FE analysis of multi-cycle micro-forming through using closed-die upsetting models and forward extrusion models

Research in micro-forming leads to the investigation of the effects of heat generation in the workpiece and temperature changes in the tools during the forming. The results reported in this paper relate to the study of cold micro-forming processes which are usually ignored on its thermal characteristics. Two closed-die upsetting models were used for the simulation of the forming of micro-parts in single forming trial and in mass production (multi-cycle loading), respectively. An elastic-plastic finite element simulation was performed for a single forming trial. The heat transferred to the die, computed from the simulation, was then used as an input for the multi-cycle heat loading analysis in the die. Two materials: silver and low carbon steel, were used as the work material. The results show that the die saturation temperature could still go up to 100 °C for small size dies, which is significant for the forming of micro-parts. Forming errors due to the die-temperature changes were further computed, which forms a basis for developing considerations on the forming-error compensation. Using the same methods and procedures, forming of a micro-pin via forward extrusion was analysed

Central limit theorem for signal-to-interference ratio of reduced rank linear receiver

Let $\mathbf{s}_k=\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}}(v_{1k},...,v_{Nk})^T,$ with $\{v_{ik},i,k=1,...\}$ independent and identically distributed complex random variables. Write $\mathbf{S}_k=(\mathbf{s}_1,...,\mathbf {s}_{k-1},\mathbf{s}_{k+1},... ,\mathbf{s}_K),$ $\mathbf{P}_k=\operatorname {diag}(p_1,...,p_{k-1},p_{k+1},...,p_K)$, $\mathbf{R}_k=(\mathbf{S}_k\mathbf{P}_k\mathbf{S}_k^*+\sigma ^2\mathbf{I})$ and $\mathbf{A}_{km}=[\mathbf{s}_k,\mathbf{R}_k\mathbf{s}_k,... ,\mathbf{R}_k^{m-1}\mathbf{s}_k]$. Define $\beta_{km}=p_k\mathbf{s}_k^*\mathbf{A}_{km}(\mathbf {A}_{km}^*\times\ mathbf{R}_k\mathbf{A}_{km})^{-1}\mathbf{A}_{km}^*\mathbf{s}_k$, referred to as the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of user$k$under the multistage Wiener (MSW) receiver in a wireless communication system. It is proved that the output SIR under the MSW and the mutual information statistic under the matched filter (MF) are both asymptotic Gaussian when$N/K\to c>0$. Moreover, we provide a central limit theorem for linear spectral statistics of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of sample covariance matrices, which is a supplement of Theorem 2 in Bai, Miao and Pan [Ann. Probab. 35 (2007) 1532--1572]. And we also improve Theorem 1.1 in Bai and Silverstein [Ann. Probab. 32 (2004) 553--605].Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/07-AAP477 the Annals of Applied Probability (http://www.imstat.org/aap/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Delivering sustainable buildings in retail construction

Session: Sustainability: Theory and Design The article can be viewed at: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2012-1455-1465_Dangana_Pan_Goodhew.pdfThe demand for high performance 'green' or 'sustainable' buildings is becoming increasingly important in the retail industry. Large construction companies in this sector have started to show leadership by working with their customers and supply chains towards sustainability in both products and operations. However, it remains associated risks be minimised, in order to add value and differentiate the output of retail construction. This paper reviews the practice of sustainable buildings within the context of retail construction, and also explores how the UK mainstream retail sector is currently addressing the challenges of sustainable retail buildings. The arguments are informed by a combination of literature review, a desk study of sustainability strategies of large client organisations and construction companies, and a case study with a leading construction company in the UK. The results demonstrate that businesses can benefit from embracing a sustainable approach while they need to adapt their business models to the rapidly changing environment. A demand-driven sustainability agenda is called for in the UK retail sector. The results also provide the basis for an in-depth, longitudinal case study to develop a framework to optimize process, energy and carbon efficiency in retail construction using sustainable technology. Such a framework should provide a sustainable technology model for retail customers to realize the full benefits of sustainable buildings and also assist construction companies and their professional advisors deliver green buildings more efficiently in the future

Simulation of the small punch creep test with consideration of variation of material properties

A new finite element model of the small punch creep test is described. The material constitutive relationship for creep considered is a simple Norton power law: in this study the exponent in the power law is varied for each element to simulate the random behaviour of creep. The influence of this random variation, and the effect of the friction factor between the punch and specimen, on the deformation and stress field has been investigated