Stability Of Adhesion Clusters And Cell Reorientation Under Lateral Cyclic Tension

This work is motivated by experimental observations that cells on stretched substrate exhibit different responses to static and dynamic loads. A model of focal adhesion that can consider the mechanics of stress fiber, adhesion bonds, and substrate was developed at the molecular level by treating the focal adhesion as an adhesion cluster. The stability of the cluster under dynamic load was studied by applying cyclic external strain on the substrate. We show that a threshold value of external strain amplitude exists beyond which the adhesion cluster disrupts quickly. In addition, our results show that the adhesion cluster is prone to losing stability under high-frequency loading, because the receptors and ligands cannot get enough contact time to form bonds due to the high-speed deformation of the substrate. At the same time, the viscoelastic stress fiber becomes rigid at high frequency, which leads to significant deformation of the bonds. Furthermore, we find that the stiffness and relaxation time of stress fibers play important roles in the stability of the adhesion cluster. The essence of this work is to connect the dynamics of the adhesion bonds (molecular level) with the cell's behavior during reorientation (cell level) through the mechanics of stress fiber. The predictions of the cluster model are consistent with experimental observations.

The Characterization Of Creep And Time-Dependent Properties Of Bulk Metallic Glasses Using Nanoindentation

Viscoelastic deformation and creep behavior of La- and Ce-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with low glass transition temperature are investigated through nanoindentation at room temperature. Creep compliance and retardation spectra are derived to study the creep mechanism. The time-dependent displacement can be well described by a generalized Kelvin model. A modification is proposed to determine the elastic modulus from the generalized Kelvin model. The results are in excellent agreement with the elastic modulus determined by uniaxial compression tests. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Simple phenomenological determination of contact stiffness and elastic modulus of Ce-based bulk metallic glasses through nanoindentation

The viscoelastic deformation of Ce-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with low glass transition temperature is investigated at room temperature. Contact stiffness and elastic modulus of Ce-based BMGs cannot be derived using the conventional Oliver-Pharr method [W. C. Oliver and G. M. Pharr, J. Mater. Res. 7, 1564 (1992)]. The present work shows that the time dependent displacement of unloading segments can be described well by a generalized Kelvin model. Thus, a modified Oliver-Pharr method is proposed to evaluate the contact stiffness and elastic modulus, which does, in fact, reproduce the values obtained via uniaxial compression tests. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Creep characterization of a fiber reinforced plastic material

Creep behavior of [±45°]_s composite material is characterized by using uniaxial creep and recovery tests. The well-known Schapery nonlinear viscoelastic consti tutive relation was modified to make it suitable for characterizing the creep behavior of this material. Then, using this modified Schapery constitutive equation, by which the vis coplastic and creep damage can be taken into consideration, the creep behavior of [±45°]. glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminate was studied. The constitutive parameters of the material were determined experimentally, and the procedure and method of determination of the material parameters are proved to be valid.

黏弹性材料界面裂纹应力场奇性分析

研究两半无限大黏弹性体间Griffith界面裂纹在简谐载荷作用下裂纹尖端动应力场的奇异特性。通过引入裂纹张开位移和裂纹位错密度函数，相应的混合边值问题归结为一组耦合的奇异积分方程。渐近分析表明裂尖动应力场的奇异特征完全包含在奇异积分方程的基本解中。通过对基本解的深入分析发现黏弹性材料界面裂纹尖动应力场具有与材料参数和外载荷频率相关的振荡奇异特性。以标准线性固体黏弹材料为例讨论了材料参数和载荷频率对奇性指数和振荡指数的影响。

The Displacement and Strain Field of Three-Dimensional Rheologic Model of Earthquake Preparation

