The influence of the shape of a saw-cut notch in quasi-brittle 3PB specimens on the critical applied force

Values of fracture parameters of quasi-brittle building materials are usually determined from results of tests performed on notched testing specimens. The contribution deals with the influence of various shapes of tips of notches prepared by a diamond saw in three point bending (3PB) specimens. The influence of the notch tip shape on the applied force corresponding to a failure initiation at the notch tip and also on the critical applied force appropriate to the maximal load-bearing capacity of the specimen is studied. Calculations are performed in two finite element method (FEM) systems (ATENA, ANSYS) based on two different approaches to fracture description (Cohesive crack models and LEFM, respectively). The numerical results obtained by both FEM systems are compared. The influence of notch shapes and width is quantified

Estimation of the crack propagation direction in a mixed-mode geometry via multi-parameter fracture criteria

The presented work introduces a numerical parametric study on the crack propagation direction under mixed-mode conditions (mode I + II). It is conducted for the geometry of an eccentric asymmetric fourpoint bending of a single edge notched beam specimen; various levels of mode-mixity are ensured by modifications in the crack length and crack eccentricity. The direction of crack propagation is estimated semianalytically using both the maximum tangential stress criterion and the strain energy density criterion (implemented as a procedure within the used finite element computational code) as well as numerically (from verification reasons). Multi-parameter fracture mechanics is employed in the presented work for precise analytical evaluation of the stress field in the cracked specimen. This theory is based on description of the stress and deformation fields in the cracked body by means of their approximation using several initial terms of the Williams power series. Recent studies show that utilization of only first term of the series, which corresponds to the stress intensity factor (SIF), the single controlling parameter for the crack initiation and propagation assessment in brittle materials, is insufficient in many crack problems. It appears also in this study that the higher-order terms of the asymptotic crack-tip field are of great relevance for the conducted analysis, similarly to a number of other fracture phenomena (near-crack-tip stress field approximation, non-linear zone extent estimation, etc.)

Electrical resistivity and ultrasonic measurements during sequential fracture test of cementitious composite

Cracks in cover of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures significantly influence the ingress of deleterious species causing decrease in durability of these structures. The paper is focused on the effect of fracture process on two selected physical parameters of concrete – the electrical resistivity and the ultrasonic pulse passing time – which might be employed as the quality indicator of concrete cover within (nondestructive) procedure(s) of assessment of the structural durability. The concrete electrical resistivity and ultrasonic passing time were investigated here with respect to two variants of treatment of the test specimens’ surface (the pre-dried surface and the wet surface). Test configuration of three-point bending of notched beam was utilized to control the crack propagation; the fracture process passed through several loading–unloading sequences between which the electrical resistivity and ultrasonic passing time readings over the fractured region were performed. Equivalent elastic crack model was used for estimation of the fracture advance (described via the effective crack length) at the loading stages corresponding to the resistivity and ultrasonic measurements. Relationships between changes of both the concrete resistivity and ultrasonic pulse passing time and the effective crack length is determined and discussed

The role of the tissue microenvironment in the regulation of cancer cell motility and invasion

During malignant neoplastic progression the cells undergo genetic and epigenetic cancer-specific alterations that finally lead to a loss of tissue homeostasis and restructuring of the microenvironment. The invasion of cancer cells through connective tissue is a crucial prerequisite for metastasis formation. Although cell invasion is foremost a mechanical process, cancer research has focused largely on gene regulation and signaling that underlie uncontrolled cell growth. More recently, the genes and signals involved in the invasion and transendothelial migration of cancer cells, such as the role of adhesion molecules and matrix degrading enzymes, have become the focus of research. In this review we discuss how the structural and biomechanical properties of extracellular matrix and surrounding cells such as endothelial cells influence cancer cell motility and invasion. We conclude that the microenvironment is a critical determinant of the migration strategy and the efficiency of cancer cell invasion

COMPARISON OF S-CO2 POWER CYCLES FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY

The supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) is a possible cooling system for the new generations of nuclear reactors and fusion reactors. The S-CO2 power cycles have several advantages over other possible coolants such as water and helium. The advantages are the compression work, which is lower than in the case of helium, near the critical point and the S-CO2 is more compact than water and helium. The disadvantage is so called Pinch point which occurs in the regenerative heat exchanger. The pinch point can be eliminated by an arrangement of the cycle or using a mixture of CO2. This paper describes the S-CO2 power cycles for nuclear fission and fusion reactors