Development and Validation of a Scaled Electric Combat Vehicle Tire Model

Pneumatic tire modeling and validation have been the topic of several research papers, however, most of these papers only deal with pneumatic passenger and truck tires. In recent years, wheeled-scaled vehicles have gained lots of attention as a feasible testing platform, nonetheless up to the authors’ knowledge there has been no research regarding the use of scaled tires and their effect on the overall vehicle performance characteristics. This paper presents a novel scaled electric combat vehicle tire model and validation technique. The pro-line lockdown tire size 3.00 × 7.35 is modeled using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technique and several materials including layered membrane, beam elements, and Mooney-Rivlin for rubber. The tire-rim assembly is then described, and the rigid body analysis is presented. The tire is then validated using an in-house custom-made static tire testing machine. The tire test rig is made specifically to test the pro-line tire model and is designed and manufactured in the laboratory. The tire is validated using vertical stiffness and footprint tests in the static domain at different operating conditions including several vertical loads. Then the tire is used to perform rolling resistance and steering analysis including the rolling resistance coefficient and the cornering stiffness. The analysis is performed at different operating conditions including longitudinal speeds of 5, 10, and 15 km/h. This tire model will be further used to determine the tractive and braking performance of the tire. Furthermore, the tire test rig will also be modified to perform cornering stiffness tests.

ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION ON THE MECHANISM OF A NOVEL DUAL-WAVE SHOCK TEST MACHINE

For qualifying the anti-shock performance of shipboard equipments and simulating actual underwater explosion environments, a novel dual-wave shock test machine is proposed to increase testing capability of shock test machines as well as to meet certain shock testing specification. The machine can generate a double-pulse acceleration shock for test articles according to specification defined in BV043/85. On the basis of the impact theory, a nonlinear dynamic model of the hydraulically-actuated test machine is established with thorough analysis on its mechanism which involves conversion of gas potential energy and dissipation of kinetic energy. Simulation results have demonstrated that the machine can produce a double-pulse acceleration shock in the time domain or a desired shock response spectrum in the frequency domain, which sets a theoretical base for the construction of the proposed machine.

Experimental Study on Thermal Stress of Concrete with Different Expansive Minerals Using a Temperature Stress Testing Machine

In order to compare the compensation effect of expansive materials with different mineral sources on the temperature stress of concrete,we investigated the temperature stress of concrete when adding calcium sulfoaluminate type expansive materials(CSA)or CaO and calcium sulfoaluminate mixed type expansive materials(HCSA)at different temperatures by temperature-stress testing machine(TSTM)considering the influence of temperature history on the expansion.The experimental results show that the expansion characteristics of the two kinds of expansive materials with different mineral sources significantly vary.When adding expansive materials,the growth rate of compressive stress during the heating stage increases obviously,the maximum compressive stress is higher,while the decline rate of tensile stress in the late cooling stage becomes slow,and finally cracking temperature decreases.It is proved that concrete with HCSA has lower cracking temperatures and better temperature shrinkage compensation effect.Therefore,it is rational to choose HCSA when preparing concrete with high expansion energy to reduce thermal cracking.

Software Development for Digital Control of WDW Series Testing Machine and Measurement of K_(IC)

Software has been developed for digital control of WDW series testing machine and the measurement of fracture toughness by modularized design. Development of the software makes use of multi-thread and serial communication techniques, which can accurately control the testing machine and measure the fracture toughness in real-time. Three-point bending specimens were used in the measurement. The software operates stably and reliably, expanding the function of WDW series testing machine.

Machines and Testing Equipment

National Quality Supervision ＆ Inspection Center for Refractories Business scope： Selective examination for national quality supervision; Identification of production license; Arbitration inspection and technical achievements evaluation; Commodities inspection and otherquality inspections .

Estimation of Fatigue Strength of Reinforced Complete Upper Denture Using a Newly Designed Testing Machine: A Laboratory Research Project

In the present study, an aero pneumatic fatigue testing machine for complete dentures was designed, fabricated, and tested for the evaluation of the fatigue life of reinforced complete upper denture (CUD). On completion and testing, it was observed that the machine has the potential of generating reliable number of cyclic data. The machine’s performance was evaluated using test specimens of identical CUDs that were machined in conformity with standard procedures. The fatigue machine compressed the lower dental arch over the upper denture-specimen in centric occlusion, in the same way that the two masticatory muscles pull the lower jaw over the upper jaw during chewing. The incorporation of glass fibres into the CUD using a sandwich technique quadruples the lifespan of the denture (P = 0.004). The low standard deviation, along with the low coefficient of variation (CV) of the group of unreinforced dentures shows the repeatability of the results and the reliability of the machine. The high standard deviation and coefficient of variation of reinforced dentures was expected, since a high variation of results is usually recorded in fibre reinforcement cases. This research confirmed the view that the crack during denture fracture initiates in the anterior palatal area and propagates to the posterior.

