Computer vision-aided DEM study on the compaction characteristics of graded subgrade filler considering realistic coarse particle shapes

The compaction quality of subgrade filler strongly affects subgrade settlement.The main objective of this research is to analyze the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the real shape of coarse particles.First,an improved Viola-Jones algorithm is employed to establish a digitalized 2D particle database for coarse particle shape evaluation and discrete modeling purposes of subgrade filler.Shape indexes of 2D subgrade filler are then computed and statistically analyzed.Finally,numerical simulations are performed to quantitatively investigate the effects of the aspect ratio(AR)and interparticle friction coefficient(μ)on the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the discrete element method(DEM).The results show that with the increasing AR,the coarse particles are narrower,leading to the increasing movement of fine particles during compaction,which indicates that it is difficult for slender coarse particles to inhibit the migration of fine particles.Moreover,the average displacement of particles is strongly influenced by the AR,indicating that their occlusion under power relies on particle shapes.The dis-placement and velocity of fine particles are much greater than those of the coarse particles,which shows that compaction is primarily a migration of fine particles.Under the cyclic load,the interparticle friction coefficientμhas little effect on the internal structure of the sample;under the quasi-static loads,however,the increase inμwill lead to a significant increase in the porosity of the sample.This study could not only provide a novel approach to investigate the compaction mechanism but also establish a new theoretical basis for the evaluation of intelligent subgrade compaction.

J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals

Background The prospective association of dietary thiamine intake with the risk of cognitive decline among the general older adults remains uncertain.Aims To investigate the association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals.Methods The study included a total of 3106 participants capable of completing repeated cognitive function tests.Dietary nutrient intake information was collected through 3-day dietary recalls and using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption.Cognitive decline was defined as the 5-year decline rate in global or composite cognitive scores based on a subset of items from the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified.Results The median follow-up duration was 5.9 years.There was a J-shaped relationship between dietary thiamine intake and the 5-year decline rate in global and composite cognitive scores,with an inflection point of 0.68 mg/day(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.56 to 0.80)and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.Before the inflection point,thiamine intake was not significantly associated with cognitive decline.Beyond the inflection point,each unit increase in thiamine intake(mg/day)was associated with a significant decrease of 4.24(95%Cl:2.22 to 6.27)points in the global score and 0.49(95%Cl:0.23 to 0.76)standard units in the composite score within 5 years.A stronger positive association between thiamine intake and cognitive decline was observed in those with hypertension,obesity and those who were non-smokers(all p<0.05).Conclusions This study revealed a J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals,with an inflection point at 0.68 mg/day and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.

The interaction between a shaped charge jet and a single moving plate

Reactive armour is a very efficient add-on armour against shaped charge threats.Explosive reactive armour consists of one or several plates that are accelerated by an explosive.Similar but less violent acceleration of plates can also be achieved in a completely inert reactive armour.To be efficient against elongated jets,the motion of the plates needs to be inclined against the jet such that a sliding contact between the jet and the plates is established.This sliding contact causes a deflection and thinning of the jet.Under certain circumstances,the contact will become unstable,leading to severe disturbances on the jet.These disturbances will drastically reduce the jet penetration performance and it is therefore of interest to study the conditions that leads to an unstable contact.Previous studies on the interaction between shaped charge jets and flyer plates have shown that it is mainly the forward moving plate in an explosive reactive armour that is effective in disturbing the jet.This is usually attributed to the higher plate-to-jet mass flux ratio involved in the collision of the forward moving plate compared to the backward moving plate.For slow moving plates,as occurs in inert reactive armour,the difference in mass flux for the forward and backward moving plate is much lesser,and it is therefore of interest to study if other factors than the mass flux influences on the protection capability.In this work,experiments have been performed where a plate is accelerated along its length,interacting with a shaped charge jet that is fired at an oblique angle to the plate’s normal,either against or along the plate’s velocity.The arrangement corresponds to a jet interacting with a flyer plate from a reactive armour,with the exception that the collision velocity is the same for both types of obliquities in these experiments.The experiments show that disturbances on the jet are different in the two cases even though the collision velocities are the same.Numerical simulations of the interaction support the observation.The difference is attributed to the character of the contact pressure in the interaction region.For a backward moving plate,the maximum contact pressure is obtained at the beginning of the interaction zone and the contact pressure is therefore higher upstream than downstream of the jet while the opposite is true for a forward moving plate.A negative interface pressure gradient with respect to the jet motion results in a more stable flow than a positive,which means that the jet-plate contact is more stable for a backward moving plate than for a forward moving plate.A forward moving plate is thus more effective in disturbing the jet than a backward moving plate,not only because of the higher jet to plate mass flux ratio but also because of the character of the contact with the jet.

