Deformation measurements of composite multi-span beam shear specimens by Moire interferometry

Experimental analyses were performed for determination of in plane deformations and shear strains in unidirectional and quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy beams. Forty-eight ply beams were subjected to 5 point and 3 point flexure. Whole field measurements were recorded at load levels from about 20% to more than 90% of failure loads. Contour maps of U and W displacement fields were obtained by moire interferometry, using reference gratings of 2400 lines/mm. Clearly defined fringes with fringe orders exceeding 1000 were obtained. Whole field contour maps of shear strains were obtained by a method developed for these tests. Various anomalous effects were detected in the displacement fields. Their analysis indicated excess shear strains in resin rich zones in regions of shear tractions; free edge shear strains in quasi-isotropic specimens in regions of normal stresses; and shear stresses associated with cyclic shear compliances of quasi-isotropic plies in regions of shear tractions. Their contributions could occur independently or in superposition. Qualitative analyses addressed questions of relaxation; influence of contact stress distribution; specimen failure; effect of specimen overhang; nonlinearity; and qualities of 5 and 3 point flexure tests

Prediction Possibility in the Fractal Overlap Model of Earthquakes

The two-fractal overlap model of earthquake shows that the contact area distribution of two fractal surfaces follows power law decay in many cases and this agrees with the Guttenberg-Richter power law. Here, we attempt to predict the large events (earthquakes) in this model through the overlap time-series analysis. Taking only the Cantor sets, the overlap sizes (contact areas) are noted when one Cantor set moves over the other with uniform velocity. This gives a time series containing different overlap sizes. Our numerical study here shows that the cumulative overlap size grows almost linearly with time and when the overlapsizes are added up to a pre-assigned large event (earthquake) and then reset to `zero' level, the corresponding cumulative overlap sizes grows upto some discrete (quantised) levels. This observation should help to predict the possibility of `large events' in this (overlap) time series.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. To be published as proc. NATO conf. CMDS-10, Soresh, Israel, July 2003. Eds. D. J. Bergman & E. Inan, KLUWER PUB

Extraction of the Spin Glass Correlation Length

The peak of the spin glass relaxation rate, S(t)=d{-M_{TRM}(t,t_w)}/H/{d ln t}, is directly related to the typical value of the free energy barrier which can be explored over experimental time scales. A change in magnetic field H generates an energy E_z={N_s}{X_fc}{H^2} by which the barrier heights are reduced, where X_{fc} is the field cooled susceptibility per spin, and N_s is the number of correlated spins. The shift of the peak of S(t) gives E_z, generating the correlation length, Ksi(t,T), for Cu:Mn 6at.% and CdCr_{1.7}In_{0.3}S_4. Fits to power law dynamics, Ksi(t,T)\propto {t}^{\alpha(T)} and activated dynamics Ksi(t,T) \propto {ln t}^{1/psi} compare well with simulation fits, but possess too small a prefactor for activated dynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Department of Physics, University of California, Riverside, California, and Service de Physique de l'Etat Condense, CEA Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett. January 4, 199

Elastic-plastic deformation of a metal-matrix composite coupon with a center slot

A comprehensive experimental analysis of deformations of the surface of a metal-matrix specimen is reported. The specimen is a 6-ply 0 + or - 45 sub s boron-aluminum tensile coupon with a central slot. Moire interferometry is used for high-sensitivity whole-field measurements of in-plane displacements. Normal and shear strains are calculated from displacement gradients. Displacement fields are analyzed at various load levels from 15% to 95% of the failure load. Deformations of the boron fibers could be distinguished from those of the matrix. Highly localized plastic slip zones occur tangent to the ends of the slot. Shear strains and concurrent transverse compressive strains in the slip zones reach approximately 10% and 1%, respectively. Upon unloading, elastic recovery in surrounding regions causes a reverse plastic shear strain in the slip zone of about 4%. Longitudinal normal strains on the unslotted ligament peak at the slot boundary at about 1% strain. The strain concentration factor at the end of the slot decreases with load level and the advance of plasticity

