Abstract: Due to influence of compressibility, shock wave, instabilities, and turbulence on supersonic flows, current flow visualization and imaging techniques encounter some problems in high spatiotemporal resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements. Therefore, nanoparticle based planar laser scattering method (NPLS) is developed here. The nanoparticles are used as tracer, and pulse planar laser is used as light source in NPLS; by recording images of particles in flow field with CCD, high spatiotemporal resolution supersonic flow imaging is realized. The flow-following ability of nanoparticles in supersonic flows is studied according to multiphase flow theory and calibrating experiment of oblique shock wave. The laser scattering characteristics of nanoparticles are analyzed with light scattering theory. The results of theoretical and experimental studies show that the dynamic behavior and light scattering characteristics of nanoparticles highly enhance the spatiotemporal resolution and SNR of NPLS, with which the flow field involving shock wave, expansion, Mach disk, boundary layer, sliding-line, and mixing layer can be imaged clearly at high spatiotemporal resolution.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of marble, limestone, and sandstone as well as the stress-strain curve, the varying characteristics of the peak strength, the peak strain and elastic modulus were studied by using the MTS810 Rock Mechanics Servo-controlled Testing System under the action of temperatures rang-ing from room temperature to 800℃. Results show that (1) the peak strength and elastic modulus of marble fluctuate at the temperature from normal to 400℃; and they decrease gradually over 400℃. (2) With the rise of the temperature, the peak strength and elastic modulus of limestone show downward trend from normal temperature to 200℃; have little change from 200℃ to 600℃; and decrease sharply over 600℃. (3) The peak strength of sandstone shows a downward trend while a little change for elastic modulus at normal temperature to 200℃; and from 200℃ to 600℃, the peak strength of sandstone in-creases while a little change for elastic modulus; the peak strength and elastic modulus decrease rap-idly at the temperature over 600℃. (4) The peak strain of limestone shows little change at normal tem-perature to 600℃, however, the peak strain increases rapidly over 600℃; and for marble and sandstone, the peak strain decreases with the rise of the temperature from normal temperature to 200℃, the peak strain increases rapidly over 200℃. The result can provide valuable references for the rock engineering design at high temperature.

Abstract: The theoretical studies of bionics of machinery have great scientific significance, and the development of bionic machines has large practical values in the field of engineering and technology. Through the rigorous selection process of evolution, the survived living organisms have successfully developed outstanding abilities to adapt to their surroundings and to reproduce their offspring. In this review, we interpreted the fundamental principles of anti-adhesion and anti-resistance of soil animals by reviewing the current status in this research field and summarizing the work of the research group at Jilin University of China in the past decades. The principles and technologies used in morphology bionics, electric-osmosis bionics, flexibility bionics, configuration bionics and coupling bionics were examined. Finally, the applications of the engineering bionics and their extensive prospects were introduced.

Abstract: Most traditional assessment methods, which have complicated mathematic formulas, are difficult for calculation and application in water resources system assessment. A new approach to water resources system assessment, the set pair analysis method (SPAM), has been proposed based on the principle of set pair analysis (SPA). The basic ideals and steps of SPAM are discussed. The proposed method can take fuzzy property of threshold values for grade standards into full account and avoid determining the discrepancy uncertainty coefficient i or i1, i2, i3, ... in SPA. The presented method is simple in concept, convenient to calculate and feasible for application. Two case studies of water resources assessment have been made. The results show that the proposed method is satisfactory.

Abstract: As the Wenchuan Earthquake was of high magnitude and shallow seismic focus, it caused great damage and serious geohazards. By the field investigation and the interpretation of remote-sensing information after the earthquake and by using means of GIS technology, the distribution of geohazards triggered by the earthquake are analyzed and the conclusions are as follows: (1) The earthquake geohazards showed the feature of zonal distribution along the earthquake fault zone and linear distribution along the rivers; (2) the distribution of earthquake geohazards had a marked hanging wall effect, for the development density of geohazards in the hanging wall of earthquake fault zone was obviously higher than that in the foot wall and the width of strong development zone in the hanging wall was about 10 km; (3) the topographical slope was a main factor which controlled the development of earthquake geohazards and a vast majority of hazards were distributed on the slopes of 20° to 50°; (4) the earthquake geohazards had a corresponding relationship with the elevation and micro-landform, for most hazards happened in the river valleys and canyon sections below the elevation of 1500 to 2000 m, particularly in the upper segment of canyon sections (namely, the turning point from the dale to the canyon). Thin ridge, isolated or full-face space mountains were most sensitive to the seismic wave, and had a striking amplifying effect. In these areas, collapses and landslides were most likely to develop; (5) the study also showed that different lithologies determined the types of geohazards, and usually, landslides occurred in soft rocks, while collapses occurred in hard rocks.

