The westward drift of the lithosphere. A tidal ratchet?

Is the westerly rotation of the lithosphere an ephemeral accidental recent phenomenon or is it a stable process of Earth’s geodynamics? The reason why the tidal drag has been questioned as the mechanism determining the lithospheric shift relative to the underlying mantle is the apparent too high viscosity of the asthenosphere. However, plate boundaries asymmetries are a robust indication of the ‘westerly’ decoupling of the entire Earth’s outer lithospheric shell and new studies support lower viscosities in the low-velocity layer (LVZ) atop the asthenosphere. Since the solid Earth tide oscillation is longer in one side relative to the other due to the contemporaneous Moon’s revolution, we demonstrate that a non-linear rheological behavior is expected in the lithosphere mantle interplay. This may provide a sort of ratchet favoring lowering of the LVZ viscosity under shear, allowing decoupling in the LVZ and triggering the westerly motion of the lithosphere relative to the mantle

Dissipation in a finite-size bath

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We investigate the interaction of a particle with a finite-size bath represented by a set of independent linear oscillators with frequencies that fall within a finite bandwidth. We discover that when the oscillators have particular frequency distributions, the finite-size bath behaves much as an infinite-size bath exhibiting dissipation properties and thus allowing irreversible energy absorption from a particle immersed in it. We also present a reinterpretation of the Langevin equation using a perturbation approach in which the small parameter represents the inverse of the number of oscillators in the bath, elucidating the relationship between finite-size and infinite-size bath responses

Optimal control theory based design of elasto-magnetic metamaterial

A method to design a new type of metamaterial is presented. A two-step strategy to define an optimal long-range force distribution embedded in an elastic support to control wave propagation is considered. The first step uses a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) to produce an optimal set of long-range interactions. In the second step, a least square passive approximation of the LQR optimal gains is determined. The paper investigates numerical solutions obtained by the previously described procedure. Finally, we discuss physical and engineering implications and practical use of the present study

Twin-waves propagation phenomena in magnetically-coupled structures

The use of magnetic dipoles embedding in an elastic support introduces long-range interaction forces. This is a completely new paradigm in structural mechanics, classically based on local short-range particle interaction. The features of long-range forces produce very new mechanical coupling effects. This paper examines the case in which two identical rod-like structures, each with a dipole distribution embedded, vibrate side by side. Waves generated in one of the rods propagate also in the second and vice versa creating a new effect we name twin-waves. The present investigation unveils the existence of an infinite number of propagation modes even in one-dimensional infinite structures, a new and unus al behaviour in classical waveguides. The physics behind this phenomenon is further investigated also by numerical simulations

Trapping of vibration energy into a set of resonators: Theory and application to aerospace structures

Cataloged from PDF version of article.This paper presents the theory of a novel mechanism of energy absorption and induced damping in structural systems and its application to aerospace industry. The underlying principles of the physical phenomena have been addressed in several earlier publications, which focused on prototypical systems of absorbers that consist of a set of single-degree-of-freedom resonators. This paper generalizes those theoretical developments to the case of a cluster of beams attached to a continuous primary structure, to develop predictive methods for the expected performance of this new type of absorber, with particular emphasis on its optimal design. An embodiment of the conceived device is illustrated for an aerospace structure, a satellite, with the purpose of reducing the vibration of the electronic components on board during lift-off. Experimental results illustrate the feasibility and the attractiveness of this new absorption technique. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Frequency intermittency and energy pumping by linear attachments

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The present paper considers the problem of realizing an effective targeted energy pumping from a linear oscillator to a set of ungrounded linear resonators attached to it. Theoretical as well as numerical results demonstrate the efficacy of using a complex attachment as a passive absorber of broadband energy injected into the primary structure. The paper unveils also the existence of an instantaneous frequency associated with the master response characterized by intermittency: a rather surprising result for a linear autonomous system. Comparison with nonlinear energy sinks demonstrates that the two systems have some analogies in this respect and that the linear complex attachment is a very efficient energy trap. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Feedback Volterra control of integro-differential equations

This paper describes a general physical background that originates integro-differential problems with specific reference to aero-elastic coupling, and offers two techniques of control for this class of problems. The central result of the paper is that integro-differential equations with kernel exponential series admit an optimal solution described, in turn, by a Volterra integral equation in terms of the control. Numerical simulations show how controls prevent the flutter instability of a two-dimensional wing and a wind turbine blade

Experimenting sensors network for innovative optimal control of car suspensions

This paper presents an innovative electronically controlled suspension system installed on a real car and used as a test bench. The proposed setup relies on a sensor network that acquires a large real-time dataset collecting the car vibrations and the car trim and, through a new controller based on a recently proposed theory developed by the authors, makes use of adjustable semi-active magneto-rheological dampers. A BMW series 1 is equipped with such an integrated sensors-controller-actuators device and an extensive test campaign, in real driving conditions, is carried out to evaluate its performance. Thanks to its strategy, the new plant enhances, at once, both comfort and drivability of the car, as field experiments show. A benchmark analysis is performed, comparing the performance of the new control system with the ones of traditional semi-active suspensions, such as skyhook devices: the comparison shows very good results for the proposed solution

Auto-sapiens autonomous driving vehicle

This paper presents the Auto-Sapiens project, an autonomous driving car developed by the Mechatronics and Vehicle Dynamics Lab, at Sapienza University of Rome. Auto-Sapiens is a technological platform to test and improve innovative control algorithms. The car platform is a standard car (Smart ForTwo) equipped with throttle, brake, steering actuators and different sensors for attitude identification and environment reconstruction. The first experiments of the Auto-Sapiens car test a new obstacle avoidance. The vehicle, controlled by an optimal variational feedback control, recently developed by the authors, includes the nonlinearities inherent in the car dynamics for better performances. Results show the effectiveness of the system in terms of safety and robustness of the avoidance maneuvers

Damage diagnostic technique combining machine learning approach with a sensor swarm

A Model-free approach is particularly valuable for Structural Health Monitoring because real structures are often too complex to be modelled accurately, requiring anyhow a large quantity of sensor data to be processed. In this context, this paper presents a machine learning technique that analyses data acquired by swarm of a sensor. The proposed algorithm uses unsupervised learning and is based on the use principal component analysis and symbolic data analysis: PCA extracts features from the acquired data and use them as a template for clustering. The algorithm is tested with numerical experiments. A truss bridge is modelled by a finite element model, and structural response is produced in healthy and several damaged scenarios. The present research shows also the importance of considering a sufficient number of measurements points along the structure, i.e. the swarm of sensors. This technology, which nowadays is easily attainable with the application of optical Fiber Bragg Grating strain sensors. The difficulties related to the early stage damage detection in complex structures can be skipped, especially when ambient, narrow band, moving loads are considered, enhancing the prediction capabilities of the proposed algorithm