Verifying scalings for bending rigidity of bilayer membranes using mesoscale models

The bending rigidity kappa of bilayer membranes was studied with coarse grained soft repulsive potentials using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. Using a modified Andersen barostat to maintain the bilayers in a tensionless state, the bending rigidity was obtained from a Fourier analysis of the height fluctuations. From simulations carried out over a wide range of membrane thickness, the continuum scaling relation kappa proportional to d(2) was captured for both the L-alpha and L-beta phases. For membranes with 4 to 6 tail beads, the bending rigidity in the L-beta phase was found to be 10-15 times higher than that observed for the L-alpha phase. From the quadratic scalings obtained, a six fold increase in the area stretch modulus, k(A) was observed across the transition. The magnitude of increase in both kappa and k(A) from the L-alpha to the L-beta phase is consistent with current experimental observations in lipid bilayers and to our knowledge provides for the first time a direct evaluation of the mechanical properties in the L-beta phase.

Flexural bond strength of masonry using various blocks and mortars

This paper deals with an experimental study on flexural bond strength of masonry using various blocks in combination with different mortars. Flexural bond strength of masonry has been determined by testing stack-bonded prisms using a modified bond wrench test set-up. The effect of mortar composition and strength on the masonry's. flexural bond strength using three types of masonry units (stabilized mud blocks, stabilized soil-sand blocks and burnt brick) has been examined. The effect of the masonry unit's moisture content on flexural bond strength has also been studied. Increases in mortar strength lead to increased flexural bond strength for cement mortar, irrespective of the type of masonry unit. It has been found that combination mortars, such as soil-cement mortar and cement-lime mortar, lead to better bond strength compared to cement mortars. The moisture content of the masonry unit at the time of casting has displayed significant influence on the flexural bond strength of the masonry. It has been found that for each type of masonry unit, an optimum moisture content exists, beyond which the flexural bond strength falls off quickly.

Calculation of elastic pinning strength of semicoherent Y2BaCuO5 precipitates in YBa2Cu3O7

The pinning energy due to the elastic interaction of a semicoherent Y2BaCuO5 precipitate with the YBa2Cu3O7 matrix is computed. This is achieved by setting up dislocation arrays at the interface. The elastic stresses generated by such arrays are integrated over a fluxoid volume to obtain the energy. It is seen that this elastic interaction energy makes an additive contribution to the total J(c) value.

Synergetic roles of concrete ingredients in strength development

Concrete is basically a heterogeneous material made up of ingredients with distinct physical and mechanical properties. As a result, the presence of interphases is inevitable. In the processing of concrete, fresh and hardened states are the two distinct stages. In the fresh state, the presence of inert constituents in the cement mortar matrix only dilutes the overall potential of concrete to flow. In the hardened state the synergetics play a dominant role in strength development. When the strength of coarse aggregate is far higher than the strength levels for which the matrix or concrete is processed, interphase bonding plays a dominant role on the strength. When the matrix strength is comparable to that of the aggregate strength, in contrast, the concrete strength is affected by the aggregate strength. Besides these aspects, the effects of the size and the surface texture of coarse aggregates have also been analysed. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.

The influence of pH on the corrosion of medium strength aerospace alloys 8090, 2091 and 2014

The influence of pH on the corrosion behaviour of two aluminium-lithium-copper-magnesium-zirconium (8090 and 2091) alloys was studied and compared with a standard aircraft alloy, 2014 (Al-4.4% Cu) and 99.9% pure Al. In constant exposure and potentiodynamic polarization studies conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution having different pH values, all the alloys exhibited high corrosion rates in acidic and alkaline environments, with a minimum in less hostile environments close to neutral pH. The pitting potentials for aluminium-lithium alloys were slightly lower than those for 2014 and pure Al. The effect of pH on the passive current density was also less for aluminium-lithium alloys.

Lamination-dependent shear deformation models for bending of angle-ply laminated plates

Lamination-dependent shear corrective terms in the analysis of bending of laminated plates are derived from a priori assumed linear thicknesswise distributions for gradients of transverse shear stresses by using CLPT inplane stresses in the two in-plane equilibrium equations of elasticity in each ply. In the development of a general model for angle-ply laminated plates, special cases like cylindrical bending of laminates in either direction, symmetric laminates, cross-ply laminates, antisymmetric angle-ply laminates, homogeneous plates are taken into consideration. Adding these corrective terms to the assumed displacements in (i) Classical Laminate Plate Theory (CLPT) and (ii) Classical Laminate Shear Deformation Theory (CLSDT), two new refined lamination-dependent shear deformation models are developed. Closed form solutions from these models are obtained for antisymmetric angle-ply laminates under sinusoidal load for a type of simply supported boundary conditions. Results obtained from the present models and also from Ren's model (1987) are compared with each other.

