Semi-Analytical Model to Predict the Elastic Post-buckling Response of Axially Compressed Cylindrical Shells with Tailored Distributed Stiffness

This study introduces an approximate analytical model to predict the post-buckling response of cylinders with tailored nonuniform distributed stiffness. The shell's wall thickness, and thus its stiffness, is tailored so as to obtain multiple controlled elastic local buckling events when the cylinder is subjected to uniform axial compression. The proposed model treats cylinder segments of different stiffness as individual panels and combines their response by considering them as connected linear or nonlinear springs. The governing equations for the panels are formulated using von Karman's theory and solved by Galerkin's approximate method for a predefined radial deformation. Radial deformation functions are used to improve the model's accuracy and results show that the model's accuracy increases significantly with the number of considered radial functions. The model's predicted axial response for different cylinders are compared to results from experiments on 3D printed samples. Results indicate that this model accurately predicts the order of the buckling events while the buckling forces from the model are higher than those measured experimentally.

Direct-imaging DOEs for high-NA multi-spot confocal microscopy

Diffractive lens arrays with overlapping apertures can produce spots with high numerical apertures (NAs). Such diffractive optical elements (DOEs) can replace high-NA objectives and measure a large area with high resolution in transmission microscopes. However, in reflection microscopes for surface measurements, the axial resolution is still limited by the objectives. Direct-imaging DOEs are proposed to solve the problem. They can perform high-NA multi-spot measurement in reflection configurations in both lateral and axial directions. Experiments demonstrate a lateral non-vanishing contrast up to 1448 lp/mm and an axial response on a plane mirror with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 2.24 μm.

Arching followed by catenary response of steel shear connections in disproportionate collapse

Steel shear connections are mainly designed to sustain shear forces. There is limited research assessing the axial response of shear connections, which is important in the evaluation of robustness of steel structures. Structural collapse can be arrested following localized damage if an alternative load path with sufficient capacity is available. In this study, the formation of compressive arching action followed by tensile catenary action is investigated. It is shown that in a column loss scenario, connections may develop significant axial compressive force before catenary action begins; this phenomenon has often been neglected in assessments of connection robustness in the sense that axial force is reported as a tensile action only. The presence of arching action has been confirmed in two experimental programs, and one set is selected for further study using a numerical approach. A simplified analytical model is then presented and compared with the observed axial response of these connections. It is concluded that vertical eccentricity between the centres of rotation of the connections at the two ends of a beam is the principal factor causing the development of a compressive arching force. Another influential parameter that affects the formation of arching action is the stiffness of the surrounding structure.