Numerical modelling of post-failure behaviors of coal specimens

A modelling approach consisting of best-fit relations to estimate the post-yield strength parameters is presented for simulating post-peak behavior beyond the point of residual strength of coal pillars having different w/h ratios.The model was developed based on back-analysis of the complete stress-strain behavior of specimens belonging to six different Indian coal seams with different w/h ratios of 0.5 e13.5.It was found that the simultaneous degradation of the cohesion and friction angle of the Mohr-Coulomb rock material characterizes the post-peak strength behavior of the rock.The resulting expressions are simplistic as they require parameters that can be easily determined using uniaxial and triaxial compression results.Eventually,the developed model was validated by simulating the triaxial tests of coal specimens with different sizes under varying confining stresses and comparing its findings with the published test results.The study showed that its implementation in the numerical model could reproduce laboratory-observed mechanical response,deformation behavior,and failure mechanism very closely.

Shaping Effects of the E-Fishbone in Tokamaks

Shaping effects of the E-fishbone in tokamaks are investigated. Coordinates related to the Solov＇ev configuration are used to calculate the precession frequency and kinetic contribu- tion. It is shown that elongation does not change the precession frequency and the kinetic energy. Growth rates of the E-fishbone vary with elongation which essentially has destabilizing effects. For elongated tokamaks, triangularity has a stabilizing effect on the modes which play a compensative role. The results may apply to Sunist.

Magnetohydrodynamics hemodynamics hybrid nanofluid flow through inclined stenotic artery

The present study aims to perform computational simulations of twodimensional(2D)hemodynamics of unsteady blood flow via an inclined overlapping stenosed artery employing the Casson fluid model to discuss the hemorheological properties in the arterial region.A uniform magnetic field is applied to the blood flow in the radial direction as the magneto-hemodynamics effect is considered.The entropy generation is discussed using the second law of thermodynamics.The influence of different shape parameters is explored,which are assumed to have varied shapes(spherical,brick,cylindrical,platelet,and blade).The Crank-Nicolson scheme solves the equations and boundary conditions governing the flow.For a given critical height of the stenosis,the key hemodynamic variables such as velocity,wall shear stress(WSS),temperature,flow rate,and heat transfer coefficient are computed.

Microstructure,mechanical and shape memory properties of Ti-55Ta-xSi biomedical alloys

The effects of Si addition on microstructures, mechanical and shape memory properties of Ti-55Ta biomedical alloy were investigated. The results show that the microstructures consist of mainly α′′ martensite and a little β phase, and the grain size decreases obviously with increasing Si addition. When x = 0.2, small （Ti, Ta）3Si precipitates are formed at grain boundaries. With further increasing Si content, the amount of the precipitates gradually increases. The tensile and yield strength of Ti-55Ta-xSi alloys gradually increase with increasing Si addition, whereas elongation decreases. Ti-55Ta-0.1Si alloy exhibits the lowest elastic modulus and the best shape memory recoverable strain. It is revealed that the refinement of grain and the precipitation of （Ti, Ta）3Si phase are responsible to the changes of their mechanical and shape memory properties.

Influence of recovery heating rate on shape memory effect in up-quenched Cu-Al-Mn alloy

The effect of recovery heating rate on shape memory effect of the up-quenched Cu-8.88Al-10.27Mn（mass fraction, %） alloy was investigated by optical microscopy, electron transmission microscopy（TEM） and electrical resistivity measurement. It is found that the shape recovery rate decreases as the heating rate decreases. It can reach 75% when the heating rate is 20 ℃/min, while it is only 8% when the heating rate is 1 ℃/min. In situ microstructure observation indicates that the dependence of shape memory effect on recovery heating rate is caused by the stabilization of twinned martensite induced by deformation. The analysis of electrical resistivity shows that the stabilization of twinned martensite may be ascribed to formation of compound defects of vacancies and dislocations at the boundaries of twinned martensite during the slow heating. The compound defects prevent the reverse transformation of twinned martensite.

