Additively manufactured Ti–Ta–Cu alloys for the next-generation load-bearing implants

Bacterial colonization of orthopedic implants is one of the leading causes of failure and clinical complexities for load-bearing metallic implants. Topical or systemic administration of antibiotics may not offer the most efficient defense against colonization, especially in the case of secondary infection, leading to surgical removal of implants and in some cases even limbs. In this study, laser powder bed fusion was implemented to fabricate Ti3Al2V alloy by a 1:1 weight mixture of CpTi and Ti6Al4V powders. Ti-Tantalum(Ta)–Copper(Cu) alloys were further analyzed by the addition of Ta and Cu into the Ti3Al2V custom alloy. The biological,mechanical, and tribo-biocorrosion properties of Ti3Al2V alloy were evaluated. A 10 wt.% Ta(10Ta) and 3 wt.% Cu(3Cu) were added to the Ti3Al2V alloy to enhance biocompatibility and impart inherent bacterial resistance. Additively manufactured implants were investigated for resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains of bacteria for up to 48 h. A 3 wt.% Cu addition to Ti3Al2V displayed improved antibacterial efficacy, i.e.78%–86% with respect to CpTi. Mechanical properties for Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy were evaluated, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance, exceptional shear strength, and improved tribological and tribo-biocorrosion characteristics when compared to Ti6Al4V. In vivo studies using a rat distal femur model revealed improved early-stage osseointegration for alloys with10 wt.% Ta addition compared to CpTi and Ti6Al4V. The 3 wt.% Cu-added compositions displayed biocompatibility and no adverse infammatory response in vivo. Our results establish the Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy’s synergistic effect on improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance for the next generation of load-bearing metallic implants.

Seismic performance evaluation of an infilled rocking wall frame structure through quasi-static cyclic testing

Earthquake investigations have illustrated that even code-compliant reinforced concrete frames may suffer from soft-story mechanism.This damage mode results in poor ductility and limited energy dissipation.Continuous components offer alternatives that may avoid such failures.A novel infilled rocking wall frame system is proposed that takes advantage of continuous component and rocking characteristics.Previous studies have investigated similar systems that combine a reinforced concrete frame and a wall with rocking behavior used.However,a large-scale experimental study of a reinforced concrete frame combined with a rocking wall has not been reported.In this study,a seismic performance evaluation of the newly proposed infilled rocking wall frame structure was conducted through quasi-static cyclic testing.Critical joints were designed and verified.Numerical models were established and calibrated to estimate frame shear forces.The results evaluation demonstrate that an infilled rocking wall frame can effectively avoid soft-story mechanisms.Capacity and initial stiffness are greatly improved and self-centering behavior is achieved with the help of the infilled rocking wall.Drift distribution becomes more uniform with height.Concrete cracks and damage occurs in desired areas.The infilled rocking wall frame offers a promising approach to achieving seismic resilience.

Effects of Fatigue Characteristics on Static and Dynamic Performance of Eucommia Rubber Isolators

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fatigue characteristics on the static and dynamic performance of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators, and to explore the performance changes of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators with different formulations. For this purpose, we used five formulations of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators and set different fatigue test methods to study the static and dynamic performance changes of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators with different formulations by changing the amplitude. The experimental results showed that the addition of Eucommia ulmoides gum had an impact on the performance of the isolator, and the number of fatigue cycles would lead to the hardening of the Eucommia ulmoides gum isolator and changes in its static and dynamic performance. In the range of two million vibrations, the performance change of the isolator was significant in the early stage and then tended to be flat, indicating that the impact of fatigue on the performance of the isolator would not continue to persist. It is worth noting that the study found that the addition of 30% Eucommia ulmoides gum had the least impact on the performance of the isolator under fatigue. Therefore, for long-term use of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators, attention should be paid to their fatigue characteristics to ensure their stability and reliability. Additionally, this study provides a reference for the design and application of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators. In summary, this study provides important reference value for a deeper understanding of the fatigue characteristics of Eucommia ulmoides gum isolators and for ensuring their stable and reliable performance. .

