Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

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Sponge iron (DRI) due to the high surface area, often shows a high tendency to re-oxidation and at some cases spontaneous combustion (autoignition). In this work, re-oxidation behavior and autoignition of sponge iron, produced from different types of iron ore has been investigated. Isothermal and non-isothermal re-oxidation experiments were carried out on each type of DRI and their autoignition temperature was determined. Microscopic examination and porosimetric measurements also were used to elucidate the relationship between the DRI specification and its re-oxidation behavior. The type and chemical analysis of the iron ore, used for the production of DRI, had a strong influence on the microstructure of sponge iron and, in turn, on its sensitivity to re-oxidation and autoignition.

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There is a worldwide interest in the proper design of embankment dams to resist earthquake loadings. For the first time in Iran, a complete ambient vibration survey due to low-level loads such as wind, machinery activities, low level tectonic activities, and water exit from bottom outlet was performed on Marun embankment dam. These kinds of ambient vibration tests are suitable for manifesting the lower vibration modes of the dam body. Using different signal processing methods such as Power Spectra Density, the results of in-situ tests have been used to evaluate the natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal damping of the dam body. Besides ambient vibration tests, the 3-D modal analysis of the dam body was performed using ANSYS software. The foundation and abutment flexibility effects on dynamic characteristics of the dam body was investigated and the dynamic soil properties were used from Engineer’s report and some empirical relations. Also initial shear modulus of the dam body and foundation materials were evaluated by refraction survey. In this paper, the test procedures, related signal processing results, numerical analysis results and its comparison with the dynamic characteristics of the dam body obtained from the full-scale dynamic tests will be presented. Finally, calibrating procedures of the numerical model (based on increasing the accuracy of dam body geometry, soil and rock material parameters and foundation and abutment flexibility) will be discussed. Keywords: Embankment Dam, Dynamic Characteristics, Ambient Vibration Test, Modal Analysis

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Algorithmic skeleton has received attention as an efficient method of parallel programming in recent years. Using the method, the programmer can implement parallel programs easily. In this study, a set of efficient algorithmic skeletons is introduced for use in implementing parallel genetic algorithm (PGA).A performance modelis derived for each skeleton that makes the comparison of skeletons possible in order to select the best one for the application. The performance of the selected skeleton can be increased by specifying the virtual topology required by the appliation.This is a novel approach with no precedent. Nesting of skeletons used hereis another novelty of the study which has been employed only in few previous studies.

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Neutral stability limits for wake flow behind a flat plate is studied using spectral method. First, Orr-Sommerfeld equation was changed to matrix form, covering the whole domain of solution. Next, each term of matrix was expanded using Chebyshev expansion series, a series very much equivalent to the Fourier cosine series. A group of functions and conditions are applied to start and end points in the mathematical domain of the solution so as to avoid error accomulation at these points. The scheme ends with two matrices which result from the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. These matrices are solved, in conjunction, with boundary conditions ending up with a curve of neutral points of stability for an assumed velocity profile. Results are compared with other existing numerical methods and experiments, and the accuracy of the method is confirmed.

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A higher bustle temperature in midrex direct reduction process is always desirable due to its positive effect on the productivity and DRI quality. The limit of the bustle temperature is related to the sticking or clustering behaviour of oxide pellets during the reduction in the reactor. It has been well estabilished that coating of oxide pellets by a refractory material decreases its tendency to clustering. In this study, the clustering behaviour of oxide pellets (produced from Golegohar-Chadormalu iron ore) during redution at different temperatures was investigated. The effect of coating with different amounts of hydrated lime on the clustering behaviour was also examined. Microscopic examination of coated pellets shows a porous, non-continious layer of Ca(OH)2 being fromed on the surface of the pellets. The clustering tendency of coated pellets, measured by the standard sticking test at pilot scale, was much lower, compared with normal (uncoated) pellets, while their reducibility was the same.

