Improving maize growth and development simulation by integrating temperature compensatory effect under plastic film mulching into the AquaCrop model

Temperature compensatory effect, which quantifies the increase in cumulative air temperature from soil temperature increase caused by mulching, provides an effective method for incorporating soil temperature into crop models. In this study, compensated temperature was integrated into the AquaCrop model to investigate the capability of the compensatory effect to improve assessment of the promotion of maize growth and development by plastic film mulching(PM). A three-year experiment was conducted from2014 to 2016 with two maize varieties(spring and summer) and two mulching conditions(PM and non-mulching(NM)), and the AquaCrop model was employed to reproduce crop growth and yield responses to changes in NM, PM, and compensated PM. A marked difference in soil temperature between NM and PM was observed before 50 days after sowing(DAS) during three growing seasons. During sowing–emergence and emergence–tasseling, the increase in air temperature was proportional to the compensatory coefficient, with spring maize showing a higher compensatory temperature than summer maize. Simulation results for canopy cover(CC) were generally in good agreement with the measurements, whereas predictions of aboveground biomass and grain yield under PM indicated large underestimates from 60 DAS to the end of maturity. Simulations of spring maize biomass and yield showed general increase based on temperature compensation, accompanied by improvement in modeling accuracy, with RMSEs decreasing from 2.5 to 1.6 t ha^(-1)and from 4.1 t to 3.4 t ha^(-1). Improvement in biomass and yield simulation was less pronounced for summer than for spring maize, implying that crops grown during low-temperature periods would benefit more from the compensatory effect. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the temperature compensatory effect to improve the performance of the AquaCrop model in simulating maize growth under PM practices.

Assessment of a two-surface plasticity model for hexagonal materials

A computationally efficient two-surface plasticity model is assessed against crystal plasticity. Focus is laid on the mechanical behavior of magnesium alloys in the presence of ductility-limiting defects, such as voids. The two surfaces separately account for slip and twinning such that the constitutive formulation captures the evolving plastic anisotropy and evolving tension-compression asymmetry. For model identification, a procedure is proposed whereby the initial guess is based on a combination of experimental data and computationally intensive polycrystal calculations from the literature. In drawing direct comparisons with crystal plasticity, of which the proposed model constitutes a heuristically derived reduced-order model, the available crystal plasticity simulations are grouped in two datasets. A calibration set contains minimal data for both pristine and porous material subjected to one loading path. Then the two-surface model is assessed against a broader set of crystal plasticity simulations for voided unit cells under various stress states and two loading orientations. The assessment also includes microstructure evolution(rate of growth of porosity and void distortion). The ability of the two-surface model to capture essential features of crystal plasticity is analyzed along with an evaluation of computational cost. The prospects of using the model in guiding the development of physically sound damage models in Mg alloys are put forth in the context of high-throughput simulations.

A phenomenological model for plastic flow behavior of rotating band material with a large temperature range

The plastic flow behavior of the rotating band material is investigated in this paper. The rotating band material is processed from H96 brass alloy, which is hardened to a much higher yield strength compared to the annealed one. The dynamically uniaxial compression behavior of the material is tested using the split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) with temperature and strain rate ranging from 297 to 1073 K and500 to 3000 s^(-1), respectively, and a phenomenological plastic flow stress model is developed to describe the mechanical behavior of the material. The material is found to present noticeable temperature sensitivity and weak strain-rate sensitivity. The construction of the plastic flow stress model has two steps. Firstly, three univariate stress functions, taking plastic strain, plastic strain rate and temperature as independent variable, respectively, are proposed by fixing the other two variables. Then, as the three univariate functions describe the special cases of flow stress behavior under various conditions, the principle of stress compatibility is adopted to obtain the complete flow stress function. The numerical results show that the proposed plastic flow stress model is more suitable for the rotating band material than the existing well-known models.

