Explore the vast range of titles available.

Carbon fiber-reinforced composites are widely used in the aerospace industry due to their exceptional mechanical properties. However, the dome region of composite pressure vessels is prone to stress concentrations under internal pressure, often resulting in premature failure and reduced burst strength. This study developed a finite element model of a reinforced dome structure, which showed excellent agreement with hydrostatic test results, with less than 5.9% deviation in strain measurements. To optimize key reinforcement parameters, a high-accuracy surrogate model based on a backpropagation neural network was integrated with a multi-objective genetic algorithm. The results indicate that compared to the unreinforced dome, the optimized structure reduced the maximum fiber-aligned stress in the dome region by 6.8%; moreover, it achieved a 9.3% reduction in overall mass compared to the unoptimized reinforced configuration. These findings contribute to the structural optimization of composite pressure vessel domes.

Building thermal insulation and energy conservation have become urgent problems in the field of civil engineering because they are important for achieving the goal of carbon neutralization. Thermal conductivity is an important index for evaluating the thermal insulation of materials. To study the influence of different porosity levels on the thermal conductivity of materials, this paper established a random distribution model using MATLAB and conducted a comparative analysis using COMSOL finite element software and classical theoretical numerical calculation formulas. The thermal conductivity of composite materials was determined based on a theoretical calculation formula and COMSOL software simulations, and the theoretical calculation results and simulation results were compared with the measured thermal conductivity of the composites. Furthermore, the influence of the width of the gaps between the materials on the heat transfer process was simulated in the fabricated roof structure. The results showed the following: (1) The thermal conductivity values calculated using the Zimmerman model were quite different from those calculated using the Campbell-Allen model and those calculated using the COMSOL software; (2) The thermal conductivity values calculated using the theoretical calculation formula were lower than the measured data, and the maximum relative error was more than 29%. The COMSOL simulation results were in good agreement with the measured data, and the relative error was less than 5%; (3) When the gap width was less than 60 mm, it increased linearly with the heat transfer coefficient. The heat transfer coefficient increased slowly when the gap width was greater than 60 mm. This was mainly due to the thermal bridge effect inside the insulation system. Based on these research results, a thermal insulation system was prepared in a factory.

This paper re-considers a recent analysis on the so-called Couplet–Heyman problem of least-thickness circular masonry arch structural form optimization and provides complementary and novel information and perspectives, specifically in terms of the optimization problem, and its implications in the general understanding of the Mechanics (statics) of masonry arches. First, typical underlying solutions are independently re-derived, by a static upper/lower horizontal thrust and a kinematic work balance, stationary approaches, based on a complete analytical treatment; then, illustrated and commented. Subsequently, a separate numerical validation treatment is developed, by the deployment of an original recursive solution strategy, the adoption of a discontinuous deformation analysis simulation tool and the operation of a new self-implemented Complementarity Problem/Mathematical Programming formulation, with a full matching of the achieved results, on all the arch characteristics in the critical condition of minimum thickness.

Shape sensing as a crucial component of structural health monitoring plays a vital role in real-time actuation and control of smart structures, and monitoring of structural integrity. As a model-based method, the inverse finite element method (iFEM) has been proved to be a valuable shape sensing tool that is suitable for complex structures. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for the shape sensing of thin shell structures with iFEM. Considering the structural form and stress characteristics of thin-walled structure, the error function consists of membrane and bending section strains only which is consistent with the Kirchhoff–Love shell theory. For numerical implementation, a new four-node quadrilateral inverse-shell element, iDKQ4, is developed by utilizing the kinematics of the classical shell theory. This new element includes hierarchical drilling rotation degrees-of-freedom (DOF) which enhance applicability to complex structures. Firstly, the reconstruction performance is examined numerically using a cantilever plate model. Following the validation cases, the applicability of the iDKQ4 element to more complex structures is demonstrated by the analysis of a thin wallpanel. Finally, the deformation of a typical aerospace thin-wall structure (the composite tank) is reconstructed with sparse strain data with the help of iDKQ4 element.

This research is taking the first steps toward applying a 2D dragonfly wing skeleton in the design of an airplane wing using artificial intelligence. The work relates the 2D morphology of the structural network of dragonfly veins to a secondary graph that is topologically dual and geometrically perpendicular to the initial network. This secondary network is referred as the reciprocal diagram proposed by Maxwell that can represent the static equilibrium of forces in the initial graph. Surprisingly, the secondary graph shows a direct relationship between the thickness of the structural members of a dragonfly wing and their in‐plane static equilibrium of forces that gives the location of the primary and secondary veins in the network. The initial and the reciprocal graph of the wing are used to train an integrated and comprehensive machine‐learning model that can generate similar graphs with both primary and secondary veins for a given boundary geometry. The result shows that the proposed algorithm can generate similar vein networks for an arbitrary boundary geometry with no prior topological information or the primary veins' location. The structural performance of the dragonfly wing in nature also motivated the authors to test this research's real‐world application for designing the cellular structures for the core of airplane wings as cantilever porous beams. The boundary geometry of various airplane wings is used as an input for the design proccedure. The internal structure is generated using the training model of the dragonfly veins and their reciprocal graphs. One application of this method is experimentally and numerically examined for designing the cellular core, 3D printed by fused deposition modeling, of the airfoil wing; the results suggest up to 25% improvements in the out‐of‐plane stiffness. The findings demonstrate that the proposed machine‐learning‐assisted approach can facilitate the generation of multiscale architectural patterns inspired by nature to form lightweight load‐bearable elements with superior structural properties. This research investigates the use of graphic statics and machine learning to analyze the structural geometry of a dragonfly wing, understand its performance, and generate similar patterns. It can be used in a more universal workflow to generate structural forms inspired from the collected dataset of a wider range of species.