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Cohesive-frictional soils are widely used in the construction of embankment structures and due to the method of construction, i.e. applying compactive efforts in the vertical direction in these cases, the occurrence of anisotropy in the soil strength and permeability seems to be inevitable. In this study, attempts have been made to evaluate the shear strength of c-f soils through modifying a large shear box apparatus. Conducting more than 108 direct shear tests, the effects of compaction method and moisture on the shear strength anisotropy of a selected c-f soil (a clayey sand) have then been investigated. According to the test results, firstly strength anisotropy was observed in all the soil specimens and the shear strength in the vertical direction was about 14% to 21% higher than that in the horizontal direction. Secondly, it was found that an increase in the compaction moisture led to an increase in the degree of anisotropy. Furthermore, the anisotropy in the cohesive strength was more pronounced in the specimens with a moisture content higher than the optimum one. The highest degree of anisotropy was observed in the specimens compacted by impacting effort and the lowest one belonged to those with the vibratory compaction.

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It is empirically established that, due to a number of factors involved, a classical (linear) analysis of buckling pressure is impossible. Nonlinear theories of buckling are, therefore, required that involve effective factors such as imperfections and welding effects. In this study, models are developed which are as close to allowable standard deviations as possible. In the next stage, their buckling behavior is investigated both experimentally and numerically using finite element packages ADINA, ANSYS, COSMOS, and MARC based on specific capabilities of each. Results show that reasonable estimates of real buckling pressure will become possible when material and geometrical nonlinearities and initial imperfections are introduced into the analytical system. Finally, in the light of the results obtained, a submarine pressure hull is analyzed.

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This paper presents the preliminary results of an extensive parametric study on seismic response of two-dimensional semi-sine shaped hills to vertically propagating incident P- and SV-waves. Clear perspectives of the induced diffraction and amplification patterns are given by investigation of time-domain and frequency-domain responses. It is shown that site geometry, wave characteristics , and material parameters are the key parameters governing the hill’s response, simple formula and some tables are proposed for estimating the characteristic site period and also the average amplification potential of semi-sine shaped hills, which could be easily applied in site effect microzonation studies of topographic areas.

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In the present study, in-situ synthesis of carbon nanotube/hydroxyapatite nano composite powder with stable homogeneous dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was carried out using surfactant as dispersing agent. By applying sol-gel method, dispersion in the hydroxyapatite matrix and its effects on the microstructure were investigated. The chemical and phase composition, structure and morphological and size analyses were performed using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM/SAED/EDX, Raman, UV-Vis spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influences of different dispersing agents (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) as a benchmark for future dispersion experiments) and excitation wavelength are discussed and the results are compared to the commonly used UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis. The results indicated that synthesis of hydroxyapatite particles in the presence of the carbon nanotubes had the best homogenization of the carbon nanotube dispersion and faster crystallization of hydroxyapatite, and the use of SDS for dispersion carbon nanotubes at hydroxyapatite matrix rendered formation of hydroxyapatite coating on CNTs surface. The average crystallite size of heat-treated (at 600°C) samples, estimated by Scherrer,s equation, was found to be ~50-60 nm that was confirmed by TEM.

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The purpose of this work was to study the hydrogen adsorption on the surface of mesoporous materials based on silica (SBA-16) modified with palladium via temperature. Since mesoporous silica materials have a high specific surface area, and the ordered mesoporous size of 2-10nm, they are suitable for adsorption and storage of hydrogen. SBA-16 is suitable for this purpose due to its cubic crystalstructure and open pores. Single-stage sol-gel method was used to produce nanostructure composite from salt of palladium (PdCl₃) and mesoporous silica precursor. The aging time was selected as 12 hr at 80˚C. Furthermore, the obtained materials were heated at 550˚C for 6 hr to remove surfactant and to form pores. Then the materials were characterized by large angle and small angle x-ray diffraction analysis, and hydrogen absorption analysis at upto 200kPa pressure at three different temperatures of -196˚C (77 K), -123˚C (150 K) and 30˚C (303 K). Furthermore, adsorption-desorption of nitrogen gas was studied. The surface morphology was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). In addition, the amount of palladium, oxygen, and silicon were measured by using energy dispersive spectroscopy) EDS ). Finally, the functional groups on the surface of mesoporous silica materials were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of XRD and EDS analyses confirmed the presence of palladium and palladium oxide in mesoporous amorphous silica. In addition, BET results showed that addition of palladium in SBA-16 decreased the surface area, and produced 791 and 538m²/g for SBA-16 and SBA-16/Pd, respectively. Hydrogen absorption in nano structure composite was decreasing with temperatur in comparison with SAB-16. On the other hand, the maximum hydrogen absorption in the nano structure composite containing palladium was obtained at -196˚C (77 K).