Based on the three-dimensional elastic inclusion model proposed by Dobrovolskii, we developed a rheological inclusion model to study earthquake preparation processes. By using the Corresponding Principle in the theory of rheologic mechanics, we derived the analytic expressions of viscoelastic displacement U(r, t) , V(r, t) and W(r, t), normal strains epsilon(xx) (r, t), epsilon(yy) (r, t) and epsilon(zz) (r, t) and the bulk strain theta (r, t) at an arbitrary point (x, y, z) in three directions of X axis, Y axis and Z axis produced by a three-dimensional inclusion in the semi-infinite rheologic medium defined by the standard linear rheologic model. Subsequent to the spatial-temporal variation of bulk strain being computed on the ground produced by such a spherical rheologic inclusion, interesting results are obtained, suggesting that the bulk strain produced by a hard inclusion change with time according to three stages (alpha, beta, gamma) with different characteristics, similar to that of geodetic deformation observations, but different with the results of a soft inclusion. These theoretical results can be used to explain the characteristics of spatial-temporal evolution, patterns, quadrant-distribution of earthquake precursors, the changeability, spontaneity and complexity of short-term and imminent-term precursors. It offers a theoretical base to build physical models for earthquake precursors and to predict the earthquakes.

粘弹性材料界面裂纹的瞬态响应和散射研究

本文研究粘弹性材料界面裂纹对冲击载荷的瞬态响应和对广义平面波的稳态散射。相对于已有广泛研究的弹性材料裂纹瞬态响应和稳态散射问题，本文的研究有三个突出特点：1）粘弹性材料；2）界面裂纹；3）广义平面波入射。粘弹性材料界面裂纹对冲击载荷的瞬态响应和对广义平面波的散射尚无开展研究，本文在弹性材料相应问题的研究基础上，首先开展了这一问题的研究。对于冲击载荷下粘弹性界面裂纹的瞬态响应问题，利用Laplace积分变换方法，将粘弹性材料卷积型本构方程转化为Laplace变换域内的代数型本构方程，从而可以在Laplace变换域内象处理弹性材料的冲击响应一样，将相应的混合边值问题归结为关于裂纹张开位移COD的对偶积分方程，并进一步引入裂纹位错密度函数CDD （Crack Dislocation Density），将对偶积分方程化成关于CDD的奇异积分方程（SIE）。用数值方法求解奇异积分方程得到变换域内的动应力强度因子数值解，最后利用Laplace积分逆变换数值方法得到时间域内的动应力强度因子的时间响应。理论分析考虑了两种裂纹模型，即Griffith界面裂纹和柱面圆弧型界面裂纹。考虑的载荷包括反平面冲击载荷和平面冲击载荷。对于平面冲击载荷，通过对裂尖应力场的奇性分析，首次发现粘弹性界面裂纹裂尖动应力场奇性指数不是常数0.5，而是与震荡指数一样依赖材料参数。针对反平面冲击载荷给出了一个算例，计算了裂尖动应力强度因子的时间响应，并与弹性材料的结果作了比较，发现粘弹性效应的影响不仅使过冲击峰值降低，而且使峰值点后移。粘性效应较大时，过冲击现象甚至不出现。关于粘弹性界面裂纹对广东省义平面波的散射问题，首先研究广义平面波在无裂纹存在的理想界面的反射和透射，再研究由于界面裂纹的存在而产生的附加散射场。利用粘弹性材料的复模量理论，可将粘弹性材料的卷积型相构方程化成频率域内的代数型本构方程。类似弹性平面波的处理，在频率域内将问题最终归结为关于裂纹位错密度CDD的奇异积分方程。数值方法求解奇异积分方程即可得到频率域内的散射场，并进而得到裂尖动应力强度因子和远场位移型函数和散射截面。理论分析考虑了两种裂纹模型：Griffith界面裂纹和柱面圆弧型界面裂纹。研究的入射波有广义的SH波和P波。对于广义平面P波入射的情况，通过对裂尖应力场的奇性分析，同样发现粘弹性界面裂纹裂尖动应力场奇性指数不地常数0.5，而是与震荡指数一样依赖于材料参数。对柱面裂纹散射远场的渐近分析，发现远场位移和应力除含有几何衰减因子外，都含有一个材料衰减速因子。散射截面由于材料衰减因子的存在也成为依赖散射半径的量。为了使散射截面仍有意义，文中提出一种修正办法。对Griffith界面裂纹，给出了一个广义平面SH波入射的算例；对柱面界面裂纹，给出了一个广义平面P波入射的算例。计算了不同入射角和入射频率下裂纹的张开位移和动就应力强度因子，并分析了其依赖关系。求解奇异积分方程的数值方法和Laplace积分逆变换数值方法是本文的基本数值方法。本文对这两种方法作了大量的调研和系统的研究。在对比分析的基础上，对现有的各种方法从原理，适用范围，计数效率，优势及特点进行了归纳总结。并尝试了奇异积分方程的最新数值方法--分片连续函数法，证实了其适用性和方便性．

