Flexure of composite plates

A new higher order shear deformation theory of laminated composite plates is developed. The basic displacement variables in this theory are two partial normal displacements and two in-plane displacement parameters. The governing equations are presented in the form of four simultaneous partial differential equations. The shear deformation theories of Bhimareddy and Stevens, and of Reddy are special cases of this formulation. In their models, transverse shear strains will become zero at points in the plate where displacements are constrained to be zero such as those on fixed edges. This limitation has been overcome in the present formulation.

Energetics of the condensed ternary fuel-oxidizer systems

the heats of reaction of an oxygen-balanced ternary fuel-oxidizer system have been shown to be linearly related to the total oxidizing valences (P0) of the composition. Because calculation of P0 is simple, the method is found to help in evaluating the energetics of such systems. The accuracy of the method when applied to various ternary systems has been discussed.

Steady-State Response of Thick Rectangular Plates

The classical theory of plates neglects the effects of rotatory inertia and shear deformation, and due to this assumption it is applicable only for thin plates. Mindlin presented an improved plate theory which is fairly accurate.

Studies on friction and formation of transfer layer when Al-4Mg alloy pins slid at various numbers of cycles on steel plates of different surface texture

In the present investigation, various kinds of textures, namely, unidirectional, 8-ground, and random were attained on the die surfaces. Roughness of the textures was varied using different grits of emery papers or polishing powders. Then pins made of Al-4Mg alloys were slid against steel plates at various numbers of cycles, namely 1, 2, 6, 10 and 20 under both dry and lubricated conditions using an inclined pin-on-plate sliding tester. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the pins and the formation of transfer layer on the counter surfaces were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Surface roughness parameters of the plate were measured using an optical profilometer. It was observed that the coefficient of friction and formation of transfer layer during the first few cycles depend on the die surface textures under both dry and lubricated conditions. It was also observed that under lubricated condition, the coefficient of friction decreases with number of cycles for all kinds of textures. However, under dry condition, it ecreases for unidirectional and 8-ground surfaces while for random surfaces it increases with number of cycles

Design and Development of an In-Vehicle Human Machine Interface to Improve Fuel Efficiency & Safety

Road transport plays a significant role in various industries and mobility services around the globe and has a vital impact on our daily lives. However it also has serious impacts on both public health and the environment. In-vehicle feedback systems are a relatively new approach to encouraging driver behaviour change for improving fuel efficiency and safety in automotive environments. While many studies claim that the adoption of eco-driving practices, such as eco-driving training programs and in-vehicle feedback to drivers, has the potential to improve fuel efficiency, limited research has integrated safety and eco-driving. Therefore, this research seeks to use human factors related theories and practices to inform the design and evaluation of an in-vehicle Human Machine Interface (HMI) providing real-time driver feedback with the aim of improving both fuel efficiency and safety.

Multi-Disciplinary Design and Simulation of a Fuel Cell Engine for a UAV

This report describes a methodology for the design and coupling of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The report summarizes existing work in the field, the type of UAV and the mission requirements, design the fuel cell system, simulation environment, and compares endurance and range to when the aircraft is fitted with a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE).

Fuel cells: Problems and prospects

n recent years, fuel cell technology has advanced significantly. Field trials on certain types of fuel cells have shown promise for electrical use. This article reviews the electrochemistry, problems and prospects of fuel cell systems.

Analytical estimation of stress intensity factors in patched cracked plates

The fatigue and fracture performance of a cracked plate can be substantially improved by providing patches as reinforcements. The effectiveness of the patches is related to the reduction they cause in the stress intensity factor (SIF) of the crack. So, for reliable design, one needs an accurate evaluation of the SIF in terms of the crack, patch and adhesive parameters. In this investigation, a centrally cracked large plate with a pair of symmetric bonded narrow patches, oriented normally to the crack line, is analysed by a continuum approach. The narrow patches are treated as transversely flexible line members. The formulation leads to an integral equation which is solved numerically using point collocation. The convergence is rapid. It is found that substantial reductions in SIF are possible with practicable patch dimensions and locations. The patch is more effective when placed on the crack than ahead of the crack. The present analysis indicates that a little distance inwards of the crack tip, not the crack tip itself, is the ideal location, for the patch.

