Initial Arc Research Articles

Geometrically nonlinear analysis of shells by various dynamic relaxation methods

PurposeNumerical experiences reveal that the performances of the dynamic relaxation (DR) method are related to the structural types. This paper is devoted to compare the DR schemes for geometric nonlinear analysis of shells. To achieve this task, 12 famous approaches are briefly introduced. The differences among these schemes are between the estimation of the time step, the mass and the damping matrices. In this study, several benchmark structures are analyzed by using these 12 techniques. Based on the number of iterations and the analysis duration, their performances are graded. Numerical findings reveal the high efficiency of the kinetic DR (kdDR) approach and Underwood’s strategy.Design/methodology/approachUp to now, the performances of various DR algorithms for geometric nonlinear analysis of thin shells have not been investigated. In this paper, 12 famous DR methods have been used for solving these structures. It should be noted that the difference between these approaches is in the estimation of the fictitious parameters. The aforementioned techniques are used to solve several numerical samples. Then, the performances of all schemes are graded based on the number of iterations and the analysis duration.FindingsThe final ranking of each strategy will be obtained after studying all numerical examples. It is worth emphasizing that the number of iterations and that of convergence points of the arc length algorithms are dependent on the value of the initial arc length. In other words, a slight change in the magnitude of the arc length may lead to the wrong responses. Contrary to this behavior, the analyzer’s role in the dynamic relaxation techniques is considerably less than the arc length method. In the DR strategies when the answer approaches the limit points, the iteration number increases automatically. As a result, this algorithm can be used to analyze the structures with complex equilibrium paths.Research limitations/implicationsNumerical experiences reveal that the DR method performances are related to the structural types. This paper is devoted to compare the DR schemes for geometric nonlinear analysis of shells.Practical implicationsGeometric nonlinear analysis of shells is a sophisticated procedure. Consequently, extensive research studies have been conducted to analyze the shells efficiently. The most important characteristic of these structures is their high resistance against pressure. This study demonstrates the performances of various DR methods in solving shell structures.Originality/valueUp to now, the performances of various DR algorithms for geometric nonlinear analysis of thin shells are not investigated.

Design of a three-dimensional scramjet nozzle considering lateral expansion and geometric constraints

A new method based on quasi two-dimensional supersonic flow and maximum thrust theory to design a three-dimensional nozzle while considering lateral expansion and geometric constraints is presented in this paper. To generate the configuration of the three-dimensional nozzle, the inviscid flowfield is calculated through the method of characteristics, and the reference temperature method is applied to correct the boundary layer thickness. The computational fluid dynamics approach is used to obtain the aerodynamic performance of the nozzle. Results show that the initial arc radius slightly influences the axial thrust coefficient, whereas the variations in the lateral expansion contour, the length and initial expansion angle of the lower cowl significantly affect the axial thrust coefficient. The three-dimensional nozzle designed by streamline tracing technique is also investigated for comparison to verify the superiority of the new method. The proposed nozzle shows increases in the axial thrust coefficient, lift, and pitching moment of 6.86%, 203.15%, and 642.86%, respectively, at the design point, compared with the nozzle designed by streamline tracing approach. In addition, the lateral expansion accounts for 22.46% of the entire axial thrust, while it has no contribution to the lift and pitching moment in the proposed nozzle.

An experimental study on the thermal characteristics and heating effect of arc-fault from Cu core in residential electrical wiring fires.

The characteristics of a series direct current (DC) arc-fault including both electrical and thermal parameters were investigated based on an arc-fault simulator to provide references for multi-parameter electrical fire detection method. Tests on arc fault behavior with three different initial circuit voltages, resistances and arc gaps were conducted, respectively. The influences of circuit conditions on arc dynamic image, voltage, current or power were interpreted. Also, the temperature rises of electrode surface and ambient air were studied. The results showed that, first, significant variations of arc structure and light emitting were observed under different conditions. A thin outer burning layer of vapor generated from electrodes with orange light was found due to the extremely high arc temperature. Second, with the increasing electrode gap in discharging, the arc power was shown to have a non monotonic relationship with arc length for constant initial circuit voltage and resistance. Finally, the temperature rises of electrode surface caused by heat transfer from arc were found to be not sensitive with increasing arc length due to special heat transfer mechanism. In addition, temperature of ambient air showed a large gradient in radial direction of arc.

