Modulus Ratio Research Articles

Analysis and Guideline for Determining Piezoelectric Coefficient for Films With Substrate Constraint.

Piezoelectric films including coatings are widely employed in various electromechanical devices. Precise measurement for piezoelectric film properties is crucial for both piezoelectric material development and design of the piezoelectric devices. However, substrate constraint on the deformation of piezoelectric films could cause significant impacts on the reliability and accuracy of the piezoelectric coefficient measurement. Through both theoretical finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental validation, here we have identified three important factors that strongly affect the measurement results: ratio of Young's modulus of substrate to piezoelectric film, ratio of electrode size to substrate thickness, and test frequency. Our investigations show that a relatively smaller substrate's Young's modulus to film, and a larger ratio of electrode size to substrate thickness would cause a larger substrate bending effect and thus potentially more significant measurement errors. Moreover, intense transversal displacement fluctuation can be excited at excessively high frequencies, leading to unreliable measurements. Various well-established piezoelectric measurement methods are compared with outstanding measurement issues identified for those commonly used piezoelectric films and substrates. We further establish the guidelines for piezoelectric coefficient measurements to achieve high reliability and accuracy, thus important to the wide technical community with interests in electromechanical active materials and devices.

Machine-learning assistant DFT study of half-metallic full-Heusler alloy N2CaNa: Structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamics properties

We studied the structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of N2CaNa full Heusler alloys using density functional theory (DFT). Results for the structural analysis establish structural stability with a minimum formation energy of 29.9 eV. The compound is brittle and mechanically stable, having checked out with the Pugh criteria. The B/G ratio of bulk modulus B to shear modulus G for N2CaNa is 4.766, hence the material is ductile. N2CaNa alloy is ductile in nature. The Debye model correctly predicts the low-temperature dependence of heat capacity, which is proportional to Debye’s T3 law. Just like the Einstein model, it also recovers the Dulong–Petit law at high temperatures, suggesting the thermodynamic stability of the compounds at moderate temperatures. The results demonstrate potential N2CaNa for applications in spintronics, structural engineering, and other fields requiring materials with tailored properties.

Rock failure mechanisms based on rheological dynamics

This paper investigates the mechanisms of rock failure related to axial splitting and shear failure due to hoop stresses in cylindrical specimens. The hoop stresses are caused by normal viscous stress. The rheological dynamics theory (RDT) is used, with the mechanical parameters being determined by P- and S-wave velocities. The angle of internal friction is determined by the ratio of Young's modulus and the dynamic modulus, while dynamic viscosity defines cohesion and normal viscous stress. The effect of frequency on cohesion is considered. The initial stress state is defined by the minimum cohesion at the elastic limit when axial splitting can occur. However, as radial cracks grow, the stress state becomes oblique and moves towards the shear plane. The maximum and nonlinear cohesions are defined by the rock parameters under compressive strength when the radial crack depth reaches a critical value. The efficacy and precision of RDT are validated through the presentation of ultrasonic measurements on sandstone and rock specimens sourced from the literature. The results presented in dimensionless diagrams can be utilized in microcrack zones in the absence of lateral pressure in rock masses that have undergone disintegration due to excavation.

Non-sintered ceramsite from alkali-activated gasification slag for adsorption through the regulation of physical properties and pore structure

With the development of the coal gasification industry, the comprehensive utilization of coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) has become increasingly important. This study explored the potential of producing non-sintered ceramsite by combining CGFS with blast furnace slag (BFS). The impacts of the alkali activator modulus, dosage, and BFS-CGFS ratio on the ceramsite's cylinder compressive strength, bulk density, apparent density, water adsorption ratio, hydration products, microstructure, and adsorption capacity were investigated. Moreover, the leaching behavior of heavy metals in acidic environments and the production costs were evaluated. The results indicated that the modulus and dosage of the alkali activator, along with the BFS-CGFS ratio, significantly affected the properties of the ceramsite. The cylinder compressive strength, bulk density, and apparent density of the ceramsite increased with the increase in the alkali activator dosage and modulus, but decreased as the BFS-CGFS ratio decreased. The water absorption rate behaved oppositely. With increasing alkali activator modulus and dosage, the ceramsite's adsorption capacity for iodine, CODCr, and methylene blue first increased and then decreased, peaking at a modulus of 1.4 and a dosage of 12%, respectively. A reduced BFS-CGFS ratio increased the adsorption capacity of the ceramsite for iodine and CODCr. Considering both mechanical and adsorption properties, the optimal composition for the ceramsite was found to be an alkali activator modulus of 1.4, a dosage of 12%, and a CGFS content of 70%. With this ratio, the use of ceramsite would not result in secondary environmental pollution. This study not only provided a new approach to enhance the utilization of CGFS but also avoided the use of calcination processes in producing ceramsite, demonstrating its potential in reducing environmental impact.