Study on the tunnel shape and soil-lining interaction influencing the lining behavior under seismic loading

The response of tunnels subjected to seismic loading is a complex mechanism and depends not only on the seismic nature but also on tunnel structure and surrounding soil properties.The individual behavior of circular,rectangular,and sub-rectangular tunnels subjected to seismic loadings has already been studied in the literature.In the present research,two case scenarios of circular,rectangular tunnels and four sub-rectangular shaped tunnels,with similar cross-section areas,were adopted to perform a comprehensive numerical investigation.The purpose of the study was to determine the mechanical behavior of tunnels of different shapes,depending upon seismic conditions.Analyses were performed by considering the influence of soil-lining interaction,soil parameters,and lining thickness,as well as lining rigidity.Computations were performed for no-slip and full-slip conditions.The results indicate that the tunnel shape design is of great importance when regarding the mechanical behavior of the surrounding soil.This concerns no-slip as well as full-slip soil-lining interaction,especially when the lining is subjected to seismic loading.Moreover,it is shown that changes in incremental bending moments for circular,rectangular and sub-rectangular tunnels that depend upon the soil-lining interaction conditions differ significantly.

A Deep Learning Approach to Shape Optimization Problems for Flexoelectric Materials Using the Isogeometric Finite Element Method

A new approach for flexoelectricmaterial shape optimization is proposed in this study.In this work,a proxymodel based on artificial neural network(ANN)is used to solve the parameter optimization and shape optimization problems.To improve the fitting ability of the neural network,we use the idea of pre-training to determine the structure of the neural network and combine different optimizers for training.The isogeometric analysis-finite element method(IGA-FEM)is used to discretize the flexural theoretical formulas and obtain samples,which helps ANN to build a proxy model from the model shape to the target value.The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through two numerical examples of parameter optimization and one numerical example of shape optimization.

Modified Sadowski formula-based model for the slope shape amplification effect under multistage slope blasting vibration

Blasting operations,which are crucial to open-pit mine production due to their simplicity and efficiency,require precise control through accurate vibration velocity calculations.The conventional Sadowski formula mainly focuses on blast center distance but neglects the amplification effect of blasting vibration waves by terraced terrain,from which the calculated blasting vibration velocities are smaller than the actual values,affecting the safety of the project.To address this issue,our model introduces the influences of slope and time into Sadowski formula to measure safety through blast vibration displacement.In the northern section of the open-pit quartz mine in Jinchang City,Gansu Province,China,the data of a continuous blasting slope project are referred to.Our findings reveal a noticeable vibration amplification effect during blasting when a multi-stage slope platform undergoes a sudden cross-sectional change near the upper overhanging surface.The amplification vibration coefficient increases with height,while vibration waves within rocks decrease from bottom to top.Conversely,platforms without distinct crosssectional changes exhibit no pronounced amplification during blasting.In addition,the vibration intensity decreases with distance as the rock height difference change propagates.The results obtained by the proposed blast vibration displacement equation incorporating slope shape influence closely agree with real-world scenarios.According to Pearson correlation coefficient(PPMCC)analysis,the average accuracy rate of our model is 88.84%,which exceeds the conventional Sadowski formula(46.92%).