The static and dynamic behavior of MEMS arch resonators near veering and the impact of initial shapes

We investigate experimentally and analytically the effect of initial shapes, arc and cosine wave, on the static and dynamic behavior of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) arch resonators. We show that by carefully choosing the geometrical parameters and the initial shape of the arch, the veering phenomenon (avoided-crossing) among the first two symmetric modes can be strongly activated. To demonstrate this, we study electrothermally tuned and electrostatically driven initially curved MEMS resonators. Upon changing the electrothermal voltage, we demonstrate high frequency tunability of arc resonators compared to the cosine-configuration resonators for the first and third resonance frequencies. For arc beams, we show that the first resonance frequency increases up to twice its fundamental value and the third resonance frequency decreases until getting very close to the first resonance frequency triggering the veering phenomenon. Around the veering regime, we study experimentally and analytically the dynamic behavior of the arc beam for different electrostatic loads. The analytical study is based on a reduced order model of a nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli shallow arch beam model. The veering phenomenon is also confirmed through a finite-element multi-physics and nonlinear model.

Geodynamic evolution of the Sabzevar zone, northern central Iranian micro-continent

The Northern Central Iranian Micro-continent (CIM) represents Neotethys-related oceanic crust remnants, emplaced due to convergence between CIM and Eurasia plates during Eocene. Mafic and ultramafic units are exposed along the northern part of the CIM in the Sabzevar area. The geology and field relation of Sabzevar ophiolite indicate northward subduction of the Sabzevar basin. The average whole rock chemistry of mafic (gabbros) and ultramafic samples (lherzolite, harzburgite and dunite) is characterized by a range of MgO of 11.16–31.88, CaO 5.22–11.53 and Al2O3 2.77–14.57, respectively. Low LREE/HREE ratio of ultramafic samples is accompanied by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) such as Sr, Pb and K. Mafic samples show two distinct groups with low and high LREE/HREE ratios. The spider diagram of mafic samples indicates enrichment in Sr, Pb and K and depletion in REE. Petrological and geochemical evidence and field relations show that the mafic rocks formed in a supra-subduction zone setting. Petrological studies reveal the role of fractional crystallization and assimilation effect by released fluids during subduction related generation of the Sabzevar mafic rocks. We suggest that the studied mafic rocks likely represent the basement of an initial island arc, which was generated in a supra-subduction zone setting within the Neotethys branch of the Sabzevar Ocean at the north of CIM. Copper, gold and chromite mineralizations are studied in relation to island arc setting and supra-subduction environment. Similarities in lithology, ophiolite age and mineralization between Sabzevar ophiolite and Bardaskan-Torbat Heydariyeh ophiolites testify for their separation due to rotation (or faulting) of the Central Iranian Micro-continent.

Application of fuzzy control method in gas metal arc welding

In the short circuit transfer welding processes, a frequent change of arc length often causes dissatisfactory bead formation, but the control for arc length is nonlinear and complicated as it is difficult to derive a mathematical model of the controller. Thus, conventional controllers such as constant voltage power supply with constant wire feed speed cannot keep the arc length stable. This work presents a fuzzy controller using Mamdani method to stabilize the arc in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), where the deviation of arc voltage and its change rate serve as the input, and the large current at the initial arcing stage is the output. The controller is simple and easy to implement, because it has only one control object (i.e., welding current) in the system. To assess the validity of this method, two experiments on torch height change and upward slope welding were carried out, and the result suggests that the proposed fuzzy controller had a fast dynamic response and good stability under every condition.

