Design of Bridge Expansion Joints with Perforated Dowels Under Impact Loading

The expansion joints are expected to have movement capacity, bearing capacity for static and dynamic loading, water-tightness, low noise emission and traffic safety. In particular, the failure due to impact loading is the main reason for the observed damages. The problem of dynamic behavior of the expansion joints is so complex that we shall focus our attention on the impact factor for vehicle load that is governed by traffic impact. In order to overcome this difficulty, the cantilever-toothed aluminum joint (finger joint) is one of the promising joints under impact loading. In this study, from the viewpoint of design methodology, numerical studies for impact behavior were conducted for aluminum alloy expansion joints with perforated dowels. The design impact factor for the expansion joints with the perforated dowels against traffic impact loading was examined by using numerical simulations.

Three‑dimensional numerical simulation of dynamic strength and failure mode of a rock mass with cross joints

To study the dynamic mechanical properties and failure characteristics of intersecting jointed rock masses with different joint distributions under confining pressure,considering the cross angleαand joint persistence ratioη,a numerical model of the biaxial Hopkinson bar test system was established using the finite element method–discrete-element model coupling method.The validity of the model was verified by comparing and analyzing it in conjunction with laboratory test results.Dynamics-static combined impact tests were conducted on specimens under various conditions to investigate the strength characteristics and patterns of crack initiation and expansion.The study revealed the predominant factors influencing intersecting joints with different angles and penetrations under impact loading.The results show that the peak stress of the specimens decreases first and then increases with the increase of the cross angle.Whenα<60°,regardless of the value ofη,the dynamic stress of the specimens is controlled by the main joint.Whenα≥60°,the peak stress borne by the specimens decreases with increasingη.Whenα<60°,the initiation and propagation of cracks in the cross-jointed specimens are mainly controlled by the main joint,and the final failure surface of the specimens is composed of the main joint and wing cracks.Whenα≥60°orη≥0.67,the secondary joint guides the expansion of the wing cracks,and multiple failure surfaces composed of main and secondary joints,wing cracks,and co-planar cracks are formed.Increasing lateral confinement significantly increases the dynamic peak stress able to be borne by the specimens.Under triaxial conditions,the degree of failure of the intersecting jointed specimens is much lower than that under uniaxial and biaxial conditions.

Microstructure and mechanical performance of AZ31/6061 lap joints welded by laser-TIG hybrid welding with Zn-Al alloy filler metal

A series of Zn-xAl(x=0-35 wt.%)alloy filler metals were designed to join AZ31 Mg alloy to 6061 Al alloy by laser-TIG hybrid welding.The effect of Al content on the wettability of filler metals,microstructure evolution and strength of joint was investigated.The results indicated that the strength of joints was improved with the increase of Al content in filler metals.When Zn-15Al filler was used,the ultimate fracture load reached the maximum of 1475.3 N/cm,which was increased by 28%than that with pure Zn filler.The reason is that the Al element acts as a"reaction depressant"in filler metal,which contributes to inhibiting the dissolution of Mg base metal and the Mg-Zn reaction.The addition of appropriate quantity of Al element promoted the precipitation of Al-rich solid solution instead of Zn solid solution.The MgZn_(2) IMCs have lower lattice mismatch with Al solid solution than Zn solid solution,thus the strength of joints is improved.However,the excessive addition of Al caused the formation of brittle Mg32(Al,Zn)49 ternary compounds,leading to the deterioration of joint performance.

Effect of continuous nursing on rehabilitation of older patients with joint replacement after discharge