Abstract: In consideration of the range of clay content of Chinese earth dams, the world’s highest prototype tests have been made to research on the effects of cohesive strength of filling of cohesive homogeneous earth dam on breach formation. Three breach mechanisms were presented, they were the source-tracing erosion of dam body with the form of “multilevel headcut”, “two-helix flow” erosion of dam crest and collapse of breach sidewalls due to instability. It can be concluded that the cohesive strength of filling of earth dam has great effect on breach formation. When the cohesive strength is bigger, the breach process becomes slower, and the peak outflow and the final width and depth of breach become smaller. The main character of the breach formation is head cutting and dumping collapse. When the cohesive strength is smaller, the breach process becomes faster, and the peak outflow, the final width and depth of breach become bigger. The main character of the breach formation is single level head cutting and shearing collapse.

Abstract: Tangjiashan Barrier Lake is one of the largest barrier lakes caused by the Wenchuan Earthquake. Its risk analysis, emergency plan and effect of the emergency plan are introduced in this paper. The dam height of Tangjiashan Barrier Dam is about 105 m, and the reservoir storage capacity is 3.2×108 m3. When the dam broke the flood peak were estimated to be larger than 48000 m3/s, which might cause a enormous disaster to the downstream cities and residents. A discharge channel with 13 m deep and 8 m wide was drug, so that the water may flow out of the lake before the dam breaks. As a result, the drainage and risk mitigation project are successful. During the drainage process, the flood peak was about 6500 m3/s, and about 1.6×108 m3 of water was drained off and the residual reservoir capacity was only 8.97×107 m3. A new channel with average width 100 m was formed, which can bear floods of 200 years frequency. The successful experience and the collected data can be used to deal with the similar natural disasters in future.

Abstract: Under global warming scenarios, the passive method of simply increasing the thermal resistance by raising the embankment height and using insulating materials has been proven ineffective in warm and ice-rich permafrost areas and therefore could not be used in the Qinghai-Tibet Railway engineering Instead, a proactive “cooled-roadbed” approach was developed and used to lower the ground temperature in order to maintain a perennially frozen subgrade The concept that local and site-specific factors play an important role in the occurrence and disappearance of permafrost has helped us to devise a number of measures to cool down the roadbed For example, we adjust and control heat transfer by using different embankment configurations and fill materials The Qinghai-Tibet Railway project demonstrates that a series of proactive roadbed-cooling methods can be used to lower the temperature of permafrost beneath the embankment and to stabilize the roadbed These methods include solar radiation control using shading boards, heat convection control using ventilation ducts, thermosyphons, air-cooled embankments, and heat conduction control using “thermal semi-conductor” materials, as well as combinations of above mentioned three control measures This roadbed-cooling approach provides not only a solution for engineering construction in sensitive permafrost areas but also a countermeasure against possible global warming

Abstract: Based on the concept of functionally graded concrete, UHTCC (ultrahigh toughness cementitious composites) material with excellent crack-controlling ability is strategically substituted for part of the concrete, which surrounds the main longitudinal reinforcement in a reinforced concrete member. Investigations on bending behavior of such a functionally graded composite beam crack-controlled by UHTCC (abbreviated as UHTCC-FGC beam) have been carried out. After establishing a theoretical calculation model, the paper discusses the results of four-point bending experiment on long composite beams without web reinforcement, and validates the theoretical formulae through experimental results of UHTCC-FGC beams with different thicknesses of UHTCC layer. Besides improving bearing capacity and saving steel reinforcements, the results indicate that UHTCC-FGC beams can also effectively control the deformation and enhance the ductility of members. At last, the optimal thickness of UHTCC layer in UHTCC-FGC beams has been confirmed, which can not only save materials and improve mechanical performance of members, but also be very effective in preventing corrosion-induced damage and enhancing the durability of members by controlling crack width below 0.05 mm under service conditions.

