Fracture Analysis of Concrete Structural Components Accounting for Tension Softening Effect

This paper presents methodologies for fracture analysis of concrete structural components with and without considering tension softening effect. Stress intensity factor (SIF) is computed by using analytical approach and finite element analysis. In the analytical approach, SW accounting for tension softening effect has been obtained as the difference of SIP obtained using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) principles and SIP due to closing pressure. Superposition principle has been used by accounting for non-linearity in incremental form. SW due to crack closing force applied on the effective crack face inside the process zone has been computed using Green's function approach. In finite element analysis, the domain integral method has been used for computation of SIR The domain integral method is used to calculate the strain energy release rate and SIF when a crack grows. Numerical studies have been conducted on notched 3-point bending concrete specimen with and without considering the cohesive stresses. It is observed from the studies that SW obtained from the finite element analysis with and without considering the cohesive stresses is in good agreement with the corresponding analytical value. The effect of cohesive stress on SW decreases with increase of crack length. Further, studies have been conducted on geometrically similar structures and observed that (i) the effect of cohesive stress on SW is significant with increase of load for a particular crack length and (iii) SW values decreases with increase of tensile strength for a particular crack length and load.

Stretch effects extracted from inwardly and outwardly propagating spherical premixed flames

Unsteady propagation of spherical flames, both inward and outward, are studied numerically extensively for single-step reaction and for different Lewis numbers of fuel/oxidizer. The dependence of flame speed ratio (s) and flame temperature ratio are obtained for a range of Lewis numbers and stretch (kappa) values. These results of s versus kappa show that the asymptotic theory by Frankel and Sivashinsky is reasonable for outward propagation. Other theories are unsatisfactory both quantitatively and qualitatively. The stretch effects are much higher for negative stretch than for positive stretch, as also seen in the theory of Frankel and Sivashinsky. The linearity of the flame speed ratio vs stretch relationship is restricted to nondimensional stretch of +/-0.1. It is shown further that the results from cylindrical flames are identical to the spherical flame on flame speed ratio versus nondimensional stretch plot thus confirming the generality of the concept of stretch. The comparison of the variation of (ds/dkappa)kappa=0 with beta(Lc - 1) show an offset between the computed and the asymptotic results of Matalon and Matkowsky. The departure of negative stretch results from this variation is significant. Several earlier experimental results are analysed and set out in the form of s versus kappa plot. Comparison of the results with experiments seem reasonable for negative stretch. The results for positive stretch are satisfactory qualitatively for a few cases. For rich propane-air, there are qualitative differences pointing to the need for full chemistry calculations in the extraction of stretch effects.

Electrical transport studies in alkali borovanadate glasses

The ac conductivity and dielectric behaviors of sodium borovanadate glasses have been studied over wide ranges of composition and frequency. The de activation energies calculated from the complex impedance plots decrease linearly with the Na2O concentration, indicating that ionic conductivity dominates in these glasses. The possible origin of low-temperature departures of conductivity curves (from linearity) of vanadium-rich glasses in log sigma versus 1/T plots is discussed. The ac conductivities have been fitted to the Almond-West type power law expression with use of a single value of s. It is found that in most of the glasses s exhibits a temperature-dependent minimum. The dielectric data are converted into moduli (M*) and are analyzed using the Kohlrausch-William-Watts stretched exponential function, The activation barriers, W, calculated from the temperature-dependent dielectric loss peaks compare well with the activation barriers calculated from the de conductivity plots. The stretching exponent beta is found to be temperature independent and is not likely to be related as in the equation beta = 1 - s, An attempt is made to elucidate the origin of the stretching phenomena. It appears that either a model of the increased contribution of polarization energy (caused by the increased modifier concentration) and hence the increased monopole-induced dipole interactions or a model based on increased intercationic interactions can explain the slowing down of the primitive relaxation in ionically conducting glasses.

On the dual head-discharge characteristics of a modified chimney weir

This paper is concerned with the dual head-discharge characteristics of a modified chimney weir. It is shown by an optimization procedure that the modified chimney weir having an inward trapezoidal weir over an inverted V-notch can produce discharges proportional to both the logarithm of the head as well as the linear power of the head reckoned independently over two different reference planes, within a prefixed maximum allowable percentage error from the theoretical discharge. A new technique is adopted to optimize the weir parameters, in order to obtain the maximum ranges of measurement under logarithmic, linear as well as combined characteristics. In the case of linear weir it is shown that it is possible to enhance the linearity range of the chimney weir by more than 540% and for a weir with constant indication accuracy by more than 350%. In addition, about 86% of the overall depth of the designed linear weir and over 90% of the logarithmic weir is converted as the corresponding measurable ranges. Experiments with four typical weirs give consistent constant average coefficient of discharge for each weir confirming the theory. The practical application of the weir in minor irrigation, hydraulic and other engineering fields is highlighted.