Estimation of parameters for 3D geomechanical modeling from triaxial test results

Triaxial testing serves as a fundamental method for evaluating the elastic and strength properties of rocks, crucial for developing accurate 3D geomechanical models. This paper presents a novel method for determining strength parameters by incorporating the dependence of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) on P-wave velocity into the Hoek-Brown criterion. Additionally, a new approach is introduced to process triaxial test data efficiently using Python libraries such as SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib, and Pandas. Furthermore, the paper addresses challenges in determining elastic parameters through triaxial testing. A Python script is developed to automate the calculation of elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio, overcoming subjectivity in selecting the linear portion of stress-strain curves. The script optimally identifies the linear region by minimizing the fit error with appropriate constraints, ensuring a more objective and standardized approach. The proposed methodologies are demonstrated using limestone specimens from Central Asian gas fields. These innovations offer faster, more reliable results, reducing error and enhancing the comparability of analyses in geomechanics, with potential applications across various geological settings.

A coupled fractal model for predicting the relative permeability of rocks considering both irreducible fluid saturation and stress effects

The relative permeability of rocks is an essential parameter for evaluating two-phase flow characteristics and plays an important role in engineering fields such as resource exploitation. To this end, a mathematical model for predicting relative permeability was first developed based on an equivalent capillary model and fractal theory. The proposed model considers the irreducible fluid saturation under stress and quantifies the influence of the pore structure characteristics on the relative permeability. This model was then compared with relevant experimental data and existing theoretical expressions to verify its validity. Finally, the factors affecting the two-phase seepage characteristics were discussed. The results show that the irreducible fluid saturation is intimately connected to the fractal dimensions, pore size, fluid viscosity, pressure drop gradient, and elastic modulus. Fluid properties and pore structure characteristics are the main factors affecting relative permeability. The wetting phase relative permeability is more sensitive to pore structure and irreducible fluids. Increased effective stress increases irreducible fluid saturation, reduces two-phase flow capacity, and significantly decreases the relative permeability of wetting phase fluids. Increased elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio decrease the irreducible fluid content under stress and increase the permeability.

Research on multi-wave joint elastic modulus inversion based on improved quantum particle swarm optimization

Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are crucial parameters for reservoir characterization and rock brittleness evaluation. Conventional methods often rely on indirect computation or approximations of the Zoeppritz equations to estimate Young's modulus, which can introduce cumulative errors and reduce the accuracy of inversion results. To address these issues, this paper introduces the analytical solution of the Zoeppritz equation into the inversion process. The equation is re-derived and expressed in terms of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and density. Within the Bayesian framework, we construct an objective function for the joint inversion of PP and PS waves. Traditional gradient-based algorithms often suffer from low precision and the computational complexity. In this study, we address limitations of conventional approaches related to low precision and complicated code by using Circle chaotic mapping, Lévy flights, and Gaussian mutation to optimize the quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO), named improved quantum particle swarm optimization (IQPSO). The IQPSO demonstrates superior global optimization capabilities. We test the proposed inversion method with both synthetic and field data. The test results demonstrate the proposed method's feasibility and effectiveness, indicating an improvement in inversion accuracy over traditional methods.

Shear Mechanism and Optimal Estimation of the Fractal Dimension of Glass Bead-Simulated Sand

