Smeared crack approach: back to the original track

This paper briefly reviews the formulations used over the last 40 years for the solution of problems involving tensile cracking, with both the discrete and the smeared crack approaches. The paper focuses on the smeared approach, identifying as its main drawbacks the observed mesh‐size and mesh‐bias spurious dependence when the method is applied ‘straightly’. A simple isotropic local damage constitutive model is considered, and the (exponential) softening modulus is regularized according to the material fracture energy and the element size. The continuum and discrete mechanical problems corresponding to both the weak discontinuity (smeared cracks) and the strong discontinuity (discrete cracks) approaches are analysed and the question of propagation of the strain localization band (crack) is identified as the main difficulty to be overcome in the numerical procedure. A tracking technique is used to ensure stability of the solution, attaining the necessary convergence properties of the corresponding discrete finite element formulation. Numerical examples show that the formulation derived is stable and remarkably robust. As a consequence, the results obtained do not suffer from spurious mesh‐size or mesh‐bias dependence, comparing very favourably with those obtained with other fracture and continuum mechanics approaches. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

STRESS CORROSION CRACKING OF AISI 321 STAINLESS STEEL IN ACIDIC SEAWATER

ImooUonONSCCisoneofthemosttwortantcausoffailureofstaiuleSsstalequipmentandfacilitieS.Studiesonunh0refacilitiesshowedthatanaddicchloridesolutionfilmcouldbefo~onthescheeofstalandthatstaiuleSSstalisinaCtivedissolutionstateinaedicchloridesolutionopinetal.,l99O;Gnanamoorthyetal.,l99O).ltisgenerallythoughtxthatSCCcannotoimrwhenthematerialisinaCtiveanodicdissolutionstate,soitsomcewithresultingcasualties(0ldfieldetal.,l99O)arousedattentiont0it.SomeSCCmeCanisrnsproposedpeuang,l988,Newmanctal.,…     

干出对潮间带不同垂直位置海藻的生长及光合作用速率的影响

研究了青岛潮间带地区的4种海藻:叉枝藻(Gymnogongrus flabelliformis Harvey,高潮带)、孔石莼(Ulva pertusa kjellm,中潮带)、缘管浒苔(Enteromorpha linza(L.)J.Agar-dh,中潮带)和扁江蓠(Gracilaria textorii(Suring)De Toni,低潮带)在干出状态下的脱水率及每天干出0、0.5、1、2、4和6h下的生长和光合作用。结果表明:干出状态下缘管浒苔的脱水率最小,因为它具中空管状构造;其余3种海藻的脱水率依次为扁江蓠>孔石莼>叉枝藻,但三者差异不大。与水中对照(0h)相比,高潮带的叉枝藻在不同干出处理下的生长和光合作用速率下降(P<0.05)。中潮带的孔石莼在一定干出时间内促进其生长和光合作用(P<0.05),缘管浒苔则未见显著的促进作用。低潮带的扁江蓠在干出处理下几乎不能生长和存活。     

中国大别山东南缘首次发现大坝陨坑构造

简介首次在大别山东南缘安徽省境内发现的大坝陨坑构造。经初步评价,知陨坑呈椭圆形,长轴呈北北东向,长约19km,短轴长约12km,最大坑深约2km,是一个有中央隆起区的复杂型陨坑。在卫片上陨坑显示环形影像,地貌形态为一洼地。陨坑基座保存尚好,可对它直观和追索陨坑构造边界。形成于230Ma左右的各类撞击变质岩石系列齐全,其中含有柯石英等典型的撞击变质矿物及撞击碎理等超微构造,特别是在陨坑基座内壁普遍发现有鉴别陨坑构造最可靠的标志——干裂自角砾岩,都证明大坝环形影像是一个典型的陨星撞击坑构造。它的发现,具有很大的科学及经济意义,对今后褶皱山区寻找和研究陨坑构造具有示范和指导作用,同时大大丰富了建设大别山世界地质公园的地质依据。无庸置疑此发现将促进大别山旅游业的发展及陨星撞击科普知识的传播。     

Comparative study of activation energies of conductance and desiccation rates of some marine algae

Measurements of the activation energy of electrical conductance and desiccation rates on subtidal marine algae from Florida were compared to similar data from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, on intertidal marine algae frequently subjected to long periods of exposure to air. We have developed a method for calculating the reaction rate constant of desiccation of fully hydrated marine algae. Values of activation energies and desiccation rate constants are consistent with the requirements for survival of these algae under widely different environmental conditions.     

地铁隧道开挖引起地表塌陷分析

深圳富水软弱地层地铁隧道开挖中出现的工作面失稳及由此引起的地表塌陷是地铁安全施工中极其重要的方面，对施工安全、进度都有较大影响，同时也对整个工程造成巨大的经济损失。通过对深圳地铁Ⅰ期工程土建施工中全线部分暗挖标段出现的工作面失稳、地表塌陷工程实践和现场监测结果分析，特别着重对连续2次出现地表塌陷的3A标暗挖隧道研究，从隧道上覆地层物理力学性质参数、地层变形监测分析及施工工艺原因3方面阐述了地表塌陷的原因。明确提出剪切破坏线和失水空洞区的概念，确定出引发地表塌陷的主导因素为施工工艺原因。建议针对该类地层条件，应做好超前地质预报．适当调整预加固参数．加强隧道结构和地表的动态变形监测，施工技术人员做到准确了解施工现场动态，及时调整施工工艺参数，以保证隧道的安全施工。分析结果对深圳地铁Ⅱ期工程施工及类似地层条件地下工程施工提供科学预测、预防地表塌陷的方法和技术措施，达到地铁隧道施工中经济效益与安全施工的统一。     

