to assess the roles of academic stress and interpersonal relationships.Results:1.Defeat is identified as a significant risk factor for mental health issues among college students;2.Four distinct patterns of interpersonal relationships were identified:the interpersonal-relationship risk group,the father–child-relationship high-risk group,the general interpersonal-relationship group,and the superior interpersonal-relationship group;3.Academic stress partially mediates the relationship between defeat and mental health issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation;4.Different interpersonal relationship models moderate the impact of academic stress on depression and suicidal ideation.Conclusion:Defeat is a significant risk factor for mental health problems in college students.Academic stress partially mediates the negative impact of defeat on mental health,while patterns of interpersonal relationships moderate this impact.Effective early prevention and intervention should focus on monitoring students’stress levels and fostering warm,positive parent–child relationships.

Empirical Approach for Planning and Designing Constant Stress Accelerated Life Tests

Accelerated life testing(ALT)has been widely used to obtain information about the product's life characteristics at normal conditions in a relatively short period of time.Two key issues with ALT are test design and data analysis.The test design of constant stress ALT was studied in this paper.The test design usually combines engineering experiences with optimization models.Such approaches are hard to be implemented by practitioners.A"pure"empirical approach was presented to address this issue.With the proposed approach,some of the decision variables are determined based on the results from the literature,some of the other variables are determined based on engineering analysis and /or judgment,and the remaining variables are determined based on the empirical relations developed in this paper.A real-world example is included to illustrate the appropriateness of the proposed approach.

Evolution of mechanical parameters of Shuangjiangkou granite under different loading cycles and stress paths

Surrounding rocks at different locations are generally subjected to different stress paths during the process of deep hard rock excavation.In this study,to reveal the mechanical parameters of deep surrounding rock under different stress paths,a new cyclic loading and unloading test method for controlled true triaxial loading and unloading and principal stress direction interchange was proposed,and the evolution of mechanical parameters of Shuangjiangkou granite under different stress paths was studied,including the deformation modulus,elastic deformation increment ratios,fracture degree,cohesion and internal friction angle.Additionally,stress path coefficient was defined to characterize different stress paths,and the functional relationships among the stress path coefficient,rock fracture degree difference coefficient,cohesion and internal friction angle were obtained.The results show that during the true triaxial cyclic loading and unloading process,the deformation modulus and cohesion gradually decrease,while the internal friction angle gradually increases with increasing equivalent crack strain.The stress path coefficient is exponentially related to the rock fracture degree difference coefficient.As the stress path coefficient increases,the degrees of cohesion weakening and internal friction angle strengthening decrease linearly.During cyclic loading and unloading under true triaxial principal stress direction interchange,the direction of crack development changes,and the deformation modulus increases,while the cohesion and internal friction angle decrease slightly,indicating that the principal stress direction interchange has a strengthening effect on the surrounding rocks.Finally,the influences of the principal stress interchange direction on the stabilities of deep engineering excavation projects are discussed.

Constant Stress Accelerated Life Tests for Vacuum Fluorescent Display Based on Least Square Method

To estimate the life of vacuum fluorescent display （VFD） more accurately and reduce test time and cost, four constant stress accelerated life tests （CSALTs） were conducted on an accelerated life test model. In the model, statistical analysis of test data is achieved by applying lognormal function to describe the life distribution, and least square method （LSM） to calculate the mean value and the standard deviation of logarithm. As a result, the accelerated life equation was obtained, and then a self-developed software was developed to predict the VFD life. The data analysis results demonstrate that the VFD life submits to lognormal distribution, that the accelerated model meets the linear Arrhenius equation, and that the precise accelerated parameter makes it possible to acquire the life information of VFD within one month.

Methodology to Evaluate Fatigue Damage of High-Speed Train Welded Bogie Frames Based on On-Track Dynamic Stress Test Data

The current method of estimating the fatigue life of railway structures is to calculating the equivalent stress amplitude based on the measured stress data. However, the random of the measured data is not considered. In this paper, a new method was established to compute the equivalent stress amplitude to evaluate the fatigue damage based on the measurable randomness, since the equivalent stress is the key parameter for assessment of structure fatigue life and load derivation. The equivalent stress amplitude of a high-speed train welded bogie frame was found to obey normal distribution under uniform operation route that verified by on-track dynamic stress data, and the proposed model is, in effect, an improved version of the mathematical model used to calculate the equivalent stress amplitude. The data of a long-term, on-track dynamic stress test program was analyzed to find that the normal distribution parameters of equivalent stress amplitude values differ across different operation route. Thus, the fatigue damage of the high-speed train welded bogie frame can be evaluated by the proposed method if the running schedule of the train is known a priori. The results also showed that the equivalent stress amplitude of the region connected to the power system is more random than in other regions of the bogie frame.

Optimal Design of Multiple Stresses Accelerated Life Test Plan Based on Transforming the Multiple Stresses to Single Stress

For planning optimum multiple stresses accelerated life test plans, a commonly followed guiding principle is that all parameters of the life-stress relationship should be estimated, and the number of the stress level combinations must be no less than the number of parameters of the life-stress relationship. However, the general objective of an accelerated life test（ALT） is to assess thep-th quantile of the product life distribution under normal stress. For this objective,estimating all model parameters is not necessary, and this will increase the cost of test. Based on the theoretical conclusion that the stress level combinations of the optimum multiple stresses ALT plan locate on a straight line through the origin of coordinate, it is proposed that a design idea of planning the optimum multiple stresses ALT plan through transforming the problem of designing an optimum multiple stresses ALT plan to designing an optimum single stress ALT plan. Moreover, a method of planning the optimum multiple stresses ALT plan which can avoid estimating all model parameters is established. An example shows that, the proposed plan which only has two stress level combinations could achieve an accuracy no less than the traditional plan, and save the test time and cost on one stress level combination at least; when the actual product life is less than the design value, even the deviation of the model initial parameters value is up to 20%, the variance of the estimation of thep-th quantile of the proposed plan is still smaller than the traditional plans approximately 25%. A design method is provided for planning the optimum multiple stresses ALT which uses the statistical optimum degenerate test plan as the optimum multiple stresses accelerated life test plan.

