Curvilinear Path Research Articles

Periodic free vibrations of composite laminates with curvilinear fibres and CNTs

This article addresses the combined effect of using curvilinear fibres and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforcements in the non-linear modes of vibration of laminated composite plates. To arrive at the material properties of the three-phase composite material, a two-step hierarchic procedure is followed. A modified version of the Halpin–Tsai model is employed to predict the Young’s modulus of the CNT enriched resin and expressions, deduced from equilibria of a unit cell where a fibre is embedded in resin, are applied to obtain the diverse elasticity moduli of the three-phase composite. Moderately large displacements are considered, with von Kármán strain–displacement relations. Although the presented model is an equivalent single layer one, it applies to thick plates, because a Third-order Shear Deformation Theory (TSDT) is followed. The set of autonomous non-linear equations of motion is reduced using static condensation and a modal basis with selected modes, chosen after a convergence analysis. The reduced set of equations of motion is solved by the shooting method. Numerical tests considering plates with diverse curvilinear fibre paths, CNT contents and thicknesses are carried out. The results obtained are thoroughly analysed.

Variable angle tow-steered fibres based rotating composite beam with rotary oscillations – Parametric excitation/instability analysis

This study is concerned with the stability analysis for various vibrational motions of tow-steered variable angle fibres based composite rotating beam with time varying speed. The formulation combines a higher order theory introducing sine function along with finite element methodology. It satisfies the plane stress condition in width direction of beam. The displacement kinematics are generic in the sense it includes various possible vibrational motions like chord and flap wise motions, torsional and axial vibration behaviours. The equilibrium equations for the proposed problem evolved adopting virtual dynamic work are then transformed into the equations of Mathieu-Hill type considering time varying harmonic rotational speed. Using Bolotin’s procedure coupled with C1 continuity-based beam element, the parametric resonance zones along with boundary limits are numerically evaluated. The eigenvalue type of solution methodology applied for the detailed study is validated for accuracy and computational efficiency against the time domain dynamic response analysis. Based on in-depth analysis, dynamic instability characteristics in terms of resonance range and origin of instability of composite beam subjected to the chord and flap wise, torsional and axial motions are studied considering curvilinear fibre path angles, beam cross section, hub radius, thickness ratio and mean rotary speed.

Brushing rams before and during electroejaculation improves sperm motility and kinetics with slight changes in stress biomarkers

The aim of this study was to determine whether brushing rams before and during electroejaculation (EE) reduces their stress response and improves the characteristics of the ejaculate. A single person brushed each ram for 5 min daily, for 15 days, in an individual pen. Semen was collected from five rams brushed before and during EE by the same brusher, while the other five were electroejaculated without being brushed. The treatments were exchanged three days later, so semen was collected from all the rams with both treatments. Brushing increased mass motility (P = 0.05), and curvilinear (P = 0.001), linear (P = 0.02), and average path (P = 0.01) velocities of sperm, as well as the average amplitude of lateral displacement of the sperm head (P = 0.05), and tended to increase sperm concentration (P = 0.09). Brushing tended to reduce the cortisol concentration (P = 0.06) and the duration of head movements when 2 V pulse series V was applied (P = 0.1). Brushing increased creatine kinase concentration (P = 0.04) and tended to increase rectal (P = 0.06) and maximum eye surface temperatures (P = 0.1), total time, and number of electrical pulses administered (P = 0.07 for both variables), as well as the sum of pulses per voltage applied during EE (P = 0.06). In rams accustomed to being brushed by the same person, brushing them before and during EE improved semen quality, with slight changes in the stress responses.

Nonlinear thermal flutter of variable angle tow composite laminates in supersonic airflow

Compared with traditional composite materials, variable stiffness composite materials with curvilinear fiber paths have higher design flexibility and the potential to improve structural efficiency. In view of this, the nonlinear flutter characteristics of Variable Angle Tow (VAT) composite laminates with thermal effect in supersonic airflow are investigated in this paper. The proposed panel flutter model is developed based on the von Kármán large deformation plate theory. The thermal stress is approximated according to the quasi-steady thermal stress theory, whilst the aerodynamic pressure is calculated based on the first-order piston theory. The aerothermoelastic equations of motion are first established using Hamilton’s variational principle, and the Rayleigh-Ritz method is then applied to solve the governing equations in the space domain. The time-domain nonlinear equations are solved through the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The accuracy and convergence of the proposed method are verified through the comparisons with the results available in the literature. The effects of several parameters such as fiber orientation angle, thermal load, and aerodynamic pressure on the nonlinear flutter responses of VAT laminates are comprehensively discussed. Several dynamic behaviors of VAT laminates, including stable flat, buckled, Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO), multi-periodic motion, quasi-periodic motion, and chaotic motion, are revealed by using the time history, phase portrait, Poincaré map, and bifurcation diagram. The results presented herein may be beneficial for the design of VAT laminates in supersonic airflow.