Abstract: The extended finite element method (XFEM) is a new numerical method for modeling discontinuity. Research about numerical modeling for concrete hydraulic fracturing by XFEM is explored. By building the virtual work principle of the fracture problem considering water pressure on the crack surface, the governing equations of XFEM for hydraulic fracture modeling are derived. Implementation of the XFEM for hydraulic fracturing is presented. Finally, the method is verified by two examples and the advantages of the XFEM for hydraulic fracturing analysis are displayed.

Abstract: A new type of ultra-lightweight metallic lattice structure (named as the X-type structure) is reported. This periodic structure was formed by two groups of staggered struts in the traditional pyramid structure, and fabricated by folding expanded metal sheet along rows of offset nodes and then brazing the folded structure (as the core) with top and bottom facesheets to form sandwich panels. The out-of-plane compressive and shear properties of the X-type lattice sandwich structure were investigated experimentally and compared to those of the sandwich having a pyramidal truss core. It is found that the formation of the 2-dimensional staggered nodes can effectively make the X-type structure more resistant to inelastic and plastic buckling under both compression and shear loading than the pyramidal lattice truss. Obtained results show that the compressive and shear peak strengths of the X-type lattice structure are about 30% higher than those of the pyramidal lattice truss having the same relative density.

Abstract: The supersaturated total dissolved gas (TDG) generated during high dam spills may cause gas bubble disease for fish and ultimately endanger their existence. As more and more high-dam hydropower projects have been constructed in China, the environmental assessment of the supersaturated TDG is becoming more and more important. It is of great importance for quantitative impact assessment of the supersaturated TDG of high dams and for the construction of ecological friendly high-dam hydropower projects. Based on the conceptual summarization of the TDG production process, the TDG prediction model for high-dam projects, in which the ski-jump energy dissipation is adopted, is developed in the paper. The model is validated by field data and employed in the TDG prediction of a high-dam hydropower project to be built in southwest China.

Abstract: In this study, a nonlinear model is presented for analysis of damage-cracking behavior in arch dams during strong earthquakes using different seismic input mechanisms. The nonlinear system includes a plastic-damage model for cyclic loading of concrete considering strain softening and a contact boundary model of contraction joint opening. Two different earthquake input mechanisms are used for comparison, including massless foundation input model and viscous-spring boundary model considering radiation damping due to infinite canyon. The results demonstrate that effects of seismic input mechanism and radiation damping on nonlinear response and damage-cracking of the dam are significant. Compared with the results of using massless foundation input model, the damage-cracking region and contraction joint opening are substantially reduced when using viscous-spring boundary model to take into account radiation damping. However, if the damping ratio of the dam is artificially increased to about 10%–15% for massless foundation input model, the joint opening and damage-cracking of the dam are comparable to the results obtained from the viscous-spring boundary model.

Abstract: The contact between blocks is treated by the open-close iteration in the conventional discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA), which needs to introduce spurious springs between two blocks in contact and to assume the normal stiffness and the tangential stiffness (the penalty factors). Unreasonable values of stiffness would result in numerical problems. To avoid the penalty factors and the open-close iteration, we reformulate the DDA as a mixed complementary problem (MiCP) and then choose the path Newton method (PNM) to solve the problem. Some examples including those originally designed by Shi are reanalyzed, which proves feasibility of the proposed procedure.

Abstract: Optimal design is one of the most important issues in robots. Since the very beginning, the concepts of the Jacobian matrix, manipulability and condition number, which are used successfully in the field of serial robots, have been applied to parallel robots. Unlike serial robots, parallel robots are good for motion/force transmission. Their performance evaluation and design should be correspondingly different. This paper is an attempt to optimally design a novel spatial three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) parallel robot by using the concept of motion/force transmission. Accordingly, three indices are defined. The suggested indices are independent of any coordinate frame and could be applied to the analysis and design of a parallel robot whose singularities can be identified wholly by using the relative angle between the output and adjacent links, and by using the relative angle between the input and adjacent links.

