This paper presents a mixed finite element model for the nonlinear time-dependant analysis of composite beams with partial shear connection. The key idea is to consider, as a first approach, a viscoelastic/plastic model for the concrete slab in order to simulate the interaction between the time effects of concrete, such as creep and shrinkage, and the concrete cracking. Creep is taken into acco...

Various authors have suggested behavioural similarities between tool use in early hominins and chimpanzee nut cracking, where nut cracking might be interpreted as a precursor of more complex stone flaking. In this paper, we bring together and review two separate strands of research on chimpanzee and human tool use and cognitive abilities. Firstly, and in the greatest detail, we review our recen...

An analytical approach with the help of numerical simulations based on the equivalent constraint model (ECM) was proposed to investigate the progressive failure behavior of symmetric fiber-reinforced composite laminates damaged by transverse ply cracking. A fracture criterion was developed to describe the initiation and propagation of the transverse ply cracking. This work was also concerned wi...

Cellular function requires biomolecules to undergo dynamic transitions that include folding, conformational rearrangements, and large-scale assembly. The result is a highly interdependent network of processes that is maintained by a balance of thermodynamic and kinetic factors. In molecular machines, each constituent biopolymer (i.e., a chain of residues) first folds to a lowenergy configuratio...

In this paper, fuzzy logic control of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is proposed. Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process is a unit that converts heavy distillates like gas oil or residues to gasoline and middle distillates using cracking catalyst. About 45% of worldwide gasoline production comes from FCC processes and its ancillary units. Since a typical FCC unit can process a large amo...

Incoherent twin boundaries (ITBs) are widespread and play a crucial role in unidirectional deformation behavior of materials, however, the intrinsic role of individual ITB under cyclic loading remains elusive. Here we show the fatigue cracking behavior of Cu bicrystal with an ITB as its sole interface for the first time. The slip bands (SBs) could transfer through the ITB; meanwhile, the ITB co...

Failure of blind via is one of the main causes of an open circuit in printed circuit boards (PCBs). By using macroscopic and microscopic testing methods and characterization techniques, the failure analysis of the vias on PCB for novel mobile phones has been systematically carried out. Metallographic inspection shows obvious cracking along the interface of different copper layers. Micrograph ob...

Laboratory fracture toughness tests of concrete using wedge-loaded round double beam specimens with a length to diameter ratio of 2:1 show two distinctly different specimen behaviors. Either the crack remains in the plane of the notch, and a valid test result can be obtained, or there is lateral cracking around mid-length which invalidates the results. Results of a controlled study show that th...

Failure of hollow trees in urban areas is a worldwide concern, and it can be caused by different mechanisms, i.e. bending stresses or flattening-related failures. Here we derive a new analytical expression for predicting the bending moment for tangential cracking, and compare the breaking moment of various failure modes, including Brazier buckling, tangential cracking, shear failure and convent...