The characterization techniques were employed like transmission electron microscope,X-ray diffraction and microstructural characterization to investigate microstructural evolution and impact of precipitate-phase preci...The characterization techniques were employed like transmission electron microscope,X-ray diffraction and microstructural characterization to investigate microstructural evolution and impact of precipitate-phase precipitation on strength and toughness of a self-developed 32Si_(2)CrNi_(2)MoVNb steel during the quenching and tempering process.Research outputs indicated that the steel microstructure under the quenching state could be composed of martensite with a high dislocation density,a small amount of residual austenite,and many dispersed spherical MC carbides.In details,after tempering at 200℃,fine needle-shapedε-carbides would precipitate,which may improve yield strength and toughness of the steel.However,as compared to that after tempering at 200℃,the average length of needle-shapedε-carbides was found to increase to 144.1±4 from 134.1±3 nm after tempering at 340℃.As a result,the yield strength may increase to 1505±40 MPa,and the impact absorption energy(V-notch)may also decrease.Moreover,after tempering at 450℃,thoseε-carbides in the steel may transform into coarse rod-shaped cementite,and dislocation recoveries at such high tempering temperature may lead to decrease of strength and toughness of the steel.Finally,the following properties could be obtained:a yield strength of 1440±35 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 1864±50 MPa and an impact absorption energy of 45.9±4 J,by means of rational composition design and microstructural control.展开更多
How to achieve high-entropy alloys(HEAs)with ultrahigh strength and ductility is a challenging issue.Precipitation strengthening is one of the methods to significantly enhance strength,but unfortunately,ductility will...How to achieve high-entropy alloys(HEAs)with ultrahigh strength and ductility is a challenging issue.Precipitation strengthening is one of the methods to significantly enhance strength,but unfortunately,ductility will be lost.To overcome the strength-ductility trade-off,the strategy of this study is to induce the formation of high-density nanoprecipitates through dual aging(DA),triggering multiple deformation mechanisms,to obtain HEAs with ultrahigh strength and ductility.First,the effect of precold deformation on precipitation behavior was studied using Ni_(35)(CoFe)_(55)V_(5)Nb_(5)(at.%)HEAas the object.The results reveal that the activation energy of recrystallization is 112.2 kJ/mol.As the precold-deformation amount increases from 15%to 65%,the activation energy of precipitation gradually decreases from 178.8 to 159.7 kJ/mol.The precipitation time shortens,the size of the nanoprecipitate decreases,and the density increases.Subsequently,the thermal treatment parameters were optimized,and the DA process was customized based on the effect of precold deformation on precipitation behavior.High-density L1_(2) nanoprecipitates(~3.21×10^(25) m^(-3))were induced in the 65% precold-deformed HEA,which led to the simultaneous formation of twins and stacking fault(SF)networks during deformation.The yield strength(YS),ultimate tensile strength,and ductility of the DA-HEA are~2.0 GPa,~2.2 GPa,and~12.3%,respectively.Compared with the solid solution HEA,the YS of the DA-HEA increased by 1,657 MPa,possessing an astonishing increase of~440%.The high YS stems from the precipitation strengthening contributed by the L1_(2) nanoprecipitates and the dislocation strengthening contributed by precold deformation.The synergistically enhanced ductility stems from the high strain-hardening ability under the dual support of twinning-induced plasticity and SF-induced plasticity.展开更多
The strength of the sliding zone soil determines the stability of reservoir landslides.Fluctuations in water levels cause a change in the seepage field,which serves as both the external hydrogeological environment and...The strength of the sliding zone soil determines the stability of reservoir landslides.Fluctuations in water levels cause a change in the seepage field,which serves as both the external hydrogeological environment and the internal component of a landslide.Therefore,considering the strength changes of the sliding zone with seepage effects,they correspond with the actual hydrogeological circumstances.To investigate the shear behavior of sliding zone soil under various seepage pressures,24 samples were conducted by a self-developed apparatus to observe the shear strength and measure the permeability coefficients at different deformation stages.After seepage-shear tests,the composition of clay minerals and microscopic structure on the shear surface were analyzed through X-ray and scanning electron microscope(SEM)to understand the coupling effects of seepage on strength.The results revealed that the sliding zone soil exhibited strain-hardening without seepage pressure.However,the introduction of seepage caused a significant reduction in shear strength,resulting in strain-softening characterized by a three-stage process.Long-term seepage action softened clay particles and transported broken particles into effective seepage channels,causing continuous damage to the interior structure and reducing the permeability coefficient.Increased seepage pressure decreased the peak strength by disrupting occlusal and frictional forces between sliding zone soil particles,which carried away more clay particles,contributing to an overhead structure in the soil that raised the permeability coefficient and decreased residual strength.The internal friction angle was less sensitive to variations in seepage pressure than cohesion.展开更多
This study presents a comprehensive investigation of residual strength in corroded pipelines within the Yichang-Qianjiang section of the Sichuan-East Gas Pipeline,integrating advanced numerical simulation with experim...This study presents a comprehensive investigation of residual strength in corroded pipelines within the Yichang-Qianjiang section of the Sichuan-East Gas Pipeline,integrating advanced numerical simulation with experimental validation.The research methodology incorporates three distinct parameter grouping approaches:a random group based on statistical analysis of 389 actual corrosion defects detected during 2023 MFL inspection,a deviation group representing historically documented failure scenarios,and a structural group examining systematic parameter variations.Using ABAQUS finite element software,we developed a dynamic implicit analysis model incorporating geometric nonlinearity and validated it through 1:12.7 scaled model testing,achieving prediction deviations consistently within 5%for standard cases.Our analysis revealed distinct failure mechanisms between large and small defects,with large defects exhibiting stress concentration at circumferential edges and small defects concentrating stress centrally.Quantitative analysis identified defect depth as themost significant factor,with every 1mmincrease reducing strength by 0.054MPa,while defect length showed moderate influence at 0.0018MPa reduction per mm.Comparative analysis demonstrated that circumferential defects exhibited 15%higher burst failure pressure compared to axial defects,though this advantage diminished significantly at depths exceeding 40%wall thickness.These findings,validated through experimental testing with deviations within 5%,provide valuable insights for pipeline integrity management,particularly emphasizing the importance of defect depth monitoring and the need for orientation-specific assessment criteria in corrosion evaluation protocols.展开更多
The growing demand for material properties in challenging environments has led to a surge of interest in rapid composition design. Given the great potential composition space, the field of high/medium entropy alloys (...The growing demand for material properties in challenging environments has led to a surge of interest in rapid composition design. Given the great potential composition space, the field of high/medium entropy alloys (H/MEAs) still lacks effective atomic-scale composition design and screening schemes, which hinders the accurate prediction of desired composition and properties. This study proposes a novel approach for rapidly designing the composition of materials with the aim of overcoming the trade-off between strength and ductility in metal matrix composites. The effect of chemical composition on stacking fault energy (SFE), shear modulus, and phase stability was investigated through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) and thermodynamic calculation software. The alloy's low SFE, highest shear modulus, and stable face-centered cubic (FCC) phase have been identified as three standard physical quantities for rapid screening to characterize the deformation mechanism, ultimate tensile strength, phase stability, and ductility of the alloy. The calculation results indicate that the optimal composition space is expected to fall within the ranges of 17 %–34 % Ni, 33 %–50 % Co, and 25 %–33 % Mn. The comparison of stress-strain curves for various predicted components using simulated and experimental results serves to reinforce the efficacy of the method. This indicates that the screening criteria offer a necessary design concept, deviating from traditional strategies and providing crucial guidance for the rapid development and application of MEAs.展开更多
