The role of suction and degree of saturation on the hydro-mechanical response of a dual porosity silt–bentonite mixture

2013 ◽  
Vol 83-84 ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Ajdari ◽  
Ghassem Habibagahi ◽  
Farimah Masrouri
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Dual Porosity

Evaluation of the mechanical anisotropy of lacustrine smectite clays by triaxial test analysis

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jubier Alonso Jiménez-Camargo ◽  
Dora Carreon-Freyre
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Clayey Soil ◽  
Mechanical Anisotropy ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Particle Deformation ◽  
Relevant Variable ◽  
Pressure Equalization

Abstract This paper describes the role of fabric anisotropy during clayey soil deformation. A set of triaxial tests was performed on vertical and horizontal specimens of undisturbed smectite lake sediments from Jurica, Queretaro in Mexico. The results allowed to analyze the influence of bedding and discontinuities on the mechanical behavior of Jurica clays after failure. Tests with applied low strain rates allowed pore pressure equalization within specimens with different gravimetric water content and degree of saturation. Shear failure results of undrained tests showed that deformation distributes differently in both horizontal and vertical directions and that stress may be dissipated by pore collapses, fractures and particle deformation. The experimental evidence suggests that microfabric is a relevant variable in the overall mechanical response of clayey sediments that depends on the natural fabric (bedding and discontinuities), mineralogy, and water content. A detailed analysis of Young´s Moduli (E) showed the high variability of this parameter from 108 to 409 kg/cm2 (calculated at 30% of σdmax) and its dependence on the orientation of the specimen and the water content. In addition, p’-q’ graphs illustrate the relevance of considering mechanical anisotropy in clays and provide further insights to understand the role of smectites in progressive shear deformation.

The Role of Mechanical Tension in Neurons

2010 ◽  
Vol 1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taher Saif ◽  
Jagannathan Rajagopalan ◽  
Alireza Tofangchi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Active Tension ◽  
Mechanical Tension ◽  
Deformation Response ◽  
Linear Force ◽  
Tension Regulation ◽  
Over Time

AbstractWe used high resolution micromechanical force sensors to study the in vivo mechanical response of embryonic Drosophila neurons. Our experiments show that Drosophila axons have a rest tension of a few nN and respond to mechanical forces in a manner characteristic of viscoelastic solids. In response to fast externally applied stretch they show a linear force-deformation response and when the applied stretch is held constant the force in the axons relaxes to a steady state value over time. More importantly, when the tension in the axons is suddenly reduced by releasing the external force the neurons actively restore the tension, sometimes close to their resting value. Along with the recent findings of Siechen et al (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 12611 (2009)) showing a link between mechanical tension and synaptic plasticity, our observation of active tension regulation in neurons suggest an important role for mechanical forces in the functioning of neurons in vivo.

scholarly journals Mechanics of tubular helical assemblies: ensemble response to axial compression and extension

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Quaglierini ◽  
Alessandro Lucantonio ◽  
Antonio DeSimone
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Different Boundary Conditions ◽  
Kirchhoff Rods ◽  
Model Versus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Opposite Chirality

Abstract Nature and technology often adopt structures that can be described as tubular helical assemblies. However, the role and mechanisms of these structures remain elusive. In this paper, we study the mechanical response under compression and extension of a tubular assembly composed of 8 helical Kirchhoff rods, arranged in pairs with opposite chirality and connected by pin joints, both analytically and numerically. We first focus on compression and find that, whereas a single helical rod would buckle, the rods of the assembly deform coherently as stable helical shapes wound around a common axis. Moreover, we investigate the response of the assembly under different boundary conditions, highlighting the emergence of a central region where rods remain circular helices. Secondly, we study the effects of different hypotheses on the elastic properties of rods, i.e., stress-free rods when straight versus when circular helices, Kirchhoff’s rod model versus Sadowsky’s ribbon model. Summing up, our findings highlight the key role of mutual interactions in generating a stable ensemble response that preserves the helical shape of the individual rods, as well as some interesting features, and they shed some light on the reasons why helical shapes in tubular assemblies are so common and persistent in nature and technology. Graphic Abstract We study the mechanical response under compression/extension of an assembly composed of 8 helical rods, pin-jointed and arranged in pairs with opposite chirality. In compression we find that, whereas a single rod buckles (a), the rods of the assembly deform as stable helical shapes (b). We investigate the effect of different boundary conditions and elastic properties on the mechanical response, and find that the deformed geometries exhibit a common central region where rods remain circular helices. Our findings highlight the key role of mutual interactions in the ensemble response and shed some light on the reasons why tubular helical assemblies are so common and persistent.

Virtual trabecular bone models and their mechanical response

2008 ◽  
Vol 222 (8) ◽  
pp. 1185-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
F E Donaldson ◽  
P Pankaj ◽  
A H Law ◽  
A H Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Trabecular Bone ◽  
Mechanical Behaviour ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Elastic Response ◽  
Anatomical Site ◽  
Virtual Samples ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Architectural Characteristics

The study of the mechanical behaviour of trabecular bone has extensively employed micro-level finite element (μFE) models generated from images of real bone samples. It is now recognized that the key determinants of the mechanical behaviour of bone are related to its micro-architecture. The key indices of micro-architecture, in turn, depend on factors such as age, anatomical site, sex, and degree of osteoporosis. In practice, it is difficult to acquire sufficient samples that encompass these variations. In this preliminary study, a method of generating virtual finite element (FE) samples of trabecular bone is considered. Virtual samples, calibrated to satisfy some of the key micro-architectural characteristics, are generated computationally. The apparent level elastic and post-elastic mechanical behaviour of the generated samples is examined: the elastic mechanical response of these samples is found to compare well with natural trabecular bone studies conducted by previous investigators; the post-elastic response of virtual samples shows that material non-linearities have a much greater effect in comparison with geometrical non-linearity for the bone densities considered. Similar behaviour has been reported by previous studies conducted on real trabecular bone. It is concluded that virtual modelling presents a potentially valuable tool in the study of the mechanical behaviour of trabecular bone and the role of its micro-architecture.

