Three-Dimensional Static Analysis of Nanoplates and Graphene Sheets by Using Eringen’s Nonlocal Elasticity Theory and the Perturbation Method

A three-dimensional(3D)asymptotic theory is reformulated for the static analysis of simply-supported,isotropic and orthotropic single-layered nanoplates and graphene sheets(GSs),in which Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory is used to capture the small length scale effect on the static behaviors of these.The perturbation method is used to expand the 3D nonlocal elasticity problems as a series of two-dimensional(2D)nonlocal plate problems,the governing equations of which for various order problems retain the same differential operators as those of the nonlocal classical plate theory(CST),although with different nonhomogeneous terms.Expanding the primary field variables of each order as the double Fourier series functions in the in-plane directions,we can obtain the Navier solutions of the leading-order problem,and the higher-order modifications can then be determined in a hierarchic and consistent manner.Some benchmark solutions for the static analysis of isotropic and orthotropic nanoplates and GSs subjected to sinusoidally and uniformly distributed loads are given to demonstrate the performance of the 3D nonlocal asymptotic theory.

AN ANALYTICAL SOLUTION FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIFFRACTION OF PLANE P-WAVES BY A HEMISPHERICAL ALLUVIAL VALLEY WITH SATURATED SOIL DEPOSITS

An analytical solution for the three-dimensional scattering and diffraction of plane P-waves by a hemispherical alluvial valley with saturated soil deposits is developed by employing Fourier-Bessel series expansion technique. Unlike previous studies, in which the saturated soil deposits were simulated with the single-phase elastic theory, in this paper, they are simulated with Biot＇s dynamic theory for saturated porous media, and the half space is assumed as a single-phase elastic medium. The effects of the dimensionless frequency, the incidence angle of P-wave and the porosity of soil deposits on the surface displacement magnifications of the hemispherical alluvial valley are investigated. Numerical results show that the existence of a saturated hemispherical alluvial valley has much influence on the surface displacement magnifications. It is more reasonable to simulate soil deposits with Biot＇s dynamic theory when evaluating the displacement responses of a hemispherical alluvial valley with an incidence of P-waves.

Seismic responses of a hemispherical alluvial valley to SV waves: a three-dimensional analytical approximation

Abstract An analytical solution to the three-dimen-sional scattering and diffraction of plane SV-waves by a saturated hemispherical alluvial valley in elastic half-space is obtained by using Fourier-Bessel series expan-sion technique. The hemispherical alluvial valley with saturated soil deposits is simulated with Biot＇s dynamic theory for saturated porous media. The following conclusions based on numerical results can be drawn： （1） there are a significant differences in the seismic response simulation between the previous single-phase models and the present two-phase model; （2） the nor-malized displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley depend mainly on the incident wave angles, the dimensionless frequency of the incident SV waves and the porosity of sediments; （3） with the increase of the incident angle, the displacement distributions become more complicated; and the displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley increase as the porosity of sediments increases.

Dynamic Design of Thick Orthotropic Cantilever Plates with Consideration of Bimoments

The paper is devoted to dynamic design of thick orthotropic cantilever plates by applying the bimoment theory of plates, which takes into account the forces, moments and bimoments;and the theory takes into account nonlinear law of displacements distribution in cross section of the plate. The methods for constructing bimoment theory are based on Hooke’s Law, three-dimensional equations of the theory of dynamic elasticity and the method of displacements expansion into Maclaurin series. The article gives the expressions to determine the forces, moments and bimoments. Bimoment theory of plates is described by two unrelated two-dimensional systems with nine equations in each. On each edge of the plate, depending on the type of fastening, nine boundary conditions are given. As an example, the solution of the problem of dynamic bending of thick isotropic and orthotropic plate under the influence of transverse dynamic loads in the form of the Heaviside function is given. The equations of motion of the plate are solved by numerical method of finite differences. The numerical results are obtained for isotropic and orthotropic plate. The graphs of changes of displacements and stresses of faces surfaces of the plate are presented. Maximum values of these displacements are found and analyzed. It is shown that by Timoshenko theory numerical values of stresses are much smaller compared to the ones obtained by bimoment theory of plates. Maximum numerical values of generalized displacements, forces, moments, and bimoments are obtained and presented in tabular form. The analysis of numerical results is done and the conclusions are drawn.

A Framework for Exploring the Dynamics of Autonomous Work Groups in Manufacturing Organizations

Nowadays, new paradigm of enterprise organization i s constantly changing due to the emergence of the global marketplace, the rise of information technology, and the emphasis of the social developments. This re quires a more flexible form of organization that are more adaptable to rapid cha nges in business environment such as autonomous work groups (AWGs) in order to achieve higher productivity and effectiveness. AWGs are work units responsib le for the production of goods and the provision of services. They involve team members in making decisions that are traditionally the responsibility of the sup ervisors and managers (Cohen & Bailey, 1997). Team members of AWGs are allowed t o self-regulate their behavior on jobs such as task assignments, methods for ca rrying out the work, and scheduling of activities etc. (Cohen & Ledford, 1994). For example, Motorola achieved a high organizational performance due to the succ essful implementation of AWGs in quality management (Piczak & Hauser, 1996). Xer ox also reported their operational successes based on the team-oriented work gr oups (Wageman, 1997). In recent years many organizations have replaced the traditional layers of manag ement with autonomous team-based work arrangements. Surveys indicated that the adoption of AWGs has soared in responding to the competitive business challenges . Many enterprises are making a deliberate effort to use AWGs to carry out work and operational processes as an alternative for hierarchical approaches (Lawler et al., 1995). There is a growing body of evidence that AWGs are more effective than traditionally managed groups and they contributes to organizational perform ance, such as improvement in operational performance, productivity, quality, cos t savings, employee attitude and behavior, and employee satisfaction (e.g. Pears on, 1992; Cohen & Ledford, 1994; Seers et al. 1995). Given the complexity and cognitive nature of team-based organizations, the mech anisms that the enterprises use in the development of the increasingly sophistic ated models, which can contribute to the effective functioning of AWGs, are extr emely important. The process of developing effective AWGs enables enterprises to inherent built-in intelligence of the organizations so that they will be more able to accommodate to external pressures and changes. The context of this paper is the construction of a dynamics framework and a stra tegic path for autonomous work groups in the technology-oriented manufacturing organization re-design. The framework is a conceptual one drawn from the litera ture survey. The importance of studying autonomous work groups for today’s manuf acturing organizations is claimed. Based on the General System Theory (GST), the characterization of AWGs is addressed. Three-dimensional domains such as t echnical content, service content, and relationship content are identified. A st rategic path is proposed to guide the organizations how the development of AWGs progresses at different levels of maturity that are associated with organization al effectiveness and performance. The utility of the model for AWGs is expected to provide technology-oriented organizations with a strategic path to achieve h igher organizational performance.