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By D. M. Maijer, S. L. Cockcroft, S. Modak, A. B. Phillion

"A comparison between hydrogen-diffusion-based micro-porosity formation and growth behaviour of two important aluminium foundry alloys, B206 (Al-Cu) and A356 (Al-Si-Mg) is presented in this paper. Specifically, the predicted pore size and pore fraction distribution of these two alloys resulting from directional solidification and identical hydrogen concentration are investigated numerically based on a model proposed by Yao et al. (2011. Met. & Mat. Tran. A. 42A, 4137–4148). This model takes into consideration the initial hydrogen content in the melt, the cooling rate, the partitioning of hydrogen between the solid and liquid phases, and the evolution in solid fraction with temperature. Due to different alloy chemistries, the activity of hydrogen in B206 and A356 are quite different, as are the solidification range and the resulting solidification microstructure. Being a primary alloy, B206 has dendritic microstructure and solidifies over nearly 135°C (505–641°C), whereas A356 contains fifty percent eutectic microstructure, and solidifies over 80°C (533–613°C). This allows a very different behaviour of micropores i.e. the effective pore radius in B206 is quite a bit lower as compared to A356, as is the pore number density. The evolution of local hydrogen concentration in liquid metal is analysed and compared for both the alloys.INTRODUCTION Over the past decades, the demand for materials with enhanced strength-to-weight ratios has significantly increased in the aerospace and automobile industries in order to improved fuel efficiency. For many automotive components, particularly shape castings, the trend is towards replacing ferrous alloys with aluminium alloys. The increase in the use of Al is primarily due to its low density, about one-third that of steel, and its relatively good strength that allows for weight reduction without reducing performance. Presently, Al-Si based alloys (e.g. A356) are the most prevalent due to their good mechanical performance in strength-to-weight ratio and excellent castability (Atwood et.al., 2000). However, superior mechanical properties can be achieved using Al-Cu alloys. For example, the alloy B206 offers a higher strength while retaining excellent ductility (Poirier et.al., 1987)."

Jan 1, 2017

By Takamasa Ishigaki, Gervais Soucy, Mohamed Rahmane

"The induction plasma jets employed for the in-flight nitridation of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) powders were investigated in terms of their flow characteristics. The present study shows the effect of the operating parameters of the plasma torch, as used for this process, on the plasma jet properties. The enthalpy probe techniques, along with mass spectrometry, were employed for the measurement of the jet temperature, velocity and concentration fields. The measured values were compared to the results of a numerical simulation performed on the plasma flowing inside the torch-reactor system. The process operating conditions studied were the plasma plate power, chamber pressure and sheath gas composition. The optimal conditions for effecting the nitridation process using thermal plasma are obtained at moderate plasma plate power, at around atmospheric pressure and by using a mixture of argon and nitrogen as the plasma torch sheath gas.IntroductionMolybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) based composites are considered to be one of the most promising candidates for high temperature structural material applications [!], especially because of their high melting points, good oxidation resistance and relatively low cost. However, the wide application of these composite materials is still limited by some factors such as their brittleness at room temperature and lower strength at high temperature (> 1500 K). To overcome such limitations, a number of researchers [2-4] have earlier studied various kinds of reinforcements for MoSi2, e.g. oxides, silicides and nitrides. More recently, Fan and coworkers [5-9] have demonstrated the possibility of in-flight nitridation and carburization of MoSi2, using a thermal plasma process. This work has confirmed the plasma synthesis route as one of the most promising methods for creating an in-situ second phase structure. Properties of the plasma flow, such as its temperature, flow velocity and composition, are of crucial importance for the nitridation of MoSi2 powders during their flight in the plasma. Therefore, the optimization of such a process involving plasma· generated reactive species necessitates a thorough understanding of the plasma flow characteristics."