Spherical glass beads weaken the influences of particle morphology, surface properties, and microscopic fabric on shear strength, which is significant for revealing the relationship between macroscopic particle friction mechanisms and the particle size distribution of sand. This paper explores the shear mechanical properties of glass beads with different particle size ratios under different confining pressures. It obtains the particle size ratio and fractal dimension D through an optimal mechanical response. Simultaneously, we explore the range of the fractal dimension D under well-graded conditions. The test results show that the strain-softening degree of Rs is more obvious under a highly effective confining pressure, and the strain-softening degree of Rs can reach 0.669 when the average particle size d¯ is 0.5 mm. The changes in the normalized modulus ratio Eu/Eu50 indicate that the particle ratio and arrangement are the fundamental reasons for the different macroscopic shear behaviors of particles. The range of the peak effective internal friction angle φ is 23 °~35 °, and it first increases and then decreases with the increase in the effective confining pressure. As the average particle size increases, the peak stress ratio MFL and the peak effective internal friction angle φ first increase and then decrease, and both can be expressed using the Gaussian function. The range of the fractal dimension D for well-graded particles is 1.873 to 2.612, and the corresponding average particle size d¯ ranges from 0.433 to 0.598. Under the optimal mechanical properties of glass beads, the particle size ratio of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm is 23:27, and the fractal dimension D is 2.368. The study results provide a reference for exploring friction mechanics mechanisms and the optimal particle size distributions of isotropic sand.

Frictional pull-out work capacity of macro-SSF in concrete composites and evaluation of matrix deterioration due to kinematic fiber-end-slip after full-debonding point

ABSTRACT This paper presents a parametric study on the effect of frictional pull-out work capacity on the performance of fiber/matrix regime during the kinematic pull-out process. This study involves an experimental program of pull-out test of straight steel fiber embedded in concrete composites, numerical study based on finite element modeling, and theoretical approaches based on mathematical model. Various parameters were considered such as fiber geometry, Poisson’s ratio, elasticity modulus, and aspect ratio. The experimental results were calibrated with the results of numerical study, and the theoretical approaches were controlled using deterioration coefficient based on a given curve of uniaxial stress–displacement relationship plotted experimentally. The results showed that the capacity of pull-out work decreases 62.6% when the fiber diameter decreases 6 times. Decreasing the fiber diameter also improves the resistance of the matrix against deterioration. While decreasing the fiber embedded length by 1.8 times, the frictional pull-out work decreases by 56.3% and boosts relatively the resistance of matrix against crumbling, where the frictional shear bond strength improved by 91%. Likewise, decreasing the fiber aspect ratio by 1.8 times decreases the done frictional pull-out work by 56.3% and boosts the fiber duct resistance against damage by improving the frictional shear bond strength.

Caprock sealing integrity and key indicators of CO2 geological storage considering the effect of hydraulic-mechanical coupling: X field in the Bohai Bay Basin, China

Caprock sealing efficiency is an essential guarantee for the long-term safety and stability of CO2 geological storage (CCS). However, the uncertainty in the physical and mechanical properties of deep formations poses challenges to accurately predict the risks of CO2 leakage resulting in CO2 breakthrough or caprock fracture. This study aims to address the issue of imperfect key indicators for caprock sealing by focusing on the CCS project in the Bohai Bay Basin, China. A hydraulic-mechanical (HM) coupling program without considering multiphase flow and the chemical reactions is secondary developed based on the finite element software ABAQUS. Furthermore, a three-dimensional finite element numerical model is established for the analysis of HM coupling, with pore pressure increment (∆PP), Coulomb failure stress (∆CFS) and displacement (U) as evaluation criteria. The Tornado analysis and response surface analysis are employed to analyze the impact of 17 indicators on the caprock sealing, including caprock thickness, burial depth, reservoir and caprock permeability parameters, and mechanical parameters. Subsequently, key performance indicators for caprock sealing are determined. The research results indicate that the reservoir permeability, injection rate, caprock permeability, caprock Young's modulus, caprock internal friction angle, caprock Poisson's ratio, and caprock burial depth are key indicators of caprock sealing capability. The reservoir permeability has a greater impact sensitivity compared to the caprock permeability. Pore pressure and displacement increase with increasing in reservoir permeability. The caprock's resistance to deformation and fracturing increases with increasing in Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of caprock. This study provides valuable insights for evaluating caprock sealing during CO2 storage in saline aquifers.