Finite Element Implementation of the Exponential Drucker-Prager Plasticity Model for Adhesive Joints

This paper deals with the numerical implementation of the exponential Drucker-Parger plasticitymodel in the commercial finite element software,ABAQUS,via user subroutine UMAT for adhesive joint simulations.The influence of hydrostatic pressure on adhesive strength was investigated by a modified Arcan fixture designed particularly to induce a different state of hydrostatic pressure within an adhesive layer.The developed user subroutine UMAT,which utilizes an associated plastic flow during a plastic deformation,can provide a good agreement between the simulations and the experimental data.Better numerical stability at highly positive hydrostatic pressure loads for a very high order of exponential function can also be achieved compared to when a non-associated flow is used.

An improved strain-softening constitutive model of granite considering the effect of crack deformation

This paper presents an improved strain-softening constitutive model considering the effect of crack deformation based on the triaxial cyclic loading and unloading test results.The improved model assumes that total strain is a combination of plastic,elastic,and crack strains.The constitutive relationship between the crack strain and the stress was further derived.The evolutions of mechanical parameters,i.e.strength parameters,dilation angle,unloading elastic modulus,and deformation parameters of crack,with the plastic strain and confining pressure were studied.With the increase in plastic strain,the cohesion,friction angle,dilation angle,and crack Poisson's ratio initially increase and subsequently decrease,and the unloading elastic modulus and the crack elastic modulus nonlinearly decrease.The increasing confining pressure enhances the strength and unloading elastic modulus,and decreases the dilation angle and Poisson's ratio of the crack.The theoretical triaxial compressive stress-strain curves were compared with the experimental results,and they present a good agreement with each other.The improved constitutive model can well reflect the nonlinear mechanical behavior of granite.

A thermodynamics-based three-scale constitutive model for partially saturated granular materials

A three-scale constitutive model for unsaturated granular materials based on thermodynamic theory is presented.The three-scale yield locus,derived from the explicit yield criterion for solid matrix,is developed from a series of discrete interparticle contact planes.The three-scale yield locus is sensitive to porosity changes;therefore,it is reinterpreted as a corresponding constitutive model without phenomenological parameters.Furthermore,a water retention curve is proposed based on special pore morphology and experimental observations.The features of the partially saturated granular materials are well captured by the model.Under wetting and isotropic compression,volumetric compaction occurs,and the degree of saturation increases.Moreover,the higher the matric suction,the greater the strength,and the smaller the volumetric compaction.Compared with the phenomenological Barcelona basic model,the proposed three-scale constitutive model has fewer parameters;virtually all parameters have clear physical meanings.

Promoting sustainable consumption and circular economy:the intention of Vietnamese youth consumers to purchase products made from recycled plastics

Recycling is viewed as a key component in a circular economy and serves as an ideal solution for promoting sustainability.During the global plastic crisis,plastic recycling practices have been adopted worldwide,leading to the production of various products made from recycled plastics(PRP).Nevertheless,a gap persists between consumption and demand for such products,which is primarily attributed to a lack of comprehension from the consumer perspective.Given the pivotal role consumers play in the adoption of these products,this study explores consumers’intentions to purchase PRP.This is particularly significant in Vietnam,which is an emerging economy aspiring to achieve the objectives of a circular economy and sustainable development.Utilizing an integrated cognitive-emotional framework comprising the Valence Theory and the Norm Activation Model,data from 564 Vietnamese students were gathered and analyzed using structural equation modeling.The results show that awareness of consequences is a major driver of consumer purchase intentions,followed by perceived ease of application and monetary incentives.The results also indicate that health concerns have the strongest effect on purchase intention and in the negative side,meaning that the health-related risk is the primary concern for consumers during the decision-making process.This research holds substantial value for academics and managers,as it aids in the theoretical exploration and the formulation of strategies to improve consumer acceptance of PRP.

Influence of Confined Concrete Models on the Seismic Response of RC Frames

In this study, the influence of confined concrete models on the response of reinforced concrete structures is investigatedat member and global system levels. The commonly encountered concrete models such as Modified Kent-Park, Saatçioğlu-Razvi, and Mander are considered. Two moment-resisting frames designed according to thepre-modern code are taken into consideration to reflect the example of an RC moment-resisting frame in thecurrent building stock. The building is in an earthquake-prone zone located on Z3 Soil Type. The inelasticresponse of the building frame is modelled by considering the plastic hinges formed on each beam and columnelement for different concrete classes and stirrups spacings. The models are subjected to non-linear static analyses.The differences between confined concrete models are comparatively investigated at both reinforced concretemember and system levels. Based on the results of the comparative analysis, it is revealed that the column behaviouris mostly influenced by the choice of model, due to axial loads and confinement effects, while the beams areless affected, and also it is observed that the differences exhibited in the moment-curvature response of columncross-sections do not significantly affect the overall behaviour of the global system. This highlights the critical roleof model selection relative to the concrete strength and stirrup spacing of the member.