Tungsten heavy alloys(WHAs)prepared using laser additive manufacturing(AM)exhibit intricate ge-ometries,albeit with limited mechanical properties.Here we designed a high-strength WHA featuring a FeCrCoNi high entropy ...Tungsten heavy alloys(WHAs)prepared using laser additive manufacturing(AM)exhibit intricate ge-ometries,albeit with limited mechanical properties.Here we designed a high-strength WHA featuring a FeCrCoNi high entropy alloy(HEA)binder via the laser metal deposition(LMD)technique.Due to the distinctive thermal cycle and rapid cooling rate,the as-deposited alloys exhibit microstructures with hy-poeutectic,eutectic-like,and spot-like characteristics.To elucidate this phenomenon,the solidification paths were delineated and analyzed by combining microstructural characterization and phase equilib-rium simulation.Theμphase precipitated out from the supersaturated solid solution,thereby nucleating massive dislocations on the FeCrCoNi matrix to increase the work hardening rate.Furthermore,theμphase formed an ultrafine intermetallic compound(IMC)layer around the W grain,reducing the hole or crack between the W grain and FeCrCoNi matrix.Attributed to the precipitation strengthening,the solid solution of the FeCrCoNi binder,along with the load-bearing strength of W,the developed alloy achieved ultrahigh compressive stress and strain of 2047 MPa and 32%respectively at room temperature.These findings contribute valuable insights to the advancement of additive manufacturing for tungsten alloys,leveraging their excellent properties.展开更多
Against the background of“carbon peak and carbon neutrality,”it is of great practical significance to develop non-blast furnace ironmaking technology for the sustainable development of steel industry.Carbon-bearing ...Against the background of“carbon peak and carbon neutrality,”it is of great practical significance to develop non-blast furnace ironmaking technology for the sustainable development of steel industry.Carbon-bearing iron ore pellet is an innovative burden of direct reduction ironmaking due to its excellent self-reducing property,and the thermal strength of pellet is a crucial metallurgical property that affects its wide application.The carbon-bearing iron ore pellet without binders(CIPWB)was prepared using iron concentrate and anthracite,and the effects of reducing agent addition amount,size of pellet,reduction temperature and time on the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB during the reduction process were studied.Simultaneously,the mechanism of the thermal strength evolution of CIPWB was revealed.The results showed that during the low-temperature reduction process(300-500℃),the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB linearly increases with increasing the size of pellet,while it gradually decreases with increasing the anthracite ratio.When the CIPWB with 8%anthracite is reduced at 300℃for 60 min,the thermal strength of pellet is enhanced from 13.24 to 31.88 N as the size of pellet increases from 8.04 to 12.78 mm.Meanwhile,as the temperature is 500℃,with increasing the anthracite ratio from 2%to 8%,the thermal compressive strength of pellet under reduction for 60 min remarkably decreases from 41.47 to 8.94 N.Furthermore,in the high-temperature reduction process(600-1150℃),the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB firstly increases and then reduces with increasing the temperature,while it as well as the temperature corresponding to the maximum strength decreases with increasing the anthracite ratio.With adding 18%anthracite,the thermal compressive strength of pellet reaches the maximum value at 800℃,namely 35.00 N,and obtains the minimum value at 1050℃,namely 8.60 N.The thermal compressive strength of CIPWB significantly depends on the temperature,reducing agent dosage,and pellet size.展开更多
Additive manufacturing (AM) of high-strength metallic alloys frequently encounters detrimental distortion and cracking, attributed to the accumulation of thermal stresses. These issues significantly impede the practic...Additive manufacturing (AM) of high-strength metallic alloys frequently encounters detrimental distortion and cracking, attributed to the accumulation of thermal stresses. These issues significantly impede the practical application of as-printed components. This study examines the Mg-15Gd-1Zn-0.4Zr (GZ151K, wt.%) alloy, a prototypical high-strength casting Mg-RE alloy, fabricated through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Despite achieving ultra-high strength, the GZ151K alloy concurrently exhibits a pronounced cold-cracking susceptibility. The as-printed GZ151K alloy consists of almost fully fine equiaxed grains with an average grain size of merely 2.87 µm. Subsequent direct aging (T5) heat treatment induces the formation of dense prismatic β' precipitates. Consequently, the LPBF-T5 GZ151K alloy manifests an ultra-high yield strength of 405 MPa, surpassing all previously reported yield strengths for Mg alloys fabricated via LPBF and even exceeding that of its extrusion-T5 counterpart. Interestingly, as-printed GZ151K samples with a build height of 2 mm exhibit no cracking, whereas samples with build heights ranging from 4 to 18 mm demonstrate severe cold cracking. Thermal stress simulation also suggests that the cold cracking susceptibility increases significantly with increasing build height. The combination of high thermal stress and low ductility in the as-printed GZ151K alloy culminates in a high cold cracking susceptibility. This study offers novel insights into the intricate issue of cold cracking in the LPBF process of high-strength Mg alloys, highlighting the critical balance between achieving high strength and mitigating cold cracking susceptibility.展开更多
Three types of activators such as sodium hydroxide,calcium oxide and triethanolamine(TEA)are used to establish different activation environments to address the problems associated with the process of activating fly as...Three types of activators such as sodium hydroxide,calcium oxide and triethanolamine(TEA)are used to establish different activation environments to address the problems associated with the process of activating fly ash paste.We conducted mechanical tests and numerical simulations to understand the evolution of microstructure,and used environmental scanning electron microscopy(ESEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)techniques to analyze the microenvironments of the samples.The mechanical properties of fly ash paste under different activation conditions and the changes in the microstructure and composition were investigated.The results revealed that under conditions of low NaOH content(1%-3%),the strength of the sample increased significantly.When the content exceeded 4%,the rate of increase in strength decreased.Based on the results,the optimal NaOH content was identified,which was about 4%.A good activation effect,especially for short-term activation(3-7 d),was achieved using TEA under high doping conditions.The activation effect was poor for long-term strength after 28 days.The CaO content did not significantly affect the degree of activation achieved.The maximum effect was exerted when the content of CaO was 2%.The virtual cement and concrete testing laboratory(VCCTL)was used to simulate the hydration process,and the results revealed that the use of the three types of activators accelerated the formation of Ca(OH)_(2) in the system.The activators also corroded the surface of the fly ash particles,resulting in a pozzolanic reaction.The active substances in fly ash were released efficiently,and hydration was realized.The pores were filled with hydration products,and the microstructure changed to form a new frame of paste filling that helped improve the strength of fly ash paste.展开更多