BACKGROUND Joint replacement is a common treatment for older patients with high incidences of hip joint diseases.However,postoperative recovery is slow and complications are common,which reduces surgical effectiveness.Therefore,patients require long-term,high-quality,and effective nursing interventions to promote rehabilitation.Continuity of care has been used successfully in other diseases;however,little research has been conducted on older patients who have undergone hip replacement.AIM To explore the clinical effect of continuous nursing on rehabilitation after discharge of older individuals who have undergone joint replacement.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 113 elderly patients.Patients receiving routine nursing were included in the convention group(n=60),and those receiving continuous nursing,according to various methods,were included in the continuation group(n=53).Harris score,short form 36(SF-36)score,complication rate,and readmission rate were compared between the convention and continuation groups.RESULTS After discharge,Harris and SF-36 scores of the continuation group were higher than those of the convention group.The Harris and SF-36 scores of the two groups showed an increasing trend with time,and there was an interaction effect between group and time(Harris score:F_(intergroup effect)=376.500,F_(time effect)=20.090,Finteraction effect=4.824;SF-36 score:F_(intergroup effect)=236.200,Ftime effect=16.710,Finteraction effect=5.584;all P<0.05).Furthermore,the total complication and readmission rates in the continuation group were lower(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Continuous nursing could significantly improve hip function and quality of life in older patients after joint replacement and reduce the incidence of complications and readmission rates.

Sensitivity Analysis of Electromagnetic Scattering from Dielectric Targets with Polynomial Chaos Expansion and Method of Moments

In this paper,an adaptive polynomial chaos expansion method(PCE)based on the method of moments(MoM)is proposed to construct surrogate models for electromagnetic scattering and further sensitivity analysis.The MoM is applied to accurately solve the electric field integral equation(EFIE)of electromagnetic scattering from homogeneous dielectric targets.Within the bistatic radar cross section(RCS)as the research object,the adaptive PCE algorithm is devoted to selecting the appropriate order to construct the multivariate surrogate model.The corresponding sensitivity results are given by the further derivative operation,which is compared with those of the finite difference method(FDM).Several examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for sensitivity analysis of electromagnetic scattering from homogeneous dielectric targets.

Three-dimensional pseudo-dynamic reliability analysis of seismic shield tunnel faces combined with sparse polynomial chaos expansion

To address the seismic face stability challenges encountered in urban and subsea tunnel construction,an efficient probabilistic analysis framework for shield tunnel faces under seismic conditions is proposed.Based on the upper-bound theory of limit analysis,an improved three-dimensional discrete deterministic mechanism,accounting for the heterogeneous nature of soil media,is formulated to evaluate seismic face stability.The metamodel of failure probabilistic assessments for seismic tunnel faces is constructed by integrating the sparse polynomial chaos expansion method(SPCE)with the modified pseudo-dynamic approach(MPD).The improved deterministic model is validated by comparing with published literature and numerical simulations results,and the SPCE-MPD metamodel is examined with the traditional MCS method.Based on the SPCE-MPD metamodels,the seismic effects on face failure probability and reliability index are presented and the global sensitivity analysis(GSA)is involved to reflect the influence order of seismic action parameters.Finally,the proposed approach is tested to be effective by a engineering case of the Chengdu outer ring tunnel.The results show that higher uncertainty of seismic response on face stability should be noticed in areas with intense earthquakes and variation of seismic wave velocity has the most profound influence on tunnel face stability.

Effect of sodium hyaluronate combined with rehabilitation training on knee joint injury caused by golf

BACKGROUND In high-intensity sports like golf,knee joints are prone to injury,leading to pain,limited mobility,and decreased quality of life.Traditional treatment methods typically involve rehabilitation exercises,but their effectiveness may be limited.In recent years,sodium hyaluronate has emerged as a widely used biomedical material in the treatment of joint diseases.AIM To explore the effect of sodium hyaluronate combined with rehabilitation training on pain degree,flexion range of motion and motor function of knee joint injured by golf.METHODS Eighty patients with knee joint injury caused by golf were randomly divided into control(group B)and observation group(group A).The group B was treated with rehabilitation training,and the group A was treated with sodium hyaluronate combined with rehabilitation training.The clinical efficacy,range of motion and function of knee joint,quality of life and inflammatory factors were compared.RESULTS The excellent and good rate of rehabilitation in the group A was raised than group B.At 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment,the range of motion of the two groups was raised than that before treatment,and that of the group A was raised than group B.After treatment,the scores of Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)in the group A were raised,and those in the group A were raised than group B.The VAS score of the two groups was reduced than that of the group B,and the SF-36 score of the group A was reduced than group B.The interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-αin the two groups were reduced,and those in the group A were reduced than group B.CONCLUSION Sodium hyaluronate combined with rehabilitation training has a good clinical effect in the treatment of patients with knee joint injury caused by golf,which relieve pain,maintain knee joint function and improve patients'life quality.

