Expansion of spherical cavity of strain-softening materials with different elastic moduli of tension and compression

An expansion theory of spherical cavities in strain-softening materials with different moduli of tension and com-pression was presented. For geomaterials,two controlling parameters were introduced to take into account the different moduli and strain-softening properties. By means of elastic theory with different moduli and stress-softening models,general solutions cal-culating Tresca and Mohr-Coulomb materials' stress and displacement fields of expansion of spherical cavity were derived. The effects caused by different elastic moduli in tensile and compression and strain-softening rates on stress and displacement fields and development of plastic zone of expansion of cavity were analyzed. The results show that the ultimate expansion pressure,stress and displacement fields and development of plastic zone vary with the different elastic moduli and strain-softening prop-erties. If classical elastic theory is adopted and strain-softening properties are neglected,rather large errors may be the result.

Relation between Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive Strength of Ultrahigh-Strength Mortar with Mixed Silicon Carbide as Fine Aggregate

Ultrahigh-strength mortar mixed surface-oxidized silicon carbide as a fine aggregate was prepared by means of press-casting followed by curing in an autoclave. The relation between modulus of elssticity up to 111 GPa and compressive strength up to 360 MPa of mortar mixed silicon carbide was discussed and it was revealed that the contributions of the aggregate hardness and of the interfacial strength between the aggregate and the cement paste on the elasticity of mortar were imporant.

Constitutive Model for Rubberlike Materials

The isotropic continuum stored energy (CSE) functional, fully combined with the Poisson function, has been applied to constitutively model compressible as well as incompressible rubberlike materials. The isotropic CSE constitutive model fits uniaxial tension test and predicts unfitted pure shear and equibiaxial tension tests of incompressible S4035A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Furthermore, the isotropic CSE model along with the Poisson function fits uniaxial tension test along with the kinematic relation test and predicts unfitted pure shear and equibiaxial tension tests along with the corresponding kinematic relation tests of a compressible synthetic rubber. The detailed procedures for uniquely identifying constitutive parameters are emphasized, the experimental characterization results are discussed, and the principles for constitutive models are summarized and augmented.

Mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions

To investigate the mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions, uniaxial compression test and ultrasonic test were performed. Test results show that the relative dynamic elastic modulus, the mass variation,and the compressive strength of cement mortar increase first, and then decrease with increasing erosion time in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions. The relative dynamic elastic moduli and the compressive strengths of cement mortars with water/cement ratios of 0.55 and 0.65 in sodium sulfate solution are lower than those in sodium chloride solution with the same concentration at the420 th day of immersion. The compressive strength of cement mortar with water/cement ratio of 0.65 is more sensitive to strain rate than that with water/cement ratio of 0.55. In addition, the strain-rate sensitivity of compressive strength of cement mortar will increase under attacks of sodium sulfate or sodium chloride solution.

Selection of regression models for predicting strength and deformability properties of rocks using GA

Recently,many regression models have been presented for prediction of mechanical parameters of rocks regarding to rock index properties.Although statistical analysis is a common method for developing regression models,but still selection of suitable transformation of the independent variables in a regression model is diffcult.In this paper,a genetic algorithm(GA)has been employed as a heuristic search method for selection of best transformation of the independent variables(some index properties of rocks)in regression models for prediction of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)and modulus of elasticity(E).Firstly,multiple linear regression(MLR)analysis was performed on a data set to establish predictive models.Then,two GA models were developed in which root mean squared error(RMSE)was defned as ftness function.Results have shown that GA models are more precise than MLR models and are able to explain the relation between the intrinsic strength/elasticity properties and index properties of rocks by simple formulation and accepted accuracy.

The use of point load test for Dubai weak calcareous sandstones

Intact rock is typically described according to its uniaxial compressive strength （UCS）. The UCS is needed in the design of geotechnical engineering problems including stability of rock slopes and design of shallow and deep foundations resting on and/or in rocks. Accordingly, a correct measure-ment/evaluation of the UCS is essential to a safe and economic design. Typically, the UCS is measured using the unconfined compression tests performed on cylindrical intact specimens with a minimum length to width ratio of 2. In several cases, especially for weak and very weak rocks, it is not possible to extract intact specimens with the needed minimum dimensions. Thus, alternative tests （e.g. point load test, Schmidt hammer） are used to measure rock strength. The UCS is computed based on the results of these tests through empirical correlations. The literature includes a plethora of these correlations that vary widely in estimating rock strength. Thus, it is paramount to validate these correlations to check their suitability for estimating rock strength for a specific location and geology. A review of the available correlations used to estimate the UCS from the point load test results is performed and summarized herein. Results of UCS, point load strength index and Young＇s modulus are gathered for calcareous sandstone specimens extracted from the Dubai area. A correlation for estimating the UCS from the point load strength index is proposed. Furthermore, the Young＇s modulus is correlated to the UCS.

A CONSTITUTIVE EQUATION SATISFYING THE NULL CONDITION FOR NONLINEAR COMPRESSIBLE ELASTICITY

This paper constructs a polyconvex stored energy function, satisfying the null condition, for isotropic compressible elastic materials with given Lame constants. The difference between this stored energy function and St Venant-Kirchhoff's is a three order term.

Effect of formulation of alginate beads on their mechanical behavior and stiffness

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of formulation of alginate beads on their mechanical behavior and stiffness when compressed at high speed. The alginate beads were formulated using different types and concentrations of alginate and gelling cations and were produced using an extrusiondripping method, Single wet beads were compressed at a speed of 40 mm/min, and their elastic limits were investigated, and the corresponding force versus displacement data were obtained. The Young＇s moduli of the beads were determined from the force versus displacement data using the Hertz＇s contact mechanics theory. The alginate beads were found to exhibit plastic behavior when they were compressed beyond 50% with the exception of copper-alginate beads for which yield occured at lower deformation, Alginate beads made of higher guluronic acid contents and gelling cations of higher chemical affinity were found to have greater stiffness. Increasing the concentration of alginate and gelling ions also generated a similar effect. At such a compression speed, the values of Young＇s modulus of the beads were found to be in the range between 250 and 900 kPa depending on the bead formulation.