A new design method of single expansion ramp nozzles under geometric constraints for scramjets

A new method based on maximum thrust theory to design a two-dimensional single expansion ramp nozzle with geometric constraints directly is presented in this paper. To generate the contour of the nozzle, the inviscid flowfield is calculated by using the method of characteristics and the reference temperature method is applied to correct the boundary layer thickness. The computational fluid dynamics approach is employed to obtain the aerodynamic performance of the nozzles. The results show that the initial arc radius slightly influences the axial thrust coefficient and that the variations in the length and initial expansion angle of the cowl significantly affect the axial thrust coefficient. The nozzle designed by truncating ideal nozzle is also investigated for comparison to verify the superiority of this new method. The nozzle designed by this proposed method shows increases in the axial thrust coefficient, lift, and pitching moment of 5.5%, 1098.2% and 20.3%, respectively, at the design point. Moreover, the proposed nozzle provided the positive lift with considerable increments in the axial thrust coefficient and in the pitching moment at off-design operations.

Statistical properties of substorm auroral onset beads/rays

AbstractAuroral substorms are often associated with optical ray or bead structures during initial brightening (substorm auroral onset waves). Occurrence probabilities and properties of substorm onset waves have been characterized using 112 substorm events identified in Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) all‐sky imager data and compared to Rice Convection Model–Equilibrium (RCM‐E) and kinetic instability properties. All substorm onsets were found to be associated with optical waves, and thus, optical waves are a common feature of substorm onset. Eastward propagating wave events are more frequent than westward propagating wave events and tend to occur during lower‐latitude substorms (stronger solar wind driving). The wave propagation directions are organized by orientation of initial brightening arcs. We also identified notable differences in wave propagation speed, wavelength (wave number), period, and duration between westward and eastward propagating waves. In contrast, the wave growth rate does not depend on the propagation direction or substorm strength but is inversely proportional to the wave duration. This suggests that the waves evolve to poleward expansion at a certain intensity threshold and that the wave properties do not directly relate to substorm strengths. However, waves are still important for mediating the transition between the substorm growth phase and poleward expansion. The relation to arc orientation can be explained by magnetotail structures in the RCM‐E, indicating that substorm onset location relative to the pressure peak determines the wave propagation direction. The measured wave properties agree well with kinetic ballooning interchange instability, while cross‐field current instability and electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability give much larger propagation speed and smaller wave period.

Arc characteristics and metal transfer behavior of CMT + P welding process

The cold metal transfer (CMT) with addition of pulses (CMT+P) process is a new CMT welding method. The CMT+P transfer mode is a combination of a projected transfer mode with one droplet per pulse and a short circuit transfer mode during the cold metal transfer period. The results indicate that the current and voltage waveforms of the CMT+P welding process were quite different from those of the traditional CMT process. The appearance of the high initial arcing current and the current pulse steps as well as the low current for the pulse time phase for the first CMT period indicate a stable, smooth CMT+P transfer process. The high pulse current of the CMT+P process results in a higher heat input compared to the CMT process. A greater penetration and contact angle of the weld bead can be obtained by increasing the pulse number.

Fuel-optimal low-thrust formation reconfiguration via Radau pseudospectral method

This paper investigates fuel-optimal low-thrust formation reconfiguration near circular orbit. Based on the Clohessy–Wiltshire equations, first-order necessary optimality conditions are derived from the Pontryagin’s maximum principle. The fuel-optimal impulsive solution is utilized to divide the low-thrust trajectory into thrust and coast arcs. By introducing the switching times as optimization variables, the fuel-optimal low-thrust formation reconfiguration is posed as a nonlinear programming problem (NLP) via direct transcription using multiple-phase Radau pseudospectral method (RPM), which is then solved by a sparse nonlinear optimization software SNOPT. To facilitate optimality verification and, if necessary, further refinement of the optimized solution of the NLP, formulas for mass costate estimation and initial costates scaling are presented. Numerical examples are given to show the application of the proposed optimization method. To fix the problem, generic fuel-optimal low-thrust formation reconfiguration can be simplified as reconfiguration without any initial and terminal coast arcs, whose optimal solutions can be efficiently obtained from the multiple-phase RPM at the cost of a slight fuel increment. Finally, influence of the specific impulse and maximum thrust magnitude on the fuel-optimal low-thrust formation reconfiguration is analyzed. Numerical results shown the links and differences between the fuel-optimal impulsive and low-thrust solutions.

