Effect of Single Overload Ratio and Stress Ratio on Fatigue Crack Growth

In this investigation, variation of cyclic loading effect on fatigue crack growth is studied. This study is performed on 2024 T351 and 7050-T74 aluminum alloys, used in aeronautical structures. The propagation model used in this study is NASGRO model. In constant amplitude loading (CA), the effect of stress ratio has been investigated. Fatigue life and fatigue crack growth rate were affected by this factor. Results showed an increasing in fatigue crack growth rates (FCGRs) with increasing stress ratio. Variable amplitude loading (VAL) can take many forms i.e with a single overload, overload band etc. The shape of these loads affects strongly the fracture life and FCGRs. The application of a single overload (ORL) decrease the FCGR and increase the delay crack length caused by the formation of a larger plastic zone compared to the plastic zone due without VAL. The fatigue behavior of the both material under single overload has been compared

Prediction of Fatigue Crack Growth of Repaired Al-alloy Structures with Double Sides

AbstractDuring navigation, aircrafts are subject to fatigue damage. In order to rehabilitate damaged structures some techniques are often used to resolve this problem. Efficient repair technique, called composite patch repair, was used to reinforce the damaged structures and stop cracks. In this paper, effect of composite patch repair (Boron/Epoxy) on fatigue crack growth (FCG) was investigated on 2219 T62 Al-alloy. Effects of double patch repair in single notch tensile specimen (SENT) on FCG were studied and compared to single patch repair. Results show beneficial effect of patch repair on fatigue life and FCGR in comparison with the un-patched specimen. In addition, effect of mean stress characterized by stress ratio was highlighted. Fatigue behavior of investigated Al-alloy was compared

Tools for Optimization of Biomass-to-Energy Conversion Processes

Biomasses are renewable sources used in energy conversion processes to obtain diverse products through different technologies. The production chain, which involves delivery, logistics, pre-treatment, storage and conversion as general components, can be costly and uncertain due to inherent variability. Optimization methods are widely applied for modeling the biomass supply chain (BSC) for energy processes. In this qualitative review, the main aspects and global trends of using geographic information systems (GISs), linear programming (LP) and neural networks to optimize the BSC are presented. Modeling objectives and factors considered in studies published in the last 25 years are reviewed, enabling a broad overview of the BSC to support decisions at strategic, tactical and operational levels. Combined techniques have been used for different purposes: GISs for spatial analyses of biomass; neural networks for higher heating value (HHV) correlations; and linear programming and its variations for achieving objectives in general, such as costs and emissions reduction. This study reinforces the progress evidenced in the literature and envisions the increasing inclusion of socio-environmental criteria as a challenge in future modeling efforts

New platform affordances for encouraging social interaction in MOOCS:The 'comment discovery tool' interactive visualisation plugin

This paper describes the development of a tool which aggregates learner MOOC contributions into a wordcloud. It is designed to serve either as a concept filter or a way to discover new conversations. This is analysed using a measure developed as a heuristic for sociocultural learning in conversations and by a survey. A new pedagogical approach is suggested which adds to the theories behind MOOC pedagogy, by using novel platform affordances to increase active participation

Role of a Compatibilizer in the Structure and Micromechanical Properties of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Polyolefin Blends with Clay

The comparison of the degree of crystallinity and the micromechanical properties in the blends of recycled amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)with isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with a compatibilizer in different proportions is reported. The physical study of the composites of the compatibilized blends and clay is also discussed. The analysis, performed by means of wide-angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, permits us to describe, at microscale level, the role of the compatibilizer on the structure and microhardness of the polymer blends that we studied. The results reveal that PET was incompatible with both iPP and HDPE. However, the presence of the compatibilizer, a styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride, allowed the compatibilization of these polymers. In the PET/iPP blends, the clay seemed to have a nucleating effect on the iPP and also induced a hardness increase in the compatibilized blends. On the other hand, in case of PET/HDPE, the crystallinity of these samples (pure blends,blends with compatibilizer, and blends with compatibilizer plus clay) only depended on their composition. Similarly to the PET/iPP blends, the addition of clay induced an increase in the hardness of the ompatibilized blends.Peer reviewe

Can we afford it?:The cybernetic determinants for pedagogical models in MOOCs

Building on existing research this paper claims that the FutureLearn platform does not have the necessary affordances to support social learning at scale and presents qualitative and quantitative results of an intervention designed to enable discovery and engagement based on affinity. This intervention is also used as a lens through which to examine wider sociomaterial factors and novel pedagogical methods are suggested which place greater value on community approaches to learning

Uniqueness of the compactly supported weak solutions of the relativistic Vlasov-Darwin system

We use optimal transportation techniques to show uniqueness of the compactly supported weak solutions of the relativistic Vlasov-Darwin system. Our proof extends the method used by Loeper in J. Math. Pures Appl. 86, 68-79 (2006) to obtain uniqueness results for the Vlasov-Poisson system.Comment: AMS-LaTeX, 21 page

Eternal solutions to a singular diffusion equation with critical gradient absorption

The existence of nonnegative radially symmetric eternal solutions of exponential self-similar type $u(t,x)=e^{-p\beta t/(2-p)} f_\beta(|x|e^{-\beta t};\beta)$ is investigated for the singular diffusion equation with critical gradient absorption \begin{equation*} \partial_{t} u-\Delta_{p} u+|\nabla u|^{p/2}=0 \quad \;\;\hbox{in}\;\; (0,\infty)\times\real^N \end{equation*} where $2N/(N+1) < p < 2$. Such solutions are shown to exist only if the parameter $\beta$ ranges in a bounded interval $(0,\beta_*]$ which is in sharp contrast with well-known singular diffusion equations such as $\partial_{t}\phi-\Delta_{p} \phi=0$ when $p=2N/(N+1)$ or the porous medium equation $\partial_{t}\phi-\Delta\phi^m=0$ when $m=(N-2)/N$. Moreover, the profile $f(r;\beta)$ decays to zero as $r\to\infty$ in a faster way for $\beta=\beta_*$ than for $\beta\in (0,\beta_*)$ but the algebraic leading order is the same in both cases. In fact, for large $r$, $f(r;\beta_*)$ decays as $r^{-p/(2-p)}$ while $f(r;\beta)$ behaves as $(\log r)^{2/(2-p)} r^{-p/(2-p)}$ when $\beta\in (0,\beta_*)$

Self-Healing Concrete: Concepts, Energy Saving and Sustainability

The production of cement accounts for 5 to 7% of carbon dioxide emissions in the world, and its broad-scale use contributes to climate imbalance. As a solution, biotechnology enables the cultivation of bacteria and fungi for the synthesis of calcium carbonate as one of the main constituents of cement. Through biomineralization, which is the initial driving force for the synthesis of compounds compatible with concrete, and crystallization, these compounds can be delivered to cracks in concrete. Microencapsulation is a method that serves as a clock to determine when crystallization is needed, which is assisted by control factors such as pH and aeration. The present review addresses possibilities of working with bioconcrete, describing the composition of Portland cement, analysis methods, deterioration, as well as environmental and energetic benefits of using such an alternative material. A discussion on carbon credits is also offered. The contents of this paper could strengthen the prospects for the use of self-healing concrete as a way to meet the high demand for concrete, contributing to the building of a sustainable society