NUMERICAL MODELING OF MULTI-CYLINDER ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND CONTROLLER DESIGN FOR SHOCK TEST MACHINE

A high fidelity dynamic model of a high-energy hydraulically-actuated shock test machine for heavy weight devices is presented to satisfy the newly-built shock resistance standard and simulate the actual underwater explosion environments in laboratory as well as increase the testing capability of shock test machine. In order to produce the required negative shock pulse in the given time duration, four hydraulic actuators are utilized. The model is then used to formulate an advanced feedforward controller for the system to produce the required negative waveform and to address the motion synchronization of the four cylinders. The model provides a safe and easily controllable way to perform a ＂virtual testing＂ before starting potentially destructive tests on specimen and to predict performance of the system. Simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the controller.

Development of a Test Machine for IVECO Drive Axle

To improve the automation level of the vehicle drive axle test and better simulate a vehicle＇s actual operation, an advanced test machine has been developed. The load system of the machine consists of hand brakes and electric cylinders. It is simple-structured and low-cost. The major motor of the machine is controlled by a transducer and its speed can be adjusted easily. In addition, the programmed machine can automatically test such parameters as the grinding condition, the differential speed, the noise level, etc. It can also adjust the test procedures according to different requirements. Detailed discussion of the structure and mechanism of the test machine is given in this paper.

Experimental study on temperature stress calculation and temperature control optimization of concrete based on early age parameters

Temperature control curve is the key to achieving temperature control and crack prevention of high concrete dam during construction,and its rationality depends on the accurate measurement of temperature stress.With the simulation testing machine for the temperature stress,in the present study,we carried out the deformation process tests of concrete under three temperature curves:convex,straight and concave.Besides,we not only measured the early-age elastic modulus,creep parameters and stress process,but also proposed the preferred type.The results show that at early age,higher temperature always leads to greater elastic modulus and smaller creep.However,the traditional indoor experiments have underestimated the elastic modulus and creep development at early age,which makes the calculated value of temperature stress too small,thus increasing the cracking risk.In this study,the stress values of the three curves calculated based on the strain and early-age parameters are in good agreement with the temperature stress measured by the temperature stress testing machine,which verifies the method accuracy.When the temperature changes along the concave curve,the law of stress development is in consistent with that of strength.Under this condition,the stress fluctuation is small and the crack prevention safety of the concave type is higher,so the concave type is better.The test results provide a reliable basis and support for temperature control curve design and optimization of concrete dams.

EVALUATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBUSA BAMBOO LAMINATES THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

In this research study,Bambusa ssp,the utilized species of bamboo,was rendered into a more versatile construction material in the form of laminates.The laminated specimens were manufactured using simplified processing methods according to the ASTM D3039 and ASTM D143 standards.Polyvinyl acetate was the adhesive used between the 2-ply laminate.The mechanical properties of the specimens were evaluated through tensile,compressive and bending strength tests according to set standards on the Testometric M500-50AT Universal Testing Machine.The tensile strength of laminated bamboo was comparable to that of redwood,spruce,cedar and pine.The ratio of compressive strength of parallel to perpendicularfibers in compressive tests was in a close range to that of poplar,fir and pine.The correlation in compressive strength values between bamboo and wood confirmed the inherent anisotropic nature of both plant materials.

Effects of asphalt pavement texture on hydroplaning threshold speed

Hydroplaning speed can be affected by pavement texture depth,thickness of water film,tire pressure and tread depth.In this study,to understand the influence of pavement texture on the hydroplaning speed,a new lab-scale apparatus has been designed and manufactured.The lack of proportion between linear movement of vehicle shaft and the wheel rotation was found to be a good index to determine hydroplaning threshold.A 5%drop in the ratio of wheel-to-axle rotation has been assumed as an index to determine hydroplaning threshold.Based on the measures,a simplified model was developed that is able to predict the hydroplaning speed depending on pavement's texture characteristics.The results indicated that a 77%increase in mean texture depth cause 9%increase in hydroplaning threshold speed.