Retraction Note: Fuzzy curvilinear path optimization using fuzzy regression analysis for mid vehicle collision detection and avoidance system analyzed on NGSIM I-80 dataset (real-road scenarios)

Retraction Note: Fuzzy curvilinear path optimization using fuzzy regression analysis for mid vehicle collision detection and avoidance system analyzed on NGSIM I-80 dataset (real-road scenarios)

Variable angle tow-steered curvilinear fibres-based rotating arbitrarily layered composite beams- a coupled vibration of chordwise-flapwise-torsional motions by higher-order beam theory

In the present work, variable angle tow-steered curvilinear fibres-based straight composite rotating beam is studied for its coupled vibrational behaviours from different beam planes by a higher-order beam formulation satisfying plane stress situation and combining with finite element methodology. The structural theory is extended to include all the vibrational motions including chord- and flap-wise motions, axial and torsional vibrations of beam. The centrifugal force stiffening and gyroscopic effects stemming from rotational motions are taken into the formulation. The generic differential equations of equilibrium for the proposed structural theory are evolved adopting virtual dynamic work, Hamilton’s principle and a suitable C1 continuity based elemental equations are obtained. The newly constructed finite element formulation is tested for solved problems that are known in the literature. Based on in-depth analysis, vibration features of curvilinear fibre-based rotating generally layered composite beam including coupled dynamic motions in terms of vibrational modes and their frequencies pertaining to chord- and flap-wise, axial, torsional motions are detailed presuming variable angles along the curvilinear fibre path at the centre and layer edge, short and long beams, hub-radius, beam cross-section, and high rotational speed effects.

Robust path-following guidance for an autonomous vehicle in the presence of wind

This paper presents a novel nonlinear guidance law for an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that enables it to track any predefined path while taking into account wind effects. The approach involves treating the desired path as the trajectory of the virtual target, which the UAV tracks without relying on knowledge of the path's curvature. This makes the design applicable to paths with varying levels of complexity and smooth curvatures. Additionally, the proposed method draws inspiration from pursuit guidance, known for its simplicity and ease of implementation. Theoretical analysis ensures that the UAV will converge to the intended path within a fixed time, irrespective of its initial configuration relative to the path. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, showcasing the UAV's ability to accurately follow diverse curvilinear paths.

Buckling optimization of variable-stiffness composite plates with two circular holes using discrete Ritz method and potential flow

Potential flow around two equal-radius cylinders is derived analytically and applied to generate the curvilinear fiber path of variable-stiffness composite (VSC) plates with two circular holes. As complex variable theory and conformal mapping are used to generate the potential flow around two equal-radius cylinders, the location and size of the two equal-radius circular holes are arbitrary. By changing the angle of incoming flow, the global fiber angle of a variable-stiffness lamina can be simulated and the local fiber orientation angle at any point is determined by the global potential flow field. Buckling performance of variously-shaped VSC plates with two circular holes are investigated via a novel numerical method − discrete Ritz method (DRM). DRM combines the extended interval integral, Gauss quadrature, and variable stiffness within a rectangular domain and builds a discrete energy system to simulate the plate, which allows the geometric boundaries of the plate to vary. The strain energy of a plate is modeled in the rectangular domain, discretized using Gauss points, and is characterized by variable stiffness, which characterizes both the material distribution and plate geometry simultaneously. After that, a three-dimensional sampling optimization (3DSO) method is adopted to optimize the curvilinear fiber configurations of VSC plates, and its buckling performances are compared with those of constant stiffness composites (CSC) with optimal straight fibers. Significant improvements on load-carrying capacity can be achieved compared to straight ones, demonstrating that using potential flow is one of the most efficient way to generate curvilinear optimal fiber path with maximum load-carrying capacity for VSC plates with material discontinuity. Moreover, DRM exhibits good precision and stability for buckling analysis of VSC plates with complex geometries.

Curvilinear walking elevates fall risk and modulates slip and compensatory step attributes after unconstrained human slips.