Deformation mechanisms of Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy by polycrystal plasticity modeling

A polycrystal plasticity model was developed to analyze the room-temperature deformation behaviors of Mg-3A1-1Zn alloy（AZ31）.The uniaxial tension and compression tests at room temperature were conducted using cast and extruded AZ31 rods with different textures and combined with the proposed model to reveal the deformation mechanisms.It is shown that,different flow curves of two specimens under tension and compression tests can be simulated by this model.The flow curves of AZ31 extrusions exhibit different shapes for tension and compression due to different activities of tensile twinning and pyramidalc＋a slip.The metallographic and TEM observations showed the equal twinning activities at the initial stage in tension and compression tests and the occurrence of pyramidalc＋a slip in compression of as-cast Mg-3A1-1Zn alloy with increasing the strain,which is consistent with the simulated results by the proposed model.

Photolytic Model of Six Degradable Mulch Plastic Films

[Objective] This study aimed to solve the mulch plastic film pollution problems in Xinjiang, in order to provide reliable theoretical basis for the research on the degradation mechanism of biodegradable plastic films. [Method] The effect of illumination intensity on the decomposition of decomposable mulching films was investigated through simulating the field condition in laboratory. Regression analysis was employed to fit the processes of film decompositions. [Result] The weight loss ratios of different types of plastic films were closely related with the illumination. There was no sundry produced during the degradation process, but the weight was reduced, indicating that degradation produced gas, thus, ultraviolet rays had destructive effect on mulch plastic films. Different types of plastic films showed significant differences in the degradation speeds, and under the same conditions, the degradation speed of S4# with the induction period of 30 d was the fastest. With the extension of uv illumination time, the degradation became cumulative degradation process. [Conclusion] Under the uv rays, the weight loss ratio and illumination hours is regarded as a positive correlation relationship. The significant inspection shows that the data fitted degradation model can be described by the logistic model of Y = a/（1＋b×e -ct）, and all the parameters show significant differences （P0.01）.

Construction and solution of strain model along thickness of aluminum alloy plate under plastic deformation

A thickness strain model of aluminium alloy plate under plastic deformation,based on thin plate assumption was proposed.It is found that when ratio of stress fractions is constant during in-plane loading,ratios of strain components under various loading conditions are linearly related and these points of ratios form a η-η line.Under these simple loadings,strains in thickness direction can be easily calculated by the η-η line equation without integral and differential work.When the plate is under more complicated loading conditions,the thickness can be computed by the proposed optimization and piecewise calculation model.Validation computations indicate that the relative error of the results of the presented model is less than 0.75% compared with the proven theories and FE simulation.Therefore,the developed model can be applied to engineering calculation,e.g.pre-stretching analysis of aerospace aluminium thick plate,with acceptable accuracy.

A viscoelastic-plastic constitutive model with Mohr-Coulomb yielding criterion for sea ice dynamics

A new viscoelastic-plastic （VEP） constitutive model for sea ice dynamics was developed based on continuum mechanics. This model consists of four components： Kelvin-Vogit viscoelastic model, Mohr-Coulomb yielding criterion, associated normality flow rule for plastic rehololgy, and hydrostatic pressure. The numerical simulations for ice motion in an idealized rectangular basin were made using smoothed particle hydrodynamics （SPH） method, and compared with the analytical solution as well as those based on the modified viscous plastic（VP） model and static ice jam theory. These simulations show that the new VEP model can simulate ice dynamics accurately. The new constitutive model was further applied to simulate ice dynamics of the Bohai Sea and compared with the traditional VP, and modified VP models. The results of the VEP model are compared better with the satellite remote images, and the simulated ice conditions in the JZ20-2 oil platform area were more reasonable.