Numerical simulation of a single fluid particle rising in non-Newtonian fluids

In this work, a level set method is developed for simulating the motion of a fluid particle rising in non-Newtonian fluids described by generalized Newtonian as well as viscoelastic model fluids. As the shear-thinning model we use a Carreau-Yasuda model, and the viscoelastic effect can be modeled with Oldroyd-B constitutive equations. The control volume formulation with the SIMPLEC algorithm incorporated is used to solve the governing equations on a staggered Eulerian grid. The level set method is implemented to compute the motion of a bubble in a Newtonian fluid as one of typical examples for validation, and the computational results are in good agreement with the reported experimental data．The level set method is also applied for simulating a Newtonian drop rising in Carreau-Yasuda and Oldroyd-B fluids．Numerical results including noticeably negative wake behind the drop and viscosity field are obtained, and compare satisfactorily with the known literature data.

心肌细胞大变形黏弹性模型及在实验中的应用

在衡量单个细胞力学行为的研究中,越来越多地采用结合实验的数值模拟方法.在连续介质力学框架下,发展了一种新的心肌细胞本构模型,并与微管吮吸实验结合,探讨了心肌细胞的力学特性.本构模型是对普遍使用的仅能用于小变形分析的标准线性固体模型的一种扩展,它将超弹性性能引入到黏弹性模型中,用以描述细胞的大变形黏弹性效应.基于改进的本构模型,对心肌细胞微管吮吸实验过程进行了有限元模拟,并将计算结果与实验结果以及经典理论解进行了对比.结果显示发展的本构模型适合细胞大变形问题的有限元数值模拟.

Numerical simulation of a bubble rising in shear-thinning fluids

The motion of a single bubble rising freely in quiescent non-Newtonian viscous fluids was investigated experimentally and computationally. The non-Newtonian effects in the flow of viscous inelastic fluids are modeled by the Carreau theological model. An improved level set approach for computing the incompressible two-phase flow with deformable free interface is used. The control volume formulation with the SIMPLEC algorithm incorporated is used to solve the governing equations on a staggered Eulerian grid. The simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm is robust for shear-thinning liquids with large density (rho(1)/rho(g) up to 10(3)) and high viscosity (eta(1)/eta(g) up to 10(4)). The comparison of the experimental measurements of terminal bubble shape and velocity with the computational results is satisfactory. It is shown that the local change in viscosity around a bubble greatly depends on the bubble shape and the zero-shear viscosity of non-Newtonian shear-thinning liquids. The shear-rate distribution and velocity fields are used to elucidate the formation of a region of large viscosity at the rear of a bubble as a result of the rather stagnant flow behind the bubble. The numerical results provide the basis for further investigations, such as the numerical simulation of viscoelastic fluids. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peeling behavior of a bio-inspired nano-film on a substrate