scholarly journals Modelling approaches for evaluating multiscale tendon mechanics

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 20150044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Fang ◽  
Spencer P. Lake
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Helical Structure ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Hierarchical Organization ◽  
Organization Model ◽  
Tendon Mechanics ◽  
Modelling Approaches

Tendon exhibits anisotropic, inhomogeneous and viscoelastic mechanical properties that are determined by its complicated hierarchical structure and varying amounts/organization of different tissue constituents. Although extensive research has been conducted to use modelling approaches to interpret tendon structure–function relationships in combination with experimental data, many issues remain unclear (i.e. the role of minor components such as decorin, aggrecan and elastin), and the integration of mechanical analysis across different length scales has not been well applied to explore stress or strain transfer from macro- to microscale. This review outlines mathematical and computational models that have been used to understand tendon mechanics at different scales of the hierarchical organization. Model representations at the molecular, fibril and tissue levels are discussed, including formulations that follow phenomenological and microstructural approaches (which include evaluations of crimp, helical structure and the interaction between collagen fibrils and proteoglycans). Multiscale modelling approaches incorporating tendon features are suggested to be an advantageous methodology to understand further the physiological mechanical response of tendon and corresponding adaptation of properties owing to unique in vivo loading environments.

Role of Defects on Mechanical Response of Nafion® Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahsan Mian ◽  
Golam Newaz ◽  
Lakshmi Vendra ◽  
Xin Wu ◽  
Sheng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Tensile Behavior ◽  
Membrane Material ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Wave Imaging

Nafion® manufactured by Dupont is a widely used membrane material for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Such membranes are made thin and also have to be hydrated during operation to increase proton conductivity of the cell. Since the membranes are made thin, and do not posses high mechanical properties, they are prone to any handling induced damage. In this paper, we have made an initial attempt to demonstrate the capability of thermal wave imaging nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique in detecting various types of damage entities such as scratches, folding, and pin pricks in the membrane material. In addition, the effect of hydration and handling induced damage on the tensile behavior of Nafion® membrane is studied. It is observed that the damaged and as-received hydrated samples exhibit lower modulus and yield strength than the corresponding dry counterparts.

The Role of Agarose Mechanical Response on the Matrix Synthesis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells: A Pilot Study

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arzu Tasci ◽  
Ladina Ettinger ◽  
Stephen Ferguson ◽  
Philippe Büchler
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Loading ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Limited Capacity ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus Cells ◽  
Matrix Synthesis ◽  
Biosynthetic Activity ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Ivd Degeneration

Low back pain is the most common spinal disorder and its main cause is intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. IVD has a major role of withstanding loads generated in the spine during daily activities. However, it has a limited capacity for self-repair. Since it has an avascular structure, the pathways it uses for regeneration is quite complex and not yet well understood. The mechanical stimulation studies on the cell seeded constructs revealed that cells regulate their biosynthetic activity with cyclic loading [1,2]. The mechanical properties of the scaffold might play an important role in the transmission of mechanical signals to the embedded cells. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of agarose concentration on the amount of extracellular matrix synthesis in IVD cell seeded constructs under static culture and cyclic loading conditions.

Elucidation of Microstructural Interactions Between Collagen and Non-Fibrillar Matrix in Soft Tissue Using a Coupled Fiber-Matrix Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijuan Zhang ◽  
Spencer P. Lake ◽  
Victor K. Lai ◽  
Victor H. Barocas ◽  
Mark S. Shephard
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Tensile Load ◽  
Matrix Composites ◽  
Collagen Network ◽  
Fiber Network ◽  
Matrix Modeling ◽  
Microscale Model ◽  
Fiber Matrix

The mechanical properties of soft connective tissues are governed by their collagen fiber network and surrounding non-fibrillar matrix (e.g., proteoglycans, cells, elastin, etc.). In order to understand how healthy tissues function, and how properties change in injury and disease, it is necessary to quantify the mechanical response of both the collagen network and the non-fibrillar matrix (NFM), as well as the nature of the interaction between these tissue constituents. Using collagen-agarose co-gels as a simple experimental tissue analog system, we have demonstrated how NFM contributes to the mechanical and organizational properties of soft tissues in indentation and tension [1–2]. Furthermore, we used a network-based microscale model to examine how specific NFM properties alter the response of fiber-matrix composites under load [3]. This model fit our experimental data well and provided insight into the role of NFM in tensile mechanics. Since it was constructed according to the conventional approach of superposition of the two constituents (collagen network and NFM), however, the model could not specifically examine local interactions between collagen fibers and the surrounding NFM, which could be critical in assessing tissue damage or cell-matrix interactions. Therefore, we developed and evaluated a fiber-matrix modeling scheme to characterize the microstructural interactions between tissue constituents, as well as to quantify the role of individual tissue components in the behavior of soft tissues under tensile load. For validation, the new model (‘coupled’) was compared to our previous model (‘parallel’) and to experimental co-gel data.

Mechanical Response of Nanocrystalline Ice-Contained Methane Hydrates: Key Role of Water Ice

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 14016-14028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinqiang Cao ◽  
Fulong Ning ◽  
Jianyang Wu ◽  
Boxiao Cao ◽  
Tianshu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Methane Hydrates ◽  
Water Ice
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