A micro-mechanics based extension of the GTN continuum model accounting for random void distributions

Randomness in the void distribution within a ductile metal complicates quantitative modeling of damage following the void growth to coalescence failure process. Though the sequence of micro-mechanisms leading to ductile failure is known from unit cell models, often based on assumptions of a regular distribution of voids, the effect of randomness remains a challenge. In the present work, mesoscale unit cell models, each containing an ensemble of four voids of equal size that are randomly distributed, are used to find statistical effects on the yield surface of the homogenized material. A yield locus is found based on a mean yield surface and a standard deviation of yield points obtained from 15 realizations of the four-void unit cells. It is found that the classical GTN model very closely agrees with the mean of the yield points extracted from the unit cell calculations with random void distributions, while the standard deviation $\textbf{S}$ varies with the imposed stress state. It is shown that the standard deviation is nearly zero for stress triaxialities $T\leq1/3$, while it rapidly increases for triaxialities above $T\approx 1$, reaching maximum values of about $\textbf{S}/\sigma_0\approx0.1$ at $T \approx 4$. At even higher triaxialities it decreases slightly. The results indicate that the dependence of the standard deviation on the stress state follows from variations in the deformation mechanism since a well-correlated variation is found for the volume fraction of the unit cell that deforms plastically at yield. Thus, the random void distribution activates different complex localization mechanisms at high stress triaxialities that differ from the ligament thinning mechanism forming the basis for the classical GTN model. A method for introducing the effect of randomness into the GTN continuum model is presented, and an excellent comparison to the unit cell yield locus is achieved

Computational Modeling of Lauric Acid at the Organic−Water Interface

Where water meets an immiscible liquid, the orientation and hydrogen bonding patterns of the molecules nearest the interface differ significantly from those in the bulk. These differences drive important interface-specific phenomena, including interfacial tension and the adsorption of other molecular species. Additionally, surfactants and other amphiphilic molecules present at the interface interact with both the aqueous and hydrophobic layers in a complex fashion that can dramatically change the characteristics of the interface as a whole. In this study, classical molecular dynamics computer simulations have been employed to investigate the accommodation of lauric acid at the water− hexane and water−carbon tetrachloride interfaces. Our results show that the behavior of surfactant molecules in the interfacial region is strongly influenced by the protonation of their headgroups. Deprotonated lauric acid molecules cause a larger increase in interfacial width than their protonated counterparts. The carboxylate headgroups of laurate anions in the interfacial region consistently point toward the water layer, while the orientation of the protonated lauric acid headgroups changes with depth into the water layer

Construction of an evidence-based integrated morphology cleavage embryo score for implantation potential of embryos scored and transferred on day 2 after oocyte retrieval

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Stickstoffanwendung auf Welsches Weidelgrass fuer Gruenduengung und deren Einfluss auf den Stickstoffbedarf der Folgefrucht

Een meerjarig onderzoek op een grond met 20-30% afslibbaarheidspercentage met een vruchtopvolging: wintertarwe - aardappelen - wintertarwe - suikerbieten. In de tarwe werd in het voorjaar Italiaans raaigras (groenbemester) ingezaaid, waaraan na de tarwe-oogst verschillende hoeveelheden stikstof werden toegediend. In dit rapport wordt de invloed van een bepaald bemestingsniveau op de groei en opbrengst van de gewassen binnen de vruchtopvolging onderzoch

Video Analysis of Newborn Resuscitations After Simulation-Based Helping Babies Breathe Training

Background: Simulation-based Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training is currently rolled-out in around 80 low-income countries with various results. Method: Workflow was analyzed in 76 video-recorded newborn resuscitations performed by regularly HBB-trained nurse-midwives over 3 years in rural Tanzania. Results: Actual newborn resuscitation practice deviated from HBB intention/guideline: most newborns underwent prolonged suction and stimulation before ventilation; ventilation was delayed and frequently interrupted. Nurse-midwives often worked together. Conclusions:There is a gap between training intention and clinical practice. HBB trainings should focus more on urgency, ventilation skills, and team training. Combining clinical debriefing with HBB simulations could facilitate continuous learning and applicatio