A peeling model is proposed to analyze the peeling properties of bio-mimetic nano-films using the finite element method (FEM) and theoretical approach. The influences of the nano-film's adhesion length, thickness, elastic modulus, roughness and peeling angle on the peeling force were considered as well as the effect of the viscoelastic behavior. It has been found that the effective adhesion length, at which the peeling force attained maximum, was much smaller than the real length of nano-films; and the shear force dominated in the case of smaller peeling angles, whereas, the normal force dominated at larger peeling angles. The total peeling force decreased with an increasing peeling angle. Two limiting values of the peeling-off force can be found in the viscoelastic model, which corresponds to the smaller and larger loading rate cases. The effects of nano-film thickness and Young's modulus on peeling behaviors were also discussed. The results obtained are helpful for understanding the micro-adhesion mechanisms of biological systems, such as geckos. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quasi-3D Cytoskeletal Dynamics of Osteocytes under Fluid Flow

Osteocytes respond to dynamic fluid shear loading by activating various biochemical pathways, mediating a dynamic process of bone formation and resorption. Whole-cell deformation and regional deformation of the cytoskeleton may be able to directly regulate this process. Attempts to image cellular deformation by conventional microscopy techniques have been hindered by low temporal or spatial resolution. In this study, we developed a quasi-three-dimensional microscopy technique that enabled us to simultaneously visualize an osteocyte's traditional bottom-view profile and a side-view profile at high temporal resolution. Quantitative analysis of the plasma membrane and either the intracellular actin or microtubule (MT) cytoskeletal networks provided characterization of their deformations over time. Although no volumetric dilatation of the whole cell was observed under flow, both the actin and MT networks experienced primarily tensile strains in all measured strain components. Regional heterogeneity in the strain field of normal strains was observed in the actin networks, especially in the leading edge to flow, but not in the MT networks. In contrast, side-view shear strains exhibited similar subcellular distribution patterns in both networks. Disruption of MT networks caused actin normal strains to decrease, whereas actin disruption had little effect on the MT network strains, highlighting the networks' mechanical interactions in osteocytes.

Short and long waves over a muddy seabed

The available experimental results have shown that in time-periodic motion the rheology of fluid mud displays complex viscoelastic behaviour. Based on the measured rheology of fluid mud from two field sites, we study the interaction of water waves and fluid mud by a two-layered model in which the water above is assumed to be inviscid and the mud below is viscoelastic. As the fluid-mud layer in shallow seas is usually much thinner than the water layer above, the sharp contrast of scales enables an approximate analytical theory for the interaction between fluid mud and small-amplitude waves with a narrow frequency band. It is shown that at the leading order and within a short distance of a few wavelengths, wave pressure from above forces mud motion below. Over a Much longer distance, waves are modified by the accumulative dissipation in mud. At the next order, infragravity waves owing to convective inertia (or radiation stresses) are affected indirectly by mud motion through the slow modulation of the short waves. Quantitative predictions are made for mud samples of several concentrations and from two different field sites.

Indentation of power law creep solids by self-similar indenters

For creep solids obeying the power law under tension proposed by Tabor, namely sigma = b(epsilon) over dot(m), it has been established through dimensional analysis that for self-similar indenters the load F versus indentation depth h can be expressed as F(t) = bh(2)(t)[(h) over dot(t)/h(t)](m)Pi(alpha) where the dimensionless factor Pi(alpha) depends on material parameters such as m and the indenter geometry. In this article, we show that by generalizing the Tabor power law to the general three dimensional case on the basis of isotropy, this factor can be calculated so that indentation test can be used to determine the material parameters b and m appearing in the original power law. Hence indentation test can replace tension test. This could be a distinct advantage for materials that come in the form of thin films, coatings or otherwise available only in small amounts. To facilitate application values of this constant are given in tabulated form for a range of material parameters. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

一种基于粒子的牛顿流体与粘弹性流体统一模拟方法

在越来越受到人们关注的基于物理流体动画领域,目前分别模拟牛顿流体或粘弹性流体的方法很多,但很少有统一模拟两者的方法.文中基于光滑粒子流体动力学方法,通过对传统纳维-斯托克斯方程添加弹性应力项,提出了一种新的统一模拟牛顿流体和粘弹性流体的方法.通过实验说明该方法不仅有效,易于实现,而且具有良好的可控性,仅仅通过调节参数就可以模拟不同粘弹性、不同类型的流体现象.