Fatigue Behavior of High Strength Steel S890Q Containing Thermally Cut Straight Edges

This paper evaluates the effect of different thermal cutting methods on the fatigue life of high strength steel S890Q. The investigation covers flame, plasma and laser cutting methodologies, and specimens with rectangular sections and cut straight edges. The experimental program is composed of 30 specimens that were conducted to failure by applying fatigue cycles with a stress ratio (R) of 0.1 in a high frequency testing machine. The resultant best-fit S-N curves have been compared, revealing a better performance for laser cut straight edges. Moreover, the corresponding Eurocode 3 FAT class has been derived for each of the three cutting methods, resulting in FAT160 in all cases. This suggests that the use Eurocode 3 FAT125, which is the fatigue class currently provided for flame cut straight edges, is an overconservative assumption for thermally cut straight edges in steel S890Q, regardless of the thermal cutting technique being used (flame, laser or plasma)

Vitrification of Cesium-Laden Organic Ion Exchange Resin in a Stirred Melter

The goal of this research was a feasibility study for vitrifying the organic ion exchange resin in a stirred-tank melter. Tests were conducted to determine the fate of cesium including the feed, exit glass, and offgas streams and to assess any impact of feeding the resin on the melter or its performance

Fatigue performance of thermally cut bolt holes in structural steel S460M

Current fatigue codes only consider the fatigue performance of drilled and punched holes, limiting the use of thermal cutting processes to produce bolt holes. This paper studies the fatigue performance of structural steel S460M plates containing thermally cut bolt holes. The research covers three thermal cutting methods: the traditional one (oxy-fuel cutting) and two more modern processes (plasma and laser cutting). Specimen geometry is defined by a rectangular cross section with a cut hole in the middle. All the specimens were conducted to failure by applying fatigue cycles, the stress ratio (R) being 0.1. The corresponding S-N curve and fatigue limit were obtained for each cutting method. Fatigue results have been compared with previous researches on fatigue performance of drilled and punched holes, and with the predictions provided by current fatigue standards, analyzing the possibility to extrapolate their S-N curves, focused on drilled and punched holes, to thermally cut holes

On the source, site and modes of domination

This article seeks to examine how domination manifests in social relationships and institutions. It does this by examining two debates in republican literature. The first of which is whether domination requires institutionalisation? This addresses the source of domination. The second debate is on the nature of arbitrary power. This raises questions about the site of domination. It will be argued that the source of domination can be personally or socially constituted and that the site can be interactional or systemic. This yields four modes of domination that can be used to examine social institutions and relationships

Exploring working conditions as determinants of job satisfaction: an empirical test among Catalonia service workers

Job satisfaction is particularly important in the service industry since it involves direct contact with customers and thus has a direct influence on company performance. We analyzed the impact of ten working conditions on job satisfaction by means of structural equation modelling in a representative stratified random sample of 1553 service sector employees in Catalonia (Spain). We found significant effects in social aspects (recognition of a job well done and social support), followed by psychological loads (emotional demands and job insecurity) and by task contents (development & meaning and predictability). These variables explained 50% of the variance in job satisfaction

Leadership in context: Insights from a study of nursing in Western Australia

This paper investigates the importance of integrating context when analysing the role and practice of leadership within a specific organization or profession. It does this with reference to a study of nursing in Western Australia. Using theoretical sampling, qualitative data were collected through interviews and focus groups with targeted stakeholders in Western Australia’s public health system. The main purpose of the data collection and analysis was to identify perceptions and understandings of leadership among key stakeholders. Findings emerged which identified the importance of considering specific dimensions of the cultural, social and institutional context in order to understand the practice and experience of leadership among nurses in the Western Australian public health sector

Analysis of notch effect on the fracture behaviour of granite and limestone: An approach from the Theory of Critical Distances

This paper presents the analysis of the notch effect on granite and limestone fracture specimens. The research is based on the results obtained in an experimental programme composed of 84 fracture specimens, combining the two materials and 7 different notch radii varying from 0.15 mm up to 10 mm. The notch effect is analysed through the evolution of the apparent fracture toughness and the application of the Theory of the Critical Distances. The results reveal a significant notch effect in the limestone, whereas the notch effect in the granite is negligible for the range of notch radii analysed. Both observations are justified by the corresponding critical distance of the material