By using Visual C++, a model with post processing was carried out to simulate the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core). The results are shown in 256 color graphic mode. With this model, the tempera...By using Visual C++, a model with post processing was carried out to simulate the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core). The results are shown in 256 color graphic mode. With this model, the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) both in case of heating process for core in the furnace and solidification process for a thin wall aluminum alloy casting in the mold(core) are numerically simulated. The results show that the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) were uneven because the thermal conductivity of the resin sand was much small. This study laid a basis for the optimum design of the mold(core) properties. [展开更多
In this study, the relationship between skin structure and shear strength distribution of thin-wall injection molded polypropylene (PP) molded at different molecular weight and molecular distribution was investigated....In this study, the relationship between skin structure and shear strength distribution of thin-wall injection molded polypropylene (PP) molded at different molecular weight and molecular distribution was investigated. Skin-core structure, cross-sectional morphology, crystallinity, crystal orientation, crystal morphology and molecular orientation were evaluated by using polarized optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray spectroscopic analyzer and laser Raman spectroscopy, respectively, while the shear strength distribution was investigated using a micro cutting method called SAICAS (Surface And Interfacial Cutting Analysis System). The results indicated that the difference of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution showed own skin layer thickness. Especially, high molecular weight sample showed thicker layer of the lamellar orientation and molecular orientation than low molecular weight sample. In addition, wide molecular distribution sample showed large crystal orientation layer.展开更多
A series of corundum based castables with 0,2%,4%,6%,and 8% α-Al2O3 micropowders were prepared using tabular alumina aggregates （6-3,3-1 and ≤1 mm） and fines （≤0.088 and ≤0.045 mm）,calcium aluminate cement,and...A series of corundum based castables with 0,2%,4%,6%,and 8% α-Al2O3 micropowders were prepared using tabular alumina aggregates （6-3,3-1 and ≤1 mm） and fines （≤0.088 and ≤0.045 mm）,calcium aluminate cement,and α-Al2O3 micropowders （d50=1.754 μm） as starting materials. Cold mechanical strength and pore size distribution of the castables specimens after heat treatment at 110,1 100 and 1 500 ℃ were tested,respectively. The quantitative relationship between strength and apparent porosity,and that between strength and median pore diameter were verified by Atzeni equation. The correlation between interval of pore size and mechanical strength of specimens was also studied by means of gray relational theory. The results show that：（1） the pore size distribution of castables is strongly influenced by both micropowders filling and matrix sintering; the addition of micropowders decreases median pore diameter while the sintering process increases it; （2） when adding a constant correction term,Atzeni equation can substantially describe the quantitative relationship between median pore diameter and strength of castables specimens after heat treatment at the same temperature; the significant differences of the gray relational degree between the interval of pore size and castables strength are characterized; it is also found that for the same interval of pore size,the gray relational degree isaffected by the heat treatment temperature; the pore size interval 〈0.5 μm has the highest gray relational degree with the strength at 110-1 500 ℃.展开更多
Precisely quantifying the strength of the proximal femur and accurately assessing hip fracture risk would enable those at high risk to be identified so that preventive interventions could be taken.Development of bette...Precisely quantifying the strength of the proximal femur and accurately assessing hip fracture risk would enable those at high risk to be identified so that preventive interventions could be taken.Development of better measures of femoral strength using the clinically展开更多
Theβ-decay properties of^(67-80)As nuclei have been investigated within the framework of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation(pn-QRPA)model.The nuclear deformation obtained from the finite ran...Theβ-decay properties of^(67-80)As nuclei have been investigated within the framework of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation(pn-QRPA)model.The nuclear deformation obtained from the finite range droplet model is used as an input parameter in the pn-QRPA model for the analysis ofβ-decay properties including Gamow-Teller strength distributions,log ft,β-decay half-lives and stellarβ^(±)decay rates.The predicted log ft values were fairly consistent with the observed data.The computedβ-decay half-lives matched the measured values by a factor of 10.The stellar rates were compared with the shell model outcomes.At high densities and temperatures,theβ^(+)and electron capture rates had a finite contribution.However,theβ^(-)and positron capture rates are only significant at high temperatures and low densities.The pn-QRPA rates outperformed the shell model rates by a factor of 22 or more.展开更多