Experimental and simulation research on hollow AZ31 magnesium alloy three-channel joint by hot extrusion forming with sand mandrel

Magnesium alloy is one of the lightest metal structural materials.The weight is further reduced through the hollow structure.However,the hollow structure is easily damaged during processing.In order to maintain the hollow structure and to transfer the stresses during the high temperature deformation,the sand mandrel is proposed.In this paper,the hollow AZ31 magnesium alloy three-channel joint is studied by hot extrusion forming.Sand as one of solid granule medium is used to fill the hollow magnesium alloy.The extrusion temperatures are 230℃ and 300℃,respectively.The process parameters(die angle,temperature,bottom thickness,sidewall thickness,edge-to-middle ratio in bottom,bottom shape)of the hollow magnesium alloy are analyzed based on the results of experiments and the finite element method.The results are shown that the formability of the hollow magnesium alloy will be much better when the ratio of sidewall thickness to the bottom thickness is 1:1.5.Also when edge-to-middle ratio in bottom is about 1:1.5,a better forming product can be received.The best bottom shape in these experiments will be convex based on the forming results.The grain will be refined obviously after the extrusion.Also the microstructures will be shown as streamlines.And these lines will be well agreement with the mold in the corner.

Crustal and uppermost mantle structure of the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau from joint inversion of surface wave dispersions and receiver functions with P velocity constraints

Lithospheric structure beneath the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is of vital significance for studying the geodynamic processes of crustal thickening and expansion of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. We conducted a joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersions with P-wave velocity constraints using data from the Chin Array Ⅱ temporary stations deployed across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Prior to joint inversion, we applied the H-κ-c method(Li JT et al., 2019) to the receiver function data in order to correct for the back-azimuthal variations in the arrival times of Ps phases and crustal multiples caused by crustal anisotropy and dipping interfaces. High-resolution images of vS, crustal thickness, and vP/vSstructures in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were simultaneously derived from the joint inversion. The seismic images reveal that crustal thickness decreases outward from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The stable interiors of the Ordos and Alxa blocks exhibited higher velocities and lower crustal vP/vSratios. While, lower velocities and higher vP/vSratios were observed beneath the Qilian Orogen and Songpan-Ganzi terrane(SPGZ), which are geologically active and mechanically weak, especially in the mid-lower crust.Delamination or thermal erosion of the lithosphere triggered by hot asthenospheric flow contributes to the observed uppermost mantle low-velocity zones(LVZs) in the SPGZ. The crustal thickness, vS, and vP/vSratios suggest that whole lithospheric shortening is a plausible mechanism for crustal thickening in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, supporting the idea of coupled lithospheric-scale deformation in this region.

Application of Clinical Care Pathway in Perioperative Patients with Autologous Arteriovenous Fistula Balloon Expansion

[Objective] To explore the effect of clinical care pathways in perioperative patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula balloon expansion. [Method] 202 patients undergoing autologous arteriovenous fistula from July 2021 to June 2022 were randomly divided into a control group (101 cases) and an observation group (101 cases) to compare the incidence rates of postoperative complications, hospitalization days, hospitalization expenses, knowledge of self-management of arteriovenous fistula and nursing satisfaction. [Results] In the observation group, the incidence of arteriovenous fistula was higher than that of the control group, and the hospitalization days and hospitalization costs were lower than that of the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). [Conclusion] The application of the clinical nursing path to intervene in patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula balloon dilation can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, shorten the hospital length of time, reduce hospitalization costs and improve patient satisfaction, which is clinical promotion significance.

Durability of Bridge Expansion Joints with Perforated Dowels Under Traffic Impact Loading

In design phases, expansion joints are required to have movement capacity, bearing capacity for static and dynamic loading, watertight, low noise emission and traffic safety. On the basis of the fact that failure due to dynamic loading is the main reason for the observed damages, attention is focused on the bearing capacity for dynamic loading governed by impact, because it differs from the static loading. In this study, from the viewpoint of durability, experimental studies for dynamic behavior were conducted for aluminium alloy expansion joints with perforated dowels. The validity of the perforated dowels against traffic impact loading was confirmed by both experimental and numerical studies.

