Mechanisms-Based Transitional Viscoplasticity

When metal is subjected to extreme strain rates, the conversation of energy to plastic power, the subsequent heat production and the growth of damages may lag behind the rate of loading. The imbalance alters deformation pathways and activates micro-dynamic excitations. The excitations immobilize dislocation, are responsible for the stress upturn and magnify plasticity-induced heating. The main conclusion of this study is that dynamic strengthening, plasticity-induced heating, grain size strengthening and the processes of microstructural relaxation are inseparable phenomena. Here, the phenomena are discussed in semi-independent sections, and then, are assembled into a unified constitutive model. The model is first tested under simple loading conditions and, later, is validated in a numerical analysis of the plate impact problem, where a copper flyer strikes a copper target with a velocity of 308 m/s. It should be stated that the simulations are performed with the use of the deformable discrete element method, which is designed for monitoring translations and rotations of deformable particles.

Volcanic history in the Smythii basin based on SELENE radar observation

Elucidation of the subsurface structure in the Smythii basin on the moon is important for understanding lunar volcanic history. Two lava units (Units 1 and 2) cover this basin. The spatial subsurface structure below Unit 2 is unknown. We used SELENE/Lunar Radar Sounder data to identify four subsurface boundaries at 130, 190, 300, and 420 m depths. The radar is reflected at the paleo-regolith layer sandwiched among lava flows, which is supported by a simple radar reflection/transmission model. The spatial distribution of subsurface boundaries demonstrates the deposition of Unit 2 on the subsidence in Unit 1. A simple loading model explained the maximum depth of subsidence (~500 m) and indicated that lithospheric thickness in the Smythii basin was ~24 km at 3.95 Gya. The estimated growth rate of the lithosphere was ~60 km/Ga during 3.95 to 3.07 Gya. After the formation of the Smythii basin at ~4.11 Gya, Unit 1 and Unit 2 deposited with eruption rates of ~8.4 × 10−4 km3/yr by 3.95 Gya and ~7.5 × 10−6 km3/yr by 3.07 Gya respectively. The timing of decline in volcanic activity in the Smythii basin differs from that for the lunar nearside maria, indicating the diversity of volcanism in various lunar areas.

The Role of Inclusions in the Failure of Boron Carbide Subjected to Impact Loading

This work investigates the importance of the microstructure of boron carbide for initiating inelastic deformation under impact conditions. Simple loading resulting from a flyer plate impact geometry is used to illustrate the importance of microstructure for the well-controlled and easily instrumented experimental geometry. A second set of simulations is performed on a miniaturized impact geometry to investigate the importance of the microstructure for the early stages of semi-infinite penetration for impact velocities between 0.9 km/s and 1.9 km/s. The effect of the microstructure is more pronounced for the flyer plate impact geometry.

Numerical analysis of soil deformation behind the reaction wall of an open caisson induced by horizontal parallel pipe-jacking construction

The disturbance of the soil behind the reaction wall of an open caisson can affect the efficiency and safety of jacking operation and control. This study focuses on the deformation of the soil mass behind the reaction wall used to support the jack. The stress–strain relationship of the soil behind the reaction wall was analysed, providing a theoretical basis for determining the most unfavourable combination of reactive forces using a computational model. A three-dimensional finite element model for this problem was developed, and a simple loading scenario was implemented. In addition, the mechanism of the deformation of the soil induced by horizontal parallel pipe jacking was also analysed. The results showed that for the soil behind the reaction wall of the open caisson, the uplift deformation of the soil surface increased initially and later gradually decreased, eventually achieving stability. The reaction force had a relatively obvious effect on the deformation of the soil within the range of the reaction wall burial depth and the horizontal displacement of the soil along the length of the reaction wall. The maximum displacement occurred near the axis of symmetry of the reaction wall. In addition, to consider the cyclic characteristics of the reaction force, the shakedown theorem is introduced to the deformation analysis of the soil and compared with the results obtained from simple loading. It was shown that the two deformation analysis methods have certain scopes of application, depending on the individual engineering requirements.