Lamination-dependent shear deformation models for cylindrical bending of angle-ply laminates

Lamination-dependent shear corrective terms in the analysis of flexure of laminates are derived from a priori assumed linear thicknesswise distributions for gradients of transverse shear stresses and using them in the two in-plane equilibrium equations of elasticity in each ply. Adding these corrective terms to (i) Classical Laminate Plate Theory (CLPT) displacements and (ii) Classical Laminate Shear Deformation Theory (CLSDT) displacements, four new refined lamination-dependent shear deformation models for angle-ply laminates are developed. Performance of these models is evaluated by comparing the results from these models with those from exact elasticity solutions for antisymmetric 2-ply laminates and for 4-ply [15/-15](s) laminates. In general, the model with shear corrective terms based on CLPT and added to CLSDT displacements is sufficient and predicts good estimates, both qualitatively and quantitatively, for all displacements and stresses.

Mechanistic approach to the shear strength behaviour of allophanic soils

The presence of allophane minerals imparts special engineering features to the volcanic ash soils. This study examines the reasons for the allophanic soils exhibiting unusual shear strength properties in comparison to sedimentary clays. The theories of residual shear strength developed for natural soils and artificial soil mixtures and the unusual surface charge properties of the allophane particle are invoked to explain the high shear strength values of these residual soils. The lack of any reasonable correlation between phi' (effective stress-strength parameter) and plasticity index values for allophanic soils is explained on the basis of the unusual structure of the allophane particle. The reasons as to why natural soil slopes in allophanic soil areas (example, Dominica, West Indies) are stable at much steeper angles than natural slopes in sedimentary clay deposits (London clay areas) are explained in light of the hypothesis developed in this study.

Punching shear strength of flat slab corner column connections .1. Reinforced concrete connections

This paper presents the details of an experimental study on punching shear strength and behaviour of reinforced concrete corner column connections in flat slabs; a quasi-empirical method is proposed for computing the punching shear strength. The method has also been extended for punching shear strength prediction at interior and edge column connections. The test results compare better with the strengths predicted by the proposed method than those by Ingvarson, Zaglool and Pollet available in the literature. Further, the experimental strengths of interior, edge and corner column connections have been compared with the strengths predicted by the proposed method and the two codes of practice, viz. ACI and BS code, to demonstrate the usefulness of the method.

Punching shear strength of flat slab corner column connections .2. Fibre-reinforced concrete connections

This paper gives the details of the studies undertaken to examine the strength and behaviour of fibre-reinforced concrete corner column connections in flat slabs. Tests have been conducted on 16 specimens with varying reinforcement ratio, moment/shear ratio (load eccentricity) and volume fraction of fibres. A quasi-empirical method has been proposed for computing the punching shear strength. The method has also been extended to fibre-reinforced concrete interior column connections, tests on which are available in the literature. The test results have been compared with the strength predicted by the proposed method for corner column as well as interior column connections and a satisfactory agreement noticed.

Strength characteristics of stone masonry

This paper deals with an experimental investigation on the strength of stone and stone masonry. Granitoid-gneiss is commonly used for masonry construction in India. The compressive strength of stone has been determined through 80 mm size cubes. It has been found that the compressive strength of granitoid-gneiss is greater when the load is parallel to the mineral bands. The compressive strength of stone masonry was studied through masonry prisms using 1:4 and 1:8 cement mortars. These tests have revealed that masonry strength is higher when the load applied is parallel to the mineral bands. The flexural bond strength of stone masonry walls was studied through full-scale tests. Flexural bond strength appears to play a major role in the failure of stone masonry walls.

Strength Symmetry Index: A measure of seizure adequacy in ECT

Seizure electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from two channels-right (Rt) and left (Lt)-during bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (n = 12) and unilateral ECT (n = 12). The EEG was also acquired into a microcomputer and was analyzed without knowledge of the clinical details. EEG recordings of both ECT procedures yielded seizures of comparable duration. The Strength Symmetry Index (SSI) was computed from the early- and midseizure phases using the fractal dimension of the EEG. The seizures of unilateral ECT were characterized by significantly smaller SSI in both phases. More unilateral than bilateral ECT seizures had a smaller than median SSI in both phases. The seizures also differed on other measures as reported in the literature. The findings indicate that SSI may be a potential measure of seizure adequacy that remains to be validated in future research.

Residual strength and fatigue life assessment of composite patch repaired specimens

Design, analysis and technology for the integrity enhancement of damaged or underdesigned structures continues to be an engineering challenge. Bonded composite patch repairs to metallic structures is receiving increased attention in the recent years. It offers various advantages over rivetted doubler, particularly for airframe repairs. This paper presents an experimental investigation of residual strength and fatigue crack-growth life of an edge-cracked aluminium specimen repaired using glass epoxy composite patch. The investigation begins with the evaluation of three different surface treatments from bond strength viewpoint. A simple thumb rule formula is employed to estimate the patch size. Cracked and repaired specimens are tested under static and fatigue loading. The patch appears to restore the original strength of the undamaged specimen and enhance the fatigue crack growth life by an order of magnitude. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rotating anisotropic disc of uniform strength

A procedure to design a constant thickness composite disc of uniform strength by radially tailoring the anisotropic elastic constants is proposed. A special case of an isotropic disc with radially varying modulus is also examined. Analytical results are also compared with FEM calculations for two cases of radially varying anisotropy and for an isotropic disc with variable modulus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.