Effect of Traditional Sequential Medial Soft Tissue Release on Knee Kinematics and Alignment

Traditionally sequential medial soft tissue release is performed for balancing varus knees in total knee arthroplasty. Its effects on kinematics have been described in extension and 90° flexion in coronal plane but not through complete range of flexion. This study describes its effects on knee kinematics, throughout the range of motion of the knee, studied using a computer navigation system. Twelve cadaveric knees were studied. Femoro-Tibial-Mechanical-Angle (FTMA) was studied in extension, 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° and maximum flexion. Sequential medial release was performed in 7 steps, described by Luring et al. [1]. At each step FTMA was measured with and without varus and valgus stressing. A 10 Newton Meter (NM) moment was applied for varus and valgus stress. Most of the initial release steps had little effect on FTMA without force application, especially in the initial 60° of flexion. Application of varus force demonstrated very small changes. Even the application of valgus force demonstrated little change in initial arc of flexion until step 5 in the release was reached. Our study concludes that the present sequence of medial release may not be correct and should be investigated further to modify the sequence for sequential medial release for balancing in varus knees.

Experimental investigation of cathode spots and plasma jets behavior subjected to two kinds of axial magnetic field electrodes

In this paper, cathode spot plasma jet (CSPJ) rotation and cathode spots behavior subjected to two kinds of large diameter axial magnetic field (AMF) electrode (cup-shaped and coil-shaped) are studied and analyzed based on experiments. The influence of gap distances on the CSPJ rotational behavior is analyzed. Experimental results show that CSPJ rotational phenomena extensively exist in the vacuum interrupters, and CSPJ rotational direction is along the direction of composite magnetic field (mainly the combination of the axial and azimuthal components). For coil-shaped and cup-shaped AMF electrodes, the rotational or inclination phenomena before the current peak value are much more significant than that after current peak value (for the same arc current), which is related to the larger ratio of azimuthal magnetic field Bt and AMF Bz (Bt/Bz). With the increase of the gap distance, the AMF strength decreases, when the arc current is kept as constant, the azimuthal magnetic field is kept invariable, the ratio between azimuthal magnetic field and AMF is increased, which results in the increase of rotational effect. For cathode spots motion, compared with cup-shaped electrode, coil-shaped electrode has the inverse AMF direction. The Robson drift direction of cathode spots of coil-shaped electrode is opposite to that of cup-shaped electrode. With the increase of gap distance, the Robson angle is decreased, which is associated with the reduced AMF strength. Erosion imprints of anode and cathode are also related to the CSPJ rotational phenomena and cathode spots behavior. The noise of arc voltage in the initial arcing stage is related to the weaker AMF.

Nitrogen loss and effects on microstructure in multipass TIG welding of a super duplex stainless steel

Nitrogen loss is an important phenomenon in welding of super duplex stainless steels. In this study, a super duplex stainless steel was autogenously TIG-welded with one to four bead-on-plate passes with low or high heat inputs using pure argon shielding gas. The goal was to monitor nitrogen content and microstructure for each weld pass. Nitrogen content, measured by wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry, was after four passes reduced from 0.28wt% in the base metal to 0.17wt% and 0.10wt% in low and high heat input samples, respectively. Nitrogen loss resulted in a more ferritic structure with larger grains and nitride precipitates. The ferrite grain width markedly increased with increasing number of passes and heat input. Ferrite content increased from 55% in base metal to 75% at low and 79% at high heat inputs after four passes. An increasing amount of nitrides were seen with increasing number of weld passes. An equation was suggested for calculation of the final nitrogen content of the weld metal as functions of initial nitrogen content and arc energy. Acceptable ferrite contents were seen for one or two passes. The recommendation is to use nitrogen in shielding gas and proper filler metals.