Role of thermal martensite in shape memory effect of CoAl and CoNi alloys

To address the role of the HCP martensite in CoAl and CoNi shape memory alloys, the relationship between the shape memory effect （SME） and the content of the thermal and stress-induced HCP martensite was investigated in the solution-treated CoAl and CoNi alloys. In-situ optical observations were employed to investigate the contents of thermal HCP martensite before and after deep cooling and its influence on the stress-induced HCP martensite transformation and SME. The results show that the SME in both the CoAl and the CoNi alloys results from the stress-induced HCP martensite. The role of the thermal HCP martensite in both of them is the strengthening of the matrix. The much higher yield strength in the solution-treated CoAl alloy due to solution strengthening of Al is responsible for its better SME compared with the CoNi alloy.

Behaviour of layered sandstone under Brazilian test conditions:Layer orientation and shape effects

The experimental study in this paper focuses on the effects of the layer orientation and sample shape on failure strength and fracture pattern of samples tested under Brazilian test conditions(i.e.diametrical loading of cylindrical discs)for one particular layered sandstone which is from Modave in the south of Belgium.The variations of the strength in combination with the failure patterns are examined as a function of the inclination angle between the layer plane and the loading direction.The experimental,results clearly show that the induced fracture patterns are a combination of tensile and/or shear fractures.In shape effect experiments the layer thickness and the number of layer boundaries are investigated.Different blocks of Modave sandstone are used to prepare samples.The layer thickness is different among the various blocks,but the layer thickness in each studied rock block can be considered to be constant;hence,the number of layer boundaries changes according to the sample diameter for samples of the same block.The experimental study shows that the layer thickness plays a more important role than the number of layer boundaries per sample.

Structural and Optical Properties and Emerging Applications of Metal Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials possess intriguing optical properties that depend sensitively on size, shape, and material content of the structures. Controlling such structural characteristics of the nanostructures allows the tailoring of their physical and chemical properties, e.g. optical, electronic, and catalytic, to achieve what is desired lot specific applications of interest. This review will cover the development of various shapes for silver and gold nanomaterials with emphasis on their relation to optical properties. Examples of various modern synthetic methods and characterization techniques are highlighted. The influence of the metal nanomaterial＇s shape and optical absorption on surface enhanced Raman scattering （SERS） and a final note on new emerging applications of metal nanostructures are also discussed.

Microstructural,mechanical and shape memory characterizations of Ti-Mo-Sn alloys

As a β stabilizing element in Ti-based alloys,the effect of Mo on phase constitution,microstructure,mechanical and shape memory properties was investigated.Different compositions of Ti-xMo-3Sn alloys(where x=2,4,6,at.%) were prepared by arc melting.A binary composition of Ti-6 Mo alloy was also prepared for comparison.Ti-xMo-3Sn alloys show low hardness and high ductility with 90% reduction in thickness while Ti-6 Mo alloy shows high hardness,brittle behavior,and poor ductility.Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) reveals round morphology of athermal ω(ωath) precipitates.The presence of ωath phase is also confirmed by X-ray diffraction(XRD)in both as-cast and solution-treated and quenched conditions.The optical microscopy(OM) and FESEM show that the amount of martensite forming during quenching decreases with an increase in Mo content,which is also due to β→ω transformation.The hardness trends reinforce the presence of ωath too.The shape memory effect(SME) of 9% is the highest for Ti-6 Mo-3Sn alloy.The SME is trivial due to ωath phase formation;however,the increase in SME is observed with an increase in Mo content,which is due to the reverse transformation from ωath and the stress-induced martensitic transformation.In addition,a new and very simple method was designed and used for shape memory effect measurement.

