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The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system. This paper aims to define and substantiate the assessment of the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains in both theory and practice. The key principles and approaches will be proposed, and their applications to high-speed trains in China will be presented.

First, the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are defined, and their relationship is introduced. Then, the principles for assessing the structural integrity of structural and dynamical components are presented and practical examples of gearboxes and dampers are provided. Finally, the principles and approaches for assessing the dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are presented and a novel operational assessment method is further presented.

Vehicle system dynamics is the core of the proposed framework that provides the loads and vibrations on train components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system. For assessing the structural integrity of structural components, an open-loop analysis considering both normal and abnormal vehicle conditions is needed. For assessing the structural integrity of dynamical components, a closed-loop analysis involving the influence of wear and degradation on vehicle system dynamics is needed. The analysis of vehicle system dynamics should follow the principles of complete objects, conditions and indices. Numerical, experimental and operational approaches should be combined to achieve effective assessments.

The practical applications demonstrate that assessing the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains can support better control of critical defects, better lifespan management of train components and better maintenance decision-making for high-speed trains.

This paper aims to present a numerical study that investigates the flow of MgO-Al₂O₃/water hybrid nanofluid inside a porous elliptical-shaped cavity, in which we aim to examine the performance of this thermal system when exposed to a magnetic field via heat transfer features and entropy generation.

The configuration consists of the hybrid nanofluid out layered by a cold ellipse while it surrounds a non-square heated obstacle; the thermal structure is under the influence of a horizontal magnetic field. This problem is implemented in COMSOL multiphysics, which solves the related equations described by the “Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkman” model through the finite element method.

The results illustrated as streamlines, isotherms and average Nusselt number, along with the entropy production, are given as functions of: the volume fraction, and shape factor to assess the behaviour of the properties of the nanoparticles. Darcy number and porosity to designate the impact of the porous features of the enclosure, and finally the strength of the magnetic induction described as Hartmann number. The outcomes show the increased pattern of the thermal and dynamical behaviour of the hybrid nanofluid when augmenting the concentration, shape factor, porosity and Darcy number; however, it also engenders increased formations of irreversibilities in the system that were revealed to enhance with the permeability and the great properties of the nanofluid. Nevertheless, this thermal enhanced pattern is shown to degrade with strong Hartmann values, which also reduced both thermal and viscous entropies. Therefore, it is advised to minimize the magnetic influence to promote better heat exchange.

The investigation of irreversibilities in nanofluids heat transfer is an important topic of research with practical implications for the design and optimization of heat transfer systems. The study’s findings can help improve the performance and efficiency of these systems, as well as contribute to the development of sustainable energy technologies. The study also offers an intriguing approach that evaluates entropy growth in this unusual configuration with several parameters, which has the potential to transform our understanding of complicated fluid dynamics and thermodynamic processes, and at the end obtain the best thermal configuration possible.

For a lightweight and accurate description of bearing temperature, this paper aims to present an efficient semi-empirical model with oil–air two-phase flow and gray-box model.

First, the role of lubricant/coolant in bearing temperature was discussed separately, and the gray-box models on the heat convection inside a bearing cavity were also created. Next, the bearing node setting scheme was optimized. Consequently, a novel semi-empirical two-phase flow thermal grid for high-speed angular contact ball bearings was planned. With this model, the thermal network for the selected motored spindle was built, and the numerical solutions for bearing temperature rise were obtained and contrasted with the experimental values for validation. The polynomial interpolation on test data, meanwhile, was also performed to help us observe the temperature change trend. Finally, the simulations based on the current models of bearings were implemented, whose corresponding results were also compared with our research work.