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in t...The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in the alpine meadow layer of the permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is essential for evaluating their role in enhancing soil shear strength and mitigating slope deformation in these fragile environments.In this study,the roots of four dominant herbaceous plant species—Kobresia pygmaea,Kobresia humilis,Carex moorcroftii,and Leontopodium pusillum—that are widely distributed in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were explored to determine their mechanical properties and effects in enhancing soil shear strength.Through indoor single root tensile and root group tensile tests,we determined the root diameter,tensile force,tensile strength,tensile ratio,and strength frequency distributions.We also evaluated their contributions to inhibiting slope deformation and failure during the formation and development of thermal thaw slumps in the alpine meadow.The results showed that the distribution of the root diameter of the dominant plant species is mostly normal,while the tensile strength tends to be logarithmically normally distributed.The relationship between the root diameter and root tensile strength conforms to a power function.The theoretical tensile strength of the root group was calculated using the Wu-Waldron Model(WWM)and the Fiber Bundle Model(FBM)under the assumption that the cumulative single tensile strength of the root bundle is identical to the tensile strength of the root group in the WWM.The FBM considers three fracture modes:FBM-D(the tensile force on each single root is proportional to its diameter relative to the total sum of all the root diameters),FBM-S(the cross-sectional stress in the root bundle is uniform),and FBM-N(each tensile strength test of individual roots experiences an equal load).It was found that the model-calculated tensile strength of the root group was 162.60%higher than the test value.The model-derived tensile force of the root group from the FBM-D,FBM-S,and FBM-N was 73.10%,28.91%,and 13.47%higher than the test values,respectively.The additional cohesion of the soil provided by the roots was calculated to be 25.90-45.06 kPa using the modified WWM,67.05-38.15 kPa using the FBM-S,and 57.24-32.74 kPa using the FBM-N.These results not only provide a theoretical basis for further quantitative evaluation of the mechanical effects of the root systems of herbaceous plant species in reinforcing the surface soil but also have practical significance for the effective prevention and control of thermal thaw slumping disasters in the permafrost regions containing native alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau using flexible plant protection measures.展开更多
Traditional machine learning(ML)encounters the challenge of parameter adjustment when predicting the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete.To address this issue,we introduce two optimized hybrid models:the Bayesi...Traditional machine learning(ML)encounters the challenge of parameter adjustment when predicting the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete.To address this issue,we introduce two optimized hybrid models:the Bayesian optimization model(B-RF)and the optimal model(Stacking model).These models are applied to a data set comprising 438 observations with five input variables,with the aim of predicting the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete.Furthermore,we evaluate the performance of the optimized models in comparison to traditional machine learning models,such as support vector regression(SVR),decision tree(DT),and random forest(RF).The results reveal that the Stacking model exhibits superior predictive performance,with evaluation indices including R2=0.825,MAE=2.818 and MSE=14.265,surpassing the traditional models.Moreover,we also performed a characteristic importance analysis on the input variables,and we concluded that cement had the greatest influence on the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete,followed by water.Therefore,the Stacking model can be recommended as a compressive strength prediction tool to partially replace laboratory compressive strength testing,resulting in time and cost savings.展开更多
In order to study the characteristics of pure fly ash-based geopolymer concrete(PFGC)conveniently,we used a machine learning method that can quantify the perception of characteristics to predict its compressive streng...In order to study the characteristics of pure fly ash-based geopolymer concrete(PFGC)conveniently,we used a machine learning method that can quantify the perception of characteristics to predict its compressive strength.In this study,505 groups of data were collected,and a new database of compressive strength of PFGC was constructed.In order to establish an accurate prediction model of compressive strength,five different types of machine learning networks were used for comparative analysis.The five machine learning models all showed good compressive strength prediction performance on PFGC.Among them,R2,MSE,RMSE and MAE of decision tree model(DT)are 0.99,1.58,1.25,and 0.25,respectively.While R2,MSE,RMSE and MAE of random forest model(RF)are 0.97,5.17,2.27 and 1.38,respectively.The two models have high prediction accuracy and outstanding generalization ability.In order to enhance the interpretability of model decision-making,we used importance ranking to obtain the perception of machine learning model to 13 variables.These 13 variables include chemical composition of fly ash(SiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3),Si/Al),the ratio of alkaline liquid to the binder,curing temperature,curing durations inside oven,fly ash dosage,fine aggregate dosage,coarse aggregate dosage,extra water dosage and sodium hydroxide dosage.Curing temperature,specimen ages and curing durations inside oven have the greatest influence on the prediction results,indicating that curing conditions have more prominent influence on the compressive strength of PFGC than ordinary Portland cement concrete.The importance of curing conditions of PFGC even exceeds that of the concrete mix proportion,due to the low reactivity of pure fly ash.展开更多
This article presents a micro-structure tensor enhanced elasto-plastic finite element(FE)method to address strength anisotropy in three-dimensional(3D)soil slope stability analysis.The gravity increase method(GIM)is e...This article presents a micro-structure tensor enhanced elasto-plastic finite element(FE)method to address strength anisotropy in three-dimensional(3D)soil slope stability analysis.The gravity increase method(GIM)is employed to analyze the stability of 3D anisotropic soil slopes.The accuracy of the proposed method is first verified against the data in the literature.We then simulate the 3D soil slope with a straight slope surface and the convex and concave slope surfaces with a 90turning corner to study the 3D effect on slope stability and the failure mechanism under anisotropy conditions.Based on our numerical results,the end effect significantly impacts the failure mechanism and safety factor.Anisotropy degree notably affects the safety factor,with higher degrees leading to deeper landslides.For concave slopes,they can be approximated by straight slopes with suitable boundary conditions to assess their stability.Furthermore,a case study of the Saint-Alban test embankment A in Quebec,Canada,is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed FE model.展开更多
Along with the growing integration of renewable energy resources,the new power systems,which are dominated by inverter-based resources(IBRs),are facing critical challenges in both planning and operation stages.The con...Along with the growing integration of renewable energy resources,the new power systems,which are dominated by inverter-based resources(IBRs),are facing critical challenges in both planning and operation stages.The conventionally used system strength metric,short-circuit ratio(SCR),exhibits limitations in assessing connections of new IBRs due to their unique dynamic behaviour and control interactions.In this paper,the definition of system strength is reviewed.The underlying principles of conventional SCR and its variants are then discussed,with their constraints explained.To describe the system strength in a more comprehensive way,this paper further classifies system strength into three categories:quasi-static,small-signal,and large-signal.For each category,relevant metrics are introduced and their relative merits are discussed.Electromagnetic transient simulations are presented to illustrate key insights.展开更多
Introduction It is necessary for an ideal bioceramic scaffold to have a suitable structure.The structure can affect the mechanical properties of the scaffold(i.e.,elastic modulus and compressive strength)and the biolo...Introduction It is necessary for an ideal bioceramic scaffold to have a suitable structure.The structure can affect the mechanical properties of the scaffold(i.e.,elastic modulus and compressive strength)and the biological properties of the scaffold(i.e.,degradability and cell growth rate).Lattice structure is a kind of periodic porous structure,which has some advantages of light weight and high strength,and is widely used in the preparation of bioceramic scaffolders.For the structure of the scaffold,high porosity and large pore size are important for bone growth,bone integration and promoting good mechanical interlocking between neighboring bones and the scaffold.However,scaffolds with a high porosity often lack mechanical strength.In addition,different parts of the bone have different structural requirements.In this paper,scaffolds with a non-uniform structure or a hierarchical structure were designed,with loose and porous exterior to facilitate cell adhesion,osteogenic differentiation and vascularization as well as relatively dense interior to provide sufficient mechanical support for bone repair.Methods In this work,composite ceramics scaffolds with 10%akermanite content were prepared by DLP technology.The scaffold had a high porosity outside to promote the growth of bone tissue,and a low porosity inside to withstand external forces.The compressive strength,fracture