Paper Title

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN ADVANCED METAL ALLOYS

Abstract

The analysis of fatigue crack growth is carried out within the framework of the classical linear elastic fracture mechanics. The preprocessing and the finite element analysis of the cracked structure are done using the commercial software system Abaqus. Elastic-perfectly plastic constituents, each with random yield strength, modeled by a normal probability density function are used. Complex constituent relations for material behavior under monotonically increasing load or cyclic loading are replaced by a probabilistic approach in the developed finite element program. The software system ProCrack, a Python-based tool for the automated finite element simulation of fatigue crack growth in arbitrarily loaded three-dimensional components is presented. The Bauschinger effect is found to be related to the mean and the hardening coefficient to the variance of the distribution. The decomposed global stiffness matrix is updated using an efficient technique instead of reformulating it after each boundary change. The applied strains are so important that diffuse damage phenomena are visible as a network of micro-cracks in front of the major crack. A sub-modelling technique in combination with the interaction integral techniqueis used to calculate the range of the stress intensity factors. Fatigue crack growth behavior in weld nugget zone (WNZ) of friction stir welded (FSWed) dissimilar aluminum alloys joints were investigated comparing to that of the FSWed similar aluminum alloy joints and the base materials.
KEYWORDS : Fatigue crack growth, weld nugget zone (WNZ), aluminum alloys, cracked structure, plastic constituents, micro-cracks, materials.

Paper Title

OPTIMIZATION AND SIMULATION OF COMPOSITE FIBER CONFIGURATIONS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the composite materials used in Aircraft structure and also reviews the advanced composites as structural materials. At present composites material are becoming important in Aerospace engineering due to its increased strength at lower weight, stiffness and corrosion resistance. For the Aerospace Engineering there are huge progress of material science and engineering with the technological challenges in terms of the development of sophisticated and specialized materials e.g composite materials. Composites materials are intended to be used more extensively as an alternative of aluminum structure in aircraft and aerospace applications. This is due to their attractive properties as high strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio. Besides that it clarifies the growing interest for composites materials due to advantages of lightweight, high strength, high stiffness, superior fatigue life, tremendous corrosion resistance and low cost manufacturing. In this study, a finite element analysis (FEA) of fiberglass unidirectional Etype was analyzed in the framework of ABAQUS finite element commercial software. The analysis was done to quantify the mechanical properties and response of unidirectional E-glass in term of tensile, compression and thermal responses.
KEYWORDS : Aircraft structure, composites as structural materials, aerospace, stiffness-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, E-glass.

Paper Title

EXPLORING THE CHARACTERIZATION AND GROWTH OF ORGANIC AND SEMI-ORGANIC MATERIALS

Abstract

A new semi-organic nonlinear optical thiosemicarbazide cadmium acetate (TSCA) material has been synthesized. TSCA single crystals were grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The solubility of TSCA has been determined for various temperatures. The grown crystals were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, UV-Vis., thermal and second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis. Single crystal XRD study has been carried out to identify the lattice parameters. FTIR studies confirm the functional groups present in the grown crystal. Optical transmission studies have confirmed that the grown crystal is highly transparent. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses reveal the good thermal stability of the material. The SHG conversion efficiency of TSCA was determined using Kurtz powder technique and found two times that of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP).
KEYWORDS : Growth from solution, Semi organic, Nonlinear optical crystal

Paper Title

LEAN CONSTRUCTION: A TIME AND COST SAVING METHOD FOR MANAGING PROJECT

Abstract

Projects are thought of as transient production systems that must be planned, created, and delivered within a certain window of time. Many scholars have argued that fast-track projects with intricate, lengthy supply chains cannot be handled in the traditional manner because they are complex, fast-moving, and unpredictable. Engaging several parties and undergoing numerous, significant process design modifications have complicated flow management that has utterly failed. The work breakdown structure, critical path technique, and earned value management are some of the tools and conceptual models of construction management that have come under fire for not being able to adequately handle the current, particular issues that projects face. Consequently, a multitude of wastes are characteristic of this business, such as overproduction, lead times, transportation, improper processing, inventories, needless movements, rework, and making do wastes. Therefore, in order to assist project teams in addressing the problem of wastes in projects, it is necessary to develop reliable and useful models and methodologies. Lean Construction (LC), or the use of lean production processes in the construction sector, is the only way to do this. This essay discusses the LC approach as a reliable project management methodology and the significance of putting it into practice.
KEYWORDS : Lean Construction, Project Management, Time and Cost Saving.

Paper Title

A STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOPOLYMER MORTAR

Abstract

Concrete experts have lately been using breakthrough geopolymer technology to generate new environmentally friendly construction materials. Geopolymer mortar (GPM) is created via the method of geopolymerization, which involves producing a geopolymeric binder by the alkali-activation of a precursor that is rich in aluminosilicate. This is done by utilizing alkali activators at room temperature and adding fine aggregates of sand. The properties and applications of geopolymer mortar are the subject of interest among civil engineers and material scientists. This is due to its remarkable attributes and its potential to address the sustainability issue of carbon dioxide emission caused by the current production process of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Geopolymer mortar also offers advantages such as the ability to incorporate various waste materials in the manufacturing of geopolymer products. This article provides a summary of the latest characteristics of geopolymer mortar, including its workability, setting time, and surface temperature. The results showed that the geopolymer mortar has significant potential and many applications for use in eco-constructions. It might serve as a viable alternative to traditional cement in the future.
KEYWORDS : Geopolymer, Geopolymer Mortar, Characteristics.