Abstract: The entransy dissipation extremum principle provides new warranty and criterion for optimization of heat transfer. For two cases (body with heat generation and body heated externally) of a solid conducting wall with an open cavity, a dimensionless equivalent thermal resistance based on entransy dissipation definition was taken as the optimization objective to optimize the model constructal geometry. Numerical results validated the necessity and feasibility of the presented method. Comparisons of the numerical results based on minimization of dimensionless maximum thermal resistance and minimization of dimensionless equivalent thermal resistance, respectively, showed that there was no obvious difference between the two results when the volume fraction Φ occupied by cavity was small, but the difference between the two results increased with the increases of Φ and the body aspect ratio H/L for any model. The optimal cavities for bodies heated externally were more slender than those for bodies with heat generation. Heat origin had obvious effect on the global performance of heat transfer. The entransy dissipation of body heated externally increased 2―3 times than that of body with heat generation, indicating that the global performance of heat transfer weakened. The method presented herein provides some guidelines for some relevant thermal design problems.

Abstract: Details are given herein of the current main proposals for tidal energy provision from the Severn Estuary, in the UK, with particular emphasis being focused on the Severn Barrage project, as originally promoted by the Severn Tidal Power Group. In particular, emphasis has focused on assessing the potential hydro-environmental impacts and power outputs of a barrage across the estuary, with an unstructured grid, high resolution, model being developed and applied to the estuary to assess the implications of each of five shortlisted proposed schemes on the hydrodynamic, geomorphologic, flood risk and faecal indicator organism changes within the estuary. An outline is given of recent research on power refinements to the model to assess the options for power generation. The results show that the Severn Barrage has the potential to reduce the tidal currents in a highly dynamic estuary. This leads to the reduction of suspended sediment loads (particularly upstream of the barrage), an increase of light penetration within the water column and, potentially, an increase in the benthic bio-diversity and the level of aquatic life in the estuary. The results also show that the Severn Barrage will reduce markedly the risk of flooding upstream of the barrage and to a lesser extent downstream of the structure. In contrast the alternative options have far less impact on flood risk changes. In addition to the Severn Barrage some results are shown herein for a typical lagoon option, namely the Fleming Lagoon.

Abstract: Both sensitivity-based method and simulation method are used to analyze the streamflow response to climate variability and human activities in the upper catchment of the Yellow River Basin (UYRB) in this study. The separation regime of effects from climate variability and human activities is investigated. Results show that the changes of streamflow are more sensitive to precipitation than potential evapotranspiration (PET). Effect of climate variability on streamflow estimated using the sensitivity-based method is weak in the upper catchment of Jimai station, and strong in the upper catchment of Lanzhou station, where the climate effects accounted for about 50% of total streamflow changes. Effects of human activities on streamflow accounted for about 40% in the UYRB, with weaker effects in the upper catchment of Tangnaihai station than those in the upper catchment of Lanzhou station. Both climate variability and human activities are main factors to affect the changes of streamflow in the UYRB.

Abstract: A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment was conducted in this paper to calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as CO2, CH4, CF4 and C2F6 emissions, based on statistic data of Chinese aluminum industry of the year 2003. The results showed that the GHG emissions for 1 t primary aluminum production was 21.6 t CO2 equivalent which is 70% higher than that of worldwide average level of the year 2000. The main contributors of emission were the alumina refining and aluminum smelting process accounting for 72% and 22% in accumulative emission, respectively. According to the development and application of new process technologies for primary aluminum production and the ‘target of energy-saving and emissions-reducing’ of Chinese government, the reduction potential of the GHG emissions for alumina and aluminum production were estimated. The results indicated that China aluminum industry would achieve the target of reducing about 25% GHG emissions by the end of 2010.