Diphenylantimony(V) oxo/chloro carboxylates and phosphinates: crystal structures of {SbPh2Cl[O2P(C6H11)2]}2O and [SbPh2(O2CPh)2]2O

Reaction of SbPh(2)Cl(3) (1 mol) with the silver salt of dicyclohexylphosphinic acid (2 mol) afforded {SbPh(2)Cl[O2P(C6H11)(2)]}O-2 1, a similar reaction with AgO2P(C8H15)(2) gave a product formulated as {SbPh(2)Cl[O2P(C8H15)(2)]}O-2 2. Similar reactions with silver carboxylates (1:3 stoichiometry) led to the crystalline derivatives [SbPh(2)(O(2)CR)(2)]O-2 (R = Ph 3, CHPh(2) 4, 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) 5, 2-MeC(6)H(4) 6 or 4-MeC(6)H(4) 7), whereas the 1:2 reaction afforded crystalline SbPh(2)Cl(O(2)CR)(2) (R = Ph 8, 2-MeC(6)H(4) 9 or 4-MeC(6)H(4) 10). Interconversion of the previously known compounds [SbPh(2)(O(2)CMe)(2)]O and Sb(4)Ph(8)O(6) . 3MeCO(2)H was achieved and established by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 3 were further characterized by X-ray diffraction; the antimony in 1 is six-co-ordinated with bridging phosphinates whereas in 3 it is seven-co-ordinated with chelating benzoates. Short Sb-O (oxo) distances (1.923 Angstrom) and near linearity at the bridging ox

On the improvement of chimney weirs

This paper is devoted to the improvement in the range of operation (linearity range) of chimney weir (consisting of a rectangular weir or vertical slot over an inward trapezium), A new and more elegant optimization procedure is developed to analyse the discharge-head relationship in the weir. It is shown that a rectangular weir placed over an inverted V-notch of depth 0.90d gives the maximum operating range, where d is the overall depth of the inward trapezoidal weir (from the crest to the vertex). For all flows in the rectangular portion, the discharge is proportional to the linear power of the head, h, measured above a reference plane located at 0.292d below the weir crest, in the range 0.90d less than or equal to h less than or equal to 7.474: within a maximum error of +/-1.5% from the theoretical discharge. The optimum range of operation of the newly designed weir is 200% greater than that in the chimney weir designed by Keshava Murthy and Giridhar, and is nearly 950% greater than that in the inverted V-notch. Experiments with two weirs having half crest widths of 0.10 and 0.12 m yield a constant average coefficient of discharge of 0.634 and confirm the theory. The application of the weir in the design of rectangular grit chamber outlet is emphasized, in that the datum for the linear discharge-head relationship is below the crest level of the weir.

Redistribution Mechanisms for Assignment of Heterogeneous Objects

There are p heterogeneous objects to be assigned to n competing agents (n > p) each with unit demand. It is required to design a Groves mechanism for this assignment problem satisfying weak budget balance, individual rationality, and minimizing the budget imbalance. This calls for designing an appropriate rebate function. When the objects are identical, this problem has been solved which we refer as WCO mechanism. We measure the performance of such mechanisms by the redistribution index. We first prove an impossibility theorem which rules out linear rebate functions with non-zero redistribution index in heterogeneous object assignment. Motivated by this theorem,we explore two approaches to get around this impossibility. In the first approach, we show that linear rebate functions with non-zero redistribution index are possible when the valuations for the objects have a certain type of relationship and we design a mechanism with linear rebate function that is worst case optimal. In the second approach, we show that rebate functions with non-zero efficiency are possible if linearity is relaxed. We extend the rebate functions of the WCO mechanism to heterogeneous objects assignment and conjecture them to be worst case optimal.

Weakly non-linear stability of a hydrodynamic accretion disc

When the cold accretion disc coupling between neutral gas and a magnetic field is so weak that the magnetorotational instability is less effective or even stops working, it is of prime interest to investigate the pure hydrodynamic origin of turbulence and transport phenomena. As the Reynolds number increases, the relative importance of the non-linear term in the hydrodynamic equation increases. In an accretion disc where the molecular viscosity is too small, the Reynolds number is large enough for the non-linear term to have new effects. We investigate the scenario of the `weakly non-linear' evolution of the amplitude of the linear mode when the flow is bounded by two parallel walls. The unperturbed flow is similar to the plane Couette flow, but with the Coriolis force included in the hydrodynamic equation. Although there is no exponentially growing eigenmode, because of the self-interaction, the least stable eigenmode will grow in an intermediate phase. Later, this will lead to higher-order non-linearity and plausible turbulence. Although the non-linear term in the hydrodynamic equation is energy-conserving, within the weakly non-linear analysis it is possible to define a lower bound of the energy (alpha A(c)(2), where A(c) is the threshold amplitude) needed for the flow to transform to the turbulent phase. Such an unstable phase is possible only if the Reynolds number >= 10(3-4). The numerical difficulties in obtaining such a large Reynolds number might be the reason for the negative result of numerical simulations on a pure hydrodynamic Keplerian accretion disc.

