Critical current degradation of Bi-2223 composite tapes induced by cyclic deformation and fatigue-related effects

Application of high temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox. (Bi-2223) compound embedded in an Ag matrix requires the knowledge of critical current as a function of mechanical properties. Commercial tapes available in different types have been developed in industrial production scale in which a combination of small diameter filaments, long tape lengths and a ductile matrix results in a conductor with low crack formation and good tolerance against strain. The measurement of critical current and the evaluation of n-index from V-I characteristic curves of Bi-2223/Ag composite tapes subjected to an initial bending strain as a function of number of thermal cycles were done for two types of Bi-2223/Ag composite tapes: with and without steel tape reinforcement. The results showed that tapes with reinforcement presented small critical current degradation as a function of the number of thermal cycles whereas tapes without reinforcement exhibited steadily critical current degradation caused by the propagation of cracks. The n-index followed the same critical current behavior.

Mechanical strength and subcritical crack growth under wet cyclic loading of glass-infiltrated dental ceramics

Objectives. Evaluate the flexural strength (sigma) and subcritical crack growth (SCG) under cyclic loading of glass-infiltrated alumina-based (IA, In-Ceram Alumina) and zirconia-reinforced (IZ, In-Ceram Zirconia) ceramics, testing the hypothesis that wet environment influences the SCG of both ceramics when submitted to cyclic loading.Methods. Bar-shaped specimens of IA (n = 45) and IZ ( n = 45) were fabricated and loaded in three-point bending (3P) in 37 degrees C artificial saliva (IA(3P) and IZ(3P)) and cyclic fatigued (F) in dry (D) and wet (W) conditions (IA(FD), IA(FW), IZ(FD), IZ(FW)). The initial sigma and the number of cycles to fracture were obtained from 3P and F tests, respectively. Data was examined using Weibull statistics. The SCG behavior was described in terms of crack velocity as a function of maximum stress intensity factor (K(Imax)).Results. The Weibull moduli (m = 8) were similar for both ceramics. The characteristic strength (sigma(0)) of IA and IZ was and 466 MPa 550 MPa, respectively. The wet environment significantly increased the SCG of IZ, whereas a less evident effect was observed for IA. In general, both ceramics were prone to SCG, with crack propagation occurring at K(I) as low as 43-48% of their critical K(I). The highest sigma of IZ should lead to longer lifetimes for similar loading conditions.Significance. Water combined with cyclic loading causes pronounced SCG in IZ and IA materials. The lifetime of dental restorations based on these ceramics is expected to increase by reducing their direct exposure to wet conditions and/or by using high content zirconia ceramics with higher strength. (C) 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Numeric evaluation of the stiffness of log-concrete composite beams submitted the cyclical load

In this paper was evaluated, using the software ANSYS, the stiffness (El) of the log-concrete composite beams, of section T, with connectors formed by bonded-in steel rods, type CA-50, disposed in X, with application of cyclical load. The stiffness of the system was evaluated through the simulation of bending tests, considered 1/2 beam, with cyclical shipment varying among 40 % and 5 % of the strength of the connection with the load relationship R=0,125, for a total of 10 load cycles applied. The numeric results show a good agreement with experimental tests.

Non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete plates by the boundary element method and continuum damage mechanics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stochastic field processes in the mathematical modelling of damped transmission line vibrations

Wind-excited vibrations in the frequency range of 10 to 50 Hz due to vortex shedding often cause fatigue failures in the cables of overhead transmission lines. Damping devices, such as the Stockbridge dampers, have been in use for a long time for supressing these vibrations. The dampers are conveniently modelled by means of their driving point impedance, measured in the lab over the frequency range under consideration. The cables can be modelled as strings with additional small bending stiffness. The main problem in modelling the vibrations does however lay in the aerodynamic forces, which usually are approximated by the forces acting on a rigid cylinder in planar flow. In the present paper, the wind forces are represented by stochastic processes with arbitrary crosscorrelation in space; the case of a Kármán vortex street on a rigid cylinder in planar flow is contained as a limit case in this approach. The authors believe that this new view of the problem may yield useful results, particularly also concerning the reliability of the lines and the probability of fatigue damages. © 1987.

Tratamento endurecedor para cones de guta-percha.

The subject of this work was to study a hardening procedure for gutta-percha points, in order to make ease their introduction in very curved root canals. Gutta-percha points of different brands and dimensions were submitted to treatment with alcohol 96 degrees for 1 to 3 days. After this treatment the weight necessary to make a bending of 35 degrees on the tip of the gutta-percha was evaluated. The obtained results were submitted to statistic analysis and the following conclusions can be observed: a. The treatment with alcohol make hard the gutta-percha points in a significant level. b. There was not significant differences between the results obtained with more than one day of alcohol treatment. c. The treatment with alcohol do not make hard all the brands of gutta-percha points.