Surface properties （viz. surface area, basicity/base strength distribution, and crystal phases） of alkali metal doped CaO （alkali metal/Ca= 0.1 and 0.4） catalysts and their catalytic activity/selectivity in oxidat...Surface properties （viz. surface area, basicity/base strength distribution, and crystal phases） of alkali metal doped CaO （alkali metal/Ca= 0.1 and 0.4） catalysts and their catalytic activity/selectivity in oxidative coupling of methane （OCM） to higher hydrocarbons at different reaction conditions （viz. temperature, 700 and 750 ℃; CH4/O2 ratio, 4.0 and 8.0 and space velocity, 5140-20550 cm^3 ·g^-1·h^-1） have been investigated. The influence of catalyst calcination temperature on the activity/selectivity has also been investigated. The surface properties （viz. surface area, basicity/base strength distribution） and catalytic activity/selectivity of the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts are strongly influenced by the alkali metal promoter and its concentration in the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts. An addition of alkali metal promoter to CaO results in a large decrease in the surface area but a large increase in the surface basicity （strong basic sites） and the C2＋ selectivity and yield of the catalysts in the OCM process. The activity and selectivity are strongly influenced by the catalyst calcination temperature. No direct relationship between surface basicity and catalytic activity/selectivity has been observed. Among the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts, Na-CaO （Na/Ca = 0.1, before calcination） catalyst （calcined at 750 ℃）, showed best performance （C2＋ selectivity of 68.8% with 24.7% methane conversion）, whereas the poorest performance was shown by the Rb-CaO catalyst in the OCM process.展开更多
The ethylene aromatization is critical for the methanol to aromatics and light alkane dehydroaromatization process.The single-event microkinetic(SEMK)model combining the linear free energy theory and solid acid distri...The ethylene aromatization is critical for the methanol to aromatics and light alkane dehydroaromatization process.The single-event microkinetic(SEMK)model combining the linear free energy theory and solid acid distribution concept were established and extend for the ethylene aromatization process,which can reduce the kinetic parameters and simplify the reaction network by comparison with the SEMK model including subtype elementary steps based on the type of carbenium ions.Further introducing deactivation parametersφinto the model and applying the linear free energy model to the deactivation experimental data,the obtained deactivation parametersφindicate that the carbon deposition precursors have the greatest impact on reducing the reaction rate of single-molecular reactions and the smallest impact on the hydrogen transfer reaction.Meanwhile,according to the change of reaction enthalpy,effect of carbenium ion structure on methylation,ethylation,cyclization and endo-βscission was investigated by introducing linear free energy concept into the SEMK model.The effect of different acid strengths on elementary steps was investigated based on the acid strength distribution model,it was found that the methylation and oligomerization reactions,the ali-βscission reaction,endo-βscission reaction and the cyclization reaction were more sensitive to strong acidity sites.The physisorption and chemisorption heat are separated from the protonation heat in the linear free energy kinetic model and the acid strength distribution kinetic model,and the absolute values of the obtained physisorption and chemisorption heat increase with the carbon number of carbenium ions.Furthermore,the parameters of the acid strength distribution kinetic model were applied to propane dehydroaromatization on H-ZSM-5 and the ethane dehydroaromatization on Zn/ZSM-5 to confirm the independence of parameters in the SEMK model with the similar reaction network.展开更多
The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specim...The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, moment-vertical displacement curves, moment-deformation of the chord, and strain strength distribution curves were presented. The effect of β and plate reinforcement types on in-plane flexural property of SHS X-joints was studied. Results show that punching shear of chord face disappears, brace material fracture appears and concave and convex deformation of chord decrease when either collar plates or doubler plates were welded on chord face. Moment-vertical displacement curves of all specimens have obvious elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic stages. As β increases, the in-plane flexural ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of joints of the same plate reinforcement type increase, but ductility of joints decreases. With the same β, the in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of doubler plate reinforced joints, collar plate reinforced joints, and unreinforced joints decrease progressively. Thickness of reinforcement plate has no obvious effect on in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of joints. As thickness of reinforcement plate increases, the ductility of reinforced X-joints decreases. The concave and convex deformation of every specimen has good symmetry;as β increases, the yield and ultimate deformation of chord decrease.展开更多