Review on cyclic plasticity of magnesium alloys:Experiments and constitutive models

Fatigue analysis has always been a concern in the design and assessment of Mg alloy structure components subjected to cyclic loading,and research on the cyclic plasticity is fundamental to investigate the corresponding fatigue failure.Thus,this work reviews the progress in the cyclic plasticity of Mg alloys.First,the existing macroscopic and microscopic experimental results of Mg alloys are summarized.Then,corresponding macroscopic phenomenological constitutive models and crystal plasticity-based models are reviewed.Finally,some conclusions and recommended topics on the cyclic plasticity of Mg alloys are provided to boost the further development and application of Mg alloys.

Multi-layer Tectonic Model for Intraplate Deformation and Plastic-Flow Network in the Asian Continental Lithosphere

In a large area of the east—central Asian continent there is a unified seismic network system composed of two families of large—seismic belts that intersect conjugately. Such a seismic network in the middle—upper crust is actually a response to the plastic flow network in the lower lithosphere including the lower crust and lithospheric mantle. The existence of the unified plastic flow system confirms that the driving force for intraplate tectonic deformation results mainly from the compression of the India plate, while the long-range transmission of the force is carried out chiefly by means of plastic flow. The plastic flow network has a control over the intraplate tectonic deformation.

Adiabatic shear localization evolution for steel based on the Johnson-Cook model and gradient-dependent plasticity

Gradient-dependent plasticity is introduced into the phenomenological Johnson-Cook model to study the effects of strainhardening, strain rate sensitivity, thermal-softening, and microstructure. The microstructural effect （interactions and interplay among microstructures） due to heterogeneity of texture plays an important role in the process of development or evolution of an adiabatic shear band with a certain thickness depending on the grain diameter. The distributed plastic shear strain and deformation in the shear band are derived and depend on the critical plastic shear strain corresponding to the peak flow shear stress, the coordinate or position, the internal length parameter, and the average plastic shear strain or the flow shear stress. The critical plastic shear strain, the distributed plastic shear strain, and deformation in the shear band are numerically predicted for a kind of steel deformed at a constant shear strain rate. Beyond the peak shear stress, the local plastic shear strain in the shear band is highly nonuniform and the local plastic shear deformation in the band is highly nonlinear. Shear localization is more apparent with the increase of the average plastic shear strain. The calculated distributions of the local plastic shear strain and deformation agree with the previous numerical and experimental results.

DETERMINATION OF EFFECTIVE MODULI FOR FOAM PLASTICS BASED ON THREE PHASE SPHEROIDAL MODEL

The relations of bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and the Poisson's ratio with porosity of foam plastics are determined by a three phase spheroidal model commonly used in Composite Mechanics. The results are compared with those using differential scheme. It is shown that the material properties derived from the present model normally are larger than those obtained by differential scheme for foam plastics with identical porosity. The differences in shear moduli and Young's moduli obtained by the two methods are small but they are larger for bulk moduli of incompressible matrix and Poisson's ratios. The Young's moduli of high density foam plastics derived by the present model agree better with experimental ones.

Recent developments of generalized plasticity models for saturated and unsaturated soils

Soil undergoes both elastic and plastic deformations under different loading conditions. A relatively accurate constitutive model of soil behaviors should be capable of predicting the elastic and plastic deformations properly. Among a large number of elastoplastic constitutive models developed over the last several decades, constitutive models based on generalized plasticity have been successfully utilized in modeling the mechanical behavior of various soils. This paper attempts to present a review of the most recent developments of generalized plasticity models for geotechnical problems. After a brief review of generalized plasticity theories and constitutive models, limitations of the original Pastor-Zienkiewicz model in practical application are summarized. Afterwards, recent achievements in the generalized plasticity models for both saturated and unsaturated soils and their applicability are analyzed, and a general approach for modification of generalized plasticity models is highlighted.

Evaluation of Blast-Resistant Performance Predicted by Damaged Plasticity Model for Concrete

in order to evaluate the capacity of reinforced concrete （RC） structures subjected to blast Ioadings, the damaged plasticity model for concrete was used in the analysis of the dynamic responses of blast-loaded RC structures, and all three failure modes were numerically simulated by the finite element software ABAQUS. Simulation results agree with the experimental observations. It is demonstrated that the damaged plasticity model for concrete in the finite element software ABAQUS can predict dynamic responses and typical flexure, flexure-shear and direct shear failure modes of the blast-loaded RC structures.