Theoretical investigation of structural, mechanical, electronic, optical, and thermal properties of ternary compounds of heusler alloy ANiSn (A= TI, TH, U) using first principles calculations

In this study, we investigated the ANiSn (A = Ti, Th, U) half-Heusler materials for various properties, including structural, electronic, mechanical, elastic anisotropic, optical, and thermal properties, using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code. The elastic constants satisfied Born's criteria, confirming the thermodynamic and mechanical stability of the ANiSn compounds. Mechanical stability was further assessed through bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio. Our analysis revealed that TiNiSn and ThNiSn exhibit ductile behaviour, whereas UNiSn is brittle. The calculated elastic modulus indicated that the compounds we studied are elastically anisotropic. The electronic and optical properties confirmed the semiconducting nature of these materials, with significant absorption and conductivity observed in the ultraviolet region. ANiSn is suitable for manufacturing various optoelectronic devices, such as laser diodes (LDs), photodetectors, LEDs, and UV sensors, due to its high absorption coefficient in the IR to UV regions. Additionally, measured Debye and melting temperatures confirmed that TiNiSn is more thermally conductive and can be used in high-temperature structural substances. The low minimum thermal conductivity suggests that UNiSn may be a more efficient material for thermal barrier coatings (TBC) compared to TiNiSn and ThNiSn.

Investigation of Gnetum Gnemon and Ramie Natural Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of Composites with the Combination of Aramid and Carbon Fiber as Reinforcement for Military Personnel Applications

Every equipment infrastructure in a TNI unit will be needed to support an operation in the defence system to maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Personal protective equipment is needed for a war operation’s safety or continuity. Protective components made from composite fibers have the advantage of being resistant to corrosion caused by the environment. The natural and carbon fibers will be mixed/reinforced with epoxy resin to become composite materials. This study aims to identify Gnetum Gnemon fiber composites with carbon fiber and aramid fiber to determine the mechanical properties of the composite material resulting from a collision. Natural fiber Gnetum gnemon has not been widely studied as a reinforcing material for polymer composites. Gnetum gnemon fiber chemical composition is hemicellulose approx. 25%, 40% alpha cellulose, 10% lignin and 3-5% benzene extractive. Its density is quite light, 1.2087 g/cm³ - 1.8069 g/cm³. Because this fiber has a continuous fiber structure and a strong natural weave, its use is still minimal. Special treatment such as alkali treatment on Gnetum gnemon, can increase the strength of natural fibers. Due to its exceptional mechanical properties, Kevlar or aramid fibre are extensively used in industrial and military applications. The aramid fiber exhibited a transversely anisotropic nature in a small strain range, with its stress-strain behavior as linear and elastic. The anisotropic nature of the aramid fiber was due to its high tensile-to-shear modulus ratio. The high strength and modulus were also found to be scattered due to the larger distribution of defects in the longer fiber. Epoxy resin is a type of polymer characterized often by one or more epoxide functional groups, with at least one of the epoxide functional groups acting as a monomer and terminal unit of the polymer within the structural chain.

Vibrational Analysis of Composite Conical-Cylindrical Shells with Functionally Graded Coatings in Thermal Environments.

This article studies the vibrational behavior of composite conical-cylindrical shells (CCSs) with functionally graded coatings (FGCs) in thermal environments using the first-order shear deformation theory. Firstly, the equivalent material parameters, fundamental frequency, and resonant displacement responses of the CCSs with FGCs are derived using the mixture principle, complex modulus method, and transfer function approach. Then, detailed thermal vibration tests are performed on CCS structures with and without coatings to assess the reliability of the proposed model, revealing that the current model accurately forecasts the thermal vibration behavior of the CCSs with FGCs. Finally, the effect of key parameters on the vibrational properties of the CCSs with FGCs is investigated. The results demonstrate that increasing the functionally graded index, coating thickness, and Young's modulus ratio can greatly enhance the vibration suppression capability of the structure.

DEVELOPMENT OF A CORRELATION MODEL FOR TORSIONAL SHEAR MODULUS PROPERTIES BETWEEN STRUCTURAL SIZE SPECIMENS BASED ON EN 384:2016 AND SMALL CLEAR SPECIMENS (MS544: PART 2)

In timber design, the shear modulus of beams is crucial for ensuring torsional stability and minimizing vibrational issues. Traditionally, the ratio of modulus of elasticity (E) to shear modulus (G) is assumed to be 16:1. However, bending tests often combine flexural and shear stresses, making it difficult to assess pure shear properties. The British Standard BS EN 408:2012 now recommends the torsion test as the preferred method for determining the shear modulus of structural-size timber and timber composites. This method has received limited attention in Malaysia. This study investigates the torsional shear modulus of Malaysian tropical timber species across different strength groups (SG), including Balau (SG1), Kempas (SG2), Kelat (SG3), Kapur (SG4), Resak (SG4), Keruing (SG5), Mengkulang (SG5), Light Red Meranti (SG6), and Geronggang (SG7). Torsion tests were conducted in line with BS EN 408, and the results were compared with modulus of elasticity values from MS554: Part 2. The findings showed that the E to G ratio for these species ranged from 17:1 to 29:1, with an average of 21:1—exceeding the conventional 16:1 ratio. This indicates that torsional shear modulus must be experimentally tested rather than inferred from the traditional ratio.

