Experimental modal analysis of a violin with three different tensions of a bass bar has been performed. The bass bar tension is the only intentionally introduced modification of the instrument. The aim of the study was to find differences and similarities between top plate modal parameters determined by a bass bar perfectly fitting the shape of the top plate, the bass bar with a tension usually applied by luthiers (normal), and the tension higher than the normal value. In the modal analysis four signature modes are taken into account. Bass bar tension does not change the sequence of mode shapes. Changes in modal damping are insignificant. An increase in bass bar tension causes an increase in modal frequencies A0 and B(1+) and does not change the frequencies of modes CBR and B(1-).

This paper presents the results of experimental drum granulation of silica flour with the use of wetting liquids with different values of surface tension. Additionally, different liquid jet breakup and different residual moisture of the bed were applied in the tests. The process was conducted periodically in two stages: wetting and proper granulation, during which no liquid was supplied to the bed. The condition of the granulated material after the period of wetting (particle size distribution and moisture of separate fractions) and a change in the particle size distribution during the further conduct of the process (granulation kinetics) were determined.

The aim of this study is to find the cost design of RC tension with varying conditions using the Artificial Neural Network. Design constraints were used to cover all reliable design parameters, such as limiting cross sectional dimensions and; their reinforcement ratio and even the beahviour of optimally designed sections. The design of the RC tension members were made using Indian and European standard specifications which were discussed. The designed tension members according to both codes satisfy the strength and serviceability criteria. While no literature is available on the optimal design of RC tension members, the cross-sectional dimensions of the tension membersfor different grades of concrete and steel, and area of formwork are considered as the variables in the present optimum design model. A design example is explained and the results are presented. It is concluded that the proposed optimum design model yields rational, reliable, and practical designs.

Measurements of dynamic surface tension were carried out in aqueous systems (water or 0.1 mM Triton X-100) comprising nanoparticles formed from chemically modified polyaldehyde dextran (PAD). The nanostructures, considered as potential drug carriers in aerosol therapy, were obtained from biocompatible polysaccharides by successive oxidation and reactive coiling in an aqueous solution. The dynamic surface tension of the samples was determined by the maximum bubble pressure (MBP) method and by the axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA). Experiments with harmonic area perturbations were also carried out in order to determine surface dilatational viscoelasticity. PAD showed a remarkable surface activity. Ward-Tordai equation was used to determine the equilibrium surface tension and diffusion coefficient of PAD nanoparticles (D = 2.3×10-6 m2/s). In a mixture with Triton X-100, PAD particles showed co-adsorption and synergic effect in surface tension reduction at short times (below 10 s). Tested nanoparticles had impact on surface rheology in a mixed system with nonionic surfactant, suggesting their possible interactions with the lung surfactant system after inhalation. This preliminary investigation sets the methodological approach for further research related to the influence of inhaled PAD nanoparticles on the lung surfactant and mass transfer processes in the respiratory system.

The production process of prosthetic restorations runs in two stages. In the first stage, the prosthetic foundation is produced of metal

alloys. In the second stage, a facing material is applied on the produced element. In both stages, the wettability is significantly important,

as well as the free surface energy relating to it. The quality of the obtained cast depends on the surface phenomena occurring between the

metal alloy and the material of which the casting mould is made. The performed examinations also point to a relation between the ceramics

joint and the base, depending on the wetting angle.

The aim of the presented paper was to examine influence of the composition of a Ti(C,N)-type coating on bases made of the Ni-Cr

prosthetic alloy on the wettability and the surface free energy.

The test material were disks made of the Ni-Cr alloy with the diameter of 8 mm. The disks were divided into five groups, which were

covered with Ti(C,N) coatings, with different amounts of C and N in the layer. In order to determine the surface free energy (����), the

wetting angle was measured. Two measure liquids were applied: distilled water and diiodomethane.

The obtained results of the measurements of the water-wetting angles suggest that together with the increase of the ratio of nitrogen to

carbon in the Ti(C,N) coating, the surface hydrophobicity increases as well. In all the samples, one can see a large difference between the

energy values of the polar and the apolar components. The high values of the polar components and the low values of the apolar ones make

it possible to conclude that these surfaces exhibit a greater affinity to the polar groups than to the apolar ones.