海萝抗氧化酶系与失水响应因子表达模式分析

潮间带红藻海萝(Gloiopeltis furcata)对失水胁迫具有很强的耐受能力。为探索海萝周期性失水过程中的响应机制,本研究在24 h内设计了两次连续的失水-复水循环处理,测定了海萝抗氧化酶活力的变化情况。同时,利用转录组测序技术,结合荧光定量PCR方法(qRT-RCR),对海萝失水响应基因的转录表达进行了验证。结果表明:海萝转录组共组装到32681条基因。与对照组相比,处理组共表达了7161条差异表达基因(differentially expressed genes, DEGs)。KEGG分析显示, DEGs分布在代谢、环境信息加工、有机体系统、遗传信息加工、细胞进程等方面。海萝抗氧化酶活力测定发现,抗氧化能力对海萝响应失水胁迫十分重要。过氧化氢酶(CAT)、硫氧还蛋白还原酶(TrxR)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)参与抗氧化过程,其中CAT酶活力对海萝抵抗失水胁迫尤为重要。此外,qRT-PCR结果显示,海萝中渗透调节物质红藻糖苷合成的相关基因(GfUGPase、GfGK、GfGPDH)只对初次失水处理有正响应。而热激蛋白70基因(GfHSP70)、碳酸酐酶基因(GfCA)、MYB蛋白编码基因(GfMYB)以及谷胱甘肽S转移酶基因(GfGST)在两次失水过程中其转录水平均有上调表达,它们也参与了海萝失水响应机制。     

Numerical modelling of desiccation cracking

The ability to model and predict the formation of desiccation cracks is potentially beneficial in many applications such as clay liner design, earth dam construction, and crop science, etc. However, most studies have focused on statistical analysis of crack patterns and qualitative study of contributing factors to crack development rather than prediction. Because it is exceedingly difficult to capture the nonlinear processes during desiccation in analytical modelling, most such models handle crack formation without considering variation of material properties with time, and are unattractive to use in realistic modelling. The data obtained from laboratory experiments on clay soil desiccating in moulds were used as a basis to develop a more refined model of desiccation cracking. In this study, the properties, such as matric suction, stiffness and tensile strength of soil, and base adhesion, could be expressed approximately as functions of moisture content. The initial conditions and the development of suction due to desiccation and the varying material properties were inputted to UDEC, a distinct element code, using its internal programming language FISH. The model was able to capture some essential physical aspects of crack evolution in soil contained in moulds with varying lengths, heights, and materials of construction. Extension of this methodology is potentially beneficial not only for modelling desiccation cracking in clay, but also in other systems with evolving material properties such as concrete structures and road pavements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Primary cracking of kerogens. Experimenting and modelling C1, C2–C5, C6–C15 and C15+ classes of hydrocarbons formed

Mathematical models of hydrocarbon formation can be used to simulate the natural evolution of different types of organic matter and to make an overall calculation of the amounts of oil and/or gas produced during this evolution. However, such models do not provide any information on the composition of the hydrocarbons formed or on how they evolve during catagenesis.From the kinetic standpoint, the composition of the hydrocarbons formed can be considered to result from the effect of “primary cracking” reactions having a direct effect on kerogen during its evolution as well as from the effect of “secondary cracking” acting on the hydrocarbons formed.This report gives experimental results concerning the “primary cracking” of Types II and III kerogens and their modelling. For this, the hydrocarbons produced have been grouped into four classes (C₁, C₂–C₅, C₆–C₁₅ and C₁₅₊). Experimental data corresponding to these different classes were obtained by the pyrolysis of kerogens with temperature programming of 4°C/min with continuous analysis, during heating, of the amount of hydrocarbons corresponding to each of these classes.The kinetic parameters of the model were optimized on the basis of the results obtained. This model represents the first step in the creation of a more sophisticated mathematical model to be capable of simulating the formation of different hydrocarbon classes during the thermal history of sediments. The second step being the adjustment of the kinetic parameters of “secondary cracking”.     

Wind erosion of blanket peat during a short period of surface desiccation (North Pennines,Northern England)

Strong winds are a characteristic feature of UK upland areas. Despite this, understanding of aeolian processes in upland environments of the UK is limited. This paper presents direct measurements and observations of blanket peat erosion by wind action during a two week period of desiccation in the North Pennines, Northern England. A circular configuration of mass flux sediment samplers was used to collect peat eroded by wind action from 16 cardinal compass directions. Meteorological conditions (wind speed, wind direction, precipitation and temperature) were recorded by an automatic weather station set up adjacent to the site. Surface desiccation led to peat crust erosion and dust deflation. During short (≤1 hour) periods of precipitation, wind‐driven rainfall also caused erosion. Typically, dust flux rates were up to two orders of magnitude lower than recorded during periods of sustained wet weather. Measurements demonstrate the hitherto unreported rapid switch in process regime between wind‐driven rainfall and dry blow deflation in blanket peat environments. Dry blow processes of blanket peat erosion may become more important in UK upland areas if climate change promotes more frequent surface desiccation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.