Tune Al/Ti to adjust FCC+L21 hetero-structured Ni-based high-entropy alloys for improved mechanical properties and wear resistance

Outstanding mechanical properties of Ni-based superalloy benefit from its coherent γ/γ’ structure via precipitation strengthening of γ matrix (FCC structure) by L12 Ni3Al-type γ’ phase. Back-stress strengthening is another effective strategy to further enhance the FCC+L12 structured Ni-based superalloy. In this work, we extend such approaches to high-entropy alloys (HEAs) by introducing different Al and Ti contents (5 at.% ∼18 at.%) into a Ni-based CrFe2Ni4 alloy to form FCC+L21 heterostructured AlxCrFe2Ni4Tiy HEAs. Detailed microstructural analysis indicates that L12 Ni3(Al,Ti)-type nanoparticles form in a (Ni,Fe,Cr)-rich FCC matrix. The volume fraction of L21 AlNi2Ti-type phase can be varied by adjusting the Al/Ti ratio and concentrations of Al and Ti. Higher Al and Ti contents promote L21 phase formation and higher Al/Ti ratio (>1) prohibits the high Ti-containing compounds such as D024η-Ni3Ti and C14 Laves Fe2Ti phases, which are hard but brittle. Corresponding Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, hardness, and the bulk to shear modulus ratio (B/G) can be readily modified. Compressive tests demonstrate that Al1.5CrFe2Ni4Ti1.0 alloy with half FCC and half L21 phases possesses the optimal strength-ductility combination (with compressive yield strength of ∼1564 MPa and fracture strain of ∼28 %). DFT calculations were performed to elucidate relevant mechanisms. Sliding wear tests were also performed, which demonstrate superior wear resistance of the HEAs at both room and elevated temperatures, compared with a commercial Ni-based superalloy, UHT-Nickel.

Evaluating a Stochastic Singularity Level in a V-Notch Isotropic Domain Due to Randomness in Material Properties

Abstract The singular level of a v-notched isotropic domain is crucial as it relates to the domain’s stress intensity factor (SIF), which is essential for failure prediction. Typically, the singular level is calculated using deterministic material properties (like mean values), but this can misrepresent the severity of the singularity. The singular level’s accuracy is influenced by the stochastic nature of material properties, particularly Poisson’s ratio. This paper presents a stochastic approximation of eigenvalues for an isotropic v-notched domain with stochastic material properties. While both Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are independent stochastic variables, only the stochasticity of Poisson’s ratio affects the eigenvalues. The generalized polynomial chaos method is applied to these stochastic eigenvalues, resulting in a polynomial approximation based on the domain’s stochastic Poisson ratio. The polynomial’s deterministic constants are derived from eigenvalues computed using chosen deterministic material properties according to the stochastic properties of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. A numerical example illustrates the stochastic approximation of the first two eigenvalues, showing fast convergence as the number of polynomials increases. Results are validated against the Monte Carlo method, highlighting the importance of stochastic approximation in accurately predicting the singular level, which may be more severe than expected when using deterministic approximations. These findings have significant practical implications, as they underscore the need to consider stochastic material properties in structural design and failure prediction.

Dynamic characteristics and microscopic mechanism of graphene oxide modified coastal soft soil under small strain

Graphene oxide (GO) has been shown to improve the static mechanical properties of cement soils. However, the dynamic mechanical properties of GO-modified cement soils are rarely investigated. Therefore, in this study, the effects of different confining pressures, GO contents, and curing ages on the small-strain dynamic shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D) of GO-modified coastal cement soil (GOCS) are investigated via resonant column tests. The results show that the G of GOCS increases with the confining pressure, GO content, and curing age, whereas D decreases. Moreover, the GOCS indicate the highest stiffness improvement when 0.05 % GO is used as a modifier. The variation patterns of the maximum dynamic shear modulus and maximum damping ratio with the increase in the confining pressure, GO content, and curing age of the GOCS are consistent with the measured results. Microstructural analysis shows that the incorporation of GO can promote the early cement hydration of GOCS and increase its internal calcium-silicate-hydrate gel as well as its crystal types and numbers. The filling and bridging effects of GO not only enhance the stiffness of GOCS, thus increasing its G value, but also effectively reduce the energy consumption of the vibration wave in the sample, thus reducing its D value. The results of this study can provide important references and guidance for the design and construction of coastal soft-soil roadbed projects.