form,in-vitro degradation performance and bioactivity of graded bioceramic scaffolds were investigated.The models of scaffolds were imported into the DLP printer with a 405 nm light.The samples were printed with the intensity of 8 mJ/cm^(2)and a layer thickness of 50μm.Finally,the ceramic samples were sintered at 1100℃.The degradability of the hierarchical gyroid bioceramic scaffolds was evaluated through immersion in Tris-HCl solution and SBF solution at a ratio of 200 mL/g.The bioactivity of bioceramic was obtained via immersing them in SBF solution for two weeks.The concentrations of calcium,phosphate,silicon,and magnesium ions in the soaking solution were determined by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer.Results and discussion In this work,a hierarchical Gyroid structure HA-AK10 scaffold(sintered at 1100℃)with a radial internal porosity of 50%and an external porosity of 70%is prepared,and the influence of structural form on the compressive strength and degradation performance of the scaffold is investigated.The biological activity of the bioceramics in vitro is also verified.The mechanical simulation results show that the stress distribution corresponds to the porosity distribution of the structure,and the low porosity is larger and the overall stress concentration phenomenon does not appear.After soaking in SBF solution,Si—OH is firstly formed on the surface of bioceramics,and then silicon gel layer is produced due to the presence of calcium and silicon ions.The silicon gel layer is dissociated into negatively charged groups under alkaline environment secondary adsorption of calcium ions and phosphate ions,forming amorphous calcium phosphate,and finally amorphous calcium phosphate crystals and adsorption of carbonate ions,forming carbonate hydroxyapatite.This indicates that the composite bioceramics have a good biological activity in-vitro and can provide a good environment for the growth of bone cells.A hierarchical Gyroid ceramic scaffold with a bone geometry is prepared via applying the hierarchical structure to the bone contour scaffold.The maximum load capacity of the hierarchical Gyroid ceramic scaffold is 8 times that of the uniform structure.Conclusions The hierarchical structure scaffold designed had good overall compressive performance,good degradation performance,and still maintained a good mechanical stability during degradation.In addition,in-vitro biological experimental results showed that the surface graded composite scaffold could have a good in-vitro biological activity and provide a good environment for bone cells.Compared to the heterosexual structure,the graded scaffold had greater mechanical properties.展开更多
Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by ...Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by synthesizing AAFA using original,medium-fine,and ultrafine fly ash as precursors,and then specimens were cured with a five-stage temperature-controlled microwave.The compressive strength results indicate that the original AAFA develops the highest strength initially during microwave-curing,reaching 28 MPa at stage 2.Medium-fine AAFA exhibits the highest strength of 60 MPa when cured to stage 4-I,which is 26%higher than the peak strength of original AAFA.It is attributed to the significant rise in their specific surface area,which accelerates the dissolution of Si and Al from the precursor and facilitates the subsequent formation of N-A-S-H gels.Additionally,nanoscale zeolite crystals formed as secondary products fill the tiny gaps between amorphous products,thereby significantly improving their microstructure.In contrast,ultrafine fly ash,primarily composed of fragmented particles,necessitated a substantial amount of water,which adversely affects the absorption efficiency for microwave of AAFA specimens.Thus,ultrafine AAFA specimens consistently exhibit the lowest compressive strength.Specifically,at the end of curing,the compressive strength of these three specimens with microwave-curing is approximately 32%,59%,and 172%higher than that of the steam-cured sample,respectively.These findings demonstrate the compatibility of microwave-curing and fly ash refinement in enhancing the early compressive strength development of AAFA.展开更多
Muscle deconditioning due to hospitalisation is problematic, causing delayed discharges, more nursing, carer, or social service support following discharge, and possible discharge to a care home rather than the patien...Muscle deconditioning due to hospitalisation is problematic, causing delayed discharges, more nursing, carer, or social service support following discharge, and possible discharge to a care home rather than the patient’s own home. Muscle deconditioning is associated with increased mortality, infections, depression, and reductions in patient mobility and ability to engage in their activities of daily living. Preserving muscle strength and function should form part of patients’ rehabilitation plans. Progressive resistance training (PRE) offers the most cost-effective way of preserving muscle strength and function;however, it is not routinely carried out in hospitals. A leg strengthening device (the S-Press) has been developed with the aim of improving access to effective PRE for adults. Using a qualitative approach, thematic analysis of interviews with physiotherapists, patients, and relative carers about their experience of using the S-Press provided insight into integrating PRE into patients’ rehabilitation, what promoted or prevented its use, and the outcomes associated with its use. Four overall themes emerged from the data. “Experience of Users” described that the S-Press was accessible, convenient, time efficient, portable, and manoeuvrable, and it provided an objective measure of progress. “Facilitators” included findings around how the S-Press was easy to use, motivational, and comfortable when in use. “Barriers” comprised the inability of some patients to use the S-Press independently and the identification of obstacles that prevented consistent use. “Impact and Benefits” represented the perceptions of increased leg strength and psychological benefits. The S-Press is beneficial for patients’ rehabilitation by offering PRE that is simple and easy to use, acceptable to both patients and professionals, and can be integrated as part of patients’ rehabilitation plans.展开更多
1.Introduction Titanium(Ti)and its alloy have become a critical structural material in aerospace,weaponry,and equipment industries due to their high strength,low density,and excellent corrosion resistance[1-3].
Synergistically and simultaneously enhancing strength and ductility has been a major challenge for the development and applications of titanium matrix composites.Herein,a new design methodology for Ti_(2)Cu/Ti_(6)Al4V...Synergistically and simultaneously enhancing strength and ductility has been a major challenge for the development and applications of titanium matrix composites.Herein,a new design methodology for Ti_(2)Cu/Ti_(6)Al4V composites with superior strength and ductility is reported.展开更多
Introduction: Bracket debonding is a frequent issue that clinicians encounter, leading to increased chair time, lost revenue, and material usage. In addition to patient compliance with their diet recommendations, the ...Introduction: Bracket debonding is a frequent issue that clinicians encounter, leading to increased chair time, lost revenue, and material usage. In addition to patient compliance with their diet recommendations, the preparation and conditioning of teeth for bonding significantly influence bond strength and consequently impact orthodontic treatment success and efficiency. Because of OBA-MCP’s (orthodontic bonding adhesive with modified calcium phosphate) decreased shear bond strength (SBS), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of conditioning with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) before etching in the bonding protocol. Materials and Methods: 90 extracted teeth were divided into 3 groups to be bonded with orthodontic brackets with different bonding protocols: 1) Transbond XT with regular bonding protocol (etch + prime + adhesive);2) OBA-MCP with regular bonding protocol;and 3) OBA-MCP with NaOCl prior to acid etching in the regular bonding protocol. SBS (in Newtons) were measured using an MTS universal testing machine with a custom jig to apply a vertical force onto the bracket and ARI (adhesive remnant index) scores were recorded for each sample after de-bond to rate the amount of adhesive remaining. Results: The addition of NaOCl to the bonding protocol statistically significantly increased the SBS of OBA-MCP to comparable levels to Transbond XT. The ARI scores showed that when NaOCl was added, more adhesive remained. Conclusion: The addition of NaOCl to the bonding protocol can increase the SBS of adhesives with historically weaker bond strengths. However, the increased amount of adhesive remaining and the increased time spent during bonding must be considered. Further testing can be done in vivo to demonstrate the practicality of this new procedure.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Key Program)(52031004).