Adsorption Performance of Activated Carbon Prepared from Corn Stalks

[Objective] This study aimed to study the adsorption performance of activated carbon prepared from corn stalks. [Methed] With granular activated carbon prepared from corn stalks as research object, adsorption performance simulation test equipment was set up to investigate the adsorption performance of the prepared activated carbon for methanol by static weight method. In addition, the effects of adsorption bed structure, activated carbon particle size in adsorption bed, addition amount of graphite powder in activated carbon and modified activated carbon on systematic adsorption performance were studied. [Result] Under conditions of same activated carbon and same adsorption temperature, the adsorption performance of new adsorption bed A （installed with finned diaphragm adsorbate tubes） was signifi- cantly better than that of unmodified adsorption bed B. Compared with adsorption bed B, adsorption bed A took 5 min shorter to reach the adsorption amount of 0.22 g/g. Under the same adsorption temperature, the adsorption performance of bed loaded with different-particle size activated carbon was significantly better than that loaded with same-particle size activated carbon. The bed loaded with different-particle size activated carbon took 16 min shorter to reach the adsorption capacity of 0.22 g/g compared with the bed loaded with same-particle size activated carbon. Adding proper amount of graphite powder in activated carbon could enhance the thermal conductivity and strengthen the adsorption properties. The optimum addition amount of graphite powder was 20% of the total amount of activated carbon. Com- pared with that of the control, the adsorption performance of activated carbon soaked by weak acidic solution was significantly improved. It took 3 min shorter to reach 87.1% of the equilibrium adsorption amount. [Conclusion] This study will provide reference for optimizing structural design of adsorption bed and adsorption refrigeration system.

Experimental and numerical study on hysteretic performance of SMA spring-friction bearings

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study to investigate the hysteretic performance of a new type of isolator consisting of shape memory alloy springs and friction bearing called an SMA spring-friction bearing （SFB）. The SFB is a sliding-type isolator with SMA devices used for the seismic protection of engineering structures. The principle of operation of the isolation bearing is introduced. In order to explore the possibility of applying SMA elements in passive seismic control devices, large diameter superelastic tension/compression NiTi SMA helical springs used in the SFB isolator were developed. Mechanical experiments of the SMA helical spring were carried out to understand its superelastic characteristics. After that, a series of quasi-static tests on a single SFB isolator prototype were conducted to measure its force-displacement relationships for different loading conditions and study the corresponding variation law of its mechanical performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the SFB exhibits full hysteretic curves, excellent energy dissipation capacity, and moderate recentering ability. Finally, a theoretical model capable of emulating the hysteretic behavior of the SMA-based isolator was then established and implemented in MATLAB software. The comparison of the numerical results with the experimental results shows the efficacy of the proposed model for simulating the response of the SFB.

Seismic performance evaluation procedure of asymmetric plan structures

Plan asymmetry leads to lateral-rotational coupled effects on structural response characteristics.This investigation deals with a simplified method for performance estimation of structures with asymmetric plan.By taking the eccentric characteristics of structures into account,an equivalent triple-degree of freedom (ETDOF) system,which is constructed by eccentric mass,rigid links and springs,is proposed.The modal pushover analysis (MPA) method for asymmetric plan structures is proposed.The target displacement is determined by constant strength spectrum.The applicability of proposed method is discussed.A generic mass eccentric 4-story steel frame is analyzed by the proposed MPA procedure and nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA).The results show that the maximum deformation obtained from MPA has a good agreement with the NTHA results.The proposed MPA procedure is reliable and effective for evaluating the performance of asymmetric plan structures.

A simplified methd of evaluating the seismic performance of buildings

This paper presents a simplified method of evaluating the seismic performance of buildings. The proposed method is based on the transformation of a multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) system to an equivalent single degree of freedom (SDOF) system using a simple and intuitive process. The proposed method is intended for evaluating the seismic performance of the buildings at the intermediate stages in design, while a rigorous method would be applied to the final design. The performance of the method is evaluated using a series of buildings which are assumed to be located in Victoria in western Canada, and designed based on the upcoming version of the National Building Code of Canada which is due to be published in 2005. To resist lateral loads, some of these buildings contain reinforced concrete moment resisting frames, while others contain reinforced concrete shear walls. Each building model has been subjected to a set of site-specific seismic spectrum compatible ground motion records, and the response has been determined using the proposed method and the general method for MDOF systems. The results from the study indicate that the proposed method can serve as a useful tool for evaluation of seismic performance of buildings, and carrying out performance based design.