Jan 1, 2000

By Chuanfu Zhang, Jinliang Wang

"Brickless reaction shaft is the latest progress for flash smelting furnace. However, there are many factors influence the melting point of the freeze slag inside brickless reaction shaft, and their variational regularities are not obvious, thus, it is difficult for conventional methods to analyze accurately the complex data. In this research, the experiment data of slag melting point were processed based on optimal discrimination plane. For this method, two orthogonal vectors were firstly built up based on the Fisher's criterion, and then the experiment data were projected onto the two vectors, thus, two-dimensional feature vectors were extracted as criteria to determine the factors effect degree on the slag melting point. Results show that the CaO content is the greatest factor to the melting point of the freeze slag inside brickless reaction shaft, the content of Fe3O4, SiO2, Cu2 O and MgO is the second, and the FeO content is the last.IntroductionBrickless reaction shaft is the latest progress of flash smelting furnace reaction shaft. To research the influence factors on the slag melting point inside the brickless reaction shaft is significant to form freeze slag with compact structure, good heat insulation, certain intensity, appropriate thickness and reasonable distribution, to extend furnace life, to reduce energy consumption, and to promote safe production.However, due to the complex components, there are many factors influence the melting points of the freeze slag inside brickless reaction shaft, and their variational regularities are not obvious. Therefore, it is difficult for conventional methods, such as variance analysis, data fitting, etc., to analyze accurately the complex experiment data.Pattern recognition can easily classify information, even if there are many influencing factors. For pattern recognition, there are some sub-disciplines such as discriminant analysis, feature extraction, error estimation, cluster analysis (together sometimes called statistical pattern recognition), grammatical inference, parsing and matching (sometimes called syntactical and structural pattern recognition) [1, 2]."

Jan 1, 2012

By M. R. Yalamanchili

The in-situ FTIR/IRS technique has been used to spectroscopically characterize interfacial water near a hydrophilic surface. Interfacial water was examined spectroscopically over known distances from the surface of a silicon single crystal by appropriate design of the geometry and optics of the internal reflection system. The in-situ FTIR/IRS spectra of interfacial water were examined by consideration of the 0 -H stretching region (3000 -3800 cm-1) associated with the vibrational spectra of water. The broad peak: in this region which describes the interfacial water structure was deconvoluted in order to isolate the overlapping spectral features of the interfacial water. Preliminary spectral results indicate the prevalence of an ice-like water structure (-3200 cm-!) at the silicon surface. Importantly, it appears that the interfacial water structure may extend a considerable distance (several tens of molecular layers) from the surface as established from the spectroscopic depth profile measurements which show that the free OH stretch at 3600 cm-1 becomes very significant at distances from the surface exceeding 400 nm.

Jan 1, 1995

By Jorge Madias

O trabalho está centrado na análise comparativa de normas de vinte paises/regiões sobre vergalhão, escolhidos levando em conta os principais paises productores, exportadores, e consumidores deste produto para a construção civil. São comparadas as propriedades mecânicas: limite de escoamento, resistência à tração, elongamento à rotura, elongamento uniforme, relação escoamento/tração), a análise química, testes especiais como fadiga e adherência e outros ítens. Tambén é tida em conta a evolução dos quesitos das normas ao longo do tempo. O foco é o comportamento anti seismo do vergalhão.

Oct 30, 2017

A wide-ranging base of jig data was collected from various types of commercial jigs in 9 coal preparation plants in China, and a complete data analysis was made. It was found that the sharpness ofseparation was very variable, which demonstrates the complex interplay of the many factors which influence jig performance. Tests showed that there exist optimum frequency ranges in each compartment of a jig. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that the sharpness of separation is most sensitive to the intake fraction ofthe air cycle, the frequency, and the feed rate. By means of non-linear curve fitting techniques and statistical analysis, several mathematical models were developed to describe both partition curve and the jig performance, for simulation purposes.

Jan 1, 1986

By Ashraf M. Eid

Most research dealing with the problem of laterally loaded piles has been the response of individual piles subjected to lateral loads and/or bending moments. However, piles are seldom used individually but are normally constructed in clusters or groups. Little information is available of the effect of pile-soil-pile interaction (PSPI) on the performance of the group. This may be attributed to the difficulty of carrying out full-scale tests. Such tests are prohibitively expensive and require special installations to provide the required large lateral loads. The problem of laterally loaded single piles or pile groups involves the complexity of extending the theoretical solutions to the limits where the actual soil behaves nonlinearly. As the load increases, the elastic soil behavior cannot be adopted for design. Nonlinear soil behavior or the elasto-plastic behavior is evident. This research consists of experimental and theoretical models. The experimental work was conducted on models of free head pile groups in different configurations. The piles were in a sand formation and compared to the behavior of a single pile. The possible factors that influence the group behavior could be visualized. The experimental data was also compared to the widely used theoretical approaches to determine their adequacy. The analytical model makes use of the finite difference approach to calculate the soil non-linearity. A new approach equates the measured ground deflection and maximum bending moments of each row at every load level with the analytical model of single pile. This is the Deflection-Moment Fitting (DMF). The most suitable non-linear soil modulus modes and row contributions could thus be determined. Design of pile groups can be based on data pertaining to soil characteristics of the single pile. Results of the analysis were consistent with other approaches and proved to be adequate for design.

