Numerical evaluation of temperature fields and residual stresses in butt weld joints and comparison with experimental measurements

This paper presents a novel numerical model, based on the finite element (FE) method, for the simulation of a welding process aimed to make a twopass V-groove butt joint, paying attention on the prediction of residual stresses and distortions. The ‘element birth and death’ technique for the simulation of the weld filler supply has been considered within this paper. The main advancements with respect to the state of the art herein proposed concern: (i) the development of a modelling technique able to simulate the plates interaction during the welding operation when an only plate is modelled. This phenomenon is usually neglected in literature; (ii) the heat amount is supplied to the FEs as volumetric generation of the internal energy, allowing overcoming the time-consuming calibration phase needed to use the Goldak's model, commonly adopted in literature. Predicted results showed a good agreement with experimental ones

Probabilistic Analysis of Fatigue Behavior of Single Lap Riveted Joints

This research deals with the fatigue behavior of 200 small single lap multiple-riveted joint specimens, widely used for aeronautic structures. The tests were performed with three different levels of stress with stress ratio R = 0.05; three levels were set: 90 MPa, 120 MPa and 160 MPa. The fatigue life and critical crack size for all tested specimens were analyzed. According to the results’ analysis, two types of fracture, through-hole and in proximity of the hole, were observed, depending on the level of stress: the higher the applied stress, the more through-hole cracking. Indeed, under the fatigue load with a stress level of 90 MPa, less than 30% of specimens showed cracks propagating through the hole, while, at the stress level of 120 MPa, the percentage reaches 36.3%. At the stress level of 160 MPa, 100% of specimens failed through the hole. Moreover, aimed to use experimental data for probabilistic methods, a statistical analysis was performed according to the Anderson–Darling test. This method allowed the analysis of the datasets, in terms of both fatigue life and critical crack size, providing information about the best distribution function able to fit experimental results

Highly Planarized Naphthalene Diimide-Bifuran Copolymers with Unexpected Charge Transport Performance

The synthesis, characterization, and charge transport performance of novel copolymers PNDIFu2 made from alternating naphthalene diimide (NDI) and bifuran (Fu2) units are reported. Usage of potentially biomass-derived Fu2 as alternating repeat unit enables flattened polymer backbones due to reduced steric interactions between the imide oxygens and Fu2 units, as seen by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and UV-vis spectroscopy. Aggregation of PNDIFu2 in solution is enhanced if compared to the analogous NDI-bithiophene (T2) copolymers PNDIT2, occurring in all solvents and temperatures probed. PNDIFu2 features a smaller π-π stacking distance of 0.35 nm compared to 0.39 nm seen for PNDIT2. Alignment of aggregates in films is achieved by using off-center spin coating, whereby PNDIFu2 exhibits a stronger dichroic ratio and transport anisotropy in field-effect transistors (FET) compared to PNDIT2, with an overall good electron mobility of 0.21 cm2/(V s). Despite an enhanced backbone planarity, the smaller π-π stacking and the enhanced charge transport anisotropy, the electron mobility of PNDIFu2 is about three times lower compared to PNDIT2. Density functional theory calculations suggest that charge transport in PNDIFu2 is limited by enhanced polaron localization compared to PNDIT2

Electronic Structure of Low-Temperature Solution-Processed Amorphous Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Thin-Film Transistor Applications.

The electronic structure of low temperature, solution-processed indium-zinc oxide thin-film transistors is complex and remains insufficiently understood. As commonly observed, high device performance with mobility >1 cm2 V-1 s-1 is achievable after annealing in air above typically 250 °C but performance decreases rapidly when annealing temperatures ≤200 °C are used. Here, the electronic structure of low temperature, solution-processed oxide thin films as a function of annealing temperature and environment using a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and photothermal deflection spectroscopy is investigated. The drop-off in performance at temperatures ≤200 °C to incomplete conversion of metal hydroxide species into the fully coordinated oxide is attributed. The effect of an additional vacuum annealing step, which is beneficial if performed for short times at low temperatures, but leads to catastrophic device failure if performed at too high temperatures or for too long is also investigated. Evidence is found that during vacuum annealing, the workfunction increases and a large concentration of sub-bandgap defect states (re)appears. These results demonstrate that good devices can only be achieved in low temperature, solution-processed oxides if a significant concentration of acceptor states below the conduction band minimum is compensated or passivated by shallow hydrogen and oxygen vacancy-induced donor levels.The authors acknowledge funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under Grant Agreement No.°263042. J.S. wants to thank the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the A.G. Leventis Foundation for funding.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.201404375/ful

Ab initio nonrigid X-ray nanotomography

Abstract: Reaching the full potential of X-ray nanotomography, in particular for biological samples, is limited by many factors, of which one of the most serious is radiation damage. Although sample deformation caused by radiation damage can be partly mitigated by cryogenic protection, it is still present in these conditions and, as we exemplify here using a specimen extracted from scales of the Cyphochilus beetle, it will pose a limit to the achievable imaging resolution. We demonstrate a generalized tomographic model, which optimally follows the sample morphological changes and attempts to recover the original sample structure close to the ideal, damage-free reconstruction. Whereas our demonstration was performed using ptychographic X-ray tomography, the method can be adopted for any tomographic imaging modality. Our application demonstrates improved reconstruction quality of radiation-sensitive samples, which will be of increasing relevance with the higher brightness of 4th generation synchrotron sources