While much attention has been paid to understanding slip-related falls in humans, little has been focused on curvilinear paths despite their prevalence, distinct biomechanical demands and increased slipping threat. We determined the mechanics, compensatory stepping reactions and fall risk associated with slips during fixed-speed walking across ranges of path curvature, slipped foot and slip onset phase contexts possible in the community, which builds upon previous work by examining speed-independent effects of curvilinear walking. Twenty-one participants experienced 15 unconstrained slips induced by a wearable friction-reducing device as motion capture and harness load cell data were recorded. Falls were most likely after early stance slips to the inside foot and increased at tighter curvatures. Slip distance and peak velocity decreased as slips began later in stance phase, did not differ between feet, and accelerated on tighter paths. Slipping foot directions relative to heading transitioned from anterior (forward) to posterior (backward) as slips began later in stance, were ipsilateral (toward the slipping foot side) and contralateral (toward the opposite side) for the outside and inside foot, respectively, and became increasingly ipsilateral/contralateral on tighter curvatures. Compensatory steps were placed anteriorly and ipsilaterally after outside and inside foot slips, respectively, and lengthened at later onset phases for outside foot slips only. Our findings illustrate slip magnitude and fall risk relationships that suggest slip direction may influence the balance threat posed by a slip, imply that walking speed may modify slip likelihood, and indicate the most destabilizing curved walking contexts to target in future perturbation-based balance training approaches.

Curvilinear Approach to Landing

ABSTRACT The article describes the problem of controlling an aircraft control when performing a landing on a curvilinear trajectory. The adoption of a curvilinear approach trajectory allows reducing the impact of air traffic on the areas adjacent to the airport. Performing the correct approach on the curvilinear path requires support. For the correct execution of the landing manoeuvre on the curvilinear track, it is necessary to establish reference points so that the repeatability of the manoeuvre is ensured, especially in the case of landing more than one aircraft at the same time. In the following parts, the landing control system is presented. Particularly carefully presented is the issue of performing tests of the designed control system, which in the case of the aircraft control system during the approach to landing must be extremely thoroughly verified. The test plan included both verification the correctness of the adopted control laws and their robustness to interference occurring as a result of atmospheric air streams.

Numerical Simulation Study of Energy Separation in Jet Shear Layer

In order to investigate the rational utilization of energy in the fluid jet process, a free dual jet of parallel air is used as a research object. Simulation of turbulence was carried out based on the realizable k-epsilon equations with pressure-velocity coupling, PISO method, discrete method with second-order windward format, and first-order implicit transient solution. The energy separation phenomenon within the jet shear layer and its influencing factors were investigated under dual-jet Reynolds number differences of 12,800, 19,200, 25,600, 32,000, 41,500, and 51,100, respectively. The simulation is in transient format and the jet inlet velocity is given by udf. Calculations show that the pressure perturbation in the air shear layer, which gives rise to the pressure work exchange between the jet and the surroundings, is the main reason for the coexistence of high- and low-temperature regions formed within the jet shear layer, and the larger the Reynolds number, the stronger the energy separation effect. The center streamline path of a parallel air free dual jet can be fitted by a circular arc, whose radius of curvature increases with the Reynolds number, and the curvilinear development path of the dual jet can offset the energy separation effect to some extent. This paper confirms the existence of energy separation in the shear layer of a parallel air free double jet, reveals the mechanism of energy separation in the fluid domain, and explores the flow characteristics of two parallel jets.

Benefits of Planter Turn Compensation on Irregular Shaped Fields

Highlights For the production fields examined, turn compensation was actuated for between 4.7% and 12.1% of the area during planting operations. Seeding rate error without turn compensation ranged from 30.9% to 570.1% while with turn compensation seeding rate error was only 0.1% to 10.4%. A cost savings of $16 to $212 ha-1 can be realized when planting with a turn compensation feature. Abstract. Modern precision planters utilize advanced technologies such as electric seed metering units and hydraulic downforce systems, allowing for more precise control of seed placement during planting. This study focused on assessing the effectiveness of adopting turn compensation using electrically driven seed meters. Turn compensation refers to the ability of a planter to adjust seeding rates across the toolbar to account for the speed differential caused by planting around a turn or curvilinear pass. Significant research has been conducted on the accuracy of turn compensation implemented by electric driven seed meters, though no existing research could be found on the amount of ground covered in a production field when the technology is being utilized. Thus, the objectives of this study are: 1) to quantify the extent of area planted with turn compensation actuated on fields with varying size and shape and 2) to assess the potential cost savings when using a planter equipped with this technology. Results indicated that turn compensation could provide accurate adjustments of seed and fertilizer inputs while planting on curvilinear paths. In the production fields examined turn compensation would be actuated on between 4.7% and 12.1% of the area. Spacing data confirmed that the turn compensation accurately corrected the seed spacing when planting on curves. Seeding rate error without turn compensation ranged from 30.9% to 570.1% while with turn compensation seeding rate error was only 0.1% to 10.4%. Finally, results indicated a cost savings of $16 to $212 ha-1 when using a planter with a turn compensation feature.