THE STATIC PERFORMANOE AND PARAMETER STUDY OF FLOATING-RING HYDRODYNAMIC THRUST BEARINGS

In this paper, floating--ring thrust bearings are investigated. A mathematical model is established to analyze the static performance of this kind of bearings, such as the load capacity, frictional power loss, temperature rise as well as the angular speed ratio between the floating ring and runner.Meanwhile, a parameter study is also conducted on the characteristics of floating-ring thrust bearings.Finally, the theoretical calculation results are verified by experiments.

Cyclic test and numerical study of seismic performance of precast segmental concrete double-columns

The comparative research on the seismic performance of grouted sleeve connected pier(GS)and prestressed precast segmental concrete pier(PC)is mostly carried out by numerical simulation.In this study,the GS pier and the PC pier of the new railway project from Hetian to Ruoqiang are taken into consideration.Two kinds of 1/5-scale assembled double-column specimens are made,and the quasi-static tests are carried out.The overall seismic performance of the two spliced piers is studied,and compared in terms of failure mechanism,bearing capacity,ductility,stiffness and energy dissipation capacity.The results show that the failure modes of both GS pier and PC pier are characterized by bending.However,the specific failure location and form are different.The GS pier presents a complete hysteretic curve,large equivalent stiffness and strong energy dissipation capacity.The hysteretic area of the PC pier is small.However,it has good self-reset ability and quasi-static residual displacement.Finite element models are set up using DispBeamColumn fiber elements and ZeroLength elements.The models that are calibrated with the test data can effectively simulate the damage development under monotonic loading.The load−displacement curves are in good agreement with the backbone curves of the test results.

CFRP布增强仿木梁的受弯性能试验研究

为研究粘贴CFRP布增强仿木梁的受弯性能,对3根分别粘贴1、2和4层CFRP布的增强仿木梁及1根未增强原梁进行了四点弯曲试验,分析了CFRP布粘贴层数对仿木梁破坏形态、受弯承载力、变形及应变发展规律的影响。研究表明:粘贴CFRP布改变了仿木梁的破坏形式,未增强仿木梁和粘贴1层CFRP布的仿木梁发生了受弯破坏,而粘贴2和4层CFRP布的仿木梁发生了剪切破坏;粘贴CFRP布可有效提高仿木梁的受弯承载力和抵抗变形的能力,改善效果随CFRP布粘贴层数的增加而增大,但提升幅度逐渐减小;CFRP布使得仿木梁的抗压强度充分发挥,且仿木梁横截面应变符合平截面假定,此研究可为CFRP布增强仿木梁的理论推导提供试验依据。

Perform-3D在某钢框架推覆分析中的应用

介绍了推覆分析的基本原理,并运用Perform-3D对某钢框架结构进行了推覆分析,得到结构的能力曲线、目标位移以及层间位移角。

Theoretical and experimental research on static stiffness,performance,and lift-off characteristics of multi-layer gas foil thrust bearings

In this study,a new comprehensive fully coupled elastic–hydrodynamic model is developed for a multi-layer gas foil thrust bearing(GFTB).The interaction effects among the top foil,back board,middle foil,and bottom foil,as well as the Coulomb friction effect,are considered.The stiffness and static characteristics obtained by the experimental and theoretical approaches are in good agreement,which verifies the accuracy of the model.The contribution of each foil layer to the overall stiffness and the load-carrying mechanism are analyzed.Interaction effects of the load,preload,and rotational speed on the static performance are investigated comprehensively.Furthermore,start–stop tests are performed to achieve the lift-off speed,start-up torque,and shut-down torque under various operating conditions.