On the basis of the analysis of the surface free energy, one can state that covering the alloy with Ti(C,N)-type coatings should not decrease

the adhesion of the ceramics to the alloy, whereas TiC coatings should lead to the latter’s improvement. Due to their hydrophilicity, TiC

coatings should decrease the adhesion of bacteria to the surface and hinder the formation of a bacterial biofilm.

Determination of the physico-chemical interactions between liquid and solid substances is a key technological factor in many industrial processes in metallurgy, electronics or the aviation industry, where technological processes are based on soldering/brazing technologies. Understanding of the bonding process, reactions between materials and their dynamics enables to make research on new materials and joining technologies, as well as to optimise and compare the existing ones. The paper focuses on a wetting force measurement method and its practical implementation in a laboratory stand – an integrated platform for automatic wetting force measurement at high temperatures. As an example of using the laboratory stand, an analysis of Ag addition to Cu-based brazes, including measurement of the wetting force and the wetting angle, is presented.

In agriculture, the mixing of pesticides in tanks is a common practice. However, it is necessary to previse possible physical-chemical implications of this practice, which may affect the efficiency of the treatments performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of acaricide to insecticidal spray mixtures on the formation of spray droplets and the interaction with citrus leaves. The experimental design was totally randomized, in a (2 × 3 + 1) factorial scheme for seven treatments. Factor A corresponded to the spray mixture used (isolate or in the mixture). Factor B corresponded to the insecticides tested (lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam, phosmet, and imidacloprid) and the control consisted of a spray mixture with spirodiclofen only. Nine replications were performed for characterization of the spray droplet size spectrum and four replications for the analysis of the surface tension and the contact angle. The mixture of pesticides showed positive results in terms of application safety. The addition of acaricide to insecticide spray mixtures reduced the surface tension and contact angle of droplets on the adaxial surface of orange leaves. There was an increment in volume median diameter (VMD), a significant reduction in the volume of droplets with drift-sensitive size and improvement in the uniformity of droplet size. Therefore, the addition of acaricide to an insecticide spray mixture positively influenced spray droplet formation and the interaction with citrus leaves providing better coverage and droplet size fractions with an appropriate size for safe and efficient application.

This work presents results of investigations on biotrickling filtration of air polluted with cyclohexane co-treated in binary, ternary and quaternary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mixtures, including vapors of hexane, toluene and ethanol. The removal of cyclohexane from a gas mixture depends on the physicochemical properties of the co-treated VOCs and the lower the hydrophobicity of the VOC, the higher the removal efficiency of cyclohexane. In this work, the performance of biotrickling filters treating VOCs mixtures is discussed based on surface tension of trickling liquid for the first time. A mixed natural – synthetic packing for biotrickling filters was utilized, showing promising performance and limited maintenance requirements. Maximum elimination capacity of about 95 g/(m ³·h) of cyclohexane was reached for the total VOCs inlet loading of about 450 g/(m ³·h). This work presents also a novel approach of combining biological air treatment with management of a spent trickling liquid in the perspective of circular economy assumptions. The waste liquid phase was applied to the plant cultivation, showing a potential for e.g. enhanced production of energetic biomass or polluted soil phytoremediation.

Standard PN-EN 1992-1-1 for designing reinforced concrete structures gives a major priority to the issues relating to second-order effects, but presents in detail only two approximate calculation methods: the nominal stiffness method and the nominal curvature method. As regards the general method, only certain requirements and suggestions are provided. In typical situations, when the appropriate assumptions are satisfied, the approximate methods yield satisfactory results. However, in engineering practice one can come across several cases (e.g. very tall columns, columns with a cantilever for a gantry girder, and floor joists) in which the approximate methods will prove unreliable. This paper presents and discusses a procedural algorithm for analysing second-order effects using the general method. The algorithm is employed to perform exemplary calculations and their results are compared with the results yielded by the approximate methods commonly used by engineers. Moreover, areas in which the approximate methods can be unreliable are indicated. The analyses have confirmed the significant advantage of the general method over the approximate methods. Therefore it is worth popularizing this method, the more so that its calculation procedures can be to a large extent automated and dedicated computer programs can be developed.