Nondestructive Testing and Characterization of Residual Stress Field Using an Ultrasonic Method

To address the difficulty in testing and calibrating the stress gradient in the depth direction of mechanical components, a new technology of nondestructive testing and characterization of the residual stress gradient field by ultrasonic method is proposed based on acoustoelasticity theory. By carrying out theoretical analysis, the sensitivity coefficients of different types of ultrasonic are obtained by taking the low carbon steel（12%C） as a research object. By fixing the interval distance between sending and receiving transducers, the mathematical expressions of the change of stress and the variation of time are established. To design one sending-one receiving and oblique incidence ultrasonic detection probes, according to Snell law, the critically refracted longitudinal wave（LCR wave） is excited at a certain depth of the fixed distance of the tested components. Then, the relationship between the depth of LCR wave detection and the center frequency of the probe in Q235 steel is obtained through experimental study. To detect the stress gradient in the depth direction, a stress gradient LCR wave detection model is established, through which the stress gradient formula is derived by the relationship between center frequency and detecting depth. A C-shaped stress specimen of Q235 steel is designed to conduct stress loading tests, and the stress is measured with the five group probes at different center frequencies. The accuracy of ultrasonic testing is verified by X-ray stress analyzer. The stress value of each specific depth is calculated using the stress gradient formula. Accordingly, the ultrasonic characterization of residual stress field is realized. Characterization results show that the stress gradient distribution is consistent with the simulation in ANSYS. The new technology can be widely applied in the detection of the residual stress gradient field caused by mechanical processing, such as welding and shot peening.

Stress-deformed state of cylindrical specimens during indirect tensile strength testing

In this study, the interaction between cylindrical specimen made ofhomogeneous, isotropic, and linearlyelastic material and loading jaws of any curvature is considered in the Brazilian test. It is assumed thatthe specimen is diametrically compressed by elliptic normal contact stresses. The frictional contactstresses between the specimen and platens are neglected. The analytical solution starts from the contactproblem of the loading jaws of any curvature and cylindrical specimen. The contact width, correspondingloading angle （2 ^0）, and elliptical stresses obtained through solution of the contact problems are used asboundary conditions for a cylindrical specimen. The problem of the theory of elasticity for a cylinder issolved using Muskhelishvili＇s method. In this method, the displacements and stresses are represented interms of two analytical functions of a complex variable. In the main approaches, the nonlinear interactionbetween the loading bearing blocks and the specimen as well as the curvature of their surfacesand the elastic parameters of their materials are taken into account. Numerical examples are solved usingMATLAB to demonstrate the influence of deformability, curvature of the specimen and platens on thedistribution of the normal contact stresses as well as on the tensile and compressive stresses actingacross the loaded diameter. Derived equations also allow calculating the modulus of elasticity, totaldeformation modulus and creep parameters of the specimen material based on the experimental data ofradial contraction of the specimen.

Use of Plastic Correction Formula to Improve Accuracy of Welding Residual Stress Test with Blind-Hole Method

The blind-hole method is the most widely used approach to experimentally determine the distribution of residual stress. This paper aims to improve test accuracy of welding residual stress and conducts an experimental study on the strain release factors involved when using the blind-hole method for Q235 and Q345, two steels commonly used in building structures. The ranges of strain release factors A and B in the elastic stage, the effects of strain release factors on residual stress calculated values, and the plastic corrected strain release factors are analyzed considering of the effect of plastic deformation around the blind hole on measurement accuracy. Finally, a simplified calculation formula to determine strain release factors is proposed for use with the blind-hole method. Results show that in the elastic stage, strain release factor A for Q235 and Q345 ranges from-0.399 to-0.525 and strain release factor B from-0.791 to-0.960. Changing the strain release factors A and B shows that calculated residual tensile stress varies in relation to a decrease in both factor values. However, there is a increase in calculated residual compressive stress with a decrease in the strain release factor A value, but there is an decrease with a decrease in strain release factor B value. Calculated residual stress applied to elastic strain release factors is compared with that applied to amended plastic strain release factors for Q235 steel. The maximum deviation between calculated residual stress and test stress is reduced from 21.1 to 1.0%,and for Q345 steel from 26.5 to 1.2%. It is thus evident that the plastic correction formula proposed in this paper can be used in calculations when conducting a residual stress test.

Stress test and analysis based on SMS fiber structure with high sensitivity

Single mode-multimode-single mode （SMS） sensor is widely used for parameters measurement, such as bending, dis-placement, temperature, strain, refractive index, etc. Generally, SMS sensor has advantages of simple structure, low cost and easy layout, therefore it has become a research hotspot in recent years. In this paper, the multimode fiber with large core is used for manufacturing SMS structure with high sensitivity. Firstly, the multimode fiber with core/cladding diameters of 105/ 125 jitm has access to the system by means of single mode optical fiber. Secondly, SMS device structure is manufactured by welding the eccentric shaft of multimode optical fiber. Afterwards, mode interference effect and spectral response characteristics of the structure of single mode-multimode-single mode optical fiber are analyzed theoretically. Finally, with the help of a wide spectrum light source and a spectrum analyzer, the transmission spectra characteristics of SMS optical fiber with strain is tested. By observing the curve that the wave changes with stress, the sensitivity is calculated and it is consistent with theoretical value .