An Operating Stiffness Controller for the Medical Continuum Robot Based on Impedance Control.

Continuum manipulators can conform to curvilinear paths and manipulate objects in complex environments, which makes it emerging to be applied in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, different and controllable operating stiffness of the continuum manipulator is required during different stages of surgery to achieve safe access or stable and precise operation. This work proposes an operating stiffness controller (OSC) for the typical tendon-driven continuum manipulator based on the variable impedance control method with Lagrangian dynamic modeling. This controller can adjust the operating stiffness by modifying the driving forces along the driving tendons of the continuum manipulator without changing its material or structure. The proposed OSC converts the damping and stiffness matrices of the impedance control into variable parameters. This merit allows it to dynamically adjust the operating stiffness of the continuum manipulator according to the desired constant or time-varying stiffness. Furthermore, the OSC stability can be proven based on a Lyapunov function, and its stiffness control performances have been analyzed and evaluated in both simulations and experiments. The OSC controller generated average relevant error values of 7.82% and 3.09% for the operating stiffness control experiments with constant and time-varying desired stiffness, respectively. These experimental results indicate that the OSC has high accuracy, stability, and strong robustness in the operating stiffness control tasks.

Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Parkinson's Disease: A Speed-Matched Comparative Analysis with Healthy Subjects.

This study aimed to investigate and compare the vertical Ground Reaction Forces (vGRFs) of patients with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD) and healthy subjects (HS) when the confounding effect of walking speed was absent. Therefore, eighteen PwPD and eighteen age- and linear walking speed-matched HS were recruited. Using plantar pressure insoles, participants walked along linear and curvilinear paths at self-selected speeds. Interestingly, PwPD exhibited similar walking speed to HS during curvilinear trajectories (p = 0.48) and similar vGRF during both linear and curvilinear paths. In both groups, vGRF at initial contact and terminal stance was higher during linear walking, while vGRF at mid-stance was higher in curvilinear trajectories. Similarly, the time to peak vGRF at each phase showed no significant group differences. The vGRF timing variability was different between the two groups, particularly at terminal stance (p < 0.001). In conclusion, PwPD and HS showed similar modifications in vGRF and a similar reduction in gait speed during curvilinear paths when matched for linear walking speed. This emphasized the importance of considering walking speed when assessing gait dynamics in PwPD. This study also suggests the possibility of the variability of specific temporal measures in differentiating the gait patterns of PwPD versus those of HS, even in the early stages of the disease.

Design of manufacturable variable stiffness composite laminates using spectral Chebyshev and normalized cut segmentation methods

The in-plane fiber orientations of variable stiffness (VS) laminates can be tailored to achieve enhanced structural properties compared to conventional constant stiffness (CS) laminates. However, VS laminate manufacturing faces challenges such as wrinkles, gaps, and overlaps. To address these challenges, we present a novel three-step design methodology. First, the laminate is modeled using lamination parameters (LPs) and the spectral Chebyshev method, and the optimal LPs are determined to maximize the fundamental frequency. Then, the discrete fiber angles are retrieved using the optimal LP distribution. Lastly, a normalized-cut segmentation method is applied to divide the domain into clusters and to generate manufacturable curvilinear fiber paths. Case studies focusing on designing clusters containing both straight and curvilinear fiber paths demonstrate that the designed VS composites can significantly enhance the dynamic performance with up to 20% enhancement in the fundamental frequency compared to CS laminates, under fully clamped boundary conditions with manufacturing constraints.

Illusory percepts of curvilinear self-motion when moving through crowds.