Research on static bearing characteristics of magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing

Due to low viscosity of seawater,it is difficult to form a seawater-lubricated film.It is easy to cause the overload and burning phenomenon of seawater-lubrication sliding bearing,and then the operation stability and service life can be shortened seriously.Therefore,the paper introduces an electromagnetic suspension theory into the seawater lubricated sliding bearing.Then a novel magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing can be formed,which can enhance bearing capacity and stiffness greatly.Firstly,the structural characteristics,support-adjustment mechanism of magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing is analyzed.Secondly,based on force balance equation,electromagnetic equation and flow equation,the transfer functions of single DOF bearing system of magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing under constant-flow supply model are deduced.Then bearing capacity,static stiffness and total power loss are selected as static performance indexes.The influence rule of operaton and structural parameters on the static performance of single DOF bearing system will be analyzed.The results show that bearing capacity decreases with the increase of liquid film thickness and width of edge seals,bias current and coil turns decrease.Static stiffness decreases with the increase of liquid film thickness,edge seals width,bias current and coil turns.Total power loss decreases with the increase of liquid film thickness,edge seals width,bias current and coil turns decrease.And static performance indexes can not be affected by liquid viscosity.The proposed research provides some theoretical and experimental basis for the parameter design of magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing.

A study on the seismic behavior of a retrofitted building based on nonlinear static and dynamic analyses

This study describes the seismic performance of an existing five storey reinforced concrete building which represents the typical properties of low-rise non-ductile buildings in Turkey. The effectiveness of shear walls and the steel bracings in retrofitting the building was examined through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. By using the nonlinear static analysis, retrofitted buildings seismic performances under lateral seismic load were compared with each other. Moreover, the performance points and response levels of the existing and retrofitting cases were determined by way of the capacity-spectrum method described in ATC-40 (1996). For the nonlinear dynamic analysis the records were selected to represent wide ranges of duration and frequency content. Considering the change in the stiffness and the energy dissipation capacities, the performance of the existing and retrofitted buildings were evaluated in terms of story drifts and damage states. It was found that each earthquake record exhibited its own peculiarities, dictated by frequency content, duration, sequence of peaks and their amplitude. The seismic performance of retrofitted buildings resulted in lower displacements and higher energy dissipation capacity depending mainly on the properties of the ground motions and the retrofitting strategies. Moreover, severe structural damage (irreparable or collapse) was observed for the existing building. However, buildings with retrofit alternatives exhibited lower damage levels changing from no damage to irreparable damage states.

Fuzzy Model Free Adaptive Control for Rotor Blade Full-Scale Static Testing

To eliminate the node traction coupling during wind turbine blade full-scale static testing,a model free adaptive control algorithm is presented based on fuzzy control performance function compensation. Based on the universal model theory,the fuzzy model free adaptive control( FMFAC) algorithm is designed by configuring the spot static testing experiences as compensation function F( ·). Then the algorithm implementation process is provided and its quick convergence is proved. Using software to establish static load coupling model of multi-nodes,simulate and verify the validity of FMFAC algorithm,which is applied to wind turbines blade full-scale static testing. The results show that the adaptive decoupling ability of FMFAC is better. The traction of four load points can stay steady and change coordinately. Process error is not over ± 6 k N. The error rate is lower than 1% in special phase.This algorithm effectively eliminates the traction coupling of the static testing process,and makes wind turbine blade testing steadily.

钢支撑-钢筋混凝土掉层框架结构抗震性能试验研究

为改善坡地钢筋混凝土(RC)掉层框架结构抗侧刚度分布的不均匀性,设计了一栋在上接地层设置钢支撑的RC掉层框架结构,按1/4比例提取其顺坡向中榀框架下部5层子结构为试验对象,开展钢支撑-RC掉层框架拟静力试验,观测试件的破坏过程,并对比RC掉层框架试验所得试件的破坏形态,分析试件滞回性能、延性和刚度退化等抗震性能指标。结果表明:试件的最终破坏是以第4层柱底混凝土压溃,梁端混凝土剥落、底部钢筋断裂,顶层柱顶混凝土剥落为标志。与RC掉层框架试验结果相比,钢支撑-RC掉层框架试件上接地柱的破坏明显减轻,柱端破坏分布也更为均匀,避免了掉层框架结构“半层破坏模式”的出现,改善了结构的耗能和抗地震倒塌能力。但试件上接地层相邻上一层的变形和破坏程度较大,应对该楼层的柱端进行适当的抗震加强;设置钢支撑后,试件的滞回曲线较为饱满,并具有良好的延性(正、负向加载的位移延性系数分别可达5.13、5.69),正负向加载的刚度退化曲线也趋于对称。

