Unequal-thickness billet optimization in transitional region during isothermal local loading forming of Ti-alloy rib-web component using response surface method

Avoiding the folding defect and improving the die filling capability in the transitional region are desired in isothermal local loading forming of a large-scale Ti-alloy rib-web component（LTRC）. To achieve a high-precision LTRC, the folding evolution and die filling process in the transitional region were investigated by 3 D finite element simulation and experiment using an equal-thickness billet（ETB）. It is found that the initial volume distribution in the second-loading region can greatly affect the amount of material transferred into the first-loading region during the second-loading step, and thus lead to the folding defect. Besides, an improper initial volume distribution results in non-concurrent die filling in the cavities of ribs after the second-loading step, and then causes die underfilling. To this end, an unequal-thickness billet（UTB） was employed with the initial volume distribution optimized by the response surface method（RSM）. For a certain eigenstructure, the critical value of the percentage of transferred material determined by the ETB was taken as a constraint condition for avoiding the folding defect in the UTB optimization process,and the die underfilling rate was considered as the optimization objective. Then, based on the RSM models of the percentage of transferred material and the die underfilling rate, non-folding parameter combinations and optimum die filling were achieved. Lastly, an optimized UTB was obtained and verified by the simulation and experiment.

Development of transition condition for region with variable-thickness in isothermal local loading process

Using simple unequal-thickness billet combining isothermal local loading can control the metal flow and improve the cavity fill in manufacturing process of large-scale rib-web titanium alloy component with low cost and short cycle. The beveling transition pattern is well used for variable-thickness region of billet （VTRB） due to its simple and ample range of transition condition. The transition condition development in the local loading process has a significant influence on dynamic boundary of unrestricted portion of VTRB. With the help of reasonable assumptions, a mathematical model of transition condition development was established by theoretical analysis. The predicted results for local loading process of rib-web component using the established model were compared with the numerical and experimental ones, and the results indicated that the model of transition condition development is reasonable. Using the established model could deal with the dynamic boundary of unrestricted portion of VTRB well, and the model is suitable for the analysis of metal flow and cavity fill in local loading process of multi-ribs component.

Mechanical response of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on foam concrete interlayer for two-way curved arch bridge

In order to research the mechanical response of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on foam concrete interlayer for a two-way curved arch bridge, the elliptical vehicle load is translated into the rectangular load based on the equivalence method. Then, a three-dimensional finite element model of the whole bridge is established. The reliability of the model is verified. Additionally, the mechanical response of continuously reinforced concrete pavement under vehicle loading is analyzed. Finally, the most unfavorable loading conditions of tensile stress, shear stress and vertical displacement are determined. The results show that the most unfavorable loading condition of tensile stress, which is at the bottom of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the two-way curved arch bridge, is changed compared with that on homogeneous foundation. The most unfavorable loading condition of shear stress at the top is also changed. However, the most unfavorable loading condition of vertical displacement remains unchanged. The tensile stress at the bottom of about 1/4 span of the longitudinal joint, the shear stress at the top of intersection of transverse and longitudinal joint, together with the vertical displacement at the central part of longitudinal joint, are taken as design indices during the structural design of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the two-way curved arch bridge. The results are helpful for the design of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on unequal- thickness base for the two-way curved arch bridge.