Effects of discontinuities on penetration of TBM cutters

Based on the triaxial testing machine and discrete element method, the effects of embedded crack on rock fragmentation are investigated in laboratory tests and a series of numerical investigations are conducted on the effects of discontinuities on cutting characteristics and cutting efficiency. In laboratory tests, five propagation patterns of radial cracks are observed. And in the numerical tests, firstly, it is similar to laboratory tests that cracks ahead of cutters mainly initiate from the crushed zone, and some minor cracks will initiate from joints. The cracks initiating from crushed zones will run through the thinner joints while they will be held back by thick joints. Cracks tend to propagate towards the tips of embedded cracks, and minor cracks will initiate from the tips of embedded cracks, which may result in the decrease of specific area, and disturbing layers play as ‘screens', which will prevent cracks from developing greatly. The peak penetration forces, the consumed energy in the penetration process and the uniaxial compression strength will decrease with the increase of discontinuities. The existence of discontinuities will result in the decrease of the cutting efficiency when the spacing between cutters is 70 mm. Some modifications should be made to improve the efficiency when the rocks containing groups of discontinuities are encountered.

Influence of confining stress on fracture characteristics and cutting efficiency of TBM cutters conducted on soft and hard rock

Combined with numerical simulation, the influence of confining stress on cutting process, fracture conditions and cutting efficiencies of soft and hard rock has been conducted on the triaxial testing machine(TRW-3000) designed and manufactured in Central South University(China). Results are obtained by performing analysis on the fracture scopes of cement and granite plates,the characteristics of cutting force in cutting processes and the cutting efficiency. Firstly, the increase of latitude fracture scope and the decrease of longitude fracture scope are both more notable in the tests conducted on cement plates subjected to the increasing confining stresses; secondly, the increase tendency of peak penetration forces obtained from tests conducted on granite plates is more obvious, however, the increase tendencies of average penetration forces achieved from cement and granite plates are close to each other; thirdly, the cutting efficiency could be improved by increasing the spacing between cutters when the confining stress which acts on soft and hard rock increases in a certain degree, and the cutting efficiency of soft rock is more sensitive to the varying confining stresses.

SIMULATION OF COMPLEX THERMOMECHANICAL FATIGUE

Two different types of experimental techniques to perform non-isothermal, uniax-ial and biaxial fatigue tests were described. A new miniaturised electrothermal-mechanical test rig was presented and discussed. It enables testing of small specimens under complex thermomechanical loading conditions. In order to cope with the simulation of well defined biaxial proportional and non-proportional loadings with in-phase and out-of-phase superposition of thermal loads a cruciform biaxial fatigue testing machine has been developed. Special design features of both machines, and the specimens tested, as well as typical test results were discussed.

COMPRESSIVE COMMINUTION MECHANISM OF PARTICLE BEDS

Granular material mechanics,finite element analysis and crushing theory are applied to study the compressive comminution mechanism of particle beds in this paper.This is a new method by which we have established an equivalent model of granular material,determined the values and distributions of contact forces and discovered a crushing law.The model has been tested on the newly designed equipment and proved to be correct.Some new characteristics and laws of compressive comminution of particle beds have been found.

Inflatable Wing Design Parameter Optimization Using Orthogonal Testing and Support Vector Machines

The robust parameter design method is a traditional approach to robust experimental design that seeks to obtain the optimal combination of factors/levels. To overcome some of the defects of the inflatable wing parameter design method, this paper proposes an optimization design scheme based on orthogonal testing and support vector machines （SVMs）. Orthogonal testing design is used to estimate the appropriate initial value and variation domain of each variable to decrease the number of iterations and improve the identification accuracy and efficiency. Orthogonal tests consisting of three factors and three levels are designed to analyze the parameters of pressure, uniform applied load and the number of chambers that affect the bending response of inflatable wings. An SVM intelligent model is established and limited orthogonal test swatches are studied. Thus, the precise relationships between each parameter and product quality features, as well the signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）, can be obtained. This can guide general technological design optimization.

Numerical Modeling of Dual-Pulse Shock Test Machine for Simulating Underwater Explosion Shock Loads on Warship Equipments

In order to qualify shock resistance performance of shipboard equipments and simulate real underwater explosion environment,a novel dual-pulse shock test machine is proposed.The new machine will increase testing capability and meet special shock testing requirement.Two key parts of the machine,the velocity generator and the shock pulse regulator,play an important role in producing the positive acceleration pulse and the succeeding negative acceleration pulse,respectively.The generated dual-pulse shock for test articles is in conformity with an anti-shock test specification.Based on the impact theory,a nonlinear dynamic model of the hydraulically-actuated test machine is established with thorough analysis on its mechanism that involves conversion of gas potential energy and dissipation of kinetic energy.Simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed machine is able to produce a double-pulse acceleration shock in the time domain or a desired shock response spectrum in the frequency domain,which sets up a base for the construction of the machine.