Community structure is an important characteristic in real complex network.It is a network consists ofgroups of nodes within which links are dense but among which links are sparse.In this paper, the evolving network i...Community structure is an important characteristic in real complex network.It is a network consists ofgroups of nodes within which links are dense but among which links are sparse.In this paper, the evolving network includenode, link and community growth and we apply the community size preferential attachment and strength preferentialattachment to a growing weighted network model and utilize weight assigning mechanism from BBV model.Theresulting network reflects the intrinsic community structure with generalized power-law distributions of nodes'degreesand strengths.展开更多
This paper investigates the effect of drying environment, i.e. temperature and relative humidity, on the engineering properties and microscopic pore size distribution of an expansive soil. The shrinkage tests under di...This paper investigates the effect of drying environment, i.e. temperature and relative humidity, on the engineering properties and microscopic pore size distribution of an expansive soil. The shrinkage tests under different drying temperatures and relative humidity are carried out in a constant climate chamber. Then, the undisturbed samples, prepared in different drying environment, are used for the triaxial tests and mercury intrusion tests. It is found that the drying environment has noticeable influence on the engineering properties of expansive soils and it can be characterized by the drying rate. The linear shrinkage and strength increase with the decrease of the drying rate. The non-uniform deformation tends to happen in the high drying rate, which subsequently furthers the development of cracks. In addition, during the drying process, the variation of pores mainly focuses on the inter-aggregate pores and inter-particle pores. The lower drying rate leads to larger variation of pore size distribution.展开更多
Based on the concept of ubiquitiform,a ubiquitiformal crack extension model is developed for quasi-brittle materials.Numerical simulations are carried out using the ABAQUS software with the XFEM-based cohesive segment...Based on the concept of ubiquitiform,a ubiquitiformal crack extension model is developed for quasi-brittle materials.Numerical simulations are carried out using the ABAQUS software with the XFEM-based cohesive segments method to determine the ubiquitiformal crack extension path or fracture surface profile of the material under quasi-static loading.Such a ubiquitiformal crack model removes the singularity of a fractal crack;for the latter,the boundary value problem cannot be uniquely defined.In the simulation,the material properties,e.g.,the tensile strength,are assumed to obey the Weibull distribution.The meso-element equivalent method is used to determine the correlation between the Weibull distribution parameters and the aggregate gradation of concrete materials.The numerical results show that the complexities of the ubiquitiformal crack configurations are in good agreement with the previous experimental data.Through the numerical simulation,it is further demonstrated that the complexity of a ubiquitiformal crack is insensitive to the random spatial distribution of the aggregates,but more dependent on the Weibull distribution parameters which reflect the heterogeneity of the concrete.展开更多
It has widely been acknowledged that no structures can be designed to be risk free, and therefore reliability analysis plays an essential role in the design of engineering structures. The recent focus has been placed ...It has widely been acknowledged that no structures can be designed to be risk free, and therefore reliability analysis plays an essential role in the design of engineering structures. The recent focus has been placed on structures made of brittle heterogenous(a.k.a. quasibrittle) materials, such as ceramics, composites, concrete, rock, cold asphalt mixture, and many more at the microscale. This paper presents a level excursion model for the analysis of probabilistic failure of quasibrittle structures, in which the failure statistics is calculated as a first passage probability. The model captures both the spatial randomness of local material resistance and the random stress field induced by microstructures(e.g. randomly distributed flaws). The model represents a generalization of the classical weakest-link model at the continuum limit and it recovers the classical Weibull distribution as an asymptotic distribution function. The paper discusses two applications of the model. The model is first applied to the strength distribution of polycrystalline silicon(poly-Si) MEMS specimens. It is shown that the model agrees well with the experimentally measured strength distributions of poly-Si MEMS specimens of different sizes. The model predicts a complete size effect curve of the mean structural strength transitioning from a vanishing size effect at the small-size limit to the classical Weibull size effect at the large-size limit. The second application is concerned with the left tail of strength distribution of quasibrittle structures.By taking into account both random stress and strength fields, the model is used to investigate the origin of the power-law tail distribution of structural strength.展开更多