文摘The characterization techniques were employed like transmission electron microscope,X-ray diffraction and microstructural characterization to investigate microstructural evolution and impact of precipitate-phase precipitation on strength and toughness of a self-developed 32Si_(2)CrNi_(2)MoVNb steel during the quenching and tempering process.Research outputs indicated that the steel microstructure under the quenching state could be composed of martensite with a high dislocation density,a small amount of residual austenite,and many dispersed spherical MC carbides.In details,after tempering at 200℃,fine needle-shapedε-carbides would precipitate,which may improve yield strength and toughness of the steel.However,as compared to that after tempering at 200℃,the average length of needle-shapedε-carbides was found to increase to 144.1±4 from 134.1±3 nm after tempering at 340℃.As a result,the yield strength may increase to 1505±40 MPa,and the impact absorption energy(V-notch)may also decrease.Moreover,after tempering at 450℃,thoseε-carbides in the steel may transform into coarse rod-shaped cementite,and dislocation recoveries at such high tempering temperature may lead to decrease of strength and toughness of the steel.Finally,the following properties could be obtained:a yield strength of 1440±35 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 1864±50 MPa and an impact absorption energy of 45.9±4 J,by means of rational composition design and microstructural control.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Project(No.2023YFA1600082)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U2141207,52001083,52171111)+3 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang(No.YQ2023E026)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.3072022JIP1002)Key Laboratory Found of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology(No.GXB202201)Youth Talent Project of China National Nuclear Corporation(No.CNNC2021YTEP-HEU01).
文摘How to achieve high-entropy alloys(HEAs)with ultrahigh strength and ductility is a challenging issue.Precipitation strengthening is one of the methods to significantly enhance strength,but unfortunately,ductility will be lost.To overcome the strength-ductility trade-off,the strategy of this study is to induce the formation of high-density nanoprecipitates through dual aging(DA),triggering multiple deformation mechanisms,to obtain HEAs with ultrahigh strength and ductility.First,the effect of precold deformation on precipitation behavior was studied using Ni_(35)(CoFe)_(55)V_(5)Nb_(5)(at.%)HEAas the object.The results reveal that the activation energy of recrystallization is 112.2 kJ/mol.As the precold-deformation amount increases from 15%to 65%,the activation energy of precipitation gradually decreases from 178.8 to 159.7 kJ/mol.The precipitation time shortens,the size of the nanoprecipitate decreases,and the density increases.Subsequently,the thermal treatment parameters were optimized,and the DA process was customized based on the effect of precold deformation on precipitation behavior.High-density L1_(2) nanoprecipitates(~3.21×10^(25) m^(-3))were induced in the 65% precold-deformed HEA,which led to the simultaneous formation of twins and stacking fault(SF)networks during deformation.The yield strength(YS),ultimate tensile strength,and ductility of the DA-HEA are~2.0 GPa,~2.2 GPa,and~12.3%,respectively.Compared with the solid solution HEA,the YS of the DA-HEA increased by 1,657 MPa,possessing an astonishing increase of~440%.The high YS stems from the precipitation strengthening contributed by the L1_(2) nanoprecipitates and the dislocation strengthening contributed by precold deformation.The synergistically enhanced ductility stems from the high strain-hardening ability under the dual support of twinning-induced plasticity and SF-induced plasticity.
基金supported by the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.42090055)the National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Projects of China (Grant No.41827808)the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No.42207216).
文摘The strength of the sliding zone soil determines the stability of reservoir landslides.Fluctuations in water levels cause a change in the seepage field,which serves as both the external hydrogeological environment and the internal component of a landslide.Therefore,considering the strength changes of the sliding zone with seepage effects,they correspond with the actual hydrogeological circumstances.To investigate the shear behavior of sliding zone soil under various seepage pressures,24 samples were conducted by a self-developed apparatus to observe the shear strength and measure the permeability coefficients at different deformation stages.After seepage-shear tests,the composition of clay minerals and microscopic structure on the shear surface were analyzed through X-ray and scanning electron microscope(SEM)to understand the coupling effects of seepage on strength.The results revealed that the sliding zone soil exhibited strain-hardening without seepage pressure.However,the introduction of seepage caused a significant reduction in shear strength,resulting in strain-softening characterized by a three-stage process.Long-term seepage action softened clay particles and transported broken particles into effective seepage channels,causing continuous damage to the interior structure and reducing the permeability coefficient.Increased seepage pressure decreased the peak strength by disrupting occlusal and frictional forces between sliding zone soil particles,which carried away more clay particles,contributing to an overhead structure in the soil that raised the permeability coefficient and decreased residual strength.The internal friction angle was less sensitive to variations in seepage pressure than cohesion.
文摘This study presents a comprehensive investigation of residual strength in corroded pipelines within the Yichang-Qianjiang section of the Sichuan-East Gas Pipeline,integrating advanced numerical simulation with experimental validation.The research methodology incorporates three distinct parameter grouping approaches:a random group based on statistical analysis of 389 actual corrosion defects detected during 2023 MFL inspection,a deviation group representing historically documented failure scenarios,and a structural group examining systematic parameter variations.Using ABAQUS finite element software,we developed a dynamic implicit analysis model incorporating geometric nonlinearity and validated it through 1:12.7 scaled model testing,achieving prediction deviations consistently within 5%for standard cases.Our analysis revealed distinct failure mechanisms between large and small defects,with large defects exhibiting stress concentration at circumferential edges and small defects concentrating stress centrally.Quantitative analysis identified defect depth as themost significant factor,with every 1mmincrease reducing strength by 0.054MPa,while defect length showed moderate influence at 0.0018MPa reduction per mm.Comparative analysis demonstrated that circumferential defects exhibited 15%higher burst failure pressure compared to axial defects,though this advantage diminished significantly at depths exceeding 40%wall thickness.These findings,validated through experimental testing with deviations within 5%,provide valuable insights for pipeline integrity management,particularly emphasizing the importance of defect depth monitoring and the need for orientation-specific assessment criteria in corrosion evaluation protocols.
基金funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52063017 and 52061025)the Major Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province(Nos.22ZD6GA008 and 20ZD7GJ008)+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(No.23JRRA820)The Science and Technology Project of Major Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province(No.22ZD6GA008)the Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province(No.23YFGA0058)the College Industry Support Plan of Gansu Province(No.2023CYZC-27).
文摘The growing demand for material properties in challenging environments has led to a surge of interest in rapid composition design. Given the great potential composition space, the field of high/medium entropy alloys (H/MEAs) still lacks effective atomic-scale composition design and screening schemes, which hinders the accurate prediction of desired composition and properties. This study proposes a novel approach for rapidly designing the composition of materials with the aim of overcoming the trade-off between strength and ductility in metal matrix composites. The effect of chemical composition on stacking fault energy (SFE), shear modulus, and phase stability was investigated through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) and thermodynamic calculation software. The alloy's low SFE, highest shear modulus, and stable face-centered cubic (FCC) phase have been identified as three standard physical quantities for rapid screening to characterize the deformation mechanism, ultimate tensile strength, phase stability, and ductility of the alloy. The calculation results indicate that the optimal composition space is expected to fall within the ranges of 17 %–34 % Ni, 33 %–50 % Co, and 25 %–33 % Mn. The comparison of stress-strain curves for various predicted components using simulated and experimental results serves to reinforce the efficacy of the method. This indicates that the screening criteria offer a necessary design concept, deviating from traditional strategies and providing crucial guidance for the rapid development and application of MEAs.