The statistical difference between bending arcs and regular polar arcs

AbstractIn this work, the Polar UVI data set by Kullen et al. (2002) of 74 polar arcs is reinvestigated, focusing on bending arcs. Bending arcs are typically faint and form (depending on interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By direction) on the dawnside or duskside oval with the tip of the arc splitting off the dayside oval. The tip subsequently moves into the polar cap in the antisunward direction, while the arc's nightside end remains attached to the oval, eventually becoming hook‐shaped. Our investigation shows that bending arcs appear on the opposite oval side from and farther sunward than most regular polar arcs. They form during By‐dominated IMF conditions: typically, the IMF clock angle increases from 60 to 90° about 20 min before the arc forms. Antisunward plasma flows from the oval into the polar cap just poleward of bending arcs are seen in Super Dual Auroral Radar Network data, indicating dayside reconnection. For regular polar arcs, recently reported characteristics are confirmed in contrast to bending arcs. This includes plasma flows along the nightside oval that originate close to the initial arc location and a significant delay in the correlation between IMF By and initial arc location. In our data set, the highest correlations are found with IMF By appearing at least 1–2 h before arc formation. In summary, bending arcs are distinctly different from regular arcs and cannot be explained by existing polar arc models. Instead, these results are consistent with the formation mechanism described in Carter et al. (2015), suggesting that bending arcs are caused by dayside reconnection.

Mechanically induced waves in metallic glass foils

The response of vitrified metallic arc foils under normal load is studied. Application of normal load on an initial arc shaped vitrified metallic foil is followed by multiplication of the initial arc. A sinusoidal mathematical expression can be used for the description of the produced harmonic undulations. The number of the formed waves increases as the displacement increases. Therefore, this undulatory behavior of the vitrified foils can be exploited as a flat spring with multiple spring constants. For comparison crystalline foils were tested. The enormous elastic region of vitrified alloys allows this undulatory response to occur extensively while plastic deformation is unavoidable when crystalline foils are used. Exploiting the metallic glass characteristics, the predefined extrema positions of the formed undulations and the mechanical characteristics of the vitrified foils a new type of electromechanical switch is suggested.

Vacuum arc behavior and its voltage characteristics in drawing process controlled by composite magnetic fields along axial and transverse directions

In this research, drawing vacuum arc (VA) experiments were conducted using composite contacts under currents ranging from 5 kA to 20 kA root mean square (rms). The new type of contact comprised an axial magnetic field (AMF) configuration and a transverse magnetic field (TMF) configuration. The TMF plate was in the center, surrounded by the AMF plate. The contact generated both AMFs and TMFs simultaneously. VA appearances and arc voltages were recorded, and the VA was modeled as a conductor for electromagnetic force analysis in ANSYS software. The results showed that the coaxiality of operating mechanisms significantly influenced arc behavior just as the arc was ignited. When arc brightness did not increase after ignition, there was a voltage drop accompanied with diffusion of the VA. As to VA development, when an arc was ignited on an AMF plate, it spread on the plate and rotated. Over time the arc current increased, the constricting arc forms, and the arc column rotated on the TMF plate under the action of Ampere's force. With regard to the influence of a magnetic field on a VA at different stages, in the initial drawing arc stage the TMF was dominant, and the arc started to rotate under the action of Ampere's force. Afterwards, the AMF was dominant, with a steadily burning arc. As for contact melting, in the initial arcing period, a contracted short arc caused severe melting and erosion of the contact plate. When the ignition spot or root was close to the slot of plate, the electromagnetic force pushed the arc toward slot and contact edge, resulting in local erosion of the slot region.

Generator and Setup for Emulating Exposures of Biological Samples to Lightning Strokes.