Jan 1, 2005

By R. V. Ramani

An improved mine environment is the single most critical factor affecting the health and safety of workers engaged in underground coal winning. A very important subclassification of this wide field is mine ventilation, which essentially deals with 'mine atmospheric environmental control.' To ensure proper mine atmospheric environmental control, adequate quantities of air must flow through working sections in the mine. In recent years much attention has been paid to the fan and its prime movers, but the efficient use of the fan output in the workings has not received an equal amount of investigation. In mechanically ventilated mines friction losses in main airways often account for 70 to 90 percent of the total pressure loss sustained in the system. Also the leakage losses are a serious detriment to the efficiency of mine ventilation systems. It is not uncommon to loose 60 to 70 percent of the air between the fan and the last open cross-cuts due to leakage directly into the return Proper assessment of these losses in simulating and projecting complex ventilation systems is vital. Network analysis of ventilation systems is not new. Scott and Hinsly (1951) presented the detailed mathematical framework. Since then work has been done in adopting this technique to analog, and within the past few years, to digital computers. Development of computer programs to solve ventilation network problems has been reported in United Kingdom, Japan, U.S.S.R., South Africa, Germany, and the United States. The purpose of these programs is to serve as an experimental mine wherein analysis of proposed alternatives or ventilation planning can be tested. The great power of the computer as a planning tool lies in the ability to input empirical or Projected data into programs with predicting ability. But, however good a computer program is, unless fairly accurate input information is available accurately assessing the engineering factors of the ventilation system, the output will be suspect. Thus, to simulate and project mine ventilation systems, good estimates of leakage and friction factors are important. Yet, relatively little work has been done in the past three decades to determine these more realistically.

Jan 1, 1973

By Nur Hossain

Analysis of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) parameters via the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) has been obtained for SENT specimens of AM6OB magnesium alloy. It is found that the ratio of initial crack length to initial monotonic plastic zone size is one of the critical factors in establishing the limit of using LEFM concepts. If this ratio is below a certain limit (i.e. when crack lengths are small in comparison to the plastic zone size), loss of similitude stress intensity factor range would occur. This ratio, therefore describes the limit below which the use of LEFM would no longer be admissible. In this study, the above limit was established for AM6OB magnesium alloy. In addition, fatigue crack propagation tests were conducted to ascertain the fatigue response of the alloy and determination of the coefficients of Paris model.

Jan 1, 2010

By Joner O. Alves

The disposal of scrap tires has been a serious environmental problem. The treatment of this waste by pyrolysis and combustion has advantages since the landfill space is dwindling and the production of fuel becomes of technological interest. However, that processes needs a rigid control of emissions. This work presents a study of the light hydrocarbon gases (HC) generated during the burn of waste tire chips in a two-stage laminar-flow horizontal furnace. Different temperatures in the primary and secondary stage of the furnace were tested, and the oxygen/nitrogen percentage was also varied during the combustion process. A gas chromatograph was used to identify and quantify the components of the gaseous products of combustion and pyrolysis. The results showed the behavior of the gases during the burn of tires, providing valuable information to the control of hydrocarbon emissions.

Jan 1, 2010

By Roy H. Borde

The design of foundations to support overhead signs is primarily based on providing adequate resistance against horizontal wind loads. The typically used subgrade reaction model for the load-deflection analysis of laterally loaded piles and shafts has been found to underpredict the capacity of shafts with length to diameter ratios less than five. The general applicability of an improved model incorporating the influence of shear and moment resistance at the shaft base is demonstrated. The detrimental effect of ground surface slope angle on the ultimate capacity is discussed, and a design chart for estimating the magnitude of the reduction in capacity is presented. A comparison between the predicted and measured responses of nine full-scale load tests performed within this study and sixteen external tests is presented. The models described are implemented in the computer program "LTBASE".