Three-dimensional elastic analysis of cracked thick plates under bending fields

A three-dimensional analysis is presented for the bending problem of finite thick plates with through-the-thickness cracks. A general solution is obtained for Navier's equations of the theory of elasticity. It is found that the in-plane stresses and the transverse normal stress at the crack front are singular with an inverse square root singularity, while the transverse shear stresses are of the order of unity. Results from a numerical study indicate that the stress intensity factor, which varies across the thickness, is influenced by the thickness ratio in a significant manner. Results from a parametric study and those from a comparative study with existing finite element values are presented.

Mary Robinson's declaration of climate justice: Climate change, human rights and fossil fuel divestment

In her biography, Everybody Matters: My Life Giving Voice, Mary Robinson explained how she became interested in the topic of human rights and climate change, after hearing testimony from African farmers, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Application of the method of initial functions for the analysis of composite laminated plates

The method of initial functions has been applied for deriving higher order theories for cross-ply laminated composite thick rectangular plates. The equations of three-dimensional elasticity have been used. No a priori assumptions regarding the distribution of stresses or displacements are needed. Numerical solutions of the governing equations have been presented for simply supported edges and the results are compared with available ones.

Impacts of a fuel oil spill on seagrass meadows in a subtropical port, Gladstone, Australia - The value of long-term marine habitat monitoring in high risk areas.

We used an established seagrass monitoring programme to examine the short and longer-term impacts of an oil spill event on intertidal seagrass meadows. Results for potentially impacted seagrass areas were compared with existing monitoring data and with control seagrass meadows located outside of the oil spill area. Seagrass meadows were not significantly affected by the oil spill. Declines in seagrass biomass and area 1 month post-spill were consistent between control and impact meadows. Eight months post-spill, seagrass density and area increased to be within historical ranges. The declines in seagrass meadows were likely attributable to natural seasonal variation and a combination of climatic and anthropogenic impacts. The lack of impact from the oil spill was due to several mitigating factors rather than a lack of toxic effects to seagrasses. The study demonstrates the value of long-term monitoring of critical habitats in high risk areas to effectively assess impacts.

Fuel conditions and fire behavior characteristics of managed Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris forests in Finland

The objectives of this study were to analyze the impact of structural stand characteristics on ignition potential, surface fuel moisture, and fire behavior in Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst stands in Finland and to explain stand-specific fire danger using the Canadian Fire Weather Index System and the Finnish Fire Risk Index. Additionally, the study analyzes the relationship between observed fire activity and fire weather indices at different stages of growing season. Field experiments were carried out in Pinus sylvestris or Picea abies dominated stands during fire seasons 2001 and 2002. Observations on ignition potential, fuel moisture, and fire behavior were analyzed in relation to stand structure and the outputs of the Finnish and Canadian fire weather indices. Seasonal patterns of fire activity were examined based on national fire statistics 1996 2003, effective temperature sum, and the fire weather indices. Point fire ignition potential was highest in Pinus clear-cuts and lowest in closed Picea stands. Moss-dominated surface fuels were driest in clear-cut and sapling stage stands and presented the highest moisture content under closed Picea canopy. Pinus sylvestris stands carried fire under a wide range of fire weather conditions under which Picea abies stands failed to sustain fire. In the national fire records, the daily number of reported ignitions presented its highest value during late fire season whereas the daily area burned peaked most substantially during early season. The fire weather indices correlated significantly with ignition potential and fuel moisture but were unable to explain fire behavior in the experimental fires. During the initial and final stages of the growing season, fire activity was disconnected from weather-based fire danger ratings. Information on stand structure and season stage would benefit the assessment of fire danger in Finnish forest landscape for fire suppression and controlled burning purposes.

Transverse vibrations of hybrid laminated plates

In this paper, an attempt is made to obtain the free vibration response of hybrid, laminated rectangular and skew plates. The Galerkin technique is employed to obtain an approximate solution of the governing differential equations. It is found that this technique is well suited for the study of such problems. Results are presented in a graphical form for plates with one pair of opposite edges simply supported and the other two edges clamped. The method is quite general and can be applied to any other boundary conditions.