Abstract: The bifurcations and chaotic dynamics of a simply supported symmetric cross-ply composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate are studied for the first time, which are simultaneously forced by the transverse, in-plane excitations and the excitation loaded by piezoelectric layers. Based on the Reddy’s third-order shear deformation plate theory, the nonlinear governing equations of motion for the composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate are derived by using the Hamilton’s principle. The Galerkin’s approach is used to discretize partial differential governing equations to a two-degreeof-freedom nonlinear system under combined the parametric and external excitations. The method of multiple scales is employed to obtain the four-dimensional averaged equation. Numerical method is utilized to find the periodic and chaotic responses of the composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate. The numerical results indicate the existence of the periodic and chaotic responses in the averaged equation. The influence of the transverse, in-plane and piezoelectric excitations on the bifurcations and chaotic behaviors of the composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate is investigated numerically.

Abstract: Thermal cracking of China No.3 aviation kerosene was studied experimentally and analytically under supercritical conditions relevant to regenerative cooling system for Mach-6 scramjet applications. A two-stage heated tube system with cracked products collection/analysis was used and it can achieve a fuel temperature range of 700-1100 K, a pressure range of 3.5-4.5 MPa and a residence time of approximately 0.5-1.3 s. Compositions of the cracked gaseous products and mass flow rate of the kerosene flow at varied temperatures and pressures were obtained experimentally. A one-step lumped model was developed with the cracked mixtures grouped into three categories: unreacted kerosene, gaseous products and residuals including liquid products and carbon deposits. Based on the model, fuel conversion on the mass basis, the reaction rate and the residence time were estimated as functions of temperature. Meanwhile, a sonic nozzle was used for the control of the mass flow rate of the cracked kerosene, and correlation of the mass flow rate gives a good agreement with the measurements.

Abstract: Numerical simulation of water flow over the stepped spillway is conducted using Mixture multiphase flow model. Different turbulence models are chosen to enclose the controlling equations. The turbulence models investigated are realizable k-ɛ model, SST k-ω model, v2-f model and LES model. The computational results by the four turbulence models are compared with experimental ones in the following aspects: mean velocity, the spanwise vorticity and the growth of the turbulent boundary layer thickness in the streamwise direction. It is found from the comparison that the realizable k-ɛ model, in which the rotation tensor is included, shows good performance for simulation of flows involving rotation, boundary layer and recirculation. The realizable k-ɛ model is the most efficient in simulating flow over stepped spillways. Further, the characteristics of water flow on the stepped spillway are studied in terms of the mean velocity profile normal to the pseudo-bottom and the pressure field on the steps based on the simulation results using realizable k-ɛ model.

Abstract: Surface with TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) is superhydrophilic and of great specific area. This paper investigates the pool boiling characteristics at the thermal interface with TNTAs. The results show that the TNTAs interface can enhance the pool boiling heat transfer compared to the pure Ti metal plate. The bubbles formed at the initial nucleation state are very small and released in higher frequency. The pool boiling heat transfer enhancement at the TNTAs interface may be attributed to the high density of nucleate site, high intrinsic heating area of nanotubes layer, superhydrophilicity and the vertically oriented nanotube structure.

Abstract: The nonlinear free transverse vibrations of a nano-beam on simple supports are investigated based on nonlocal elasticity theory. The governing equation is proposed by considering geometric nonlinearity due to finite stretching of the beam. The method of multiple scales is applied to the governing equation to evaluate the nonlinear natural frequencies. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the analytical results and highlight the contributions of the nonlinear term and nonlocal effect.

Abstract: Natural rivers are commonly characterized by a main channel for primary flow conveyance and a floodplain, often partially covered with vegetation such as shrubs or trees, to carry extra flow during floods. The hydraulic resistance due to vegetation on the floodplain typically causes a further reduction of flow velocity and increases the velocity difference between the main channel and the floodplain. As a consequence a strong lateral shear layer leads to the exchange of mass and momentum between the main channel and floodplain, which in turn affects the overall channel conveyance and certain fluvial processes. The prediction of the lateral velocity distribution is important for many flood alleviation schemes, as well as for studies on sediment transport and dispersion in such channels. The present paper proposes a method for predicting the depth-averaged velocity in compound channels with partially vegetated floodplains, based on an analytical solution to the depth-integrated Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equation with a term included to account for the effects of vegetation. The vegetation is modelled via an additional term in the momentum equation to account for the additional drag force. The method includes the effects of bed friction, drag force, lateral turbulence and secondary flows, via four coefficients f, CD, λ & Γ respectively. The predicted lateral distributions of depth-averaged velocity agree well with the experimental data. The analytical solutions can also be used to predict the distribution of boundary shear stresses, which adds additional weight to the method proposed.