Fadiga em dormentes de concreto reforçados com fibras de aço

A prestressed concrete monoblock railroad tie was designed to attend the characteristics of a Brazilian railroad track with 1,600 mm gauge and 320 kN axle load. Concrete ties specimens were manufactured without and with steel fibers in a volume fraction of 60 kg/m3 (0.76 % by volume), and three different initial prestress forces. Static and fatigue tests were carried out on the ties. Static tests showed that steel fibers increase the first crack and ultimate bending moments, increase significantly the slip force of the prestressing tendons, reduce crack width, add higher ductility to the ties and decrease the stress in the prestressing tendons. Under dynamic loading the steel fibers decreased the stress in the prestressing tendons by about 50%, which improved significantly the fatigue strength of the tie. A tie without fibers failed after only 150,000 cycles. However, a similar tie, with fibers, resisted 3,000,000 cycles without suffering fatigue failure.

Behavior of the PMD coefficient of optical links under influence of mechanical and thermal effects

This papers presents results on the variation of the PMD coefficient of optical links under influence of mechanical tests, such as tensile strength, bending and compression, and also during the application of a thermal cycle. Results revealed that the link coefficient is more influenced by the application of a tension load and also suffers significant variation under strong temperature changes. Copyrigth © SBMO.

Evaluation of the flexural strength of carbon fiber-, quartz fiber-, and glass fiber-based posts

This study investigated the flexural strength of eight fiber posts (one carbon fiber, one carbon/quartz fiber, one opaque quartz fiber, two translucent quartz fiber, and three glass fiber posts). Eighty fiber posts were used and divided into eight groups (n = 10): G1: C-POST (Bisco); G2: ÆSTHETI-POST (Bisco); G3: ÆSTHETI-PLUS (Bisco); G4: LIGHT-POST (Bisco); G5: D.T. LIGHT-POST (Bisco); G6: PARAPOST WHITE (Coltene); G7: FIBERKOR (Pentron); G8: REFORPOST (Angelus). All of the samples were tested using the three-point bending test. The averages obtained were submitted to the ANOVA and to Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The mean values (MPa) of the groups ÆSTHETI-POST - carbon/ quartz fiber post (Bisco) and ÆSTHETI-PLUS - quartz fiber post (Bisco) were statistically similar and higher than the mean values of the other groups. The mean values of the groups C-POST - carbon fiber post (Bisco), LIGHT-POST - translucent quartz fiber post (Bisco), D.T. LIGHT-POST - double tapered translucent quartz fiber post (Bisco), PARAPOST WHITE - glass fiber post (Coltene) and FIBREKOR - glass fiber post (Pentron) were similar and higher than the group REFORPOST - glass fiber post (Angelus). Copyright © 2005 by the American Association of Endodontists.

Relation between the compaction rate and physical and mechanical properties of particleboards

The compaction rate, the relation between the density of the wood panel and the density of the wood used for producing the particles, is an indicator of the product's densification. Among the various types of wood panels, particleboards are widely employed in the lumber industry, mainly for the furniture production. This paper presents a study of the relation between the compaction rate and the properties of tensile strength perpendicular to surface, Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) obtained from a static bending test, thickness swelling and water absorption (2 and 24 hours). These properties were calculated according to the Brazilian ABNT, NBR 14810 standard. Particleboards were produced using the species Pinus elliotti and adhesive ureaformaldehyde. The relation was established by a multiple linear regression, and the most appropriate statistical models were determined. The estimated models indicate statistically significant effects of water absorption in 2 hours and MOR in the particleboards' compaction rate.

Effects of electroplated zinc-nickel alloy coatings on the fatigue strength of AISI 4340 high strength steel