The validation result indicates that the thermal prediction is more accurate and efficient when the developed semi-empirical oil–air two-phase flow model is employed to assess the thermal change of bearings. Clearly, we provide a more proper model for the thermal assessment of bearing and even spindle heating.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper introduced the oil–air separation and gray-box model for the first time to describe the heat exchange inside bearing cavities and accordingly presents an efficient semi-empirical oil–air two-phase flow model to evaluate the bearing temperature variation by using thermal network method.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2023-0180/

This study investigates the flow and heat transfer in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ternary hybrid nanofluid (HNF), considering the effects of viscous dissipation and radiation.

The transport equations are transformed into nondimensional partial differential equations. The local nonsimilarity (LNS) technique is implemented to truncate nonsimilar dimensionless system. The LNS truncated equation can be treated as ordinary differential equations. The numerical results of the equation are accomplished through the implementation of the bvp4c solver, which leverages the fourth-order three-stage Lobatto IIIa formula as a finite difference scheme.

The findings of a comparative investigation carried out under diverse physical limitations demonstrate that ternary HNFs exhibit remarkably elevated thermal efficiency in contrast to conventional nanofluids.

The LNS approach (Mahesh et al., 2023; Khan et al., 20223; Farooq et al., 2023) that we have proposed is not currently being used to clarify the dynamical issue of HNF via porous media. The LNS method, in conjunction with the bvp4c up to its second truncation level, yields numerical solutions to nonlinear-coupled PDEs. Relevant results of the topic at hand, obtained by adjusting the appropriate parameters, are explained and shown visually via tables and diagrams.

This study aims to analyse the behaviour of plane waves within a nonlocal transversely isotropic visco-thermoelastic medium having variable thermal conductivity.

The concept of enunciation is used in the generalized theory of thermoelasticity in accordance with the Green–Lindsay and Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity models. The linear viscoelasticity model developed by Kelvin–Voigt is used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of transversely isotropic materials.

It has been noticed that three plane waves, which are coupled together, travel through the medium at three different speeds. The derivation of reflection coefficients and energy ratios for reflected waves is carried out by incorporating suitable boundary conditions. Numerical computations are performed for the amplitude ratios, phase speeds and energy partition and displayed in graphical form.

The outcomes of the numerical simulation demonstrate that the amplitude ratios are significantly influenced by variable thermal conductivity, nonlocal parameters and viscosity. It is further observed from the plots that the phase speeds in a transversely isotropic medium depend on the angle of incidence. In addition, it has been established that the energy is preserved during the reflection phenomenon.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the thermo-diffusion process in a semi-infinite nonlocal fiber-reinforced double porous thermoelastic diffusive material with voids (FRDPTDMWV) in light of the fractional-order Lord–Shulman thermo-elasto-diffusion (LSTED) model. By virtue of Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory, the governing equations for the considered material are developed. The free surface of the substrate is governed by the inclined mechanical load and thermal and chemical shocks.

With the aid of the normal mode technique, the solutions of the nondimensional coupled governing equations have been obtained.

The expressions of field variables are obtained analytically. By using MATHEMATICA software, various graphical implementations are presented to describe the impacts of angle of inclination, fractional-order and nonlocality parameters. The present model is also validated on the basis of some comparative studies with some preestablished cases.

As observed from the literature survey, many different studies have been carried out by taking into account the deformation analysis in nonlocal double porous thermoelastic material structures and thermo-mechanical interaction in fiber-reinforced medium under fractional-order thermoelasticity theories. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research emphasizing the thermo-elasto-diffusive interactions in a nonlocal FRDPTDMWV has been carried out. Moreover, the effect of fractional-order LSTED theory on fiber-reinforced thermoelastic diffusive half-space with double porosity has not been illuminated till now, which significantly defines the novelty of the conducted research.

This study aims to investigate the effects of nano or inorganic fillers on unsaturated polyester’s (UPE) thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. UPE reinforced with nanoparticles shows better properties than the pure polymer itself. Nano or inorganic fillers are used in the polymeric matrix to improve thermal, mechanical and physical properties.