Tension-strut systems consist of thin cables and membranes capable of carrying only tensile forces and compressed struts cooperating with them. They make very effective use of strength properties of materials. They are lightweight and common in large span structures such as bridges and stadium roofs. However, they may also be advantageous in reinforcing and repairing historical buildings as they conform to conservation law in force. This paper presents a few examples of such applications of tension-strut system. Stabilization of historic brick and stone vaults with buttresses and iron bowstrings often turns out inadequate to resist thrust forces transmitted from the vault to the walls which cause cracks and deformations of the vault. Properly designed tension-strut structure can resist the thrust forces calculated in a theoretical way. Moreover, it can be hidden in the attic of building. Old timber roof structures are usually deformed and excessively deflected. Skilfully assembled tensionstrut systems enable straightening and geometrical adjustment of a roof structure. Although similar threats and structural damages occur in most buildings which are a few hundred years old, individual design solutions are required in each case. Historical investigation and detailed measurement of geometry and deflections have to be made before choosing the apprioprate method of reinforcing the old structure.

A method of tensile testing of materials in dynamic conditions based on a slightly modified compressive split Hopkinson bar system using a shoulder is described in this paper. The main goal was to solve, with the use of numerical modelling, the problem of wave disturbance resulting from application of a shoulder, as well as the problem of selecting a specimen geometry that enables to study the phenomenon of high strain-rate failure in tension. It is shown that, in order to prevent any interference of disturbance with the required strain signals at a given recording moment, the positions of the strain gages on the bars have to be correctly chosen for a given experimental setup. Besides, it is demonstrated that - on the basis of simplified numerical analysis - an appropriate gage length and diameter of a material specimen for failure testing in tension can be estimated.

Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses (FEA) are performed to simulate the local compression (LC) technique on the clamped single-edge notched tension (SE(T)) specimens. The analysis includes three types of indenters, which are single pair of cylinder indenters (SPCI), double pairs of cylinder indenters (DPCI) and single pair of ring indenters (SPRI). The distribution of the residual stress in the crack opening direction in the uncracked ligament of the specimen is evaluated. The outcome of this study can facilitate the use of LC technique on SE(T) specimens.

Creep compliance of the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is a primary input of the current pavement thermal cracking prediction model used in the US. This paper discusses a process of training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to correlate the creep compliance values obtained from the Indirect Tension (IDT) with similar values obtained on small HMA beams from the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR). In addition, ANNs are also trained to predict HMA creep compliance from the creep compliance of asphalt binder and vice versa using the BBR setup. All trained ANNs exhibited a very high correlation of 97 to 99 percent between predicted and measured values. The binder creep compliance functions built on the ANN-predicted discrete values also exhibited a good correlation when compared with the laboratory experiments. However, the simulation of trained ANNs on the independent dataset produced a significant deviation from the measured values which was most likely caused by the differences in material composition, such as aggregate type and gradation, presence of recycled additives, and binder type.

The study makes an attempt to model a complete vibrating guitar including its non-linear features, specifically the tension-compression of truss rod and tension of strings. The purpose of such a model is to examine the influence of design parameters on tone. Most experimental studies are flawed by uncertainties introduced by materials and assembly of an instrument. Since numerical modelling of instruments allows for deterministic control over design parameters, a detailed numerical model of folk guitar was analysed and an experimental study was performed in order to simulate the excitation and measurement of guitar vibration. The virtual guitar was set up like a real guitar in a series of geometrically non-linear analyses. Balancing of strings and truss rod tension resulted in a realistic initial state of deformation, which affected the subsequent spectral analyses carried out after dynamic simulations. Design parameters of the guitar were freely manipulated without introducing unwanted uncertainties typical for experimental studies. The study highlights the importance of acoustic medium in numerical models.

