The indentation slope curve from a spherical indentation on elastic-plastic materials is examined. By comparing it with that of an linear elastic material of the same elastic properties, we found that the start point of plastic yielding for an elastic-plastic material can be easily located from the indentation slope curve. Based on this analysis, a simple but effective method is proposed tomeas...

Modeling of crack propagation by a finite element method under mixed mode conditions is of prime importance in the fracture mechanics. This article describes an application of finite element method to the analysis of mixed mode crack growth in linear elastic fracture mechanics. Crack - growth process is simulated by an incremental crack-extension analysis based on the maximum principal stress c...

This paper deals with nonlinear vibration analysis using finite element method for frame structures consisting of elastic and viscoelastic damping layers supported by multiple nonlinear concentrated springs with hysteresis damping. The frame is supported by four nonlinear concentrated springs near the four corners. The restoring forces of the springs have cubic non-linearity and linear componen...

It is shown that information transmission inside a cell can occur by means of mechanical waves transmitted through DNA. The propagation of the waves is strongly dependent on the shape of the DNA thus proteins that change the shape of DNA can alter signal transmission. The overall effect is a method of signal processing by DNA binding proteins that creates a ”cellular communications network”. Th...

A critical discussion on non-linear steady-state concentration profiles for hydrogen diffusion in elastic metallic membranes, proposed by other authors, is provided based on mathematical analysis and numerical simulation. It is shown that the non-linear distribution is non-existent and the linear form is the only solution for the ideal solid solution phase.  2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All righ...

Every linear planar anisotropic elastic material is equivalent, under a linear change of coordinates, to an orthotropic material. Consequently, up to linear changes of variables, there are just two "canonical" planar elastic moduli which determine the properties of any linearly elastic material. Extensions to three-dimensional elasticity and applications are indicated.

Michael G. Oliva, Ph.D. Professor Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, Wisconsin The in-plane fl exibility of untopped precast concrete double-tee diaphragms is often ignored in current design practice. The performance of parking structures during earthquakes and subsequent research studies have shown, however, that in-plane fl exibility of ...

Most of the existing concrete dams are subjected to cracking. These cracks are caused by various factors such as construction practices, curing, loads and volume change of mass concrete which reduce the efficiency, failure or instability of concrete dams. Using fracture mechanics as a new method to estimate stability and durability of concrete dams is recommended in scientific publications in w...