The paper presents the application of the newly developed method of the solution of nonlinear equations to the adaptive modelling and computer simulation. The approach is suitable when the system of equations can be arranged in such a way that it consists of a large number of linear equations and a smaller number of nonlinear equations. This situation occurs in the case of adaptive modelling of mechanical systems using finite elements or finite differences techniques. In this case the classical least square method becomes very effective. The paper presents several examples of the application of the method. A solution to the, so called, “black box” problem is also presented.

A compliant beam subjected to large deformation is governed by a multifaceted nonlinear differential equation. In the context of theoretical mechanics, solution for such equations plays an important role. Since it is hard to find closed-form solutions for this nonlinear problem and attempt at direct solution results in linearising the model. This paper investigates the aforementioned problem via the multi-step differential transformation method (MsDTM), which is well-known approximate analytical solutions. The nonlinear governing equation is established based on a large radius of curvature that gives rise to curvature-moment nonlinearity. Based on established boundary conditions, solutions are sort to address the free vibration and static response of the deforming flexible beam. The geometrically linear and nonlinear theory approaches are related. The efficacy of the MsDTM is verified by a couple of physically related parameters for this investigation. The findings demonstrate that this approach is highly efficient and easy to determine the solution of such problems. In new engineering subjects, it is forecast that MsDTM will find wide use.

In the paper, the author presents experimental analysis of propagation of plastic zones in two-dimensional models with different stress concentrators. The experimental tests were carried out by photoelastic coating method on duralumin stripes loaded by tensile stresses. For various levels of loading, the photographs of isochromatic pattern were taken under loading and after removing loading. On the basis of isochromatic pattern recorded for loaded models, the boundaries of plastic zones were determined using the Treska-Coulomb yield condition. The isochromatic pattern taken for the unloaded, but previously partly plastified elements, show the picture of the residual strain remaining in the material. A discussion of the results is presented.

In the paper, author presents the analysis of the elastic-plastic residual stresses and the boundaries of plastic zones in two-dimensional model with central circular hole. The experimental testing was carried out by photoelastic coating method. The duralumin model was loaded within the overelastic range by uniformly distributed tensile stresses. For various levels of loading, the photographs of isochromatic pattern were taken. The residual stresses along the axis of symmetry perpendicular to the stretching direction were calculated by the characteristics method, using multisectional schematization of ϭ-ε relation for the material. The boundaries of plastic zones in the loaded model were obtained on the basis of the Treska-Coulomb yield condition directly from the isochromatic pattern. The analysis and discussion of the test results is presented.

The present work deals with continuum mechanical considerations for deformable and rigid solids as well as for fluids. A common finite element framework is used to approximate all systems under considerations. In particular, we present a standard displacement based formulation for the deformable solids and make use of this framework for the transition of the solid to a rigid body in the limit of infinite stiffness. At last, we demonstrate how to immerse a discretized solid into a fluid for fluid-structure interaction problems.

The aim of the paper is to validate the use of measurement methods in the study of GFRP joints. A number of tests were carried out by means of a tensile machine. The studies were concerned with rivet connection of composite materials. One performed two series of tests for two different forces and two fibre orientations. Using Finite Element Method (FEM) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC), strain maps in the test samples were defined. The results obtained with both methods were analysed and compared. The destructive force was analysed and, with the use of a strain gauge, the clamping force in a plane parallel to the annihilated sample was estimated. Destruction processes were evaluated and models of destruction were made for this type of materials taking into account their connections, such as riveting.

In the paper, the author presents the application of thermography method for investigation of elastic-plastic states in two-dimensional models. The experimental testing was carried out on the duralumin elements with different stress concentrators loaded by uniformly distributed tensile stresses. The changes of temperature distribution on the surface of the models during loading process were recorded by a thermovision camera. On the basis of calibrating test carried out on the stretched element, the relationship between loading, temperature increment and specimen elongation was determined. Quantitative temperature distribution in chosen cross-sections of the models was determined using thermograms received for various levels of loading. On the basis of the obtained results, the author estimated the accuracy of the method as well as its usability for investigation of the plastic zones' localization and propagation.