Self-motion generates optic flow, a pattern of expanding visual motion. Heading estimation from optic flow analysis is accurate in rigid environments, but it becomes challenging when other human walkers introduce independent motion to the scene. Previous studies showed that heading perception is surprisingly accurate when moving through a crowd of walkers but revealed strong heading biases when either articulation or translation of biological motion were presented in isolation. We hypothesized that these biases resulted from misperceiving the self-motion as curvilinear. Such errors might manifest as opposite biases depending on whether the observer perceived the crowd motion as indication of his/her self-translation or self-rotation. Our study investigated the link between heading biases and illusory path perception. Participants assessed heading and path perception while observing optic flow stimuli with varying walker movements. Self-motion perception was accurate during natural locomotion (articulation and translation), but significant heading biases occurred when walkers only articulated or translated. In this case, participants often reported a curved path of travel. Heading error and curvature pointed in opposite directions. On average, participants perceived the walker motion as evidence for viewpoint rotation leading to curvilinear path percepts.

Estimating Geomagnetically Induced Currents in High‐Voltage Power Lines for the Territory of Kazakhstan

AbstractExtreme solar events, such as powerful solar flares are accompanied by the release of strong solar disturbances, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The impact of CMEs on the Earth's magnetosphere causes geomagnetic storms, which trigger geomagnetic effects measurable in the ionosphere, upper atmosphere, and on and in the ground. During extreme cases, rapidly changing geomagnetic fields generate intense geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), which can cause dramatic effects on man‐made technological systems, including transmission lines and pipelines. In countries with large territories such as Kazakhstan, long power lines contribute to high values of induced currents during periods of extreme geoeffective solar events. It is of interest to estimate the values of GICs in an extensive network of power lines on the territory of Kazakhstan. However, there are no estimations of induced currents in power lines in Kazakhstan, and most estimation techniques are made difficult because of absence of field measurements of Earth conductivity. This study aims to model geoelectric fields on the surface of the Earth for Kazakhstan and to estimate the values of the GICs in 500 kV power lines. This study also compares between two methods for calculating induced voltages in power lines: one based on linear paths and the other based on curvilinear paths between substations of transmission power lines.

Bioclimatic thermal stress indices and their relationships with andrological characteristics in hair rams.

This study evaluated relationships among reproductive parameters and the bioclimatic indices: temperature and humidity index (THI), equivalent temperature index (ETI), black globe temperature and humidity index (BGTHI), and thermal comfort index (TCI), during the first 45 days of spermatogenesis (SP-45) and during the 15 days of sperm transit through the epididymis (STP-15) that preceded the reproductive assessments (ReA). Such information is useful in determining the optimal breeding season in Northeast Brazil. Santa Inês rams (n = 25) underwent two ReA in three periods of the year (D-P = dry; R-P = rainy and RD-P = rainy/dry transition), and the bioclimatic indices were calculated at the corresponding SP-45 and STP-15 timepoints prior to each ReA. Sperm kinetic parameters in D-P were depressed compared to R-P and RD-P (P < 0.05). The index values had an antagonistic relationship with most parameters and regression analysis demonstrated that the BGTHI and the TCI had a negative association with the progressive motility, curvilinear, straight line, and average path velocities, and a positive association with slow sperm in the ejaculate in SP-45 and STP-15 phases (P < 0.01). Semen quality kinetics is affected throughout the year by the environment and it is apparent that it is impaired in D-P and better in R-P and RD-P seasons. The BGTHI and TCI measured in the sperm production phase classified the environment most coherently and presented better association with the behavior of sperm kinetics.

Frequency veering and nonlinear coupled vibration analysis of variable stiffness composite plates with curvilinear fiber paths

The coupling forced vibration behaviors of a variable stiffness plate with curvilinear fiber paths at mode veering regions caused by variations of fiber angle have been rarely found in previous papers, especially in the presence of considering the complex material nonlinearity of composite materials. In this paper, the variable stiffness plate of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRC) with curvilinear fiber paths is taken as the research object, and the influence of curvilinear fiber paths on its natural characteristics and vibration responses are studied in detail on the basis of considering the material nonlinearity of CFRC. Firstly, it is found that the variations of curvilinear fiber paths can cause complex frequency veering behavior of the variable stiffness plate, and lead to the appearance of irregular modal shapes formed by modal interaction. Then, the forced vibration response of the variable stiffness plate in the frequency veering region is analyzed methodically, and the variation rules of the vibration response under modal interaction is obtained. After analyzing the nonlinear vibration response of the variable stiffness plate under the combined influence of modal interaction and CFRC material nonlinearity, the mechanism of complex nonlinear dynamic behavior of variable stiffness plate in frequency veering region is further investigated.

Supersonic Flutter Characteristics of a Nonlinear Spring-Supported Composite Panel Applying Curvilinear Fiber Paths

Supersonic Flutter Characteristics of a Nonlinear Spring-Supported Composite Panel Applying Curvilinear Fiber Paths