It is well known that fatigue behaviour is an important parameter to be considered in mechanical components subjected to constant and variable amplitude loadings. In combination with corrosion phenomenon, fatigue effects were responsible for proximally 64% of fails that occur in metallic parts of aeronautical accidents in the last 30 years. Recovered substrates have been extensively used in the aerospace field. Cadmium electroplating has been widely applied to promote protective coatings in aeronautical components, resulting in excellent corrosion protection combined with a good performance in cyclic loading. Ecological considerations allied to the increasing demands for corrosion resistance, resulted in the search for possible alternatives. Zinc-nickel alloys received considerable interest recently, since these coatings showed some advantages such as a good resistance to white and red rust, high plating rates and acceptation in the market. In this study the effects of zinc-nickel coatings electroplated on AISI 4340 high strength steel were analysed on rotating bending and axial fatigue strength, corrosion and adhesion resistance. Compressive residual stress field was measured by a X-ray tensometry prior to fatigue tests. Optical microscopy images showed coating thicknesses, adhesion and the existence of an uniform coverage of nearly all substrates. The fractured fatigue specimens were investigated using a scanning electron microscope. Three different zinc-nickel coating thicknesses were tested and comparison with rotating bending fatigue data from specimens cadmium electroplated and heat treated at 190°C for 3, 8 and 24 hours to avoid the diffusion of hydrogen in the substrate, was performed. Experimental results showed effect of coatings on the AISI 4340 steel behaviour when submitted to fatigue testing and the existence of coating thickness influence on the fatigue strength.

Fiberglass-reinforced glulam beams: Mechanical properties and theoretical model

The glued-laminated lumber (glulam) technique is an efficient process for making rational use of wood. Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) associated with glulam beams provide significant gains in terms of strength and stiffness, and also alter the mode of rupture of these structural elements. In this context, this paper presents a theoretical model for designing reinforced glulam beams. The model allows for the calculation of the bending moment, the hypothetical distribution of linear strains along the height of the beam, and considers the wood has a linear elastic fragile behavior in tension parallel to the fibers and bilinear in compression parallel to the fibers, initially elastic and subsequently inelastic, with a negative decline in the stress-strain diagram. The stiffness was calculated by the transformed section method. Twelve non-reinforced and fiberglass reinforced glulam beams were evaluated experimentally to validate the proposed theoretical model. The results obtained indicate good congruence between the experimental and theoretical values.

Theoretical model and experimental analysis of glulam beam reinforced with FRP

This work present a study of glulam beams reinforced with FRP. It was developed a theoretical model that calculates strength and stiffness of the beams. The model allows for the calculation of the bending moment, the hypothetical distribution of linear strains along the height of the beam, and considers the wood has a linear elastic fragile behavior in tension parallel to the fibers and bilinear in compression parallel to the fibers, initially elastic and subsequently inelastic, with a negative decline in the stress-strain diagram. The stiffness was calculated by the transformed section method. Twelve non-reinforced and fiberglass reinforced glulam beams were evaluated experimentally to validate the proposed theoretical model. The results obtained indicate good congruence between the experimental and theoretical values.

Rod length influence in torque measurement of SPT-T test

Since Ranzini suggested supplementing the SPT test with measurement of the torque required to turn the split spoon sampler after driving, many Brazilian engineers have been using this in the design of pile foundations. This paper presents a study of the rod length influence in the torque measurement. A theoretical study of material resistance considering torsion and bending in a thin wall tubular steel shaft was performed. It makes possible to conclude that the shearing tension caused by the proper weight represents less than 1% of the shearing tension caused by the turning moment. In addition, an experimental study was done with electric torquemeters fixed in a horizontal rod system. The tests were being carried out to analyze rods of one meter to twenty meters in length and the measurements were collected at the ends of each rod length verifying the efficiency data. As a result, it is possible to verify that the torque difference through rod length is lower than minimum scales of mechanical torquemeters that are used on practical engineering. Also a fact to be considered is a big torque loss for values under 20 N.m of applied torque. This way, the SPT-T is not adequate to low consistency soil. Copyright ASCE 2007.

Effect of a post-polymerization treatments on the flexural strength and vickers hardness of reline and acrylic denture base resins

This study evaluated the effect of water-bath and microwave post-polymerization treatments on the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of four autopolymerizing reline resins (Duraliner II-D, Kooliner-K, Tokuso Rebase Fast-TR and Ufi Gel Hard C-UGH) and one heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Lucitone 550-L), processed using two polymerization cycles (short cycle - 90 minutes at 73°C and 100°C for 30 minutes; and long cycle - 9 hours at 71°C). For each material, thirty specimens (64 x 10 x 3.3 mm) were made and divided into 3 groups (n=10). Specimens were tested after: processing (control group); water-bath at 55°C for 10 minutes (reline materials) or 60 minutes (L); and microwave irradiation. Flexural strength tests were performed at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min using a three-point bending device with a span of 50 mm. The flexural strengths values were calculated in MPa. One fragment of each specimen was submitted to Vickers hardness test. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test (α=0.05). L microwaved specimens (short cycle) exhibited significantly higher flexural strength means than its respective control group (p<0.05). Water-bath promoted a significant increase (p<0.05) in flexural strength of K and L (long cycle). The hardness of the tested materials was not influenced by the post-polymerization treatments. Post-polymerization treatments could be used to improve the flexural strength of some materials tested.