Selective dorsal rhizotomy for treatment of spasticity after hemispherectomy in children: A case report

Performing a hemispherotomy or hemispherectomy is known to treat medically intractable epilepsy successfully, yet contralateral hemiparesis and increased muscle tone follow the epilepsy surgery. Spasticity and coexisting dystonia presumably cause the increased muscle tone in the lower extremity on the opposite side of epilepsy surgery. However, the extent of the role of spasticity and dystonia in high muscle tone is unknown. A selective dorsal rhizotomy is performed to reduce spasticity. If a selective dorsal rhizotomy is performed in the affected patient and muscle tone is reduced, the high muscle tone is not due to dystonia. Two children, who previously underwent a hemispherectomy or hemispherotomy, had a selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) performed in our clinic. Both children underwent orthopedic surgery to treat heel cord contractures. To study the extent of the role of spasticity and dystonia in high muscle tone, the mobility of the two children was examined pre- and post-SDR. The children had follow-ups 12 months and 56 months after SDR to study long-term effects. Before SDR, both children showed signs of spasticity. The SDR procedure removed spasticity, and muscle tone in the lower extremity became normal. Importantly, dystonia did not surface after SDR. Patients started independent walking less than two weeks after SDR. Sitting, standing, walking, and balance improved. They could walk longer distances while experiencing less fatigue. Running, jumping, and other more vigorous physical activities became possible. Notably, one child showed voluntary foot dorsiflexion that was absent before SDR. The other child showed improvement in voluntary foot dorsiflexion that was present before SDR. Both children maintained the progress at the 12 and 56-month follow-up visits. The SDR procedure normalized muscle tone and improved ambulation by removing spasticity. The high muscle tone following the epilepsy surgery was not due to dystonia

Double polarization hysteresis loop induced by the domain pinning by defect dipoles in HoMnO3 epitaxial thin films

We report on antiferroelectriclike double polarization hysteresis loops in multiferroic HoMnO3 thin films below the ferroelectric Curie temperature. This intriguing phenomenon is attributed to the domain pinning by defect dipoles which were introduced unintentionally during film growth process. Electron paramagnetic resonance suggests the existence of Fe1+ defects in thin films and first principles calculations reveal that the defect dipoles would be composed of oxygen vacancy and Fe1+ defect. We discuss migration of charged point defects during film growth process and formation of defect dipoles along ferroelectric polarization direction, based on the site preference of point defects. Due to a high-temperature low-symmetry structure of HoMnO3, aging is not required to form the defect dipoles in contrast to other ferroelectrics (e.g., BaTiO3).Comment: 4 figure

Numerical Study on Aging Dynamics in the 3D Ising Spin-Glass Model. II. Quasi-Equilibrium Regime of Spin Auto-Correlation Function

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we have studied isothermal aging of three-dimensional Ising spin-glass model focusing on quasi-equilibrium behavior of the spin auto-correlation function. Weak violation of the time translational invariance in the quasi-equilibrium regime is analyzed in terms of {\it effective stiffness} for droplet excitations in the presence of domain walls. Within the range of computational time window, we have confirmed that the effective stiffness follows the expected scaling behavior with respect to the characteristic length scales associated with droplet excitations and domain walls, whose growth law has been extracted from our simulated data. Implication of the results are discussed in relation to experimental works on ac susceptibilities.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

The economics of recreational park conservation : a case study of Bako National Park

The research is done to estimate the individual WTP for conservation of outdoor recreational places with the case study on the Bako National Bako, Kuching, Sarawak. The dichotomous choice of CVM is used in this study conducted through questionnaires. This is to identify the factors that affect the visitors/respondents WTP, estimating the maximum and minimum level they are willing to pay for conservation and preservation motive and at what price level they are capable of paying on the average. Further more, the logit model also is used to analysed the data and the maximum likelihood estimates of this model is encouraging. The median value of WTP for preservation of Bako National Park is estimated to be RM7.765 per person. The results of this study can be used by Bako National Park management as an information guideline for their preservation future plan and campaign especially for virgin forest, swamp forest, beaches and other non market resources