Jan 1, 1988

By Nabil F. Ismael, Khalid Farraj

"The axial load transfer along large diameter bored piles in very dense silty sand was examined by field tests. Two instrumented piles 1.2 m diameter and with embedded length of 18 m and 25 m were load tested in axial compression to failure in connection with the construction of a big tower building in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Instrumentation included vibrating wire strain gages at various levels, displacement transducers and extensometers. The purpose being to measure the axial load distribution, skin friction, and base resistance at various load levels. In addition the settlement of the piles and the elastic compression were monitored. The ultimate pile capacity, side friction, and base resistance were determined and correlated with the Standard Penetration Resistance values as determined from the boreholes. Most of the load was transferred as side friction and the pile settlements at the maximum loads ranged from 1.6% to 2.2% of the pile diameter.INTRODUCTIONLarge diameter bored piles are used with increasing frequency for heavy structures in Kuwait and the Gulf region in calcareous sand. The behavior of short piles ranging in depth from 8 m to 15 m was examined by field test (Ismael 2012). However, larger diameter and deeper piles are being used more frequently, including the project described in this paper which included piles with 1.2 m diameter and 18 m to 25 m depth. The design of these piles requires knowledge of the skin friction and point resistance in these soils. While field tests on driven piles are available (Ismael 1989, Ismael 1999), field test data on long large diameter piles installed through very dense sands or silty sands are very limited at present. The results of two load tests carried out recently on instrumented bored piles at one site in downtown Kuwait City have become available. In these tests the failure load was extrapolated from the test results. It is important to examine and analyze the test results for the benefit of the geotechnical research and design engineers."

Jan 1, 2017

By Hendon G. W, Carr F, Jiang Y

A vast majority of the operating longwall sections use shield-type face supports to provide ground control in the United States. As a co-operative research program between the University of Alabama (UA) and Jim Walter Resources, Inc.(JWR), a joint research program is underway to study interaction of shields with surrounding rock masses. A series of analyses on the response of shields are performed using monitored data at a longwall face in a deep coal mine. In this paper, various effects of parameters, such as leg pressure, setting load, developing load, maximum loading rate, pressure in capsule, and convergence between canopy and base, are discussed and recommended as stability indices. A microcomputer program is being developed for instantaneous interpretation of the shield monitored data, and for giving warnings of potential problems. The preliminary results define the effects of the setting load, developing load, and rate of developing load or leg closure rate. The objective of the study is to understand the shield characteristics and their interaction with surrounding strata in real time, then develop a reliable program for maintaining longwall stability.

Jan 1, 1992

By Valdicleide Silva Mello

Nowadays the biodiesel use is obligate in Brazil, in order to reduce the emissions of fuel burn. However, it is important to analyze which percentage of biodiesel is necessary to keep or improve the lubricant action of fuel for diesel engine, as well which kind of biodiesel give better performance. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the parameters that keep the lubricant action of biofuels, by using the Box-Behnken design type to optimize them. In this design was evaluated the input parameters: the type of the biodiesel (soybean, sunflower and palm), the concentration (5%, 20% and 100%) and the temperature of contact (25°C, 40°C and 60°C). The analyzed output parameters were the percentage of film formation, coefficient of friction, wear scar diameter (WSD) of ball, these output parameters were obtained by HFRR tribometer and they were analyzed applying response surface methodology. With this methodology was possible to determine the simultaneous influence and the interactions between two or more independent variables investigated. The response surfaces generated for the coefficients of friction, WSD, film formation showed a higher lubricant action for higher levels of concentration of biodiesel. An increase in lubricant action was found to high and intermediate temperature.

Jul 31, 2018

By K. Y. Haramy

Rock burst and coal mine bump research using static and dynamic rock mechanics instrumentation has been conducted for several decades. Research efforts typically have been conducted using static instrumentation such as pressure cells, convergence measurements, multipoint borehole extensometers, and shield loading pressure measurements; dynamic rock mechanics instrumentation, for example, microseismic monitoring, has been used to help provide precursors to those violent failures. Unfortunately, these different styles of study have never been used in tandem. We report in this study the unique opportunity to have both static and dynamic instrumentation available for monitoring a longwall panel in a deep western coal mine and show that the two methods used in tandem provide information to understand the causes of a major bump. Several static rock mechanics instrumentation sites were carefully chosen along the longwall panel in the coal seam, packwalls, roof, and floor to provide the stress history during mining, including the stress redistribution that occurred before and after the major failures. Monitoring of the shield pressure on selected shields of the longwall face revealed that the cyclical loading anticipated during normal caving processes was not occurring. In addition, by locating each microseismic event (rock noise), the areas that were not adjusting to the changing stress field were clearly delineated by a lack of microseismic activity. The area of the longwall panel that did not adjust to the changing conditions ultimately failed. The combination of static and dynamic rock mechanics instrumentation data analysis provided the necessary information to determine the interaction of the structural members and the cause of the major failures at this mine.