To improve thermal, mechanical and physical properties, UPE resin was modified with silica (S), boron nitride (BN) and S/BN hybrid nanoparticles at different ratios. Viscosity and solids content measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal conductivity coefficient tests were performed on the samples.

In the SEM analysis, the UPE sample showed a smooth appearance, while all samples containing additives showed phase separation and overall heterogeneous distribution. TGA results demonstrated that the thermal stability of the resin increased in the presence of S and BN additives. According to the results, it was observed that the presence of S and BN additives in the UPE resin and the use of certain ratios improved the resin properties.

As a result of the literature search, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study was found in which BN nanoparticles were included in the UPE resin together with S.

This paper aims to investigate the thermal performance of equivalent square and circular thermal systems and compare the heat transport and irreversibility of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid flow within these systems.

The research uses a constraint-based approach to analyze the impact of geometric shapes on heat transfer and irreversibility. Two equivalent systems, a square cavity and a circular cavity, are examined, considering identical heating/cooling lengths and fluid flow volume. The analysis includes parameters such as magnetic field strength, nanoparticle concentration and accompanying irreversibility.

This study reveals that circular geometry outperforms square geometry in terms of heat flow, fluid flow and heat transfer. The equivalent circular thermal system is more efficient, with heat transfer enhancements of approximately 17.7%. The corresponding irreversibility production rate is also higher, which is up to 17.6%. The total irreversibility production increases with Ra and decreases with a rise in Ha. However, the effect of magnetic field orientation (γ) on total EG is minor.

Further research can explore additional geometric shapes, orientations and boundary conditions to expand the understanding of thermal performance in different configurations. Experimental validation can also complement the numerical analysis presented in this study.

This research introduces a constraint-based approach for evaluating heat transport and irreversibility in MHD nanofluid flow within square and circular thermal systems. The comparison of equivalent geometries and the consideration of constraint-based analysis contribute to the originality and value of this work. The findings provide insights for designing optimal thermal systems and advancing MHD nanofluid flow control mechanisms, offering potential for improved efficiency in various applications.

This research paper aims to investigate reinforced concrete (RC) walls' behaviour under fire and identify the thermal and mechanical factors that affect their performance.

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model is developed to predict the response of RC walls under fire and is validated through experimental tests on RC wall specimens subjected to fire conditions. The numerical model incorporates temperature-dependent properties of the constituent materials. Moreover, the validated model was used in a parametric study to inspect the effect of the fire scenario, reinforcement concrete cover, reinforcement ratio and configuration, and wall thickness on the thermal and structural behaviour of the walls subjected to fire.

The developed 3D FE model successfully predicted the response of experimentally tested RC walls under fire conditions. Results showed that the fire resistance of the walls was highly compromised under hydrocarbon fire. In addition, the minimum wall thickness specified by EC2 may not be sufficient to achieve the desired fire resistance under considered fire scenarios.

There is limited research on the performance of RC walls exposed to fire scenarios. The study contributed to the current state-of-the-art research on the behaviour of RC walls of different concrete types exposed to fire loading, and it also identified the factors affecting the fire resistance of RC walls. This guides the consideration and optimisation of design parameters to improve RC walls performance in the event of a fire.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of a non-contact full-field optical measurement technique known as digital image correlation (DIC).

The approach of this review paper is to introduce the research pertaining to DIC. It comprehensively covers crucial facets including its principles, historical development, core challenges, current research status and practical applications. Additionally, it delves into unresolved issues and outlines future research objectives.

The findings of this review encompass essential aspects of DIC, including core issues like the subpixel registration algorithm, camera calibration, measurement of surface deformation in 3D complex structures and applications in ultra-high-temperature settings. Additionally, the review presents the prevailing strategies for addressing these challenges, the most recent advancements in DIC applications across quasi-static, dynamic, ultra-high-temperature, large-scale and micro-scale engineering domains, along with key directions for future research endeavors.

This review holds a substantial value as it furnishes a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to DIC, while also spotlighting its prospective applications.