We aimed to develop a system for controlled exposure of biological samples to conditions they experience when lightning strikes their habitats. We based the generator on a capacitor charged via a bridge rectifier and a dc-dc converter, and discharged via a relay, delivering arcs similar to natural lightning strokes in electric current waveform and similarly accompanied by acoustic shock waves. We coupled the generator to our exposure chamber described previously, measured electrical and acoustic properties of arc discharges delivered, and assessed their ability to inactivate bacterial spores. Submicrosecond discharges descended vertically from the conical emitting electrode across the air gap, entering the sample centrally and dissipating radially toward the ring-shaped receiving electrode. In contrast, longer discharges tended to short-circuit the electrodes. Recording at 341 000 FPS with Vision Research Phantom v2010 camera revealed that initial arc descent was still vertical, but became accompanied by arcs leaning increasingly sideways; after 8-12 μs, as the first of these arcs formed direct contact with the receiving electrode, it evolved into a channel of plasmified air and short-circuited the electrodes. We eliminated this artefact by incorporating an insulating cylinder concentrically between the electrodes, precluding short-circuiting between them. While bacterial spores are highly resistant to electric pulses delivered through direct contact, we showed that with arc discharges accompanied by an acoustic shock wave, spore inactivation is readily obtained. The presented system allows scientific investigation of effects of arc discharges on biological samples. This system will allow realistic experimental studies of lightning-triggered horizontal gene transfer and assessment of its role in evolution.

Arc Flash Light Intensity Measurement System Design

Electrical arcs emit extremely high intensity light across a wide spectrum that can damage the eye's delicate structures, such as the cornea or the retina. Developing industry safety standards to mitigate light hazards is a critical component of arc flash safety. Accurate measurement of light intensity is the first step in understanding the level of eye protection needed. Traditionally, light measurement devices are an assembly of light-detecting resistors made from cadmium sulfide (CdS) or silicon (Si) cells. However, their response times are inadequate for capturing the peak light intensity or the dynamic changes during the initial arc flash. In addition, the brightness of an arc flash is greater than the measurable light levels from traditional light measurement devices. Furthermore, the light sensitivity of traditional sensors does not match the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage luminosity function <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V(\lambda)$</tex-math></inline-formula> curve, which defines the human eye's sensitivity to bright light as a function of wavelength under typical ambient light conditions. This paper discusses a novel light measurement technique to overcome the limitations of traditional approaches. This design is capable of measuring the light intensity of the arc flash as perceived by the human eyes. These results can be used to evaluate the potential of an arc flash to harm the eyes.

Evolution of the Earth as an andesite planet: water, plate tectonics, and delamination of anti-continent

The Earth is unique in our solar system in having a buoyant, highland-forming continental crust with a differentiated, andesitic composition; thus, it can be referred to as an “andesite planet.” Andesitic magmatism is associated with convergent plate margins such as subduction zones, leading to a broad consensus that this setting has been the major site of continental crust formation. However, while andesites are dominant in mature continental arcs, they are subordinate in juvenile oceanic arcs, resulting in a great conflict regarding the creation of the continental crust. We focused on the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc to assess this problem, as it is a juvenile intra-oceanic arc with a mid-crustal layer that has a seismic velocity identical to that of the bulk continental crust. Petrological modeling of the production of andesitic melts by the mixing of mantle-derived basalt with crust-derived, rhyolite magmas successfully reproduced the crust/mantle structure observed in seismic profiles of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc. As a result, we presented a challenging hypothesis: the continent was created in the ocean. One key mechanism that differentiates initial basaltic arc crust to evolved, andesitic continental crust may be the delamination of SiO2-depleted residues of crustal melting, termed “anti-continent,” from the arc crust.

Modeling Study of the Secondary Arc With Stochastic Initial Positions Caused by the Primary Arc

In the conversion process from primary arc to secondary arc, there exists a stochasticness phenomenon of the initial positions of secondary arc. However, the present simulation results of the arcing time with the arc chain model are constant, which is not consistent with the test results. In reaction to the above phenomenon, the stochastic simulation model was first established to calculate the relationship between the conductivity of the air and the temperature. Furthermore, the conductivity along the radius direction of the primary arc was acquired, and then the stochastic initial length of the secondary arc with different primary current was also obtained. The results showed that with the increase in primary current, the average value and dispersion of the initial secondary arc length also increased. Finally, the stochastic model of secondary arc with different initial positions was applied into the arc chain model to calculate the arcing time with dispersion, and the simulation results were compared with the experimental results. The results showed that the simulation results of the arcing time are consistent with the test results and the relative errors are within 10%, which shows that the stochastic model is effective and reliable.