Step-like displacements of a deep seated gravitational slope deformation observed during the 2016–2017 seismic events in Central Italy

Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations are characterized by low deformation rates although they can experience partial-collapse phases or more rapid movements, especially in presence of active tectonic structures. In the Central Italy, considering the high seismicity rate, seismic activity must be considered to be an important trigger of deep slope movements. We aim to contribute to the research in this field by reporting the results of a monitoring program on a Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation in this region that involves marly calcareous rocks. We documented the pre-earthquakes evolution of the phenomenon and measured its displacements during the seismic sequence in 2016 and 2017 in Central Italy, which largest events were Mw 5.0-to-6.5. A multidisciplinary approach that combines a field geomorphological survey, installation of permanent GPS stations, and InSAR elaborations was adopted for this study. The average ground motion rate of the slope deformation before the earthquakes was very low (< 3 mm/y) and not spatially homogenous, as detected by GPS and InSAR. In detail, the uppermost area of the slope instability likely moves faster than the lowest sector. On the other hand, GPS and InSAR recorded significant step-like movements, one to ten times higher than the normal activity rate, triggered by the M-w 5.0-to-6.5 earthquakes. In detail, the movement mainly depended on the magnitude of the earthquake and the distance from the epicenter, and only secondarily on the number of larger magnitude earthquakes on a given day. In conclusion, we furnished monitoring data on the activity rate of a Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation in seismic context, we indicated two sectors of the investigated deformation that resulted more unstable and we proved that the combination of InSAR and GPS data is a useful monitoring system for earthquake activated, slow-moving slope instabilities.Published337-3482T. Deformazione crostale attivaJCR Journa

Monitoring of a coastal zone by independent fast photogrammetric surveys: The case of Monterosso a Mare (Ligurian Sea, Italy)

The Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry (SfM) allows a fast and easy data acquisition and a highly automated data processing, leading to accurate photorealistic point clouds. The results of a SfM-based modeling of the coastal zone of Monterosso a Mare (Eastern Liguria, Italy) are shown here. Four photogrammetric surveys of the area were carried out from both moving surface (boat) and aerial (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platforms. The corresponding results were compared in order to provide information about precision and model reliability from fast ad cheap SfM surveys carried out without Ground Control Points (GCPs). The important issue of scale factor evaluation was solved by means of selection of points easily recognizable in each point cloud and measurement of the length of the polyline that connects these points. The ratio between the lengths of the polyline defined on a point cloud and the corresponding polyline defined in a metric reference frame provided the scale factor. The results highlight that the SfM technique can be used in emergency conditions, where GCPs cannot be used, and is compatible with a floating platform-based observation, leading to point clouds whose resolution is some centimeters for an acquisition distance of 100-150 m.Published73-817A. Geofisica per il monitoraggio ambientaleN/A or not JC

Geminate and nongeminate recombination of triplet excitons formed by singlet fission.

We report the simultaneous observation of geminate and nongeminate triplet-triplet annihilation in a solution-processable small molecule TIPS-tetracene undergoing singlet exciton fission. Using optically detected magnetic resonance, we identify recombination of triplet pairs directly following singlet fission, as well as recombination of triplet excitons undergoing bimolecular triplet-triplet annihilation. We show that the two processes give rise to distinct magnetic resonance spectra, and estimate the interaction between geminate triplet excitons to be 60 neV.EPSRC [grant no. EP/J017361/1 and EP/G060738/1]. E. Oppenheimer Foundation and St. Catherine's College, Cambridge. NSF [CMMI- 1255494].This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.238701

Concurrent deformation processes in the Matese massif area (Central-Southern Apennines, Italy)

We investigated the interseismic GPS velocity field across the transition zone between Central and Southern Apennine comprising the Meta–Mainarde-Venafro and Alto Molise–Sannio-Matese mounts. The kinematic field obtained by combining GPS network solutions is based on data collected by the unpublished episodic campaigns carried out on Southern Apennine Geodetic network (SAGNet from 2000 to 2013), IGM95 network (Giuliani et al., 2009 from 1994 to 2007) and continuous GPS stations. The data collected after the 29 December 2013 earthquake (Mw 5.0) until early 2014 allowed estimating displacements at 15 SAGNet stations. The extension rate computed across the Matese massif along an anti-Apennine profile is 2.0±0.2 mm/yr. The interseismic velocities projected along the profile show that the maximum extension does not follow the topographic high of the Apennines but is shifted toward the eastern outer belt. No significant GPS deformation corresponding to inner faults systems of the Matese massif is detected. Taking into account our results and other geophysical data, we propose a conceptual model, which identifies the 2013–2014 seismic sequence as not due to an extensional deformation style usual along the Apennine chain. In fact, we have measured too large “coseismic” displacements, that could be explained as the result of tectonic regional stress, CO2-rich fluid migration and elastic loading of water in the karst Matese massif. We recognized a tensile source as model of dislocation of 2013–2014 earthquakes. It represents a simplification of a main fault system and fracture zone affecting the Matese massif. The dislocation along NE-dipping North Matese Fault System (NMFS) could be the driving mechanism of the recent seismic sequences. Moreover, to the first time the SAGnet GPS data collected from 1994 to 2014, are share and available to the scientific community in the open access data archive.INGV and DPCS1-C1 - 2012-2021.Published2282342T. Deformazione crostale attivaJCR Journa