Abstract: Ultrahigh toughness cementitious composites (UHTCC) obviously show strain hardening property under tensile or bending loading. The failure pattern of the UHTCC components exhibits multiple fine cracks under uniaxial tensile loading with prominent tensile strain capacity in excess of 3%, with merely 60 μm average crack width even corresponding to the ultimate tensile strain state. The approach adopted is based on the concept of functionally-graded concrete, where part of the concrete, which surrounds the main longitudinal reinforcement in a RC (reinforced concrete) member, is strategically replaced with UHTCC with excellent crack-controlling ability. Investigations on bending behavior of functionally-graded composite beam crack controlled by UHTCC has been carried out, including theoretical analysis, experimental research on long composite beams without web reinforcement, validation and comparison between experimental and theoretical results, and analysis on crack control. In addition to improving bearing capacity, the results indicate that functionally-graded composite beams using UHTCC has been found to be very effective in preventing corrosion-induced damage compared with RC beams. Therefore, durability and service life of the structure could be enhanced. This paper discusses the development of internal force and crack propagation during loading process, and presents analysis of the internal force in different stages, moment-curvature relationship from loading to damage and calculation of mid-span deflection and ductility index. In the end, the theoretical formulae have been validated by experimental results.

Abstract: On May 12, 2008, a major earthquake measured 8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province, China with the epicentral intensity of XI degrees. Zipingpu Dam is located 17.17 km from the epicenter and the influence intensity at the damsite reached IX–X degrees. It is the first time in the world for such a high concrete-faced rockfill dam (CFRD) in China to experience such a strong earthquake occurring in such a short distance. Due to its location of special importance to the downstream areas, the safety state and damaging condition of the Zipingpu Dam has attracted great attentions from various circles. Based on site investigation of the damages to the Zipingpu Dam and comparison analysis of the observation data obtained before and after the earthquake, the paper makes a comprehensive assessment of the key technical issues relevant to this high CFRD, including its safety state and the high slope stability after the earthquake.

Abstract: A new hypersonic inlet named three-dimensional section controllable internal waverider inlet is presented in this paper to achieve the goal of section shape geometric transition and complete capture of the upstream mass. On the basis of the association between hypersonic waverider airframe and streamtraced hypersonic inlet, the waverider concept is extended to yield results for the internal flows, namely internal waverider concept. It is proven theoretically that not osculating cones but osculating axisymmetric theory is appropriate for the design of section controllable internal waverider inlet. And two design methods out of the internal waverider concept are proposed subsequently to construct two inlets with specific section shape request, triangle to ellipse and rectangle to ellipse ones. The calculation results show that the inlets are capable of keeping their shock structures and the main flow characteristics exactly as their derived flowfield. Further, the inlets successfully capture all the upstream mass despite their complicated cross-section transitions. It is believed that the concept proposed explores a new way of designing three-dimensional hypersonic inlets with special demand of section shape transition. However, the detailed flow characteristic and the performance of the internal waverider inlets are still under investigation.

Abstract: Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films were successfully fabricated on glass substrates by sulfurizing Cu-Sn-Zn multilayer precursors, which were deposited by ion beam sputtering and RF magnetron sputtering, respectively. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the prepared films under various processing conditions were investigated in detail. Results showed that the as-deposited CZTS thin films with the precursors by both ion beam sputtering and RF magnetron sputtering have a composition near stoichiometric. The crystallization of the samples, however, has a strong dependence on the atomic percent of constituents of the prepared CZTS films. A single phase stannite-type structure CZTS with a large absorption coefficient of 104/cm in the visible range could be obtained after sulfurization at 520°C for 2 h. The samples relative to the RF magnetron sputtering showed a low resistivity of 0.073 Ωcm and band gap energy of about 1.53 eV. The samples relative to the ion beam sputtering exhibited a resistivity of 0.36 Ωcm and the band gap energy is about 1.51 eV.