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In this study, microstructure and mechanical properties of diffusion joints between 5754, 6061 and 7039 aluminum alloys and AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated. Diffusion joints were done between the alloys at 440 °C, for duration of 60minutes, at 29 MPa pressure and under 1×10^-4 torr vacuum. The interface of joints was studied using optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS analysis and the line scan. According to the results of EDS analysis, the presence of intermetallic compounds including Al₁₂Mg₁₇, Al₃Mg₂ and their mixture was observed at the diffusion zone. Also, according to the results of the line scan, the hardness value of aluminum alloys has a considerable effect on diffusion of the magnesium atoms toward aluminum alloy and the greatest diffusion of magnesium was observed when 6061 aluminum alloy was used. More diffusion resulted in a stronger bond between atoms of magnesium and aluminum, and maximum strength of approximately 42 MPa was obtained when 6061 aluminum alloy was used.

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In this paper the effect of deep cryogenic treatment time on microstructure and tribological behavior of AISI 5120 case hardennig steel is studied. The disk shape samples were carburized at 920 ^◦C for 6 hours and air cooled; after austenitizing, the samples were quenched in oil.Then immediately after quenching and sanding, the sample were kept in liquid nitrogen for 1, 24, 30 and 48 h and then tempered at 200 ^◦C for 2 hours. The wear test was done by ball on disk method using of WC ball at 80 and 110 N load. For characterization of carbides, the etchant solution of CuCl₂ (5 gr)+HCl (100 mL) + ethanol (100 mL) was used. The hardness of samples before and after of tempering was measured by vicers method at 300 N load.. The amount of retained austenite was measured by X Ray Diffraction method. For 1DCT and 24DCT samples it was about 8% and 4%; in the other samples, the retained austenite peal was so decreased that it was not visible. The result showed that the hardness increases by deep cryogenic treatment in all speciments. While wear resistance increases in 1DCT and 24DCT samples, it decreases for 30DCT and 48DCT samples in compare with Conventional heat treatment (CHT) sample in both applied loads, such that , 48DCT sample has the least wear resistance. The cause of increament of hardness is due to reduction in amount of retained austenite as a result of deep cryogenic treatment and decreasing in wear resistance after 24 hour, is due to carbide growth and nonhemogenuse distribution in microstructure and then weakening of matrix. So the 24 hour deep cryogenic treatment was the best optimal for AISI 5120 steel.

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In this research, investigation of the microstructure and magnetic properties of doped barium hexaferrite with cobalt, chromium and tin with BaCo_xCr_xSn_xFe_12-3xO₁₉ (x=0.3,0.5) formula, was performed using solid state method. Phase and structural investigation by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy respectively, confirmed the formation of barium hexaferrites single phase without the presence of non-magnetic secondary phase after heat treatment for 5 h at temperature of 1000 °C. Also, according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, morphology of particles was perfectly hexagonal with average particle size 200-250 nm. Based on magnetic parameters measured by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), both samples were soft magnetic and the highest saturation magnetization was obtained for the sample with composition of BaCo_0.3Cr_0.3Sn_0.3Fe_11.1O₁₉. The values of saturation magnetization (M_s) and the coercivity (H_c) were 42.21 emu/g and 656 Oe respectively for this compound.

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In this study, the effect of Fe/Ba molar ratio was investigated on the phase composition, synthesis temperature, microstructure and magnetic properties of barium hexaferrite prepared via mechanical activation. In order to synthesize this compound, Fe/Ba molar ratios of 12 and 6 were used. The effect of Fe/Ba molar ratio, milling time and heat treatment temperature for achieving the optimal conditions in producing this compound was studied. In order to study the phase, morphology and magnetic properties of the final product, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) were used respectively. According to the results, Fe/Ba molar ratio of 6, 10 h milling time and temperature of 800 °C were found to be the optimal conditions for producing this compound in a single phase. Scanning electron microscopy images show the hexagonal morphology and almost spherical particles respectively for samples prepared with Fe/Ba molar ratio equal to 12 and 6. Moreover, according to the magnetic studies, the maximum amount of saturation magnetization (56.48 emu/g) and the coercivity force (5247.2 Oe) were obtained for the sample synthesized with Fe/Ba molar ratio of 6.
 

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