First-principles calculations to investigate phase stability, elastic and thermodynamic properties of TiMoNbX (X=Cr, Ta, Cr and Ta) refractory high entropy alloys

This work uses first-principles calculations to investigate the phase stability, thermophysical and mechanical properties of refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) at finite temperatures. On the basis of plane wave quasi-potential and density functional theory, construct the structure model of a solid solution. The TiMoNbX (X = Cr, Ta, Cr and Ta) RHEAs have been determined to preserve a single body-centered cubic solid solution structure by calculations and the equilibrium lattice parameters and elastic modulus are consistent with experimental data obtained by laser cladding, which is combined with TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) substrate. Using the quasi-harmonic Debye-Grüneisen model, the thermophysical characteristics of three RHEAs are investigated. The Voigt-Reuss-Hill scheme is used for calculating the Young's modulus (E), bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G), and Poisson's ratio (ν), which indicates that all three RHEAs are ductile materials. Additionally, the modulus and hardness of materials decrease as temperature rises, whereas the properties of TiMoNbX RHEAs are predicted, as the nanoindentation hardness values at room temperature are comparable to, and slightly higher than the calculated values.

Ab-Initio calculations on physical properties of Dirac semimetal AMgBi (A=K, Rb, Cs)

This study presents a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, mechanical, vibrational, thermodynamic and electronic properties of AMgBi (A = K, Rb, Cs) compounds using Density Functional Theory. Also, the effect of substituting alkali atoms on the physical properties has been discussed. The tetragonal PbClF-type structure has been confirmed by the analysis and the results revealed good agreement between calculated and experimental lattice parameters for KMgBi. The mechanical properties have been investigated for the first time for RbMgBi and CsMgBi. The mechanical stability of the materials in the ground state has been confirmed through the use of obtained elastic constants. Furthermore, derived parameters from elastic constants such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio indicated that the materials are brittle and exhibited anisotropic mechanical behavior due to their layered structure. This study conducts a detailed analysis of phonon modes, explores their connections to thermal and elastic properties, visualizes the movements of phonon modes at the gamma point, determines Born effective charges, and discusses LO/TO splitting, which is for the first time for RbMgBi and CsMgBi. Phonon dispersion calculations confirmed the dynamical stability of the compounds and revealed the presence of phonon band gaps, supporting their quasi-two-dimensional nature. Investigation of thermodynamic properties using the quasi-harmonic approximation has shown the temperature dependence of internal energy, Helmholtz free energy, specific heat, and entropy for the first time for all compounds. The materials exhibited relatively low thermal conductivity, following the order KMgBi > RbMgBi > CsMgBi. The calculated Grüneisen parameter values were found to be 1.42, 1.44, and 1.53 for KMgBi, RbMgBi, and CsMgBi, respectively, suggesting relatively weak anharmonicity within the materials.

Microstructure and dynamic behaviours of polyurethane-cured sea sand under traffic–load–induced stress path

Employing sea sand as fill material for roadbeds presents significant challenges due to its naturally high dispersibility and low bearing capacity, which contribute to substantial settlement deformations under traffic load impacts. In this investigation, a two-component polyurethane was applied to enhance mechanical properties of sea sand. Alterations in the microstructure and dynamic behaviours of the polyurethane-cured sea sand were observed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and hollow cylindrical torsional shear testing. It was found that polyurethane is incorporated into the sea sand as adhesives between particles, attachments on the particles and floating adhesives. With an increase in polyurethane content, a transition from a granular to a solid state in the sand was noted, accompanied by a progressive improvement in structural integrity. This resulted in an enhanced bonding effect at interparticle contacts with diminishing relative particle movements during shearing, leading to an increase in the critical dynamic stress ratio and a decrease in the maximum damping ratio, with both ratios being higher in cured sea sand with lower polyurethane content compared to that with higher content. Additionally, high polyurethane content induced strain hardening in the cured sea sand, resulting in a higher maximum dynamic shear modulus in low-content cured sea sand compared to high-content. Furthermore, the dynamic shear modulus ratio in sea sand with high polyurethane content was found to increase with the number of vibrations.