文摘By using Visual C++, a model with post processing was carried out to simulate the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core). The results are shown in 256 color graphic mode. With this model, the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) both in case of heating process for core in the furnace and solidification process for a thin wall aluminum alloy casting in the mold(core) are numerically simulated. The results show that the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) were uneven because the thermal conductivity of the resin sand was much small. This study laid a basis for the optimum design of the mold(core) properties. [
文摘In this study, the relationship between skin structure and shear strength distribution of thin-wall injection molded polypropylene (PP) molded at different molecular weight and molecular distribution was investigated. Skin-core structure, cross-sectional morphology, crystallinity, crystal orientation, crystal morphology and molecular orientation were evaluated by using polarized optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray spectroscopic analyzer and laser Raman spectroscopy, respectively, while the shear strength distribution was investigated using a micro cutting method called SAICAS (Surface And Interfacial Cutting Analysis System). The results indicated that the difference of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution showed own skin layer thickness. Especially, high molecular weight sample showed thicker layer of the lamellar orientation and molecular orientation than low molecular weight sample. In addition, wide molecular distribution sample showed large crystal orientation layer.
文摘A series of corundum based castables with 0,2%,4%,6%,and 8% α-Al2O3 micropowders were prepared using tabular alumina aggregates （6-3,3-1 and ≤1 mm） and fines （≤0.088 and ≤0.045 mm）,calcium aluminate cement,and α-Al2O3 micropowders （d50=1.754 μm） as starting materials. Cold mechanical strength and pore size distribution of the castables specimens after heat treatment at 110,1 100 and 1 500 ℃ were tested,respectively. The quantitative relationship between strength and apparent porosity,and that between strength and median pore diameter were verified by Atzeni equation. The correlation between interval of pore size and mechanical strength of specimens was also studied by means of gray relational theory. The results show that：（1） the pore size distribution of castables is strongly influenced by both micropowders filling and matrix sintering; the addition of micropowders decreases median pore diameter while the sintering process increases it; （2） when adding a constant correction term,Atzeni equation can substantially describe the quantitative relationship between median pore diameter and strength of castables specimens after heat treatment at the same temperature; the significant differences of the gray relational degree between the interval of pore size and castables strength are characterized; it is also found that for the same interval of pore size,the gray relational degree isaffected by the heat treatment temperature; the pore size interval 〈0.5 μm has the highest gray relational degree with the strength at 110-1 500 ℃.
基金supported by The HongKong Polytechnic University Research Grants(No.1-BB81)grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.10872078 and 10832012
文摘Precisely quantifying the strength of the proximal femur and accurately assessing hip fracture risk would enable those at high risk to be identified so that preventive interventions could be taken.Development of better measures of femoral strength using the clinically
基金funded by Taif University,Saudi Arabia,Project No.(TU-DSPP-2024-33)。
文摘Theβ-decay properties of^(67-80)As nuclei have been investigated within the framework of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation(pn-QRPA)model.The nuclear deformation obtained from the finite range droplet model is used as an input parameter in the pn-QRPA model for the analysis ofβ-decay properties including Gamow-Teller strength distributions,log ft,β-decay half-lives and stellarβ^(±)decay rates.The predicted log ft values were fairly consistent with the observed data.The computedβ-decay half-lives matched the measured values by a factor of 10.The stellar rates were compared with the shell model outcomes.At high densities and temperatures,theβ^(+)and electron capture rates had a finite contribution.However,theβ^(-)and positron capture rates are only significant at high temperatures and low densities.The pn-QRPA rates outperformed the shell model rates by a factor of 22 or more.
