Dynamic radiation force of acoustic waves on solid elastic spheres

The present study concerns the dynamic radiation force on solid elastic spheres exerted by a plane wave with two frequencies (bichromatic wave) considering the nonlinearity of the fluid. Our approach is based on solving the wave scattering for the sphere in the quasilinear approximation within the preshock wave range. The dynamic radiation force is then obtained by integrating the component of the momentum flux tensor at the difference of the primary frequencies over the boundary of the sphere. Results reveal that effects of the nonlinearity of the fluid plays a major role in dynamic radiation force leading it to a parametric amplification regime. The developed theory is used to calculate the dynamic radiation force on three different solid spheres (aluminium, silver, and tungsten). Resonances are observed in the spectrum of the force on the spheres. They have larger amplitude and better shape than resonances present in static radiation force.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Measuring the Performance of Underplatform Dampers for Turbine Blades by Rotating Laser Doppler Vibrometer

Underplatform friction dampers are commonly used to control the vibration level of turbine blades in order to prevent high-cycle fatigue failures. Experimental validation of highly non-linear response predictions obtained from FEM bladed disk models incorporating underplatform dampers models, has proved to be very difficult so as the assessment of the performance of a chosen design. In this paper, the effect of wedgeshaped underplatform dampers on the dynamics of a simple bladed disk under rotating conditions is measured and the effect of the excitation level on the UPDs performances is investigated at different number of the engine order excitation nearby resonance frequencies of the 1st blade bending modes of the system. The measurements are performed with an improved configuration of a rotating test rig, designed with a noncontact magnetic excitation and a non-contact rotating SLDV measurement syste

Pipeline network features and leak detection by cross-correlation analysis of reflected waves

This paper describes progress on a new technique to detect pipeline features and leaks using signal processing of a pressure wave measurement. Previous work (by the present authors) has shown that the analysis of pressure wave reflections in fluid pipe networks can be used to identify specific pipeline features such as open ends, closed ends, valves, junctions, and certain types of bends. It was demonstrated that by using an extension of cross-correlation analysis, the identification of features can be achieved using fewer sensors than are traditionally employed. The key to the effectiveness of the technique lies in the artificial generation of pressure waves using a solenoid valve, rather than relying upon natural sources of fluid excitation. This paper uses an enhanced signal processing technique to improve the detection of leaks. It is shown experimentally that features and leaks can be detected around a sharp bend and up to seven reflections from features/ leaks can be detected, by which time the wave has traveled over 95 m. The testing determined the position of a leak to within an accuracy of 5%, even when the location of the reflection from a leak is itself dispersed over a certain distance and, therefore, does not cause an exact reflection of the wave

A pilot evaluation of the practicality of the surrey virtual rehabilitation system: Perspectives from end-users

The Surrey Virtual Rehabilitation System (SVRS) was developed for clinical use in physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The overall aim of this work was to evaluate the practicality of the SVRS for three simple lower extremity exercises. Two children with CP, two clinical engineering trainees and a physiotherapist performed the tests whilst parents and a paediatric physiotherapist observed the exercise sessions. The feedback collected during an open-discussion and the descriptive analysis of responses to 15 closed-ended questions suggest that the participants were satisfied with the practicality of the SVRS. Outcome measures derived from data collected during the sessions indicate that the SVRS may provide clinically relevant feedback on the performance of patients for themselves and their treating clinicians. In conclusion, the SVRS appears practical for rehabilitation purposes and is worthy of further evaluation and development. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd

Failure Analysis of Flow-induced Vibration Problem of in-serviced Duplex Stainless Steel Piping System in Oil and Gas Industry

Failure of the duplex stainless steel piping system in oil and gas industry can have disastrous effects. In this study, a novel method of failure analysis of flow-induced vibration problem of in-serviced duplex stainless steel piping system is proposed. The proposed non-destructive technique is able to determine a suitable operating condition for continuous operation without failure. The technique relies on the combined operation of operational modal analysis, operating deflection shape analysis and linear elastic finite element analysis. The effect of different operating conditions for two distinct valve opening cases (i.e. fully opened and partially opened) on the dynamic stress is examined, and they are utilised for forecasting purpose in failure analysis. The result shows that maximum operating conditions are 360 and 400 mmscfd for fully opened and partially opened flow control valves, respectively. Beyond this limit, the piping system most likely will fail

Threat-sensitive anti-predator defence in precocial wader, the northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Birds exhibit various forms of anti-predator behaviours to avoid reproductive failure, with mobbing—observation, approach and usually harassment of a predator—being one of the most commonly observed. Here, we investigate patterns of temporal variation in the mobbing response exhibited by a precocial species, the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). We test whether brood age and self-reliance, or the perceived risk posed by various predators, affect mobbing response of lapwings. We quantified aggressive interactions between lapwings and their natural avian predators and used generalized additive models to test how timing and predator species identity are related to the mobbing response of lapwings. Lapwings diversified mobbing response within the breeding season and depending on predator species. Raven Corvus corax, hooded crow Corvus cornix and harriers evoked the strongest response, while common buzzard Buteo buteo, white stork Ciconia ciconia, black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus and rook Corvus frugilegus were less frequently attacked. Lapwings increased their mobbing response against raven, common buzzard, white stork and rook throughout the breeding season, while defence against hooded crow, harriers and black-headed gull did not exhibit clear temporal patterns. Mobbing behaviour of lapwings apparently constitutes a flexible anti-predator strategy. The anti-predator response depends on predator species, which may suggest that lapwings distinguish between predator types and match mobbing response to the perceived hazard at different stages of the breeding cycle. We conclude that a single species may exhibit various patterns of temporal variation in anti-predator defence, which may correspond with various hypotheses derived from parental investment theory

An Investigation of Complex Mode Shapes

This paper presents an investigation of complex mode shape analysis caused by non-linear damping. Nowadays, most academics are accustomed to complex mode shapes, which are a characteristic of most axisymmetric structures. The topic was deeply investigated during the 1980s, sparking the sharpest debates about their physical existence or not. However, after nearly three decades, one question still stands, do we know all about complex mode shapes? This paper takes the dust off this topic again and explores how complex eigenvectors arise when the percentage frequency separation between two mode shapes is the same order of magnitude as the percentage damping. The difference between the past and present investigations relates to the non-linear damping that might arise from joint dynamics under various vibration amplitudes. Hence, the new research question is about the investigation of amplitude-dependent damping on the modal complexity. Why bother? There are several engineering applications in both space and aerospace where axisymmetric structures and joint dynamics can impair the numerical analysis that is currently performed. This paper does not offer any solutions but does expand the research on an unsolved challenge by identifying the questions posed.</p

The design and function of birds’ nests

All birds construct nests in which to lay eggs and/or raise offspring. Traditionally, it was thought that natural selection and the requirement to minimize the risk of predation determined the design of completed nests. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that sexual selection also influences nest design. This is an important development as while species such as bowerbirds build structures that are extended phenotypic signals whose sole purpose is to attract a mate, nests contain eggs and/or offspring, thereby suggesting a direct tradeoff between the conflicting requirements of natural and sexual selection. Nest design also varies adaptively in order to both minimize the detrimental effects of parasites and to create a suitable microclimate for parents and developing offspring in relation to predictable variation in environmental conditions. Our understanding of the design and function of birds’ nests has increased considerably in recent years, and the evidence suggests that nests have four nonmutually exclusive functions. Consequently, we conclude that the design of birds’ nests is far more sophisticated than previously realized and that nests are multifunctional structures that have important fitness consequences for the builder/s