Paper Title

EXAMINE IRIS RECOGNITION SYSTEM WITH HYBRID BIOMETRIC PROCESS USING MACHINE LEARNING

Abstract

Multimodal biometric systems are considered a way to minimize the limitations raised by single traits. Log-Gabor transformation is applied as the feature extraction method on face and iris modalities. In this regard, multimodal biometrics technology has gained interest and became popular due to its ability to overcome a number of significant limitations of unimodal biometric systems. In this paper, a new multimodal biometric human identification system is proposed, which is based on a deep learning algorithm for recognizing humans using biometric modalities of iris, face, and finger vein. The structure of the system is based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) which extract features and classify images by softmax classifier. To develop the system, three CNN models were combined; one for iris, one for face, and one for finger vein. In order to build the CNN model, the famous pertained model VGG-16 was used, the Adam optimization method was applied and categorical cross-entropy was used as a loss function. Some techniques to avoid overfitting were applied, such as image augmentation and dropout techniques. At each level of fusion, different schemes are proposed to improve the recognition performance and, finally, a combination of schemes at different fusion levels constructs an optimized and robust scheme. In this study, CASIA Iris Distance database is used to examine the robustness of all unimodal and multimodal schemes.
KEYWORDS : Multimodal biometric systems, iris, dropout techniques, cross-entropy, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Iris Distance database, loss function.

Paper Title

A STUDY ON ADVANCED MODELING TECHNIQUES FOR COMPOSITE FIBERS

Abstract

The study of natural fiber-based composites through the use of computational techniques for modelling and optimizing their properties has emerged as a fast-growing approach in recent years. Ecological concerns associated with synthetic fibers have made the utilization of natural fibers as a reinforcing material in composites a popular approach. Computational techniques have become an important tool in the hands of many researchers to model and analyze the characteristics that influence the mechanical properties of natural fiber composites. This recent trend has led to the development of many advanced computational techniques and software for a profound understanding of the characteristics and performance behavior of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers. The large variations in the characteristics of natural fiber-based composites present a great challenge, which has led to the development of many computational techniques for composite materials analysis. The oil and gas sector, building, transportation, healthcare, sports, and aviation are just a few of the many everyday uses for composites. Certain applications, like rocket ships, rely on composite materials for liftoff. The study delves into the advantages of fibre composite materials, including their basic concepts, production methods, and practical applications. It delves into several facets, including materials\' chemical make-up, production and development processes, qualities, and numerous uses.
KEYWORDS : Natural fibers, fiber composite materials, chemical make-up, reinforcing material, computational techniques.

Paper Title

MECHANICAL PROPERTY ANALYSIS AND VALIDATION OF EPOXY RESINS USING MODELING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Epoxy resin is an of the most widely used adhesives for various applications owing to its outstanding properties. The performance of epoxy systems varies significantly depending on the composition of the base resin and curing agent. However, there are limitations in exploring numerous formulations of epoxy resins to optimize adhesive properties because of the expense and time-consuming nature of the trial-and-error process. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning methods were used to overcome these challenges and predict the adhesive properties of epoxy resin. Datasets for diverse epoxy adhesive formulations were constructed by considering the degree of crosslinking, density, free volume, cohesive energy density, modulus, and glass transition temperature. A linear correlation analysis demonstrated that the content of the curing agents, especially dicyandiamide, had the greatest correlation with the cohesive energy density. Moreover, the content of tetraglycidyl methylene dianiline (TGMDA) had the highest correlation with the modulus, and the content of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol had the highest correlation with the glass transition temperature. An optimized artificial neural network model was constructed using test sets divided from MD datasets through error and linear regression analyses.
KEYWORDS : epoxy resin; molecular dynamics; machine learning; artificial neural network; adhesive strength

Paper Title

ENHANCE THE GROUNDNUT VARIETIES THROUGH IN VITRO MUTAGENIC APPROACHES

Abstract

Groundnut is an important global food and oil crop that underpins agriculture-dependent livelihood strategies meeting food, nutrition, and income security. Aflatoxins, pose a major challenge to increased competitiveness of groundnut limiting access to lucrative markets and affecting populations that consume it. Other drivers of low competitiveness include allergens and limited shelf life occasioned by low oleic acid profile in the oil. Thus grain off-takers such as consumers, domestic, and export markets as well as processors need solutions to increase profitability of the grain. There are some technological solutions to these challenges and this review paper highlights advances in crop improvement to enhance groundnut grain quality and nutrient profile for food, nutrition, and economic benefits. Significant advances have been made in setting the stage for marker-assisted allele pyramiding for different aflatoxin resistance mechanisms in vitro seed colonization, pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination, and aflatoxin production which, together with pre- and post-harvest management practices, will go a long way in mitigating the aflatoxin menace.
KEYWORDS : aflatoxin, allergens, Arachis hypogaea, crop improvement, groundnut