Durability-Aimed Design Criteria of Cement-Stabilized Loess Subgrade for Railway

The subgrade is the foundation of railway construction, so its strength and stability are very important to ensure the safety and stability of a train. Loess is widely distributed in northwestern China, and it must be stabilized before being used in railway subgrade construction because loess is sensitive to water. Railway subgrade withstands not only the train load but also repeated attacks from the environment and climate because it has to be exposed to natural environment after construction. Therefore, the strength of cement-stabilized loess deteriorates continuously because of the above factors. Taking account of long-term stability, the influences of load on the cement-stabilized loess as well as the strength reduction laws of cement-stabilized loess under wet–dry cycling and freeze–thaw cycling were analyzed in this study. Additionally, the respective reduction coefficients were obtained. Finally, the strength design criteria of cement-stabilized loess subgrade were put forward based on railway subgrade durability by analyzing the obtained reduction coefficients and the critical dynamic strength of railway subgrade.

An Empirical Formula for Predicting Elastic Ultimate Buckling Strength of Flat-Bar Stiffened Panels With Initial Imperfections

Elastic ultimate buckling strength is an important strength design criteria to estimate the safety margin of stiffened panels subjected to axial compressive load. Based on a series of Nonlinear finite elements analysis, an empirical formula is proposed to elastic ultimate buckling strength of stiffened panels with flat-bar stiffener in this study. The elastic ultimate buckling strength is defined as that in the loading process, a certain average compressive stress of stiffened panels when the Vonmises stress of structures firstly reach the yield stress. The range of geometrical sizes for numerical samples is discussed in order to ensure the applicability of presented empirical formula. The extent of models and initial imperfection, namely initial geometrical deformation are also taken into account. Ultimately, it is shown that there are a good agreement between the results of Non-linear finite element method and the proposed empirical formula.

Strength Criteria Versus Plastic Flow Criteria Used in Pressure Vessel Design and Analysis1

This paper presents a critical comparison of the traditional strength criteria and the modern plastic flow criteria used in the structural design and integrity assessment of pressure vessels. This includes (1) a brief review of the traditional strength criteria used in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code, (2) a discussion of the shortcomings of the traditional strength criteria when used to predict the burst pressure of pressure vessels, (3) an analysis of challenges, technical gaps, and basic needs to improve the traditional strength criteria, (4) a comparison of strength theories and plasticity theories for ductile materials, (5) an evaluation of available plastic flow criteria and their drawbacks in prediction of burst pressure of pressure vessels, (6) a description of a newly developed multiaxial yield criterion and its application to pressure vessels, and (7) a demonstration of experimental validation of the new plastic flow criterion when used to predict the burst pressure of thin-wall pressure vessels. Finally, recommendations are made for further study to improve the traditional strength design criteria and to facilitate utilization of the modern plastic flow criteria for pressure vessel design and analysis.

Evaluation of Strength Design Criteria and Plastic Flow Criteria for Pressure Vessels

The present paper evaluates the traditional strength design criteria and recently developed plastic flow criteria used in the structural design and integrity assessment for pressure vessels. This includes (1) a brief review of the traditional strength criteria used in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code, (2) a discussion of the shortcoming of existing strength criteria when used to predict the burst pressure of pressure vessels, (3) an analysis of challenges, technical gaps and basic needs to improve the traditional strength design criteria, (4) a comparison of strength theory and flow theory for ductile pressure vessels, (5) an evaluation of available flow criteria and their shortcoming in prediction of failure pressure of pressure vessels, (6) an introduction of newly developed multi-axial flow criterion and its application to pressure vessels, and (7) a demonstration of experimental validations of the new flow criterion when used to predict the burst pressure of pressure vessels. On this basis, several recommendations are made for further study to improve the existing strength design and integrity assessment methods of pressure vessels.

Research on Lightweight Technology Application in River-Crossing and Military Bridge Equipment

Lightweight technology application in river-crossing and military bridge equipment has important significance to promote rapid development. Lightweight can efficiently reduce the weight, promote structure optimization and improve performance of the river-crossing and military bridge equipment. After basic principles and main technologies of the lightweight application in the river-crossing and military bridge equipment components are summarized, strength design technologies for the lightweight of the equipment components are discussed, and simple shape components strength design criteria under tension/ compression, bending, shearing and torsion are analyzed, which is extended to general lightweight components strength design criteria. On the basis of the lightweight design principles and strength design criteria, appropriate design methods and optimization strategies are selected, suitable lightweight high-strength material is chosen according to research and development demands, and the lightweight purpose for the river-crossing and military bridge equipment is realized.