The gas phase flow field inside a cyclone separator is crucial to the particle separation process. Previous studies have paid attention to the steady-state characteristics of the gas phase flow field, while research on its dynamic characteristics remains insufficient. Meanwhile, cyclone separators often adopt different structural forms according to the process requirements, the evolution laws of the dynamic characteristics flow field within them are still not well understood. Therefore, in this study, a hot-wire anemometer (HWA) was employed to measure the instantaneous tangential velocity of the gas phase flow fields within different structural cyclone separators (cylinder type, cylinder–cone (no hopper), and cylinder–cone (with hopper)). Comparative analyses and discussions were conducted regarding the dynamic characteristic distribution rules of the flow field in the time domain and the frequency domain. The results revealed that the dimensionless tangential velocity distributions of different types of cyclone separators all conformed to the Rankine vortex structure. The instantaneous tangential velocity fluctuated with low frequency and high amplitude, and the low-frequency velocity fluctuation exhibited a transfer behavior along the radial direction. Compared with the cylinder–cone-type cyclone separator, the tangential velocity in the cylinder-type cyclone separator fluctuated more greatly, and its quasi-periodic behavior was also more obvious. The time-averaged tangential velocity, the tangential velocity fluctuation intensity (Sd), and the dominant fluctuation frequency all had obvious attenuation along the axial direction in the cylinder-type cyclone separator, while the above-mentioned parameters had no attenuation along the axial direction in cylinder–cone-type cyclone separators. Additionally, the backflow from the hopper of the cylinder–cone-type cyclone separator (with hopper) led to an increase in the instantaneous tangential velocity fluctuation intensity of the local flow field near the dust outlet, as well as the occurrence of the “double dominant frequencies” phenomenon.

This work seeks to define original ways of creating architectonic forms using kinesiology studies. A series of methodologies are devised to record subjects in motion, with analogue and digital modelling techniques rigorously used independently and in combination to transpose these into sculptural figures with differing levels of formal fidelity and dimensional precision. Surface structures, and in particular thin shells, are found to have great potential for moving from abstract figures to structural forms. Such structures are traditionally problematic in terms of ‘constructional energy’, which has limited their usefulness and application. In response, the ‘hanging cloth reversed’ modelling technique devised by Heinz Isler is investigated to capitalise on the ambiguity between large-scale models and small structures. A construction method is devised that accords with the principles of structural art which, significantly, suggests that (small-span) shell structures could be liberated from the strictures of formwork to create economic, efficient and elegant minimal structures.

Textile lattice sandwich composite (TLSC) with excellent debonding resistance has been widely investigated. In this paper, the preparation technology of TLSC was improved by foam filling technology, namely hand lay-up and vacuum infusion process, and the flexural properties were studied. The microscope images of TLSC specimens were observed. The structure and resin distribution of TLSC specimens prepared by the above technology was compared. Three-point bending experiments studied the bending properties of foam-filled specimens. The results show that the TLSC specimen prepared by the vacuum infusion process has more resin distribution and high-quality structural form. The obvious resin-rich region appears on the TLSC specimen prepared by hand lay-up. The foam-filling technology can significantly enhance the strength and stiffness of the structure.

Green indium phosphide (InP)-based quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) still suffer from low efficiency and short operational lifetime, posing a critical challenge to fully cadmium-free QD-LED displays and lighting 1 – 3 . Unfortunately, the factors that underlie these limitations remain unclear and, therefore, no clear device-engineering guidelines are available. Here, by using electrically excited transient absorption spectroscopy, we find that the low efficiency of state-of-the-art green cadmium-free QD-LEDs (which ubiquitously adopt the InP–ZnSeS–ZnS core–shell–shell structure) originates from the ZnSeS interlayer because it imposes a high injection barrier that limits the electron concentration and trap saturation. We demonstrate, both experimentally and theoretically, that replacing the currently widely used ZnSeS interlayer with a thickened ZnSe interlayer enables improved electron injection and depressed leakage simultaneously, allowing to achieve a peak external quantum efficiency of 26.68% and T 95 lifetime (time for the luminance to drop to 95% of the initial value) of 1,241 h at an initial brightness of 1,000 cd m –2 in green InP-based QD-LEDs emitting at 543 nm—exceeding the previous best values by a factor of 1.6 and 165, respectively 3 , 4 . Replacing ZnSeS with a thickened ZnSe layer in green InP-based QD-LEDs improves the efficiency and lifetime, boosting electron injection and reducing leakage, enabling 26.68% external quantum efficiency and 1,241 h T 95 lifetime.

A conical shell is one of the typical structural forms of underwater navigation. This paper explores the free vibration properties of finite-length cones, analyses the modular frequency and modular vibration type properties in vacuum and underwater cones, and conducts a comparative analysis. The numerical calculations show: The use of hydrogen in conjunction with the hydrophobic structure of the cone will lead to a significant decrease in the modular frequency of the shell, with a maximum decrease of 40% for the first 10 modules of this model; Modal vibration patterns are similar in air and underwater, but the order of the modal vibrations may vary, indicating that the frequency reduction of different modal frequencies caused by the water medium is different. The conclusions of this article can be used as a reference for the design, optimization, and application of conical shells in engineering.