Shape ratio effects on the mechanical characteristics of rectangular prism rocks and isolated pillars under uniaxial compression

Isolated pillars in underground mines are subjected to uniaxial stress,and the load bearing cross-section of pillars is commonly rectangularly shaped.In addition,the uniaxial compression test(UCT)is widely used for determining the basic mechanical properties of rocks and revealing the mechanism of isolated pillar disasters under unidimensional stress.The shape effects of rock mechanical properties under uniaxial compression are mainly quantitatively reflected in the specific shape ratios of rocks.Therefore,it is necessary to study the detailed shape ratio effects on the mechanical properties of rectangular prism rock specimens and isolated pillars under uniaxial compressive stress.In this study,granite,marble and sandstone rectangular prism specimens with various height to width ratios(r)and width to thickness ratios(u)were prepared and tested.The study results show that r and u have a great influence on the bearing ability of rocks,and thin or high rocks have lower uniaxial compressive strength.Reducing the level of r can enhance the u effect on the strength of rocks,and increasing the level of u can enhance the r effect on the strength of rocks.The lateral strain on the thickness side of the rock specimen is larger than that on the width side,which implies that crack growth occurs easily on the thickness side.Considering r and u,a novel strength prediction model of isolated pillars was proposed based on the testing results,and the prediction model was used for the safety assessment of 179 isolated pillars in the Xianglu Mountain Tungsten Mine.

Nuclear ?eld shift effects on stable isotope fractionation: a review

An anomalous isotope effect exists in many heavy element isotope systems （e.g., Sr, Gd, Zn, U）. This effect used to be called the ＂odd--even isotope effect＂ because the odd mass number isotopes behave differently from the even mass number isotopes. This mass-indepen- dent isotope fractionation driving force, which originates from the difference in the ground-state electronic energies caused by differences in nuclear size and shape, is cur- rently denoted as the nuclear field shift effect （NFSE）. It is found that the NFSE can drive isotope fractionation of some heavy elements （e.g., Hg, T1, U） to an astonishing degree, far more than the magnitude caused by the con- ventional mass-dependent effect （MDE）. For light ele- ments, the MDE is the dominant factor in isotope fractionation, while the NFSE is neglectable. Furthermore, the MDE and the NFSE both decrease as temperatures increase, though at different rates. The MDE decreases rapidly with a factor of 1/T2, while the NFSE decreases slowly with a factor of 1/T. As a result, even at high temperatures, the NFSE is still significant for many heavy element isotope systems. In this review paper, we begin with an introduction of the basic concept of the NSFE, including its history and recent progress, and follow with the potential implications of the inclusion of the NFSE into the kinetic isotope fractionation effect （KIE） and heavy isotope geochronology.

SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT OF PU IONOMERS WITH IONIC GROUPS ON HARD-SEGMENTS

SMPU （shape memory polyurethane） non-ionomers and ionomers, synthesized with poly（c-caprolactone） （PCL）, 4, 4＇-diphenylmethane diisocyanate （MDI）, 1,4-butanediol （BDO）, dimethylolpropionic acid （DMPA） were measured with cyclic tensile test and strain recovery test. The relations between the structure and shape memory effect of these two series were studied with respect to the ionic group content and the effect of neutralization. The resulting data indicate that, with the introduction of asymmetrical extender, the stress at 100% elongation is decreased for PU non-ionomer and ionomer series, especially lowered sharply for non-ionomer series; the fixation ratio of ionomer series is not affected obviously by the ionic group content; the total recovery ratio of ionomer series is decreased greatly. After sufficient relaxation time for samples stretched beforehand, the switching temperature is raised slightly, whereas the recovery ratio measured with strain recovery test method is lowered with increased DMPA content. The characterization with FT-IR, DSC, DMA elucidated that, the ordered hard domain of the two series is disrupted with the introduction of DMPA which causes more hard segments to dissolve in soft phase; ionic groups on hard segment enhance the cohesion between hard segments especially at high ionic group content and significantly facilitate the phase separation compared with the corresponding non-ionomer at moderate ionic group content.