Jan 1, 1988

By Eraldo Florêncio, Paulo Couceiro, Manuel Lopez Cano

Specialized marine blasting techniques were required to deepen and widen the access channel and turning basin of the Sudeste Port Terminal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This terminal has been designed to handle the exports of iron ore and other bulk solid cargoes to international markets. The Sudeste Port Terminal is connected to the iron ore quadrangle in Minas Gerais State by a dedicated railway line, giving Brazil’s independent miners a seamless access to global markets. However, the Sudeste Port Project is located in a protected marine environment. Blasting in this area has required a comprehensive blast induced ground vibrations monitoring and analysis program to ensure the safety of the sensitive structures surrounding of the blast areas. Nevertheless, the risk of generating higher ground vibrations on nearby structures due to the combination of short distances, larger excavations layers and complex geology, increased the complexity of the blast due to the limitations imposed by the maximum instantaneous charge and a demanding project schedule. Site-specific test blast programs were planned and executed in order to obtain in-situ vibration data to establish the local attenuation law, and also to better understand the role of dominant frequencies before production blasting started. This paper summarizes the main findings and solutions applied during the marine blasting project in the Sudeste Port Project.

Jan 1, 2018

Mine fires pose a serious hazard to the health and safety of mine workers. They occur regularly and their effects can be devastating. Objective Provide mine safety personnel, MSHA, and equipment manufacturers with a comprehensive, up-to-date, and well-documented database of metal and nonmetal mine fire incidents in the United States from 1950 to 1984 and perform a statistical analysis of these incidents. The data-base is designed for use by mine engineering and safety personnel to aid in determining especially hazardous practices or conditions.

Jan 1, 1988

By O. A. Ojo, D. L. Chen, N. Zhou, J. Q. Zhang, A. K. Khan

Dual phase (DP) steels are designed to consist of hard martensite dispersed in a relatively soft ferrite matrix, which offers a favorable combination of high strength with good deformability. Fiber laser welding (FLW) is becoming increasingly important for joining advanced materials due to its flexibility and deep penetration. In this study, the microstructure of a dual phase steel, DP980, welded by FLW technique was carefully analysed. Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulation coupled with analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the FLW process produced significant microstructural changes in a narrow heat affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ), which can result in dramatic changes in mechanical properties. This is reflected in the micro-hardness profile obtained across the welded material. The salient phase transitions induced by the FLW, including the formation of new martensite grains in the upper-critical HAZ and FZ, are discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. M. Maijer, S. M. Mohseni, A. B. Phillion

The microstructure evolution kinetics of aluminum alloy B206 during artificial aging has been investigated using non-isothermal calorimetry. A combination of differential-scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests have been utilized to develop an Avrami model to predict the precipitation kinetics as a function of the thermal processing parameters. The Avrami coefficients, found based on a Kissinger analysis, compare well against those reported in the literature for aluminum-copper alloys. The rapid precipitation kinetics predicted by the Avrami model at temperatures higher than 200°C were assessed through a qualitative comparison against hardness measurement results. In contrast to the continuous hardening observed at 150°C, the material softens with continuing heat treatment at 250°C resulting in an overaged state. This can be attributed to the rapid precipitation kinetics at this temperature, leading to the termination of the precipitation-hardening effects at early stages of artificial aging.

Jan 1, 2015

By Yonggang Liu

Microstructure and precipitates in hot rolled low carbon steel sheet by CSP were investigated in this paper. It is pointed out the precipitates in low carbon steel sheet by CSP are different with that by traditional hot rolling. The bainites were found in CSP hot rolled steel sheet by TEM testing and these bainites could maintain in the sheets even after batch annealing. The selected area electron diffraction analyzing indicated that there were many CrB2BN and FeB4BN phases precipitated in hot rolled steel sheet and no AlN grains precipitated. The nitrides forming can limit AlN grains precipitating during the batch annealing processing, and this could do harm to the texture pipeline along orientation line forming with formed properties.

Jan 1, 2006