Atomic physics modeling and applications for ICF plasmas

The Atomic Physics Group at the Institute of Nuclear Fusion (DENIM) in Spain has accumulated experience over the years in developing a collection of computational models and tools for determining some relevant microscopic properties of, mainly, ICF and laser-produced plasmas in a variety of conditions. In this work several applications of those models in determining some relevant microscopic properties are presented.

Physics and Mathematics in the Engineering Curriculum: Correlation with Applied Subjects

This paper presents a study in which the relationship between basic subjects (Mathematics and Physics) and applied engineering subjects (related to Machinery, Electrical Engineering, Topography and Buildings) in higher engineering education curricula is evaluated. The analysis has been conducted using the academic records of 206 students for five years. Furthermore, 34 surveys and personal interviews were conducted to analyze the connections between the contents taught in each subject and to identify student perceptions of the correlation with other subjects or disciplines. At the same time, the content of the different subjects have been analyzed to verify the relationship among the disciplines.Aproper coordination among subjects will allow students to relate and interconnect topics of different subjects, even with the ones learnt in previous courses, while also helping to reduce dropout rates and student failures in successfully accomplishing the different courses.

Bending reinforcement of timber beams with composite carbon fiber and basalt fiber materials

En el presente trabajo se lleva a cabo un estudio basado en datos obtenidos experimentalmente mediante el ensayo a flexión de vigas de madera de pino silvestre reforzadas con materiales compuestos. Las fibras que componen los tejidos utilizados para la ejecución de los refuerzos son de basalto y de carbono. En el caso de los compuestos de fibra de basalto se aplican en distintos gramajes, y los de carbono en tejido unidireccional y bidireccional. El material compuesto se realizó in situ, simultáneamente a la ejecución del refuerzo. Se aplicaron en una y en dos capas, según el caso, y la forma de colocación fue en ?U?, adhiriéndose al canto inferior y a las caras laterales de la viga mediante resina o mortero epoxi. Se analiza el comportamiento de las vigas según las variables de refuerzo aplicadas y se comparan con los resultados de vigas ensayadas sin reforzar. Con este trabajo queda demostrado el buen funcionamiento del FRP de fibra de basalto aplicado en el refuerzo de vigas de madera y de los tejidos de carbono bidireccionales con respecto a los unidireccionales.

Study of the increase in bending stiffness on timber beams reinforced with composite materials

It is common to find structures that need to be reinforced due to deterioration or because the function of the building changes. The economic cost involved in these forms of interventions is considerable. Therefore, it is interesting to progress in the existing strengthening techniques and the study of new reinforcement systems. This paper analyses the behaviour of timber beams reinforced with carbon and basalt fiber composite materials. The main objective of this study is to test the stiffness increase produced by the carbon and basalt FRP on reinforced beams. The results show the stiffness increase produced by the different types of reinforcement.

Wind tunnel experiments to teach physics

Innovative teaching experimental activities for secondary school students have been developed in order to introduce some aerodynamic concepts, with the aim of making science subjects such as mathematics and physics more attractive. Post-graduate students of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and teachers of Deutsche Schule Madrid (DSM) have constructed a small wind tunnel. The main goal has been to provide a tool for secondary school students to become familiar with the scientific method developing curiosity, imagination, initiative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students of DSM have performed wind tunnel experiments, resulting in a successful and amusing experience. The students were able to relate the experimental results obtained with the physic principle of flight, previously explained in class. Evaluations reveal that both, the teacher and the students, considered the experience as interesting and helpful to lead with teaching physics, mathematics and engineering sciences. The teacher observed the strong motivation factor developed for the students to continue learning engineering sciences. Some of the students expressed that this experience had changed their prejudices about physics and mathematics, based only on theoretical approaches.

Physics of Vibrating Airfoils at Low Reduced Frequency

The unsteady aerodynamics of low pressure turbine vibrating airfoils in flap mode is studied in detail using a frequency domain linearized Navier-Stokes solver. Both the travelling-wave and influence coefficient formulations of the problem are used to highlight key aspects of the physics and understand different trends such as the effect of reduced frequency and Mach number. The study is focused in the low-reduced frequency regime which is of paramount relevance for the design of aeronautical low-pressure turbines and compressors. It is concluded that the effect of the Mach number on the unsteady pressure phase can be neglected in first approximation and that the unsteadiness of the vibrating and adjacent airfoils is driven by vortex shedding mechanisms. Finally a simple model to estimate the work-per-cycle as a function of the reduced frequency and Mach Number is provided. The edge-wise and torsion modes are presented in less detail but it is shown that acoustic waves are essential to explain its behaviour. The non-dimensional work-per-cycle of the edge-wise mode shows a large dependence with the Mach number while in the torsion mode a large number of airfoils is needed to reconstruct the work-per-cycle departing from the influence coefficients.