Effect of solution treatment on the microstructure,phase transformation behavior and functional properties of NiTiNb ternary shape memory alloys fabricated via laser powder bed fusion in-situ alloying

Post-heat treatment is commonly employed to improve the microstructural homogeneity and enhance the mechanical performances of the additively manufactured metallic materials.In this work,a ternary(NiTi)91Nb9(at.%)shape memory alloy was produced by laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)using pre-alloyed NiTi and elemental Nb powders.The effect of solution treatment on the microstructure,phase transformation behavior and mechanical/functional performances was investigated.The in-situ alloyed(NiTi)91Nb9 alloy exhibits a submicron cellular-dendritic structure surrounding the supersaturated B2-NiTi matrix.Upon high-temperature(1273 K)solution treatment,Nb-rich precipitates were precipitated from the supersaturated matrix.The fragmentation and spheroidization of the NiTi/Nb eutectics occurred during solution treatment,leading to a morphological transition from mesh-like into rod-like and sphere-like.Coarsening of theβ-Nb phases occurred with increasing holding time.The martensite transformation temperature increases after solution treatment,mainly attributed to:(i)reduced lattice distortion due to the Nb expulsion from the supersaturated B2-NiTi,and(ii)the Ti expulsion from theβ-Nb phases that lowers the ratio Ni/Ti in the B2-NiTi matrix,which resulted from the microstructure changes from non-equilibrium to equilibrium state.The thermal hysteresis of the solutionized alloys is around 145 K after 20%pre-deformation,which is comparable to the conventional NiTiNb alloys.A short-term solution treatment(i.e.at 1273 K for 30 min)enhances the ductility and strength of the as-printed specimen,with the increase of fracture stress from(613±19)MPa to(781±20)MPa and the increase of fracture strain from(7.6±0.1)%to(9.5±0.4)%.Both the as-printed and solutionized samples exhibit good tensile shape memory effects with recovery rates>90%.This work suggests that post-process heat treatment is essential to optimize the microstructure and improve the mechanical performances of the L-PBF in-situ alloyed parts.

Coupled DEM-FDM analyses of the effects of falling rock’s shape and impact angle on response of granular cushion and rock shed

Rock shed is an effective protection measure against rockfall.To investigate the influences of falling rock’s shape and impact angle on the impact effect of the cushioned rock shed,a modeling approach for a rock shed with a cushion layer using PFC-FLAC.The granular cushion is modeled as an aggregate of discrete non-cohesion particles,while the concrete plate and the beam are modeled as zones.The falling rock with different sphericities and impact angles is modeled as a rigid assembly.The numerical model is validated by comparing the simulation results with experimental and numerical results from previous literature.This model is applied to analyze the effects of rock shape and impact angle on the dynamic interaction effects between falling rock and cushioned rock shed,including the impact force,transmitted bottom force,penetration depth,and plate deflection.The numerical results show that the variation in the falling rock’s shape has different effects on the falling rock with different impact angles.These findings could support rock shed design by revealing the limitations of the assumptions in the past research,which may result in unsafe rock sheds for some rockfall cases.

Selection of shaped charges parameters for producing aluminum particles with velocities in the range of 2.5-16 km/s

Testing rocket and space technology objects in ground conditions for resistance to the impact of meteoroids and fragments of space debris can be carried out using shaped charges. To substantiate the design parameters of shaped charges that ensure the formation of aluminum particles in a wide velocity range(from 2.5 to 16 km/s), numerical modeling of the formation process was carried out within the framework of a two-dimensional axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics using three different computing codes to increase the reliability of the results. The calculations consider shaped charges with a diameter of 20-100 mm with aluminum liners of various shapes. It is shown that the formation of particles with velocities close to the lower limit of the considered range is ensured by gently sloping segmental liners of degressive thickness. To form higher-velocity particles with velocities over 5 km/s, it is proposed to use combined liners, the jet-forming part of which has the shape of a hemisphere of constant thickness or the shape of a semi-ellipsoid or semi-superellipsoid of rotation of degressive thickness.

Analyzing Thermal Stratification and Nanoparticle Shapes Influence on an EMHD Ternary Nanofluid Flow amidst Two Spinning Disks

The present study examines the thermal distribution of ternary nanofluid flow amid two spinning disks influenced by electric and magnetic fields. Keeping in view the shape of the particles, the electrically conducting ternary nanofluid is analyzed with variable thermophysical features. Three types of nanoparticles namely Copper, Aluminum Oxide, and Graphene with spherical, cylindrical, and platelet shapes are taken respectively and are immersed in a (50-50)% ratio of water and ethylene glycol mixture which acts as a base fluid. The anticipated problem is addressed by employing a reliable and user-friendly numerical bvp4c built-in collocation scheme. This solution is then showcased through illustrations and tables. Strengthening the radiation results in an enhanced heat transfer rate. Radial and azimuthal velocities once rotation of disks is enhanced. The key findings provide a strong theoretical background in photovoltaic cells, solar collectors, radiators, solar water heaters, and many other applications.