Growing actin networks regulated by obstacle size and shape

Growing actin networks provide the driving force for the motility of cells and intracellular pathogens. Based on the molecular-level processes of actin polymerization, branching, capping, and depolymerization, we have developed a modeling framework to simulate the stochastic and cooperative behaviors of growing actin networks in propelling obstacles, with an emphasis on the size and shape effects on work capacity and filament orientation in the growing process. Our results show that the characteristic size of obstacles changes the protrusion power per unit length, without influencing the orientation distribution of actin filaments in growing networks. In contrast, the geometry of obstacles has a profound effect on filament patterning, which influences the orientation of filaments differently when the drag coefficient of environment is small, intermediate, or large. We also discuss the role of various parameters, such as the aspect ratio of obstacles, branching rate, and capping rate, in affecting the protrusion power of network growth.

A macroscopic multi-mechanism based constitutive model for the thermo-mechanical cyclic degeneration of shape memory effect of NiTi shape memory alloy

A macroscopic based multi-mechanism constitutive model is constructed in the framework of irreversible thermodynamics to describe the degeneration of shape memory effect occurring in the thermo-mechanical cyclic deformation of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs). Three phases, austenite A, twinned martensite and detwinned martensite , as well as the phase transitions occurring between each pair of phases (, , , , and are considered in the proposed model. Meanwhile, two kinds of inelastic deformation mechanisms, martensite transformation-induced plasticity and reorientation-induced plasticity, are used to explain the degeneration of shape memory effects of NiTi SMAs. The evolution equations of internal variables are proposed by attributing the degeneration of shape memory effect to the interaction between the three phases (A, , and and plastic deformation. Finally, the capability of the proposed model is verified by comparing the predictions with the experimental results of NiTi SMAs. It is shown that the degeneration of shape memory effect and its dependence on the loading level can be reasonably described by the proposed model.

Phase transformation behavior and mechanical properties of Ti_(50)Ni_(49-x) Fe_1Co_x shape memory alloys

In this article, the influence of Co addition on phase transformation behavior and mechanical properties of TiNiFe shape memory alloy was investigated extensively. Differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） measurements shows that martensitic start transformation temperatures （Ms） decrease drastically with increasing Co content, while the R phase transformation start temperatures （Rs） vary slightly. Nevertheless, the substitution of Ni with Co does not exert substantial influence on the two-stage transformation behavior of the TiNiFe alloy. The results from stress-strain curves indicate that higher critical stress for stress-induced martensitic transformation （σSIM） has been obtained because of Co addition. In such cases, the Ti50Ni48sFelCO1.0 alloy maintains a good shape memory effect, and a maximum recoverable strain of 7.5 % can be obtained.

Phase transformation behaviors and mechanical properties of Ti_(50)Ni_(49)Fe_1 alloy with severe plastic deformation

In this work, transformation behaviors and mechanical properties of cold-rolled shape memory alloy TisoNia9Fel by severe plastic deformation （SPD） were intensively investigated. The phase transformation behaviors, phase analysis, and microstructures were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, respectively. Tensile testing was performed to analyze the effect of SPD on the mechanical properties and shape memory of TisoNi49Fel alloy. When the thickness reduction is beyond 30 %, the martensitic transformation is suppressed. After cold-rolling, the alloy is mainly com- posed of B2 parent phases with some stress-induced martensitic B 19t phases, and high density of dislocations are generated and the grains are obviously refined. The yield stress ab significantly raises from 618 MPa of 0 % cold rolling to 1,338 MPa of 50 % SPD. Shape-memory effect increases from 6.5 % without cold rolling to 8.5 % after 30 % SPD, ascribed to the induced defects in cold rolling. Those results indicate that TisoNi49Fel alloy has improved mechanical properties and potential commercial applications after SPD.

