Analytical Evaluation of Squeeze Film Forces in a CMUT With Sealed Air-Filled Cavity

The presence of vacuum inside the cavity of a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) causes the membrane of the device (which is the main vibrating structural component) to deflect towards the substrate, thereby causing a reduction in the effective gap height. This reduction causes a drastic decrease in the pull-in voltage of the device limiting the DC bias at which the device can be operated for maximum efficiency. In addition, this initial deflection of the membrane due to atmospheric pressure, causes significant stress stiffening of the the membrane, changing the natural frequency of the device significantly from the design value. To circumvent the deleterious effects of vacuum in the sealed cavity, we investigate the possibility of using sealed CMUT cavities with air inside at ambient pressure. In order to estimate the transducer loss due to the presence of air in the sealed cavity, we evaluate the resulting damping and determine the forces acting on the vibrating membrane resulting from the compression of the trapped air film. We take into account the flexure of the top vibrating membrane instead of assuming the motion to be parallel-plate like. Towards this end, we solve the linearized Reynolds equation using the appropriate boundary conditions and show that, for a sealed CMUT cavity, the presence of air does not cause any squeeze film damping.

Novel Algorithm for estimation of Swell Pressure of Fine Grained Soils Based on Diffuse Double Layer (DDL) Theory

Use of engineered landfills for the disposal of industrial wastes is currently a common practice. Bentonite is attracting a greater attention not only as capping and lining materials in landfills but also as buffer and backfill materials for repositories of high-level nuclear waste around the world. In the design of buffer and backfill materials, it is important to know the swelling pressures of compacted bentonite with different electrolyte solutions. The theoretical studies on swell pressure behaviour are all based on Diffuse Double Layer (DDL) theory. To establish a relation between the swell pressure and void ratio of the soil, it is necessary to calculate the mid-plane potential in the diffuse part of the interacting ionic double layers. The difficulty in these calculations is the elliptic integral involved in the relation between half space distance and mid plane potential. Several investigators circumvented this problem using indirect methods or by using cumbersome numerical techniques. In this work, a novel approach is proposed for theoretical estimations of swell pressures of fine-grained soil from the DDL theory. The proposed approach circumvents the complex computations in establishing the relationship between mid-plane potential and diffused plates’ distances in other words, between swell pressure and void ratio.

Swam Intelligent Based Inverse Model for Laboratory Double Reservoir Diffusion Experiments

Theoretical approaches are of fundamental importance to predict the potential impact of waste disposal facilities on ground water contamination. Appropriate design parameters are, in general, estimated by fitting the theoretical models to a field monitoring or laboratory experimental data. Double-reservoir diffusion (Transient Through-Diffusion) experiments are generally conducted in the laboratory to estimate the mass transport parameters of the proposed barrier material. These design parameters are estimated by manual parameter adjusting techniques (also called eye-fitting) like Pollute. In this work an automated inverse model is developed to estimate the mass transport parameters from transient through-diffusion experimental data. The proposed inverse model uses particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm which is based on the social behaviour of animals for finding their food sources. Finite difference numerical solution of the transient through-diffusion mathematical model is integrated with the PSO algorithm to solve the inverse problem of parameter estimation.The working principle of the new solver is demonstrated by estimating mass transport parameters from the published transient through-diffusion experimental data. The estimated values are compared with the values obtained by existing procedure. The present technique is robust and efficient. The mass transport parameters are obtained with a very good precision in less time

Bounds on fourth generation induced lepton flavour violating double insertions in supersymmetry

We derive bounds on leptonic double mass insertions of the type delta(l)(i4)delta(l)(4j) in four generational MSSM, using the present limits on l(i) -> l(j) + gamma. Two main features distinguish the rates of these processes in MSSM4 from MSSM3: (a) tan beta is restricted to be very small less than or similar to 3 and (b) the large masses for the fourth generation leptons. In spite of small tan beta, there is an enhancement in amplitudes with LLRR (4 delta(ll)(i4)delta(rr)(4j)) type insertions which pick up the mass of the fourth generation lepton, m(tau'). We find these bounds to be at least two orders of magnitude more stringent than those in MSSM3. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An experimental study on fracture process zone in high strength concrete beams

An attempt has been made to experimentally investigate the fracture process zone (FPZ) using Acoustic Emission (AE) method in High Strength Concrete (HSC) beams subjected to monotonically increasing load. Stress waves are released during the fracture process in materials, which cause acoustic emissions. AE energy released during the fracture of notched HSC beam specimens during Three Point Bend (TPB) tests is measured and is used to investigate the FPZ in the notched HSC beams having 28-day compressive strength of 78.0 MPa. The specimens are tested by Material Testing System (MTS) of 1200 KN capacity employing Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) control at the rate of 0.0004 mmlsec in accordance with RILEM recommendations. A brief review on AE technique applied to concrete fracture is presented. The fracture process zone developed and the AE energy released during the fracture process in high strength concrete beam specimens are presented and discussed. It was observed that AE events containing higher energy are located around the notch tip. It may be possible to relate AE energy to fracture energy of concrete.

Time dependent deformations in concrete: A multi-scale approach

Estimation of creep and shrinkage are critical in order to compute loss of prestress with time in order to compute leak tightness and assess safety margins available in containment structures of nuclear power plants. Short-term creep and shrinkage experiments have been conducted using in-house test facilities developed specifically for the present research program on 35 and 45 MPa normal concrete and 25 MPa heavy density concrete. The extensive experimental program for creep, has cylinders subject to sustained levels of load typically for several days duration (till negligible strain increase with time is observed in the creep specimen), to provide the total creep strain versus time curves for the two normal density concrete grades and one heavy density concrete grade at different load levels, different ages at loading, and at different relative humidity’s. Shrinkage studies on prism specimen for concrete of the same mix grades are also being studied. In the first instance, creep and shrinkage prediction models reported in the literature has been used to predict the creep and shrinkage levels in subsequent experimental data with acceptable accuracy. While macro-scale short experiments and analytical model development to estimate time dependent deformation under sustained loads over long term, accounting for the composite rheology through the influence of parameters such as the characteristic strength, age of concrete at loading, relative humidity, temperature, mix proportion (cement: fine aggregate: coarse aggregate: water) and volume to surface ratio and the associated uncertainties in these variables form one part of the study, it is widely believed that strength, early age rheology, creep and shrinkage are affected by the material properties at the nano-scale that are not well established. In order to understand and improve cement and concrete properties, investigation of the nanostructure of the composite and how it relates to the local mechanical properties is being undertaken. While results of creep and shrinkage obtained at macro-scale and their predictions through rheological modeling are satisfactory, the nano and micro indenting experimental and analytical studies are presently underway. Computational mechanics based models for creep and shrinkage in concrete must necessarily account for numerous parameters that impact their short and long term response. A Kelvin type model with several elements representing the influence of various factors that impact the behaviour is under development. The immediate short term deformation (elastic response), effects of relative humidity and temperature, volume to surface ratio, water cement ratio and aggregate cement ratio, load levels and age of concrete at loading are parameters accounted for in this model. Inputs to this model, such as the pore structure and mechanical properties at micro/nano scale have been taken from scanning electron microscopy and micro/nano-indenting of the sample specimen.