基金financially suppoted by the National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China(No.52371041).
文摘Tungsten heavy alloys(WHAs)prepared using laser additive manufacturing(AM)exhibit intricate ge-ometries,albeit with limited mechanical properties.Here we designed a high-strength WHA featuring a FeCrCoNi high entropy alloy(HEA)binder via the laser metal deposition(LMD)technique.Due to the distinctive thermal cycle and rapid cooling rate,the as-deposited alloys exhibit microstructures with hy-poeutectic,eutectic-like,and spot-like characteristics.To elucidate this phenomenon,the solidification paths were delineated and analyzed by combining microstructural characterization and phase equilib-rium simulation.Theμphase precipitated out from the supersaturated solid solution,thereby nucleating massive dislocations on the FeCrCoNi matrix to increase the work hardening rate.Furthermore,theμphase formed an ultrafine intermetallic compound(IMC)layer around the W grain,reducing the hole or crack between the W grain and FeCrCoNi matrix.Attributed to the precipitation strengthening,the solid solution of the FeCrCoNi binder,along with the load-bearing strength of W,the developed alloy achieved ultrahigh compressive stress and strain of 2047 MPa and 32%respectively at room temperature.These findings contribute valuable insights to the advancement of additive manufacturing for tungsten alloys,leveraging their excellent properties.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52074080,52004001,and 51574002).
文摘Against the background of“carbon peak and carbon neutrality,”it is of great practical significance to develop non-blast furnace ironmaking technology for the sustainable development of steel industry.Carbon-bearing iron ore pellet is an innovative burden of direct reduction ironmaking due to its excellent self-reducing property,and the thermal strength of pellet is a crucial metallurgical property that affects its wide application.The carbon-bearing iron ore pellet without binders(CIPWB)was prepared using iron concentrate and anthracite,and the effects of reducing agent addition amount,size of pellet,reduction temperature and time on the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB during the reduction process were studied.Simultaneously,the mechanism of the thermal strength evolution of CIPWB was revealed.The results showed that during the low-temperature reduction process(300-500℃),the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB linearly increases with increasing the size of pellet,while it gradually decreases with increasing the anthracite ratio.When the CIPWB with 8%anthracite is reduced at 300℃for 60 min,the thermal strength of pellet is enhanced from 13.24 to 31.88 N as the size of pellet increases from 8.04 to 12.78 mm.Meanwhile,as the temperature is 500℃,with increasing the anthracite ratio from 2%to 8%,the thermal compressive strength of pellet under reduction for 60 min remarkably decreases from 41.47 to 8.94 N.Furthermore,in the high-temperature reduction process(600-1150℃),the thermal compressive strength of CIPWB firstly increases and then reduces with increasing the temperature,while it as well as the temperature corresponding to the maximum strength decreases with increasing the anthracite ratio.With adding 18%anthracite,the thermal compressive strength of pellet reaches the maximum value at 800℃,namely 35.00 N,and obtains the minimum value at 1050℃,namely 8.60 N.The thermal compressive strength of CIPWB significantly depends on the temperature,reducing agent dosage,and pellet size.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFB3701000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51971130,52201129,U21A2047,51821001,U2037601)+2 种基金support by the China Postdoctoral Science Foun-dation(2023M742219)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF under Grant Number GZB20240419support by the Ministry of Education,Singapore,under its Academic Research Fund Tier 2(MOE-T2EP50221-0013).
文摘Additive manufacturing (AM) of high-strength metallic alloys frequently encounters detrimental distortion and cracking, attributed to the accumulation of thermal stresses. These issues significantly impede the practical application of as-printed components. This study examines the Mg-15Gd-1Zn-0.4Zr (GZ151K, wt.%) alloy, a prototypical high-strength casting Mg-RE alloy, fabricated through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Despite achieving ultra-high strength, the GZ151K alloy concurrently exhibits a pronounced cold-cracking susceptibility. The as-printed GZ151K alloy consists of almost fully fine equiaxed grains with an average grain size of merely 2.87 µm. Subsequent direct aging (T5) heat treatment induces the formation of dense prismatic β' precipitates. Consequently, the LPBF-T5 GZ151K alloy manifests an ultra-high yield strength of 405 MPa, surpassing all previously reported yield strengths for Mg alloys fabricated via LPBF and even exceeding that of its extrusion-T5 counterpart. Interestingly, as-printed GZ151K samples with a build height of 2 mm exhibit no cracking, whereas samples with build heights ranging from 4 to 18 mm demonstrate severe cold cracking. Thermal stress simulation also suggests that the cold cracking susceptibility increases significantly with increasing build height. The combination of high thermal stress and low ductility in the as-printed GZ151K alloy culminates in a high cold cracking susceptibility. This study offers novel insights into the intricate issue of cold cracking in the LPBF process of high-strength Mg alloys, highlighting the critical balance between achieving high strength and mitigating cold cracking susceptibility.
基金Supported by Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects(No.202403AA080001)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52074137)Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(No.202201AT070151)。
文摘Three types of activators such as sodium hydroxide,calcium oxide and triethanolamine(TEA)are used to establish different activation environments to address the problems associated with the process of activating fly ash paste.We conducted mechanical tests and numerical simulations to understand the evolution of microstructure,and used environmental scanning electron microscopy(ESEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)techniques to analyze the microenvironments of the samples.The mechanical properties of fly ash paste under different activation conditions and the changes in the microstructure and composition were investigated.The results revealed that under conditions of low NaOH content(1%-3%),the strength of the sample increased significantly.When the content exceeded 4%,the rate of increase in strength decreased.Based on the results,the optimal NaOH content was identified,which was about 4%.A good activation effect,especially for short-term activation(3-7 d),was achieved using TEA under high doping conditions.The activation effect was poor for long-term strength after 28 days.The CaO content did not significantly affect the degree of activation achieved.The maximum effect was exerted when the content of CaO was 2%.The virtual cement and concrete testing laboratory(VCCTL)was used to simulate the hydration process,and the results revealed that the use of the three types of activators accelerated the formation of Ca(OH)_(2) in the system.The activators also corroded the surface of the fly ash particles,resulting in a pozzolanic reaction.The active substances in fly ash were released efficiently,and hydration was realized.The pores were filled with hydration products,and the microstructure changed to form a new frame of paste filling that helped improve the strength of fly ash paste.
基金supported by the Qinghai Science and Technology Department Project(2025-QY-225)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42267024)the Second Comprehensive Scientific Investigation and Research Project of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(2019QZKK0905).
