Experimental investigation on low-temperature fatigue crack propagation in offshore structural steel A131 under random sea ice loading

An apparatus of low-temperature controlling for fatigue experiments and its crack measuring system were developed and used for offshore structural steel A131 under conditions of both low temperature and random sea ice. The experimental procedures and data processing were described, and a universal random data processing software for FCP under spectrum loading was written. Many specific features of random ice-induced FCP which differed with constant amplitude FCP behaviours were proposed and temperature effect on ice-induced FCP was pointed out with an easily neglected aspect in designing for platforms in sea ice emphasized. In the end, differences of FCP behaviours between sea ice and ocean wave were presented.

Variable power singular interface elements for a crack normal to the bimaterial interface

Zero thickness crack tip interface elements for a crack normal to the interface between two materials are presented. The elements are shown to have the desired r(lambda-1) (0 < lambda < 1) singularity in the stress field at the crack tip and are compatible with other singular elements. The stiffness matrices of the quadratic and cubic interface element are derived. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed interface elements for a crack perpendicular to the bimaterial interface.

The effect of variable currents on internal solitary waves

The effect of variable currents on internal solitary waves is described within the context of a variable coefficient Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, and the approximate slowly varying, solitary-wave solution of this equation. The general theory which leads to the variable coefficient KdV equation is described; a derivation for the special case when the solitary wave and the current are aligned in the same direction is given in the Appendix. Using further simplifications and approximations, a number of analytical expressions are obtained for the variation in the solitary wave amplitude resulting from variable shear in the basic current or from when the basic current is a depth-independent flow which is a simple representation of a geostrophic current, tidal flow or inertial wave.

Prediction of mixed-mode cracking direction in random, short-fibre composite-materials

The prediction of cracking direction in composite materials is of significance to the design of composite structures. This paper presents several methods for predicting the cracking direction in the double grooved tension-shear specimen which gives mixed-mode cracking. Five different criteria are used in this analysis: two of them have been used by other investigators and the others are proposed by the present authors. The strain energy density criterion proposed by G.C. Sih is modified to take account of the influence of the anisotropy of the strength on the direction of crack. The two failure criteria of Tsai-Hill and Norris are extended to predict the crack orientation. The stress distributions in the near-notch zone are calculated by using the 8-node quadrilateral isoparametric finite element method. The predictions of all the criteria except one are in good agreement with the experimental measurement. In addition, on the basis of the FEM results, the size of the zone in which the singular term is dominant is estimated.

The fatigue life estimation of notched specimens under random loading

The LY12-cz aluminium alloy sheet specimens with a central hole were tested under constant amplitude loading, Rayleigh narrow band random loading and a typical fighter broad band random loading. The fatigue life was estimated by means of the nominal stress and the Miner's rule. The stress cycles were distinguished by the rainflow count, range count and peak value count, respectively. The comparison between the estimated results and the test results was made. The effects of random loading sequence and small load cycles on fatigue life were also studied.

Distributions of temperature, velocity and viscosity at symmetrical axis of cylindrical plume in earth's mantle with variable viscosity

The parameters at the symmetrical axis of a cylindrical plume characterize the strength of this plume and provide a boundary condition which must be given to investigate the structure of a plume. For Newtonian fluid with a temperature-and pressure-dependence viscosity, an asymptotical solution of hydrodynamic equations at the symmetrical axis of the plume is found in the present paper. The temperature, upward velocity and viscosity at the symmetrical axis have been obtained as functions of depth, The calculated results have been given for two typical sets of Newtonian rheological parameters. The results obtained show that the temperature distribution along the symmetrical axis is nearly independent of the theological parameters. The upward velocity at the symmetrical axis, however, is strongly dependent on the rheological parameters.

Factores determinantes de la integración de la variable medio ambiente en los planteamientos de la economía de la empresa y el marketing

[ES] Actualmente las empresas se enfrentan a un nuevo reto: la integración de los aspectos medioambientales en la gestión y toma de decisiones empresariales. Varios han sido los factores desencadenantes, que han inducido a la Economía de la Empresa y al Marketing a introducir la variable medio ambiente en sus planteamientos, en aras a conformar una base teórica sistematizada que permita abordar con éxito las necesidades medioambientales de la clientela y de la sociedad. En este trabajo se analizan los factores que han contribuido a incrementar la importancia de la variable medio ambiente en la empresa, así como las causas que, en su día, motivaron su exclusión.