Scattering Reduction and Resonant Trapping of Flexural Waves: Two Rings to Rule Them

In this paper, we discuss two problems concerning scattering and localisation of flexural waves in structured elastic plates. Firstly, we compare the scattering amplitudes of waves in a thin plate, generated by a point source, due to a single mass and to a large number of smaller masses, having the same equivalent mass and located around a circle. We show that in the second case, the scattering can be reduced, in particular in the medium- and high-frequency regimes. Secondly, we develop a homogenised model for a double-ring cluster of spring-mass resonators, connected to an elastic thin plate. We determine the conditions for which the plate exhibits vibration modes trapped between the two rings. Further, we show that the frequencies of the localised modes can be tuned by varying the geometry of the two rings and the characteristics of the resonators. The analytical results are corroborated by numerical simulations performed with independent finite element models.

Development of a Fish-Like Robot with a Continuous and High Frequency Snap-Through Buckling Mechanism Using a Triangular Cam

This study focuses on the high maneuverability of fish in water to design a fish-like robot via snap-through buckling. The aim of this study is to improve swimming speed by increasing the frequency at which snap-through buckling occurs. Here, we propose a novel drive mechanism using a triangular cam that can continuously generate snap-through buckling at a high frequency. In addition, we developed a fish-like robot via the proposed mechanism and analyzed the influence of the frequency of snap-through buckling on swimming speed. The results obtained indicate that swimming speed is improved and that the relationship between frequency and swimming speed exhibits a single peak. In other words, the swimming speed is reduced when the frequency is significantly increased. We also determined that swimming speed was improved using a wide elastic thin plate as the driving mechanism.

Research on the First Breaking Mechanism of the Main Roof of Coal Seam with High Dip Angle

In order to study the mechanism and characteristics of the first breaking of the roof in thick coal seams with high dip angles, a mechanical model of elastic thin plate with four clamped edges of the roof was established, and the expressions of the deflection and stress of the roof were obtained by the energy method. The influence of the change in seam dip angle on the first breaking distance of the roof was presented. Based on the stress solution, the roof breaking criterion was proposed, and the breaking distance of the roof was calculated. Combined with numerical simulation, the stress distribution characteristics of the upper and lower surfaces of the stope roof were analyzed. The results show that the first breaking distance of the roof is inversely proportional to the seam dip angle. Broken morphology of roof in high dip seam is different from the “O-X” morphology of horizontal roof. The roof breaking order of the seam with high dip angle is middle-middle upper-middle lower-upper-lower. These research results have certain theoretical guiding significance for the study of the first breaking mechanism of the main roof of highly inclined working face of coal seams.