Mori-Tanaka-based statistical methodology to compute the effective Young modulus of polymer matrix nano-composites considering the experimental quantification of nanotubes dispersion and alignment degree

This paper presents a Mori-Tanaka-based statistical methodology to predict the effective Young modulus of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced composites considering three variables: weight content, reinforcement dispersion and orientation. Last two variables are quantified by two parameters, namely, free-path distance between nano-reinforcements and orientation angle regarding the loading direction. To validate the present methodology, samples of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-matrix composite were manufactured by mixing solution. The MWCNT/PVA Young modulus was measured by nano-indentation, while the MWCNTs Young modulus was quantified by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Both stretched and unstretched composite specimens were fabricated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in-plane image analysis were used to obtain fitting coefficients of log-normal frequency distribution functions for the free-path distance and orientation angle. It was evidenced that numerical results fit well to measured values of effective Young modulus of MWCNTs and MWCNT/PVA, with exception of some particular cases where significant differences were found. Microstructural heterogeneities, cluster formation, polymer chains alignment, errors associated with the dispersion, orientation and mechanical characterization procedures, as well as idealization and statistical errors, were identified as possible causes of these differences. Finally, using the proposed methodology and the dispersion and orientation distribution functions experimentally obtained, the effective Young modulus is estimated for three kinds of thermoplastic matrices (polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene ketone, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) with different kinds of nanotubes (single wall, double wall, and multi-walled), at different weight contents, finding the superior mechanical performance for double-walled CNTs-reinforced composites and the lower one for multi-walled CNTs-reinforced ones.

Numerical analysis of stiffened plates subjected to transverse uniform load through the constructal design method

When it comes to engineering, high performance is always a desired goal. In this context, regarding stiffened plates, the search for better geometric configurations able to minimize the out-of-plane displacements become interesting. So, this study aimed to analyze several stiffened plates defined by the Constructal Design Method (CDM) and solved through the Finite Element Method (FEM) using the ANSYS® software. After that, these plates are compared among each other through the Exhaustive Search (ES) technique. To do so, a non-stiffened rectangular plate was adopted as reference. Then, a portion of its steel volume was converted into stiffeners through the ϕ parameter, which represents the ratio between the volume of the stiffeners and the total volume of the reference plate. Taking into consideration the value of ϕ = 0.3, 75 different stiffened plates arrangements were proposed: 25 with rectangular stiffeners oriented at 0°; 25 with rectangular stiffeners oriented at 45° and 25 with trapezoidal stiffeners oriented at 0°. Maintaining the total volume of material constant, it was investigated the geometry influence on the maximum deflection of these stiffened plates. The results have shown trapezoidal stiffeners oriented at 0° are more effective to reduce the maximum deflections than rectangular stiffeners also oriented at 0°. It was also observed that rectangular stiffeners oriented at 45° presented the smallest maximum deflections for the majority of the analyzed cases, when compared to the trapezoidal and rectangular stiffeners oriented at 0°.

Prediction and investigation between impeller blade shape parameters and performance parameters in CFD and ANN

The blade shape parameters have a remarkable effect on the centrifugal pump performance. In order to reveal the relationship between these parameters and pump performance, a single channel was regarded as the research object to calculate its performance by numerical simulation, and the performance was measured on an experimental rig. The optimized ANN is proposed, and it is proved to be highly accurate. The ANN correlation coefficient of the total response could be above 0.997 after thousands of retaining. The sorts and degrees affecting performance parameters were found out by gray relation analysis. It was found that the blade angles at the leading edge were more influential for reaction force, head and minimum pressure, while the wrap angles had greater impact for efficiency. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model was established to quantify the weight and trend of the influence of blade shape parameters on performance. The results provide a reference guide for the optimized design of centrifugal impeller to improve pump performance.

Prediction of tensile strength of fused deposition modeling (FDM) printed PLA using classic laminate theory

The application of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is restricted due to limited information about the mechanical properties of printed parts. Therefore, it is required to determine the mechanical properties of the FDM properties to avail the full benefit of the FDM process. In the present study, Classic Laminate Theory (CLT) has been employed at the different configurations of layer thickness and raster width. The required elastic constant of material for CLT has been experimentally obtained through FDM printed Polylactic Acid (PLA) unidirectional specimens at 0°, 45° and 90° for different combinations of layer height and raster width. For these different combinations of layer height and raster width, constitutive models were developed to predict the tensile properties of the PLA parts. Tensile strength of the FDM printed bi-directional specimens has been experimentally obtained to validate the proposed CLT model results. The experimental tensile strength data is in good agreement with the data predicted by the proposed CLT model. Higher tensile strength and modulus were achieved with 0° raster angle compared to 90° raster angle. In the case of a bi-directional printed specimen, higher tensile strength was obtained with 45°/-45° raster angle followed by 30°/-60° and 0°/90° raster angle.