Optimal Shape Factor and Fictitious Radius in the MQ-RBF:Solving Ill-Posed Laplacian Problems

To solve the Laplacian problems,we adopt a meshless method with the multiquadric radial basis function(MQRBF)as a basis whose center is distributed inside a circle with a fictitious radius.A maximal projection technique is developed to identify the optimal shape factor and fictitious radius by minimizing a merit function.A sample function is interpolated by theMQ-RBF to provide a trial coefficient vector to compute the merit function.We can quickly determine the optimal values of the parameters within a preferred rage using the golden section search algorithm.The novel method provides the optimal values of parameters and,hence,an optimal MQ-RBF;the performance of the method is validated in numerical examples.Moreover,nonharmonic problems are transformed to the Poisson equation endowed with a homogeneous boundary condition;this can overcome the problem of these problems being ill-posed.The optimal MQ-RBF is extremely accurate.We further propose a novel optimal polynomial method to solve the nonharmonic problems,which achieves high precision up to an order of 10^(−11).

Study on the Evolution of Plane Shape of Guangfu Ancestral Hall Buildings and the Construction of Type Genealogy in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

This paper studies the clan temples in four periods,namely,the development period(early Ming Dynasty and before),the shaping period(mid-Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty),the maturity period(mid-Qing Dynasty),and the programmed period(late Qing Dynasty),analyzes and summarizes their prototypical planform features and attempts to summarize and construct a genealogy of the architectural characteristics of the plane shape of clan temples.During the Ming and Qing dynasties,Guangfu ancestral halls in general showed a journey of development from a centripetal-single-linear-multi-linear-grid pattern,forming the unique Guangsanlu classic pattern in the Guangfu area.

The Origins of the Arc-Shaped Langshan Uplift and Linhe Trench

In the northern part of the Ordos Basin, there is a 325 km long arc-shaped Langshan uplift and a 15 km-deep Linhe Trench in front of Langshan, which are rare geological phenomena for which origins no one has explained. This article comprehensively analyzes the research achievements over the past 40 years of geology, geomorphology, seismic exploration, paleogeography, and oil and gas exploration in the Ordos Basin and Langshan. It recognizes that the northern part of the Ordos Basin experienced a meteorite impact in the Late Cretaceous period. The impact pushed the block northwest ward, subducting after colliding with igneous rocks in the north. This sudden event formed a clear arc-shaped mountain zone in the north and a wedge-shaped trench in front of the mountain. The chaotic layers, prolonged and continuous faults, and numerous thrust layers in the Langshan, a negative anomaly area in the center of the northern Ordos, abnormal orientation of crystalline basement structures in the north of Ordos, Moho uplift, and distribution of meteorite fragments in the northwest of Langshan, all of these geological phenomena support the occurrence of the meteorite impact event, forming the arc-shaped Langshan and the Trench.

Topology, Size, and Shape Optimization in Civil Engineering Structures: A Review

The optimization of civil engineering structures is critical for enhancing structural performance and material efficiency in engineering applications.Structural optimization approaches seek to determine the optimal design,by considering material performance,cost,and structural safety.The design approaches aim to reduce the built environment’s energy use and carbon emissions.This comprehensive review examines optimization techniques,including size,shape,topology,and multi-objective approaches,by integrating these methodologies.The trends and advancements that contribute to developing more efficient,cost-effective,and reliable structural designs were identified.The review also discusses emerging technologies,such as machine learning applications with different optimization techniques.Optimization of truss,frame,tensegrity,reinforced concrete,origami,pantographic,and adaptive structures are covered and discussed.Optimization techniques are explained,including metaheuristics,genetic algorithm,particle swarm,ant-colony,harmony search algorithm,and their applications with mentioned structure types.Linear and non-linear structures,including geometric and material nonlinearity,are distinguished.The role of optimization in active structures,structural design,seismic design,form-finding,and structural control is taken into account,and the most recent techniques and advancements are mentioned.