An emerging ultrasonic technology aims to control high-pressure industrial processes that use liquids at pressures up to 800 MPa. To control these processes it is necessary to know precisely physicochemical properties of the processed liquid (e.g., Camelina sativa oil) in the high-pressure range. In recent years, Camelina sativa oil gained a significant interest in food and biofuel industries. Unfortunately, only a very few data characterizing the high-pressure behavior of Camelina sativa oil is available. The aim of this paper is to investigate high pressure physicochemical properties of liquids on the example of Camelina sativa oil, using efficient ultrasonic techniques, i.e., speed of sound measurements supported by parallel measurements of density. It is worth noting that conventional low-pressure methods of measuring physicochemical properties of liquids fail at high pressures. The time of flight (TOF) between the two selected ultrasonic impulses was evaluated with a cross-correlation method. TOF measurements enabled for determination of the speed of sound with very high precision (of the order of picoseconds). Ultrasonic velocity and density measurements were performed for pressures 0.1–660 MPa, and temperatures 3–30XC. Isotherms of acoustic impedance Za, surface tension σ and thermal conductivity k were subsequently evaluated. These physicochemical parameters of Camelina sativa oil are mainly influenced by changes in the pressure p, i.e., they increase about two times when the pressure increases from atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) to 660 MPa at 30XC. The results obtained in this study are novel and can be applied in food, and chemical industries.

The mechanical response of interpenetrating co-continuous composite Al-Si12/SiC3D was described for uniaxial tension and compression. The internal structure of the IPC was examined by optical microscopy and micro-CT. The apparent density and Young’s modulus were assessed theoretically and experimentally. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed using the prismatic samples of dimensions 1 mm × 2 mm × 30 mm. Cylindrical samples of diameters ϕ = 5 mm and height h = 10 mm were subjected to quasi-static uniaxial compressive loading. During tests, the side surfaces of the specimen were observed using a digital image correlation system (DIC) to find strain fields and to monitor the surface cracks development in the complex internal microstructure of the IPC.
The analyzed two-phase ICP was manufactured using ceramic foam SiC infiltrated by alloy Al-Si12. This material finds application in cosmic, airplane, or automobile industries, due to their excellent tribological, heat distribution, and ballistic properties.
Obtained results show different modes of microcracking and fracture of cylindrical and prismatic samples. They indicate the substantial influence of the ceramic skeleton on the behavior of the IPC under uniaxial states of loading. Different modes of damage related to the tension or compression loading were described in detail. The results can find application in the designing process of modern co-continuous IPCs and further development of the numerical models of degradation processes.

Shape memory polymers (SMP) are new multifunctional materials raising increasing interest in various functional applications. Among them, polyurethane shape memory polymers (PU-SMP) are particularly attractive due to their combination of shape memory, high strength and biocompatible properties. Developing new applications for PU-SMP requires comprehensive research on their characteristics. This work involved investigating the structure and mechanical behavior as well as characterizing the energy storage and dissipation of a thermoplastic PU-SMP with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 25_C during tensile loading-unloading. The process of energy storage and dissipation in the PU-SMP was investigated based on the stress-strain curves recorded by a quasi-static testing machine and the temperature changes, accompanying the deformation process, obtained by using a fast and sensitive infrared camera. The results showed that the thermomechanical behavior of the examined PU-SMP depends significantly on the strain rate. At a higher strain rate, there are higher stress and related temperature changes, which lead to greater energy dissipation. However, the energy storage values estimated during the deformation process turned out to be not significant, indicating that the work supplied to the PU-SMP structure during loading is mainly converted into heat. It should also be noted that the structural investigation revealed no crystalline phase in the investigated PU-SMP.

As one of the most promising 3rd generation advanced high strength steels (AHSS), medium Mn steels attract much attention because of their exceptional mechanical property and reasonable cost. However, their application in the modern automotive industry is limited by poor weldability. In this study, 7Mn steel was welded by resistance spot welding (RSW), which was followed by high-temperature annealing to increase the cross-tension property. With this effort, enhanced cross-tension strength (CTS) with a partial interfacial fracture (PIF) mode was realized. During the annealing after RSW that produced martensite, austenitization was realized and then evolved into martensite by the following air cooling. This process produced structure homogeneity across the joint. With respect to the RSW joint, martensite remained the dominant structure after annealing while the diffusion of C and Mn solutes was triggered. With the increase of annealing temperature, the diffusion was enhanced, and the grain boundary embrittlement was reduced, leading to higher CTS.