文摘Surface properties （viz. surface area, basicity/base strength distribution, and crystal phases） of alkali metal doped CaO （alkali metal/Ca= 0.1 and 0.4） catalysts and their catalytic activity/selectivity in oxidative coupling of methane （OCM） to higher hydrocarbons at different reaction conditions （viz. temperature, 700 and 750 ℃; CH4/O2 ratio, 4.0 and 8.0 and space velocity, 5140-20550 cm^3 ·g^-1·h^-1） have been investigated. The influence of catalyst calcination temperature on the activity/selectivity has also been investigated. The surface properties （viz. surface area, basicity/base strength distribution） and catalytic activity/selectivity of the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts are strongly influenced by the alkali metal promoter and its concentration in the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts. An addition of alkali metal promoter to CaO results in a large decrease in the surface area but a large increase in the surface basicity （strong basic sites） and the C2＋ selectivity and yield of the catalysts in the OCM process. The activity and selectivity are strongly influenced by the catalyst calcination temperature. No direct relationship between surface basicity and catalytic activity/selectivity has been observed. Among the alkali metal doped CaO catalysts, Na-CaO （Na/Ca = 0.1, before calcination） catalyst （calcined at 750 ℃）, showed best performance （C2＋ selectivity of 68.8% with 24.7% methane conversion）, whereas the poorest performance was shown by the Rb-CaO catalyst in the OCM process.
基金supported by the Open Project of Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education[grant number GCP20190204]Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology(Wuhan Institute of Technology)[grant number 40201005]+1 种基金Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education[grant number LKF201908]Graduate Innovative Fund of Wuhan Institute of Technology[grant number CX2021028].
文摘The ethylene aromatization is critical for the methanol to aromatics and light alkane dehydroaromatization process.The single-event microkinetic(SEMK)model combining the linear free energy theory and solid acid distribution concept were established and extend for the ethylene aromatization process,which can reduce the kinetic parameters and simplify the reaction network by comparison with the SEMK model including subtype elementary steps based on the type of carbenium ions.Further introducing deactivation parametersφinto the model and applying the linear free energy model to the deactivation experimental data,the obtained deactivation parametersφindicate that the carbon deposition precursors have the greatest impact on reducing the reaction rate of single-molecular reactions and the smallest impact on the hydrogen transfer reaction.Meanwhile,according to the change of reaction enthalpy,effect of carbenium ion structure on methylation,ethylation,cyclization and endo-βscission was investigated by introducing linear free energy concept into the SEMK model.The effect of different acid strengths on elementary steps was investigated based on the acid strength distribution model,it was found that the methylation and oligomerization reactions,the ali-βscission reaction,endo-βscission reaction and the cyclization reaction were more sensitive to strong acidity sites.The physisorption and chemisorption heat are separated from the protonation heat in the linear free energy kinetic model and the acid strength distribution kinetic model,and the absolute values of the obtained physisorption and chemisorption heat increase with the carbon number of carbenium ions.Furthermore,the parameters of the acid strength distribution kinetic model were applied to propane dehydroaromatization on H-ZSM-5 and the ethane dehydroaromatization on Zn/ZSM-5 to confirm the independence of parameters in the SEMK model with the similar reaction network.
基金Projects(51278209 and 51478047) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(ZQN-PY110) supported by Promotion Program for Young and Middle-aged Teacher in Science and Technology Research of Huaqiao University,China+1 种基金Project(2014FJ-NCET-ZR03) supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University,ChinaProject(JA13005) supported by Incubation Programme for Excellent Young Science and Technology Talents in Fujian Province Universities,China
文摘The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, moment-vertical displacement curves, moment-deformation of the chord, and strain strength distribution curves were presented. The effect of β and plate reinforcement types on in-plane flexural property of SHS X-joints was studied. Results show that punching shear of chord face disappears, brace material fracture appears and concave and convex deformation of chord decrease when either collar plates or doubler plates were welded on chord face. Moment-vertical displacement curves of all specimens have obvious elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic stages. As β increases, the in-plane flexural ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of joints of the same plate reinforcement type increase, but ductility of joints decreases. With the same β, the in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of doubler plate reinforced joints, collar plate reinforced joints, and unreinforced joints decrease progressively. Thickness of reinforcement plate has no obvious effect on in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of joints. As thickness of reinforcement plate increases, the ductility of reinforced X-joints decreases. The concave and convex deformation of every specimen has good symmetry;as β increases, the yield and ultimate deformation of chord decrease.