Analysis on the Composition and Structure of Branches of Two Kinds of Tree Shapes in Korla Fragrant Pear

ObjectiveThe thesis aims at investigating the distribution and structural characteristics of various branches in canopy of Korla fragrant pear. MethodStatistic work and analysis were conducted on the numbers and distribution characteristics of various branches in each cubic lattice by using the canopy cellular method. ResultThe results showed that： The total number of scaffold branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 97, which mainly distributed in the lower layer and middle part of the canopy; the total number of scaffold branches of open-center tree shape was 94, which mainly distributed in the lower layer and middle part of the canopy. The total number of annual branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 3 920, which mainly distributed in the middle layer and outer part of the canopy; and the total number of annual branches of the open-center tree shape was 3 183, which mainly distributed in middle layer and outer part of the canopy. The total number of perennial branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 2 184, which mainly distributed in lower layer and outer part of the canopy; the total number of perennial branches of open-center tree shape was 1 444, which mainly distributed in middle layer and outer part of the canopy. ConclusionThe total number and the distribution positions of scaffold branches in the canopy of each tree shape were basically the same. The total numbers of annual branches of the two kinds of tree shapes were different, but the distribution positions were basically the same. The total numbers and the distribution positions of perennial branches in the canopy of the two kinds of tree shapes were different.

The quadratic B-spline curve fitting for the shape of log cross sections

This paper describes a new method for simulation of the cross section shape of log. The self-developed MQK3102 log shape recognizing machine was used to acquire the finite discrete sampling points on the cross section of log and those points were fitted with the quadratic B-spline parametric curve. This method can clearly stimulate the real shape of the log cross section and is characterized by limited sampling points and high speed computing. The computed result of the previous curve does not affect the next one, which may avoid the graphic distortion caused by the accumulative error. The method can be used to simulate the whole body shape of log approximately by sampling the cross sections along the length direction of log, thus providing a reference model for optimum saw cutting of log.

Analysis on the Protection of Settlement Shape in Sichuan

This article elaborated the characteristics of settlement shape in detail with examples. Aiming at the negative effects on settlement shape by construction, we put forward some measures, such as respect for ecological environment, selection mode of space development, protection of historical features, and excavation of culture connotation, so as to realize the protection of settlement shape.

Optimal shape space and searching in the active shape model

A novel idea,called the optimal shape subspace （OSS） is first proposed for optimizing active shape model （ASM） search.It is constructed from the principal shape subspace and the principal shape variance subspace.It allows the reconstructed shape to vary more than that reconstructed in the standard ASM shape space,hence it is more expressive in representing shapes in real life.Then a cost function is developed,based on a study on the search process.An optimal searching method using the feedback information provided by the evaluation cost is proposed to improve the performance of ASM alignment.Experimental results show that the proposed OSS can offer the maximum shape variation with reserving the principal information and a unique local optimal shape is acquired after optimal searching.The combination of OSS and optimal searching can improve the ASM performance greatly.

Progress in Studies on the Equilibrium Shape of Headland-bay Shoreline

Research on the laws controlling the shoreline equilibrium shape has been one important topic of studying the evolvement and stabilization of sandy coasts. After a brief review of the progress on the equilibrium shape laws research, five models are introduced in detail. Advantages and disadvantages of these models are then discussed, which leads to the conclusion that the empirical formula integrating with analysis of mechanism should be the future direction of study on the headland-bay equilibrium shape laws. Finally, the importance of the study on the equilibrium shape of headland-bay in China is also discussed.

3shape Trios 3口内扫描和传统硅橡胶在牙体缺损修复中的失败原因分析

目的分析并比较3shape Trios 3口内扫描和传统硅橡胶在牙体缺损修复中的失败原因,为临床取模以及口内扫描仪性能改善提供参考依据。方法回顾性分析2021年1月至2023年10月实施口腔固定修复治疗并返工的200例患者为研究对象,以取模方式将其分为口扫组(n=97)和硅橡胶组(n=103)。口扫组给予3shape Trios 3口内扫描,硅橡胶组给予传统硅橡胶。比较两组在牙体缺损修复中的失败原因。结果两组的牙体缺损修复失败分布情况比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);口扫组中,龈下缺损修复失败占比高于龈上(P<0.05)。两组的龈下缺损修复失败原因比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论相较于传统硅橡胶,3shape Trios 3口内扫描在龈上缺损修复中更有优势,但在龈下缺损修复中,硅橡胶应用效果更佳。