An Intelligent Process to Estimate the Nonlinear Behaviors of an Elasto-Plastic Steel Coil Damper Using Artificial Neural Networks

This study developed a nonlinear behavior prediction model for elasto-plastic steel coil dampers (SCDs) using artificial neural networks (ANN). To train the ANN, first, the input and output data of the behavior of the elasto-plastic SCD was prepared. This study utilized the design parameters and load–displacement curves of the SCD to train the ANN. The elasto-plastic load–displacement curve of the SCD was obtained from simulation results using an ANSYS workbench. The design parameters (wire diameter, internal diameter, number of active windings, yield strength) of the SCD were defined as the input patterns, while the yield deformation, first stiffness, and second stiffness were output patterns. During learning of the neural network model, 60 datasets of the SCD were used as the learning pattern, and the remaining 21 were used to verify the model. Although this study used a small number of learning patterns, the ANN predicted accurate results for yield displacement, first stiffness, and second stiffness. In this study, the ANN was found to perform very well, predicting the nonlinear response of the SCD, compared with the values obtained from a finite element analysis program.

Real contact ratio and tooth bending stress calculation for plastic/plastic and plastic/steel spur gears

This paper presents an iterative method for calculating the effective contact ratio and the bending tooth stress for a pair of plastic/plastic and plastic/steel spur gears with an involute profile. In this method, the pinion and the gear are modeled, at each moment of the mesh cycle, as equivalent springs in parallel undergoing the same displacement along the line of action. This leads to the calculation of the bending stress by taking into account the number of teeth initially in contact and those which enter in contact prematurely. We also investigate the influence of certain gear parameters, such as, the number of teeth, the pressure angle, and the module on the behavior of a pair of meshed gears. In addition, the variation of the bending stress at the tooth fillet is investigated for a pair of plastic/plastic and a pair of plastic/steel spur gears, in order to determine the critical configurations for which the bending stress is maximum. In general, the results obtained from the present method also show that the stress variation in plastic/plastic gears differs markedly from that in plastic/steel gears.

SUBMERGED GROYNES FOR BEACH STABILISATION

Typically, rubble mound groynes are constructed by end tipping from trucks for which the roadway level must be above high tide. Some adverse effects of such surface piercing groynes include the generation of rips along their trunks (Fleming 1990; Scott et al., 2016), which can transport sand off the beach and out of the groyne compartment. Further, rubble mound groynes have large footprints that may smother benthic habitat. A submerged groyne may obviate such potential adverse impacts. Submerged groynes are used in England to stabilise shingle beaches (Simm et al., 1996). The groyne extends offshore but underwater, protruding far enough above the seabed to arrest alongshore transport of littoral drift. However, scale modelling (Jensen 1997) showed that groynes remaining below the water surface allow for the expansion of rip currents and, hence, a reduction in their velocity and their capacity to transport littoral drift offshore and beyond the groyne compartment. Further, submerged groynes can comprise sheet piling, which may be timber (as used in UK), fibre-reinforced plastic, steel or concrete, which present a negligible footprint, having a minimal impact on benthic habitat.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/UbmLhdXCVj0

COMBINED METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ARMORED STEEL

Foreign and domestic experience has shown the prospects of using heterogeneous multilayer armor instead of homogeneous. Studies have shown that the method of explosion welding for low-plastic and high-strength steels has limitations on the thickness of the thrown plate of 10-12 mm, which allows us to recommend it for the production of multilayer composite armor. The combined technology (explosion welding + hot batch rolling) provides a three-layer armor plate with an intermediate layer of plastic steel with high strength properties and a defect-free joint structure. The introduction of layers of plastic metals into the composition of multi-layer armor makes it possible to increase the armor resistance. The combined technology can be recommended for the production of wear-resistant and armored bimetal.

OPTIMIZATION OF SIMPLY SUPPORTED CASTELLATED I-BEAMS LOADED BY A UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD

The paper discusses the problem of optimizing the geometric parameters of simply supported I-beams in order to maximize their load carrying capacity. Numerical simulation of various types of failure of castellated I- beams with ideal elastic-plastic steel is carried out. The stability of the wall, the strength of the welds and flanges, depending on the geometric parameters investigated. Using the coordinate descent method, the optimization prob­lem is solved for nine design schemes with respect to the section height and the weld length. It was revealed that in short beams the section height should be less and the weld length longer, in contrast to long beams.