Adiabatic Shear Localization for Steels Based on Johnson-Cook Model and Second-and Fourth-Order Gradient Plasticity Models

To consider the effects of the interactions and interplay among microstructures, gradient-dependent models of second- and fourth-order are included in the widely used phenomenological Johnson-Cook model where the effects of strain-hardening, strain rate sensitivity, and thermal-softening are successfully described. The various parameters for 1006 steel, 4340 steel and S-7 tool steel are assigned. The distributions and evolutions of the local plastic shear strain and deformation in adiabatic shear band （ASB） are predicted. The calculated results of the second- and fourth- order gradient plasticity models are compared. S-7 tool steel possesses the steepest profile of local plastic shear strain in ASB, whereas 1006 steel has the least profile. The peak local plastic shear strain in ASB for S-7 tool steel is slightly higher than that for 4340 steel and is higher than that for 1006 steel. The extent of the nonlinear distribution of the local plastic shear deformation in ASB is more apparent for the S-7 tool steel, whereas it is the least apparent for 1006 steel. In fourth-order gradient plasticity model, the profile of the local plastic shear strain in the middle of ASB has a pronounced plateau whose width decreases with increasing average plastic shear strain, leading to a shrink of the portion of linear distribution of the profile of the local plastic shear deformation. When compared with the sec- ond-order gradient plasticity model, the fourth-order gradient plasticity model shows a lower peak local plastic shear strain in ASB and a higher magnitude of plastic shear deformation at the top or base of ASB, which is due to wider ASB. The present numerical results of the second- and fourth-order gradient plasticity models are consistent with the previous numerical and experimental results at least qualitatively.

Short-term versus long-term water maze training effects on hippocampal neuronal synaptic plasticity in a rat model of senile dementia

BACKGROUND： Changes in synaptic plasticity might underlie senile dementia, and might be the neurobiological basis for learning and memory dysfunctions in patients with Alzheimer＇s Disease. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of water maze training on hippocampal neuronal synaptic plasticity in rats with senile dementia, and to compare changes in synaptic plasticity between short- and long-term water maze training sessions. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, neuromorphological observation with animal models of senile dementia was performed at the laboratory of College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University between November 2006 and April 2007. MATERIALS： Fifty male, Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into five groups, with 10 rats per group： model, control, sham-operated, short-term water maze training, and long-term water maze training. METHODS： In the model group, senile dementia was induced by fimbria-fornix lesion method. The control rats remained untreated. In the sham-operated group, water maze training was performed without fimbria-fomix lesion induction. Rats from the short-term water maze training group underwent 20-day water maze training from day 26 after fimbria-fornix lesion induction. The long-term water maze training group underwent 40-day water maze training beginning at day 6 following fimbria-fornix lesion induction. Beginning at day 41, each group underwent 5-day spatial learning and memory training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Following experimentation, the morphological parameters of synapses, including synaptic numerical density, synaptic surface density, and the average synapse size were stereologically measured. Through the use of an electron microscope, synaptic morphological changes in the hippocampal CA3 region were observed. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, synaptic numerical and surface densities were significantly decreased in the model group （P 〈 0.01）. Synaptic numerical and surface densities significantly increased in the short- and long-term water maze training groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01 ）, and these values were also significantly greater in the long-term water maze training group than in the short-term water maze training group. The model group exhibited larger average sizes of synaptic conjunctions, compared with the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Synaptic conjunction size was significantly less in the short- and long-term water maze training groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.01 ）, and the long-term water maze training group exhibited smaller synaptic conjunction sizes compared with the short-term water maze training group （P 〈 0.05）. Synaptic morphological changes in the hippocampal neurons were in accordance with stereological measurements. CONCLUSION： Water maze training increased synaptic numerical and surface densities in the hippocampal CA3 region, resulting in numerical and functional changes in synaptic plasticity in rats with senile dementia. Long-term water maze training resulted in better therapeutic effects than short-term water mate training.