单跨两层含减震外挂墙板装配式混凝土框架拟静力试验研究

该文在对一个含减震外挂墙板平面框架(简称减震结构)以及一个作为对比的纯框架(简称抗震结构)进行混合试验的基础上,进一步对其单跨2层试验子结构进行了拟静力试验,研究了两结构在水平地震作用下的受力过程、损伤模式及减震外挂墙板对主体结构抗震性能的影响。研究结果表明:减震结构和抗震结构的破坏机制均为梁端和柱底出现塑性铰的梁铰机制,减震外挂墙板未改变主体结构的破坏模式;减震结构中,在最大层间位移角达到1/55之前,消能器呈预期的履带式滚动变形,此后由于外挂墙板的面内转动变形,消能器水平剪切变形值增加不大,且圆弧段产生明显变形;试验过程中减震外挂墙板未出现裂缝;墙板与框架间上部线连接处裂缝宽度较小,连接钢筋应变也较小,表明连接可靠;两试件均具有较好的变形能力和耗能能力;在相同位移级别下,减震结构的刚度、极限承载力和耗能能力均更好。

钢管混凝土双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构疲劳性能试验研究

新型钢管混凝土(CFT)双块式轨枕克服了桁架钢筋双块式轨枕存在的生产制造复杂、存放易锈蚀、运营阶段易开裂等问题,可广泛应用于高速铁路和城市轨道交通无砟轨道结构。为检验CFT双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构的疲劳性能,采用11根预制CFT双块式轨枕现浇制作足尺无砟轨道结构节段模型,开展橡胶隔振垫式减振轨道和现浇整体式轨道节段的疲劳试验,揭示其疲劳损伤特性,分析典型疲劳加载循环次数后静载作用下轨道结构应变和变形分布及其演化规律。研究结果表明:1.5倍静轴重的疲劳荷载累计作用500万次后,减振节段及整浇节段CFT双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构混凝土均未出现肉眼可见的裂缝,轨枕与现浇道床整体工作性能良好,疲劳性能满足规范要求;停机开展静载试验过程中轨道结构各测点混凝土横向应变值随荷载增大而近似线性增大,最大拉压应变值均远小于混凝土的极限应变值,工作状态良好;轨道整浇节段道床板中处于整体受拉的状态,可见设置层间连接钢筋实现了道床与底座的共同工作;疲劳试验过程中轨道结构测点竖向位移值总体随着静载的增大而逐渐增大,位移量级较小,满足规范要求,减振轨道节段竖向位移值及其变化率大于整浇轨道节段。研究结果可供类似研究及钢管混凝土双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构工程应用参考。

PPC斜拉桥主梁多状态疲劳及疲劳后静力性能试验研究

为研究大跨径部分预应力混凝土(PPC)斜拉桥主梁的抗疲劳性能,进一步探究混凝土斜拉桥主梁采用部分预应力设计的可行性及合理性,制作了斜拉桥缩尺节段模型,并对主梁采用部分预应力设计,开展4轮共4×250万次主梁具有不同初始损伤及带裂缝工作状态下的疲劳试验;疲劳试验结束后,以4种不同主梁裂缝宽度(0.1mm、0.2mm、0.3mm和0.5mm)为控制工序,反复加载一定倍数的等效活载至主梁裂缝宽度逐步达到0.5mm,以全面研究PPC斜拉桥主梁多状态疲劳后的受力性能。试验结果表明:在等效设计疲劳荷载作用下,主梁无初始损伤时,体系刚度基本无退化,主梁最大裂缝宽度预损伤分别为0.1mm、0.2mm时,跨中截面体系刚度下降量仅为3.35%、4.44%,且未发现裂缝张开;主梁带裂缝工作状态下,跨中截面体系刚度平缓下降7.46%,上峰值静载下,裂缝数量及高度略有增加,但卸载后裂缝均闭合,说明PPC斜拉桥具有良好的抗疲劳性能;疲劳后主梁大损伤静载试验中,主梁裂缝平稳发展,各工序反复加载过程中,主梁挠度、裂缝状态及斜拉索索力均具有较好的恢复能力,当主梁最大裂缝宽度为0.5mm时,荷载达到了7.49倍活载,斜拉桥体系仍然具有较大的剩余承载力。该文试验研究结果表明混凝土斜拉桥主梁采用部分预应力设计具有工程应用的可行性。