To explore the basic principles of hierarchical materials designed from nanoscale and up, we have been studying the mechanics of robust and releasable adhesion nanostructures of gecko [1]. On the question of robust adhesion, we have introduced a fractal-like hierarchical hair model to show that structural hierarchy allows the work of adhesion to be exponentially enhanced as the level of structural hierarchy is increased. We show that the nanometer length scale plays an essential role in the bottom-up design and, baring fracture of hairs themselves, a hierarchical hair system can be designed from nanoscale and up to achieve flaw tolerant adhesion at any length scales. For releasable adhesion, we show that elastic anisotropy leads to orientation-dependent adhesion strength. Finite element calculations revealed that a strongly anisotropic attachment pad in contact with a rigid substrate exhibits essentially two levels of adhesion strength depending on the direction of pulling.

Fatigue investigations of two 4XXX0-series aluminum alloys (acc. PN-EN 1706) within a range of fewer than 104 cycles at a coefficient of cycle asymmetry of R = –1 were performed in the current paper. The so-called modified low-cycle test, which provided additional information concerning the fatigue life and strength of the tested alloys, was also performed. The obtained results were presented in the form of diagrams: stress amplitude σa – number of cycles before damage N. On the basis of the microscopic images of sample fractures, the influence of the observed casting defects on the decrease of cycle numbers at a given level of stress amplitude were analyzed. Based on the images and dimensions of the observed defects, stress intensity factor KI was analytically determined for each. Their numerical models were also made, and stress intensity factor KI was calculated by the finite element method (FEM).

A complex model of mechanically ventilated ARDS lungs is proposed in the paper. This analogue is based on a combination of four components that describe breathing mechanics: morphology, mechanical properties of surfactant, tissue and chest wall characteristics. Physical-mathematical formulas attained from experimental data have been translated into their electrical equivalents and implemented in MultiSim software. To examine the adequacy of the forward model to the properties and behaviour of mechanically ventilated lungs in patients with ARDS symptoms, several computer simulations have been performed and reported in the paper. Inhomogeneous characteristics observed in the physical properties of ARDS lungs were mapped in a multi-lobe model and the measured outputs were compared with the data from physiological reports. In this way clinicians and scientists can obtain the knowledge on the moment of airway zone reopening/closure expressed as a function of pressure, volume or even time. In the paper, these trends were assessed for inhomogeneous distributions (proper for ARDS) of surfactant properties and airway geometry in consecutive lung lobes. The proposed model enables monitoring of temporal alveolar dynamics in successive lobes as well as those occurring at a higher level of lung structure organization, i.e. in a point P0 which can be used for collection of respiratory data during indirect management of recruitment/de-recruitment processes in ARDS lungs. The complex model and synthetic data generated for various parametrization scenarios make possible prospective studies on designing an indirect mode of alveolar zone management, i.e. with

The article describes how to identify the boundary and yield surface for hypoplastic constitutive equations proposed by Wu, Gudehus and Bauer. It is shown how to identify and plot the surfaces for any equation in this class. Calculation errors are analyzed characteristic for applied set of numerical formulas. In the paper there are computer links to the source code prepared in the MATLAB system, based on instructions in the article. A sample consitutive domains are shown, plotted using the attached computer program.

The cultivation of genetically modified crops has long been a contentious issue in the European Union. Now a group of biotech specialists and legal experts propose a mechanism to take the political edge out of the authorization process.

Robotics specialists observe nature carefully and try to recreate the complex motions performed by people and animals with ease. Locomotion and the ability to manipulate flexible objects are especially challenging, but progress is being made.

Prof. Małgorzata Kossut of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology talks about brain plasticity, the mechanisms of learning, and the mysteries of forgetfulness.

The results presented in this article are part of the research on fatigue life of various foundry alloys carried out in recent years in the Lukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Precision Mechanics and AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Foundry Engineering. The article discusses the test results obtained for the EN-GJS-600-3 cast iron in an original modified low-cycle fatigue test (MLCF), which seems to be a beneficial research tool allowing its users to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials with microstructural heterogeneities under both static and dynamic loads. For a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical behaviour with a focus on fatigue life of alloys, an original modified low cycle fatigue method (MLCF) adapted to the actually available test machine was used. The results of metallographic examinations carried out by light microscopy were also presented. From the analysis of the results of the conducted mechanical tests and structural examinations it follows that the MLCF method is fully applicable in a quick and economically justified assessment of the quality of ductile iron after normalizing treatment.