Design and dynamics calculations of shallot seed feeding mechanism

Research on shallot planting feeding technology is an integral part of the shallot planter associations in which determines the suitable drop of shallot seeds to the planting mechanism. The shape of shallot seed will affect the process of selecting the feeding mechanism and feeding funnel shape. The dynamics study of shallot seeds in the feeding funnel and their movement (that is dependent on the profile and mass property of seeds) is important for manufacturing and running a good mechanism. The shallots will then be transferred by the feeding mechanism to the planting mechanism with a suitable falling trajectory. In this research, design and calculation of dynamics of the feeding mechanism of the shallot seeds is investigated using dynamics equations and also Autodesk Inventor Professional and Matlab Simulink codes. The suitable ranges of feeding mechanism parameters are obtained for the analyzed shallot seeds in terms of the specific shape, weight and mass center coordinates of the seeds.

A supervised machine-learning method for optimizing the automatic transmission system of wind turbines

Large-scale wind turbines mostly use Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as the transmission system, which is highly efficient. However, it comes with high complexity and cost too. In contrast, the small-scale wind turbines that are available in the market offer a one-speed gearing system only where no gear ratios are varied, resulting in low efficiency of harvesting energy and leading to gears failure. In this research, an unsupervised machine-learning algorithm is proposed to address the energy efficiency of the automatic transmission system in vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), to increase its efficiency in harvesting energy. The aim is to find the best adjustment for VAWT while the automatic transmission system is taken into account. For this purpose, the system is simulated and tested under various gear ratios conditions while a centrifugal clutch is applied to automatic gear shifting. The outcomes indicated that the automatic transmission system could successfully adjust the spinning in line with the wind speed. As a result, the obtained level of harvested voltage and power by VAWT with the automatic transmission system are improved significantly. Consequently, it is concluded that automatic VAWTs, equipped with the machine-learning capability can readjust themselves with the wind speed more efficiently.

Simplified equations for determining double-k fracture parameters of concrete for compact tension test

Polynomial equations in non-dimensional form for various fracture parameters of double-K fracture model for compact tension specimen have been derived and presented in this paper. These equations can be used for computing different double-K fracture parameters of concrete for known material properties and specimen size having relative size of initial crack length of 0.3 without involving much complexity in numerical computations. Values of peak load and corresponding crack opening displacement as necessary to compute the double-K fracture parameters of concrete have been derived from the established fictitious crack model in the present study. A simplified equation in non-dimensional form between peak load and critical crack opening displacement as obtained from a fictitious crack model has also been presented.

A comparative analysis of the stress-strain state of disc specimens in assessing the structural strength of materials

A study of the stress-strain state (SSS) of disc specimens has been conducted when testing specimens with stress concentrators (grooves). The research has shown that the truncation of circular discs along two symmetrical chords makes it possible to change the type (the ratio of principal stresses) of SSS that occurs at the destruction site. Therefore, these specimens can be used to assess the structural strength of materials on standard single-drive testing machines, taking into account the real type of SSS that occurs in the bearing elements of machines. The results of numerical SSS modeling have been used to build the dependences of the SSS type and level on geometric parameters of specimens. Geometrical parameters can be chosen for a certain SSS type to assess both the static and fatigue strengths of materials used in the manufacture of bearing elements.

Fracture characterization of bonded composites: A comparative study

Bonded joints have important benefits over conventional joining techniques such as rivets, welding, bolts and nuts in structural applications, particularly for components prepared of composite or polymeric materials. Due to the involvement of many geometric, material and construction variables, and the complex fracture and mechanical modes offered in the bonded joints, a proper consideration of fracture behavior is required to fully achieve their benefits. The fractures in bonded joints are mainly of three types; interlaminar (delamination), adhesive (interfacial) and cohesive crack. For a particular defect, crack propagation may occur in the tensile (mode I), the shear (mode II), and the tear (mode III) and their combinations (mixed mode). This study deals with topics such as theories of bonded composite joints and repairs, finite element analysis and fracture-based analysis and tests of mixed-mode cohesive, interfacial and interlaminar fracture mechanics. By employing geometrical factors extracted from finite element analysis and experimental results obtained from a modified Arcan test fixture, the mixed-mode cohesive, interfacial, and interlaminar fracture toughness are determined and fracture surfaces obtained are discussed.

Soil shrinkage and consolidation study on flood embankments in swamp irrigation areas

Research in this paper discusses shrinking and consolidation of flood embankments soil in swamp irrigation areas. The flood embankments are made from swampy soil materials. The focus of this research is the reduction of dyke embankment height that occurs due to soil shrinkage and soil consolidation. Investigations about the time of consolidation and land subsidence that occurred on the embankment at certain periods after the embankment established were also carried out in this study. The research sites are some swamp irrigation areas in the Tulang Bawang Watershed, around North-East Lampung, Indonesia. This research was carried out by conducting laboratory tests on soil samples and field observations on the reduction in height of flood embankments in the study area. The research shows that the main cause of total decrease on the embankment is due to linear shrinkage, consolidation of soil under the embankment, an immediate subsidence, and the subsidence of the embankment themselves. Their contribution to total decrease of embankment is 42.51%, 34.48%, 18.32%, and 4.62%, respectively. Results also indicate that the ratio between the percentage of embankment consolidation in downstream area happen faster than the one in upstream area of the river.