文摘The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in the alpine meadow layer of the permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is essential for evaluating their role in enhancing soil shear strength and mitigating slope deformation in these fragile environments.In this study,the roots of four dominant herbaceous plant species—Kobresia pygmaea,Kobresia humilis,Carex moorcroftii,and Leontopodium pusillum—that are widely distributed in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were explored to determine their mechanical properties and effects in enhancing soil shear strength.Through indoor single root tensile and root group tensile tests,we determined the root diameter,tensile force,tensile strength,tensile ratio,and strength frequency distributions.We also evaluated their contributions to inhibiting slope deformation and failure during the formation and development of thermal thaw slumps in the alpine meadow.The results showed that the distribution of the root diameter of the dominant plant species is mostly normal,while the tensile strength tends to be logarithmically normally distributed.The relationship between the root diameter and root tensile strength conforms to a power function.The theoretical tensile strength of the root group was calculated using the Wu-Waldron Model(WWM)and the Fiber Bundle Model(FBM)under the assumption that the cumulative single tensile strength of the root bundle is identical to the tensile strength of the root group in the WWM.The FBM considers three fracture modes:FBM-D(the tensile force on each single root is proportional to its diameter relative to the total sum of all the root diameters),FBM-S(the cross-sectional stress in the root bundle is uniform),and FBM-N(each tensile strength test of individual roots experiences an equal load).It was found that the model-calculated tensile strength of the root group was 162.60%higher than the test value.The model-derived tensile force of the root group from the FBM-D,FBM-S,and FBM-N was 73.10%,28.91%,and 13.47%higher than the test values,respectively.The additional cohesion of the soil provided by the roots was calculated to be 25.90-45.06 kPa using the modified WWM,67.05-38.15 kPa using the FBM-S,and 57.24-32.74 kPa using the FBM-N.These results not only provide a theoretical basis for further quantitative evaluation of the mechanical effects of the root systems of herbaceous plant species in reinforcing the surface soil but also have practical significance for the effective prevention and control of thermal thaw slumping disasters in the permafrost regions containing native alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau using flexible plant protection measures.
基金Funded by China National Key Research and Development Program for Application and Verification of Typical Groundwater Contaminated Sites(No.2019YFC1804805)Shenyang Key Laboratory of Safety Evaluation and Disaster Prevention of Engineering Structures(No.S230184)the Funding Project of Northeast Geological S&T Innovation Center of China Geological Survey(No.QCJJ2023-39)。
文摘Traditional machine learning(ML)encounters the challenge of parameter adjustment when predicting the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete.To address this issue,we introduce two optimized hybrid models:the Bayesian optimization model(B-RF)and the optimal model(Stacking model).These models are applied to a data set comprising 438 observations with five input variables,with the aim of predicting the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete.Furthermore,we evaluate the performance of the optimized models in comparison to traditional machine learning models,such as support vector regression(SVR),decision tree(DT),and random forest(RF).The results reveal that the Stacking model exhibits superior predictive performance,with evaluation indices including R2=0.825,MAE=2.818 and MSE=14.265,surpassing the traditional models.Moreover,we also performed a characteristic importance analysis on the input variables,and we concluded that cement had the greatest influence on the compressive strength of reclaimed concrete,followed by water.Therefore,the Stacking model can be recommended as a compressive strength prediction tool to partially replace laboratory compressive strength testing,resulting in time and cost savings.
基金Funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52109168)。
文摘In order to study the characteristics of pure fly ash-based geopolymer concrete(PFGC)conveniently,we used a machine learning method that can quantify the perception of characteristics to predict its compressive strength.In this study,505 groups of data were collected,and a new database of compressive strength of PFGC was constructed.In order to establish an accurate prediction model of compressive strength,five different types of machine learning networks were used for comparative analysis.The five machine learning models all showed good compressive strength prediction performance on PFGC.Among them,R2,MSE,RMSE and MAE of decision tree model(DT)are 0.99,1.58,1.25,and 0.25,respectively.While R2,MSE,RMSE and MAE of random forest model(RF)are 0.97,5.17,2.27 and 1.38,respectively.The two models have high prediction accuracy and outstanding generalization ability.In order to enhance the interpretability of model decision-making,we used importance ranking to obtain the perception of machine learning model to 13 variables.These 13 variables include chemical composition of fly ash(SiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3),Si/Al),the ratio of alkaline liquid to the binder,curing temperature,curing durations inside oven,fly ash dosage,fine aggregate dosage,coarse aggregate dosage,extra water dosage and sodium hydroxide dosage.Curing temperature,specimen ages and curing durations inside oven have the greatest influence on the prediction results,indicating that curing conditions have more prominent influence on the compressive strength of PFGC than ordinary Portland cement concrete.The importance of curing conditions of PFGC even exceeds that of the concrete mix proportion,due to the low reactivity of pure fly ash.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51890912,51979025 and 52011530189).
文摘This article presents a micro-structure tensor enhanced elasto-plastic finite element(FE)method to address strength anisotropy in three-dimensional(3D)soil slope stability analysis.The gravity increase method(GIM)is employed to analyze the stability of 3D anisotropic soil slopes.The accuracy of the proposed method is first verified against the data in the literature.We then simulate the 3D soil slope with a straight slope surface and the convex and concave slope surfaces with a 90turning corner to study the 3D effect on slope stability and the failure mechanism under anisotropy conditions.Based on our numerical results,the end effect significantly impacts the failure mechanism and safety factor.Anisotropy degree notably affects the safety factor,with higher degrees leading to deeper landslides.For concave slopes,they can be approximated by straight slopes with suitable boundary conditions to assess their stability.Furthermore,a case study of the Saint-Alban test embankment A in Quebec,Canada,is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed FE model.
文摘Along with the growing integration of renewable energy resources,the new power systems,which are dominated by inverter-based resources(IBRs),are facing critical challenges in both planning and operation stages.The conventionally used system strength metric,short-circuit ratio(SCR),exhibits limitations in assessing connections of new IBRs due to their unique dynamic behaviour and control interactions.In this paper,the definition of system strength is reviewed.The underlying principles of conventional SCR and its variants are then discussed,with their constraints explained.To describe the system strength in a more comprehensive way,this paper further classifies system strength into three categories:quasi-static,small-signal,and large-signal.For each category,relevant metrics are introduced and their relative merits are discussed.Electromagnetic transient simulations are presented to illustrate key insights.