基金Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China under Grant No.10832006PuJiang Project of Shanghai under Grant No.09PJ1405000+1 种基金Key Disciplines of Shanghai Municipality (S30104)Research Grant of Shanghai University under Grant No.SHUCX092014
文摘Community structure is an important characteristic in real complex network.It is a network consists ofgroups of nodes within which links are dense but among which links are sparse.In this paper, the evolving network includenode, link and community growth and we apply the community size preferential attachment and strength preferentialattachment to a growing weighted network model and utilize weight assigning mechanism from BBV model.Theresulting network reflects the intrinsic community structure with generalized power-law distributions of nodes'degreesand strengths.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41430634)the State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Grant No. Y11002)
文摘This paper investigates the effect of drying environment, i.e. temperature and relative humidity, on the engineering properties and microscopic pore size distribution of an expansive soil. The shrinkage tests under different drying temperatures and relative humidity are carried out in a constant climate chamber. Then, the undisturbed samples, prepared in different drying environment, are used for the triaxial tests and mercury intrusion tests. It is found that the drying environment has noticeable influence on the engineering properties of expansive soils and it can be characterized by the drying rate. The linear shrinkage and strength increase with the decrease of the drying rate. The non-uniform deformation tends to happen in the high drying rate, which subsequently furthers the development of cracks. In addition, during the drying process, the variation of pores mainly focuses on the inter-aggregate pores and inter-particle pores. The lower drying rate leads to larger variation of pore size distribution.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11772056)。
文摘Based on the concept of ubiquitiform,a ubiquitiformal crack extension model is developed for quasi-brittle materials.Numerical simulations are carried out using the ABAQUS software with the XFEM-based cohesive segments method to determine the ubiquitiformal crack extension path or fracture surface profile of the material under quasi-static loading.Such a ubiquitiformal crack model removes the singularity of a fractal crack;for the latter,the boundary value problem cannot be uniquely defined.In the simulation,the material properties,e.g.,the tensile strength,are assumed to obey the Weibull distribution.The meso-element equivalent method is used to determine the correlation between the Weibull distribution parameters and the aggregate gradation of concrete materials.The numerical results show that the complexities of the ubiquitiformal crack configurations are in good agreement with the previous experimental data.Through the numerical simulation,it is further demonstrated that the complexity of a ubiquitiformal crack is insensitive to the random spatial distribution of the aggregates,but more dependent on the Weibull distribution parameters which reflect the heterogeneity of the concrete.
基金supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (Grant No. CMMI-1361868)。
文摘It has widely been acknowledged that no structures can be designed to be risk free, and therefore reliability analysis plays an essential role in the design of engineering structures. The recent focus has been placed on structures made of brittle heterogenous(a.k.a. quasibrittle) materials, such as ceramics, composites, concrete, rock, cold asphalt mixture, and many more at the microscale. This paper presents a level excursion model for the analysis of probabilistic failure of quasibrittle structures, in which the failure statistics is calculated as a first passage probability. The model captures both the spatial randomness of local material resistance and the random stress field induced by microstructures(e.g. randomly distributed flaws). The model represents a generalization of the classical weakest-link model at the continuum limit and it recovers the classical Weibull distribution as an asymptotic distribution function. The paper discusses two applications of the model. The model is first applied to the strength distribution of polycrystalline silicon(poly-Si) MEMS specimens. It is shown that the model agrees well with the experimentally measured strength distributions of poly-Si MEMS specimens of different sizes. The model predicts a complete size effect curve of the mean structural strength transitioning from a vanishing size effect at the small-size limit to the classical Weibull size effect at the large-size limit. The second application is concerned with the left tail of strength distribution of quasibrittle structures.By taking into account both random stress and strength fields, the model is used to investigate the origin of the power-law tail distribution of structural strength.