High-temperature plastic properties of heat-resistant stainless steel X15CrNiSi 20-12 were assessed on the basis of hot tensile tests and nil strength tests. The results were supported by metallographic analyses using SEM and EDX analysis. The formability of the investigated steel can be divided into roughly three temperature areas. In the temperature range of 900°C to about 1050°C, formability was negatively affected by precipitation of carbide particles at grain boundaries. As the temperature rose to 1200°C, these particles dissolved, resulting in an increase in formability. Further temperature increases resulted in a relatively steep drop in formability caused by overheating of the material. The nil ductility temperature of 1280°C and the nil-strength temperature of 1362°C were determined. The Plastic and strength properties of the investigated material were compared with the deformation behavior of the reference steel X5CrNi 18-10, which shows a significantly wider range of suitable forming temperatures.

The paper presents the method of simplified parametric analysis of the sensitivity of a pre-tensioned concrete beam. The presented approach is based on the DOE (design of experiments) data collection which is simulation technique allowing for identification of variables deciding about the effectiveness and costs of designed structures. Additionally, application of the hyper-surface of the construction response allows designers to the development of multi-dimensional trade-off graphs to facilitate, the assessment of the scope of changes in random state variables permitted due to the adequate criteria and selection of their values close to optimum. Design basics, procedures and results of the presented considerations of sensitivity assessment and reliability of the structure has been shown on the example of a pre-stressed concrete beam designed in accordance with the requirements and procedures of Eurocode 2.

The analysis was focused on three post-tensioned slab bridges, constructed in 1950s. Two of them function normally and will probably achieve the life span of 100 years required by the relevant regulations. The third one will likely be demolished soon and replaced with a new reinforced concrete frame bridge. To its degradation contributed the faulty diagnosis of its technical condition during its periodic technical inspections. The introduction briefly characterises the development of the prestressed structure theories reviewing papers on concrete rheology and monographs looking into prestressing. The paper is based on the existing fragments of the technical design documents concerning the bridges in question. The bridges were designed by Polish civil engineers.

Investigation on the behaviour of hybrid beams is presented. Hybrid beam stands for an element with hybrid cross sections. This means sections that consist of steel and concrete parts, connected together with composite dowels, and both are considered for shear flow analysis. In practice, a more general solution may be used for bridges in the form of a beam in which the span sections are hybrid and the support sections are concrete. For the first time in the world, it was decided to introduce a girder in bridge construction, in which a concrete web with a thickness of only 20 cm was formed, directly connected to the steel web, so that a hybrid cross-section is created in accordance with the new European design regulations currently being developed (1994-1-102). The solution is new itself and requires also a new approach for internal forces determination. In this paper a parametric analysis of different hybrid beams with span range from 20 to 40 m and with different reinforcment ratio is performed to get knowledge on the influence of (1) concrete cracking and (2) rheology of concrete on the redistribution of internal forces. Results are analysed and conclusions are presented. As a final step, a general method for computer aided modelling of hybrid beams ( hybrid beam concept) is proposed, which is based on the uncracked analysis. Such an analysis is designer-friendly and while appropriate benchmarked (as in this paper) can spare a lot of time needed for detailed iterative cracked analysis.

The fracture reason of steel wire cable is complex, and the corrosion and local bending effect of anchorage end of steel wire cable under tension are one of the main factors. Taking the steel wire of an arch bridge cable as the research object, the notch method was used to simulate the corrosion pits on the surface of the steel wire, and the tension and bending mechanical properties of the high strength notched steel wire were tested. The bending finite element model of the high strength steel wire was established by ANSYS WORKBENCH, and the tension and bending mechanical properties of the notched steel wire under different vertical loads and pretension were studied. The test and calculation results show that the test data are close to the finite element calculation results and the variation law is consistent. Under the same vertical load, the deformation of steel wire notch decreases with the increase of pretension; The stress at the bottom of the notch is the largest at 180˚ direction and the smallest at 90˚ direction of the vertical load.Under the same vertical load and pretension, the stress of spherical shape at the notch is the largest, followed by ellipsoid shape, and groove shape is the smallest, and there is a high stress zone at the edge of groove shape. When the pretension is applied, the initial stress increases with the increase of pretension, while the stress at the notch caused by bending decreases with the increase of pretension.