Microwave spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the phenylacetylene center dot center dot center dot H(2)O complex: C-H center dot center dot center dot O and O-H center dot center dot center dot pi hydrogen bonds as equal partners

Rotational spectra of five isotopologues of the title complex, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)O, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot HOD, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot D(2)O, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)(18)O and C(6)H(5)CCD center dot center dot center dot H(2)O, were measured and analyzed. The parent isotopologue is an asymmetric top with kappa = -0.73. The complex is effectively planar (ab inertial plane) and both `a' and `b' dipole transitions have been observed but no c dipole transition could be seen. All the transitions of the parent complex are split into two resulting from an internal motion interchanging the two H atoms in H(2)O. This is confirmed by the absence of such doubling for the C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot HOD complex and a significant reduction in the splitting for the D(2)O analog. The rotational spectra, unambiguously, reveal a structure in which H(2)O has both O-H center dot center dot center dot pi (pi cloud of acetylene moiety) and C-H center dot center dot center dot O (ortho C-H group of phenylacetylene) interactions. This is in agreement with the structure deduced by IR-UV double resonance studies (Singh et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2008, 112, 3360) and also with the global minimum predicted by advanced electronic structure theory calculations (Sedlack et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2009, 113, 6620). Atoms in Molecule (AIM) theoretical analysis of the complex reveals the presence of both O-H center dot center dot center dot pi and C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. More interestingly, based on the electron densities at the bond critical points, this analysis suggests that both these interactions are equally strong. Moreover, the presence of both these interactions leads to significant deviation from linearity of both hydrogen bonds.

Coupled electro-mechanical response of an electroactive polymer cantilever structure and its application in energy harvesting

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC), piezoelectric polymer composites and nematic elastomer composites are materials, which exhibit characteristics of both sensors and actuators. Large deformation and curvature are observed in these systems when electric potential is applied. Effects of geometric non-linearity due to the chargeinduced motion in these materials are poorly understood. In this paper, a coupled model for understanding the behavior of an ionic polymer beam undergoing large deformation and large curvature is presented. Maxwell's equations and charge transport equations are considered which couple the distribution of the ion concentration and the pressure gradient along length of a cantilever beam with interdigital electrodes. A nonlinear constitutive model is derived accounting for the visco-elasto-plastic behavior of these polymers and based on the hypothesis that the presence of electrical charge stretches/contracts bonds, which give rise to electrical field dependent softening/hardening. Polymer chain orientation in statistical sense plays a role on such softening or hardening. Elementary beam kinematics with large curvature is considered. A model for understanding the deformation due to electrostatic repulsion between asymmetrical charge distributions across the cross-sections is presented. Experimental evidence that Silver(Ag) nanoparticle coated IPMCs can be used for energy harvesting is reported. An IPMC strip is vibrated in different environments and the electric power against a resistive load is measured. The electrical power generated was observed to vary with the environment with maximum power being generated when the strip is in wet state. IPMC based energy harvesting systems have potential applications in tidal wave energy harvesting, residual environmental energy harvesting to power MEMS and NEMS devices.

A near-singular, flexure jointed, moment sensitive Stewart platform based fore-torque sensor

A force-torque sensor capable of accurate measurement of the three components of externally applied forces and moments is required for force control in robotic applications involving assembly operations. The goal in this paper is to design a Stewart platform based force torque sensor at a near-singular configuration sensitive to externally applied moments. In such a configuration, we show an enhanced mechanical amplification of leg forces and thereby higher sensitivity for the applied external moments. In other directions, the sensitivity will be that of a normal load sensor determined by the sensitivity of the sensing element and the associated electronic amplification, and all the six components of the force and torque can be sensed. In a sensor application, the friction, backlash and other non-linearities at the passive spherical joints of the Stewart platform will affect the measurements in unpredictable ways. In this sensor, we use flexural hinges at the leg interfaces of the base and platform of the sensor. The design dimensions of the flexure joints in the sensor have been arrived at using FEA. The sensor has been fabricated, assembled and instrumented. It has been calibrated for low level loads and is found to show linearity and marked sensitivity to moments about the three orthogonal X, Y and Z axes. This sensor is compatible for usage as a wrist sensor for a robot under development at ISRO Satellite Centre.