Characterisation of wear particles from biomedical carbon/carbon composites with different preforms in hip joint simulator

A hip joint simulator was employed to predict the clinical wear behaviour of carbon/carbon （C/C） composites with needled carbon cloth preform and carbon felt preform. Wear particles generated from the two kinds of C/C composites were isolated and characterised by the size distribution and morphology. The evolvement of wear particles in the hip joint simulator was proposed. The results show that the wear particles from two kinds of C/C composites have a size ranging from submicron to tens of micrometers. The wear particles have various morphologies including broken fiber, fragment fiber, slice pyrolytic carbon and spherical pyrolytic carbon. C/C composites with needled carbon cloth preforms have larger size range and more broken fiber particles and slice pyrolytic carbon particles in comparison with C/C composites with carbon felt preforms. The evolvement of pyrolytic carbon particles is caused by surface regularization, whereas, the evolvement of carbon fiber particles is related to stress direction in the hip joint simulator.

Microstructure and properties of Cu/Al joints brazed with Zn-Al filler metals

The mechanical properties and microstructural distribution of the Cu/A1 brazing joints formed by torch-brazing with different Zn-A1 filler metals were investigated. The microstructure of the Zn-A1 alloys was studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the phase constitution of the Cu/A1 joints was analyzed by energy dispersion spectrometry. The results show that the spreading area of the Zn-A1 filler metals on the Cu and A1 substrates increases as the A1 content increases. The mechanical results indicate that the shear strength reaches a peak value of 88 MPa when A1 and Cu are brazed with Zn-15AI filler metal. Microhardness levels from HV122 to HV515 were produced in the three brazing seam regions corresponding to various microstructure features. The Zn- and Al-rich phases exist in the middle brazing seam regions. However, two interface layers, CuZn3 and A12Cu are formed on the Cu side when the A1 content in the filler metals is 2% and more than 15%, respectively. The relationship between intermetallic compounds on Cu side and Zn-xA1 filler metals was investigated.

PATH DEPENDENCE OF J-INTEGRAL IN WELDED JOINT WITH AN OVERMATCHING WELD

By elastic-plastic finite deformation finite element analysis (FEA), the conservation of J-integral is investigated in detail for a welded joint with an overmatchingweld in plane stress case. It is indicated that J-integral is path dependent under various conditions at least in the cases studied in this paper. Meanwhile, the above conclusions are verified by the hybrid method results in which combined Moire interferometry with FEA.

Joint torque-based Cartesian impedance control with friction compensations

In order to investigate the joint torque-based Cartesian impedance control strategies and the influence of compensations for friction, an experimental study on the identification of friction parameters, friction compensation and the Cartesian impedance control are developed for the harmonic drive robot, by using the sensors available in the joint itself. Different from the conventional Cartesian impedance control schemes which are mostly based on the robot end force/torque information, five joint torque-based Cartesian impedance control schemes are considered, including the force-based schemes in Cartesian/joint space, the position-based schemes in Cartesian/joint space and the stiffness control. Four of them are verified by corresponding experiments with/without friction compensations. By comparison, it is found that the force-based impedance control strategy is more suitable than the position-based one for the robot based on joint torque feedback and the friction has even a positive effect on Cartesian impedance control stability.

Calculation of Valence Subband Structures for Strained Quantum-Wells by Plane Wave Expansion Method Within 6×6 Luttinger-Kohn Model

The valence subband energies and wave functions of a tensile strained quantum well are calculated by the plane wave expansion method within the 6×6 Luttinger Kohn model.The effect of the number and period of plane waves used for expansion on the stability of energy eigenvalues is examined.For practical calculation,it should choose the period large sufficiently to ensure the envelope functions vanish at the boundary and the number of plane waves large enough to ensure the energy eigenvalues keep unchanged within a prescribed range.

