Hybrid Prepreg Tapes for Composite Manufacturing: A Case Study

The aim of this research was the preparation and characterization of hybrid prepreg tapes from glass multifilament roving (circular cross-section). The fiber, roving, and tape strength distribution was characterized by exploratory data analysis tools (especially quantile-quantile plot) and modeled by the three parameters’ Weibull distribution. For estimation of Weibull model parameters, the noniterative technique based on the so-called Weibull moments was used. It was shown that the prepared hybrid prepreg tapes prepared by controlled mechanical spreading technology developed by the authors improved mechanical tensile properties and can be used for the preparation of composites of complicated forms by robotic winding.

Experimental Study on Factors Influencing the Strength Distribution of In Situ Cemented Tailings Backfill

Previous studies have found that the strength of in situ cemented tailings backfill usually presents an S-shaped distribution, which decreases first, then increases, and decreases thereafter along the direction of slurry flow. In this study, to explore the factors determining the distribution, a similar model test of cemented tailings backfill was carried out. The distribution law of grain size composition and the cement content of backfill materials along the flow direction were experimentally studied, and the comprehensive factor influencing the strength distribution was analyzed. The results show that, firstly, near the feeding point, there are more coarse particles, whereas the content of fine particles is higher farther away. The measured maximum median particle size can be more than three times the minimum value. Secondly, the cement content increases gradually along the flow direction and reaches the peak at the end of the model, which can be more than twice the minimum value, indicating that the degree of segregation is significant. Thirdly, the strength distribution of cemented backfills is comprehensively determined by both the particle size distribution (PSD) and the cement content. The maximum value appears neither at the point with peak median particle size, nor at the point with the highest cement content. Lastly, there is a strong linear correlation between the strength of cemented backfills and the strength factor (SF), which is defined as the product of the uniformity coefficient and cement content of filling materials, indicating that the SF can be used to quantitatively reflect the comprehensive effects of PSD and cement content on the strength. As SF is a comprehensive quantitative index reflecting the distribution of strength, it will be further studied in later research to acquire more experimental results of the relationship between sample strength and SF, which will be meaningful for the quality evaluation of in situ cemented backfills, and the optimization of backfill system.

Hydro-Mechanics Analysis on the Strength Development of Cement-Stabilized Sand

Deep cement mixing is an effective ground stabilization technique to control the ground movement on sand areas, and most of the projects have the problem of seepage. The cement slurry is in a fluid state before the initial setting time, the seepage may affect the diffusion process of cement slurry during this period. A hydro-mechanical approach is proposed to investigate the interaction between the seepage and the strength of cement-stabilized sand. The diffusion of the cement slurry under seepage is considered in this study and the diffusion process is simulated by the finite element method. According to the cement concentration at the end of the diffusion process, the strength of cement-stabilized sand can be predicted by combining an empirical formula. Simulation results examine that the existence of seepage and cracks can enhance the non-uniform diffusion process of cement slurry, and the actual strength distribution of the deep cement-mixed sand is far from the ideal state. This indicates that the influence of seepage on the strength of cement-stabilized sand should be considered in the design of projects.

Precision management of pollination services to blueberry crops

While the cultivated area of pollinator-dependent crops is increasing, pollinator availability is decreasing, leading to problems in many agroecosystems. For this reason, pollinator-dependent crop growers often rent beehives to support their pollination requirements to sustain fruit productivity. However, the efficiency of those pollination systems has not been extensively studied. Here, we compared the effect of “precision” pollination (i.e., application of pesticides coordinated with growers, audit of hives, dietary supplementation and individual distribution of hives) with conventional practices (i.e., pesticides applications without coordination with growers and no audit of hives, low maintenance of hives and hives distributed in large groups) on the mean level of pollination and fruit production and quality in blueberry crops. In nine blueberry fields, we measured bee visitation rate to flowers, fruit set, fruit firmness and fruit weight. On average, precision-pollinated plots had 70% more bee visits to flowers and produced 13% more fruits that were 12% heavier and 12% firmer than those obtained through conventional practices. These results showed that pollination efficiency could be improved if key management related to bee strength, distribution and health care are taken into account. Due to these results, we encourage growers and beekeepers to include precision pollination practices to both increase the productivity of blueberry fields and the wellbeing of honey bees within agroecosystems.

Characteristics of HEMP Radiation Field on Typical Transport Aircraft with Frequency Sweep Method

This paper presents characteristics of the HEMP radiation field on a typical transport aircraft using the frequency sweep method. Firstly, the characteristics of the HEMP field are analyzed. Then, various parameters including the electric field strength and magnetic field strength distribution are calculated using Altair FEKO software. Afterwards, the electric field strength distributions of three layers (top layer, inner layer and bottom layer) are calculated and analyzed. The results indicate that the HEMP induced field is affected by the aircraft body. The induced electric field strength E(t) varies greatly at different positions. Nevertheless, the peak value of E(t) is usually greater than the initial peak value of electric field strength E0. Such a study can provide guidance and insight into the protection design of the HEMP of the aircraft.

Rheological model of the lithosphere along profile VII in the Eastern Carpathians

We used 2D integrated geophysical modelling approach to calculate the temperature distribution in the lithosphere along profile VII passing through the Eastern Carpathians. With assigned rheological parameters of rocks and obtained temperature field, we derived the rheological model of the lithosphere along the studied profile. We have calculated the strength distribution in the lithosphere, based on the brittle and ductile deformation, for compressional and extensional regimes and the vertically integrated strength along the profile. To illustrate the strength distribution in different tectonic units, we have calculated the yield strength envelopes for chosen lithospheric columns. Ours results show that the dominant regime is compressional and the largest strength occurs on the boundary between the upper and lower crust. Along the studied profile, the strength decreases from its high values in the European platform towards its minimum in the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ). In the Eastern Carpathians, the strength increases, reaches two maxima, the first in the Outer Eastern Carpathians, and the second in the Inner Eastern Carpathians, where the highest values of strength can be observed. Another local maximum along the profile can be observed in the Apuseni Mountains, while the minimal strength is observed in the Transylvanian Basin. The diverse rheological behaviour of studied tectonic units seems to be in accordance with their lithospheric structure and tectonics.