Distributed Function Computation over Fields and Rings via Linear Compression of Sources

The setting considered in this paper is one of distributed function computation. More specifically, there is a collection of N sources possessing correlated information and a destination that would like to acquire a specific linear combination of the N sources. We address both the case when the common alphabet of the sources is a finite field and the case when it is a finite, commutative principal ideal ring with identity. The goal is to minimize the total amount of information needed to be transmitted by the N sources while enabling reliable recovery at the destination of the linear combination sought. One means of achieving this goal is for each of the sources to compress all the information it possesses and transmit this to the receiver. The Slepian-Wolf theorem of information theory governs the minimum rate at which each source must transmit while enabling all data to be reliably recovered at the receiver. However, recovering all the data at the destination is often wasteful of resources since the destination is only interested in computing a specific linear combination. An alternative explored here is one in which each source is compressed using a common linear mapping and then transmitted to the destination which then proceeds to use linearity to directly recover the needed linear combination. The article is part review and presents in part, new results. The portion of the paper that deals with finite fields is previously known material, while that dealing with rings is mostly new.Attempting to find the best linear map that will enable function computation forces us to consider the linear compression of source. While in the finite field case, it is known that a source can be linearly compressed down to its entropy, it turns out that the same does not hold in the case of rings. An explanation for this curious interplay between algebra and information theory is also provided in this paper.

Modeling of seepage flow through layered solis

A two-dimensional finite difference model, which solves mixed type of Richards' equation, whose non-linearity is dealt with modified Picard's iteration and strongly implicit procedure to solve the resulting equations, is presented. Modeling of seepage flow through heterogeneous soils, which is common in the field is addressed in the present study. The present model can be applied to both unsaturated and saturated soils and can handle very dry initial condition and steep wetting fronts. The model is validated by comparing experimental results reported in the literature. Newness of this two dimensional model is its application on layered soils with transient seepage face development, which has not been reported in the literature. Application of the two dimensional model for studying unconfined drainage due to sudden drop of water table at seepage face in layered soils is demonstrated. In the present work different sizes of rectangular flow domain with different types of layering are chosen. Sensitivity of seepage height due to problem dimension of layered system is studied. The effect of aspect ratio on seepage face development in case of the flow through layered soil media is demonstrated. The model is also applied to random heterogeneous soils in which the randomness of the model parameters is generated using the turning band technique. The results are discussed in terms of phreatic surface and seepage height development and also flux across the seepage face. Such accurate modeling of seepage face development and quantification of flux moving across the seepage face becomes important while modeling transport problems in variably saturated media.

Guided wave based detection of damage in honeycomb core sandwich structures

We report on the Lamb wave type guided wave propagation in honeycomb core sandwich structures. An experimental study supported by theoretical evaluation of the guided wave characteristics is presented that proves the potential of Lamb wave type guided wave for detection of damage in sandwich structures. A sandwich panel is fabricated with planar dimension of 600 mm x 600 mm, having a core thickness of 7 mm, cell size of 5 mm and 0.1 mm thick aluminum face sheets. Thin piezoelectric patch actuators and sensors are used to excite and sense a frequency band limited guided wave with a central frequency. A linear phased array of piezoelectric patch actuators is used to achieve higher signal strength and directivity. Group velocity dispersion curves and corresponding frequency response of sensed signal are obtained experimentally. Linearity between the excitation signal amplitude and the corresponding sensed signal amplitude is found for certain range of parameters. The nature of damping present in the sandwich panel is monitored by measuring the sensor signal amplitude at various different distances measured from the center of the linear phased array. Indentation and low velocity impact induced damages of increasing diameter covering several honeycomb cells are created. Crushing of honeycomb core with rupture of face sheet is observed while introducing the damage. The damages are then detected experimentally by pitch-catch interrogation with guided waves and wavelet transform of the sensed signal. Signal amplitudes are analyzed for various different sizes of damages to differentiate the damage size/severity. Monotonic changes in the sensor signal amplitude due to increase in the damage size has been established successfully. With this approach it is possible to locate and monitor the damages with the help of phased array and by tracking the wave packets scattered from the damages. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Surface Modified CaTiO3 Loaded in Polyaniline by Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid for Humidity Sensor

Polyaniline-CaTiO3 nanocomposites with their various weight percentages were prepared by chemical oxidative in situ polymerization technique. The prepared composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscope, and X-ray diffraction. The temperature-dependent dc conductivity of polyaniline-CaTiO3 nanocomposite was studied within the range of 40-200 degrees C and found that 50 wt% shows high conductivity compared to other composites. Humidity sensor properties of polyaniline-CaTiO3 nanocomposite show better sensing properties and exhibit good linearity in sensing response curve, which discuss the implications of distortions and nonstoichiometry on their physical properties. Among all composites, 50 wt% of polyaniline-CaTiO3 nanocomposites show high sensitivity up to similar to 90% and their response-recovery times are 500 and 453 s, respectively.