CLINICAL REPORT ON IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILITY OF AFFECTED SHOULDER JOINT CAUSED BY ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION TREAT-ED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND MASSAGE

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture and massage to improve the mobility of affected shoulder joint caused by acute cerebral infarction. Methods 120 cases of acute cerebral infarction were randomized into two groups, named treatment group with acupuncture and massage and control group with western medicine. Acupoint selection of treatment group with acupuncture and massage： Yōngquán （涌泉 KI1）, Láogōng （劳宫 PC8）, Hòuxī （后溪SI3）, Gōngsūn （公孙 SP4）, Fēngchī （风池 GB20）, Jiānyú （肩髃 LI15）, Qūchí （曲池 LI11）, Hégǔ （合谷 LI4）, Huántiào （环跳 GB30）, Zúsānlǐ （足三里 ST36）, Tàichōng （太冲 LR3）, Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal and Posterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal. Massage techniques： roll for relax, hold and press, flick and fiddle, and shake. Control group with western medicine was treated with mannitol ＋ low molecular weight dextran ＋ CDP-choline. Results Compared with control group, treatment group could apparently improve the mobility of shoulder joint and lower the injury percentage （P〈0. 01） ; and the therapeutic effect of treatment group is better than that of control group （P〈0. 05） for treating acute cerebral infarction. Conclusion The therapy of acupuncture combined with massage could improve the function of the affected shoulder joint caused by acute cerebral infarction, and enhance therapeutic effect.

Treatment of large lumbar disc herniation with percutaneous ozone injection via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint

AIM:To evaluate the effects of percutaneous ozone injection via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint in the treatment of large lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:Fifty-eight patients with large lumbar disc herniation were treated with percutaneous injection of ozone via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint under digital subtraction angiography.Second injections were performed 5 d after the initial injection.All patients were followed up for 6-18 mo.A modified Macnab method was used for assessing clinical outcomes after oxygen-ozone therapy.RESULTS:Successful puncture was obtained in all patients.The overall efficacy was 91.4;the outcome was the excellent in 37 cases(63.8),good in 16 cases(27.6) and fair/poor in 5 cases(8.6) according to the Macnab criteria.No severe complications were found throughout this study.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous intradiscal ozone injection via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint is effective and safe for treatment of large lumbar disc herniation.

A Novel Pneumatic Soft Gripper with a Jointed Endoskeleton Structure

In current research on soft grippers,pneumatically actuated soft grippers are generally fabricated using fully soft materials,which have the advantage of flexibility as well as the disadvantages of a small gripping force and slow response speed.To improve these characteristics,a novel pneumatic soft gripper with a jointed endoskeleton structure(E-Gripper)is developed,in which the muscle actuating function has been separated from the force bearing function.The soft action of an E-Gripper finger is performed by some air chambers surrounded by multilayer rubber embedded in the restraining fiber.The gripping force is borne and transferred by the rigid endoskeleton within the E-Gripper finger Thus,the gripping force and action response speed can be increased while the flexibility is maintained.Through experiments,the bending angle of each finger segment,response time,and gripping force of the E-Gripper have been measured,which provides a basis for designing and controlling the soft gripper The test results have shown that the maximum gripping force of the E-Gripper can be 35 N,which is three times greater than that of a fully soft gripper(FS-Gripper)of the same size.At the maximum charging pressure of 150 kPa,the response time is1.123 s faster than that of the FS-Gripper.The research results indicate that the flexibility of a pneumatic soft gripper is not only maintained in the case of the E-Gripper,but its gripping force is also obviously increased,and the response time is reduced.The E-Gripper thus shows great potential for future development and applications.

A spherical cavity expansion model for penetration of ogival-nosed projectiles into concrete targets with shear-dilatancy

A dynamic spherical cavity-expansion penetration model is suggested herein to predict the penetration and perforation of concrete targets struck normally by ogivalnosed projectiles.Shear dilatancy as well as compressibility of the material in comminuted region are considered in the paper by introducing a dilatant-kinematic relation.A procedure is first presented to compute the radial stress at the cavity surface and then a numerical method is used to calculate the results of penetration and perforation with friction being taken into account.The influences of various target parameters such as shear strength,bulk modulus,density,Poisson＇s ratio and tensile strength on the depth of penetration are delineated.It is shown that the model predictions are in good agreement with available experimental data.It is also shown that the shear strength plays a dominant role in the target resistance to penetration.