文摘Introduction It is necessary for an ideal bioceramic scaffold to have a suitable structure.The structure can affect the mechanical properties of the scaffold(i.e.,elastic modulus and compressive strength)and the biological properties of the scaffold(i.e.,degradability and cell growth rate).Lattice structure is a kind of periodic porous structure,which has some advantages of light weight and high strength,and is widely used in the preparation of bioceramic scaffolders.For the structure of the scaffold,high porosity and large pore size are important for bone growth,bone integration and promoting good mechanical interlocking between neighboring bones and the scaffold.However,scaffolds with a high porosity often lack mechanical strength.In addition,different parts of the bone have different structural requirements.In this paper,scaffolds with a non-uniform structure or a hierarchical structure were designed,with loose and porous exterior to facilitate cell adhesion,osteogenic differentiation and vascularization as well as relatively dense interior to provide sufficient mechanical support for bone repair.Methods In this work,composite ceramics scaffolds with 10%akermanite content were prepared by DLP technology.The scaffold had a high porosity outside to promote the growth of bone tissue,and a low porosity inside to withstand external forces.The compressive strength,fracture form,in-vitro degradation performance and bioactivity of graded bioceramic scaffolds were investigated.The models of scaffolds were imported into the DLP printer with a 405 nm light.The samples were printed with the intensity of 8 mJ/cm^(2)and a layer thickness of 50μm.Finally,the ceramic samples were sintered at 1100℃.The degradability of the hierarchical gyroid bioceramic scaffolds was evaluated through immersion in Tris-HCl solution and SBF solution at a ratio of 200 mL/g.The bioactivity of bioceramic was obtained via immersing them in SBF solution for two weeks.The concentrations of calcium,phosphate,silicon,and magnesium ions in the soaking solution were determined by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer.Results and discussion In this work,a hierarchical Gyroid structure HA-AK10 scaffold(sintered at 1100℃)with a radial internal porosity of 50%and an external porosity of 70%is prepared,and the influence of structural form on the compressive strength and degradation performance of the scaffold is investigated.The biological activity of the bioceramics in vitro is also verified.The mechanical simulation results show that the stress distribution corresponds to the porosity distribution of the structure,and the low porosity is larger and the overall stress concentration phenomenon does not appear.After soaking in SBF solution,Si—OH is firstly formed on the surface of bioceramics,and then silicon gel layer is produced due to the presence of calcium and silicon ions.The silicon gel layer is dissociated into negatively charged groups under alkaline environment secondary adsorption of calcium ions and phosphate ions,forming amorphous calcium phosphate,and finally amorphous calcium phosphate crystals and adsorption of carbonate ions,forming carbonate hydroxyapatite.This indicates that the composite bioceramics have a good biological activity in-vitro and can provide a good environment for the growth of bone cells.A hierarchical Gyroid ceramic scaffold with a bone geometry is prepared via applying the hierarchical structure to the bone contour scaffold.The maximum load capacity of the hierarchical Gyroid ceramic scaffold is 8 times that of the uniform structure.Conclusions The hierarchical structure scaffold designed had good overall compressive performance,good degradation performance,and still maintained a good mechanical stability during degradation.In addition,in-vitro biological experimental results showed that the surface graded composite scaffold could have a good in-vitro biological activity and provide a good environment for bone cells.Compared to the heterosexual structure,the graded scaffold had greater mechanical properties.
文摘Microwave-curing and mechanical grinding of fly ash have both beenadopted as effective methods for improving the early-age strength of alkali-activated fly ash(AAFA)binders.This study combined these two approaches by synthesizing AAFA using original,medium-fine,and ultrafine fly ash as precursors,and then specimens were cured with a five-stage temperature-controlled microwave.The compressive strength results indicate that the original AAFA develops the highest strength initially during microwave-curing,reaching 28 MPa at stage 2.Medium-fine AAFA exhibits the highest strength of 60 MPa when cured to stage 4-I,which is 26%higher than the peak strength of original AAFA.It is attributed to the significant rise in their specific surface area,which accelerates the dissolution of Si and Al from the precursor and facilitates the subsequent formation of N-A-S-H gels.Additionally,nanoscale zeolite crystals formed as secondary products fill the tiny gaps between amorphous products,thereby significantly improving their microstructure.In contrast,ultrafine fly ash,primarily composed of fragmented particles,necessitated a substantial amount of water,which adversely affects the absorption efficiency for microwave of AAFA specimens.Thus,ultrafine AAFA specimens consistently exhibit the lowest compressive strength.Specifically,at the end of curing,the compressive strength of these three specimens with microwave-curing is approximately 32%,59%,and 172%higher than that of the steam-cured sample,respectively.These findings demonstrate the compatibility of microwave-curing and fly ash refinement in enhancing the early compressive strength development of AAFA.
文摘Muscle deconditioning due to hospitalisation is problematic, causing delayed discharges, more nursing, carer, or social service support following discharge, and possible discharge to a care home rather than the patient’s own home. Muscle deconditioning is associated with increased mortality, infections, depression, and reductions in patient mobility and ability to engage in their activities of daily living. Preserving muscle strength and function should form part of patients’ rehabilitation plans. Progressive resistance training (PRE) offers the most cost-effective way of preserving muscle strength and function;however, it is not routinely carried out in hospitals. A leg strengthening device (the S-Press) has been developed with the aim of improving access to effective PRE for adults. Using a qualitative approach, thematic analysis of interviews with physiotherapists, patients, and relative carers about their experience of using the S-Press provided insight into integrating PRE into patients’ rehabilitation, what promoted or prevented its use, and the outcomes associated with its use. Four overall themes emerged from the data. “Experience of Users” described that the S-Press was accessible, convenient, time efficient, portable, and manoeuvrable, and it provided an objective measure of progress. “Facilitators” included findings around how the S-Press was easy to use, motivational, and comfortable when in use. “Barriers” comprised the inability of some patients to use the S-Press independently and the identification of obstacles that prevented consistent use. “Impact and Benefits” represented the perceptions of increased leg strength and psychological benefits. The S-Press is beneficial for patients’ rehabilitation by offering PRE that is simple and easy to use, acceptable to both patients and professionals, and can be integrated as part of patients’ rehabilitation plans.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52301029 and 52274359)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.06500165)+2 种基金the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foun-dation(No.2022A1515140006)the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(No.2023QNRC001)the Beijing Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by BMES。
文摘1.Introduction Titanium(Ti)and its alloy have become a critical structural material in aerospace,weaponry,and equipment industries due to their high strength,low density,and excellent corrosion resistance[1-3].
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,No.52271138)the Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province(Nos.2023-YBGY-433 and 2024GX-YBXM-356)+1 种基金Xi'an Talent Program Young Innovative Talents(No.XAYC 2023030)the Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Shaanxi Province(No.S2024-JC-QN-2642).
文摘Synergistically and simultaneously enhancing strength and ductility has been a major challenge for the development and applications of titanium matrix composites.Herein,a new design methodology for Ti_(2)Cu/Ti_(6)Al4V composites with superior strength and ductility is reported.
文摘Introduction: Bracket debonding is a frequent issue that clinicians encounter, leading to increased chair time, lost revenue, and material usage. In addition to patient compliance with their diet recommendations, the preparation and conditioning of teeth for bonding significantly influence bond strength and consequently impact orthodontic treatment success and efficiency. Because of OBA-MCP’s (orthodontic bonding adhesive with modified calcium phosphate) decreased shear bond strength (SBS), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of conditioning with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) before etching in the bonding protocol. Materials and Methods: 90 extracted teeth were divided into 3 groups to be bonded with orthodontic brackets with different bonding protocols: 1) Transbond XT with regular bonding protocol (etch + prime + adhesive);2) OBA-MCP with regular bonding protocol;and 3) OBA-MCP with NaOCl prior to acid etching in the regular bonding protocol. SBS (in Newtons) were measured using an MTS universal testing machine with a custom jig to apply a vertical force onto the bracket and ARI (adhesive remnant index) scores were recorded for each sample after de-bond to rate the amount of adhesive remaining. Results: The addition of NaOCl to the bonding protocol statistically significantly increased the SBS of OBA-MCP to comparable levels to Transbond XT. The ARI scores showed that when NaOCl was added, more adhesive remained. Conclusion: The addition of NaOCl to the bonding protocol can increase the SBS of adhesives with historically weaker bond strengths. However, the increased amount of adhesive remaining and the increased time spent during bonding must be considered. Further testing can be done in vivo to demonstrate the practicality of this new procedure.