Compressive mechanical properties and shape memory effect of NiTi gradient lattice structures fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser additive manufacturing (AM) of lattice structures with light weight, excellent impact resistance, and energy absorption performance is receiving considerable attention in aerospace, transportation, and mechanical equipment application fields. In this study, we designed four gradient lattice structures (GLSs) using the topology optimization method, including the unidirectional GLS, the bi-directional increasing GLS, the bi-directional decreasing GLS and the none-GLS. All GLSs were manufactureed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The uniaxial compression tests and finite element analysis were conducted to investigate the influence of gradient distribution features on deformation modes and energy absorption performance of GLSs. The results showed that, compared with the 45° shear fracture characteristic of the none-GLS, the unidirectional GLS, the bi-directional increasing GLS and the bi-directional decreasing GLS had the characteristics of the layer-by-layer fracture, showing considerably improved energy absorption capacity. The bi-directional increasing GLS showed a unique combination of shear fracture and layer-by-layer fracture, having the optimal energy absorption performance with energy absorption and specific energy absorption of 235.6 J and 9.5 J g-1 at 0.5 strain, respectively. Combined with the shape memory effect of NiTi alloy, multiple compression-heat recovery experiments were carried out to verify the shape memory function of LPBF-processed NiTi GLSs. These findings have potential value for the future design of GLSs and the realization of shape memory function of NiTi components through laser AM.

Buckling-controlled two-way shape memory effect in a ring-shaped bilayer

Shape memory polymers(SMPs)usually have a one-way shape memory effect.In this paper,an easy-operating method to realize a two-way shape memory effect was demonstrated in a ring-shaped bilayer structure where the two layers are SMPs with different thermal transition temperatures.By designing specific thermomechanical processes,the mismatched deformation between the two layers leads to a morphology change of ring-shaped bilayer structures from a smooth ring to a gear-like buckling shape under cooling and a reversible recovery to the smooth shape under heating.Such a morphology change is ascribed to occurrence and recovery of thermoelastic buckling.This method was validated by finite element simulation.We experimentally investigated the influence of pre-strain on buckling,and it was found that both the buckling occurrence and recovery temperature vary with pre-strain.Furthermore,considering a ring-shaped SMP-SMP bilayer structure,finite element analysis was conducted to study the influence of film thickness and modulus ratio of two layers on buckling behavior.The results showed that the critical buckling wavelength was greatly influenced by film thickness and modulus ratio.W e made a theoretical analysis that accorded well with the numerical results.

Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of aged Ni-Fe-Ga-Ti shape memory alloy

This article reports the effect of ageing on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 shape memory alloy. There are five specimens of this alloy aged at 573 up to 973 K for 3 h per each. This range of ageing temperature greatly affects the microstructure of the alloy. As the ageing temperature increased from 573 up to 973 K, the microstructure of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 alloy gradually changed from the entirely martensitic matrix at 573 K to the fully austenitic microstructure at 973 K. The volume fraction of precipi- tated Ni3Ti particles increased with the ageing temperature increasing from 573 to 773 K. Further increasing the ageing temperature to 973 K decreased the content of Ni3Ti in the microstructure. The martensitic transformation tempera- ture was decreased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature. The magnetization saturation, remnant magnetization, and coercivity increased with the ageing temperature increasing up to 773 K. A further increase in ageing temperature decreased these raagnetic properties. Moreover, the hardness values were gradually increased at first by increasing the ageing temperature to 773 K, and then dramatically decreased to the lowest value at 973 K.

Correlation of microstructural and corrosion characteristics of quaternary shape memory alloys Cu-Al-Ni-X(X=Mn or Ti)

The effects of different contents(0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%, mass fraction) of Mn or Ti additions on the micro structure, shape memory effect and the corrosion behaviour of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and electrochemical and immersion tests in NaCl solution. It was observed that the microstructure, shape memory effect and corrosion characteristics are highly sensitive to the composition variations. It was found that the highest strain recovery was with 0.7% addition of Mn or Ti. This may be attributed to the presence of precipitation with a high volume fraction and the grain refinement. The electrochemical test showed that the formation of oxide layers in both Cu-Al-Ni-Mn and Cu-Al-Ni-Ti shape memory alloys(SMAs) provided good passivation which enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloys. Immersion test showed that in Cu-Al-Ni-Mn SMAs, pitting corrosion occurred through feebleness in the oxide layer. A corrosion product adjacent to the pits was rich in Al/Mn oxide and depleted in Cu while inside of the pit it was rich in Cu. In Cu-Al-Ni-Ti SMAs, localized corrosion occurred on the surface of the specimens and dealuminization attack was also observed in the matrix.