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The paper deals with the rheological‐dynamical analogy in which the three‐dimensional stress‐strain relations are defined under cyclic variation of stress for Hencky’s total strain theory. In many practical visco‐elasto‐plastic problems, like as multiaxial fatigue under loading at constant stress amplitude and constant stress ratio, the load‐carrying members are subjected to proportional loading. The classical Hencky’s theory has the advantage of mathematical convenience but its disadvantage is that the deformations predicted for the volume element are independent of the loading path. The existing formulations of the constitutive models for metals are mainly based on the Prandtl‐Reuss incremental theory of elasto‐plasticity, slip theory of plasticity or continuum damage mechanics. They have been shown capable of reproducing satisfactorily most experimental results available for metallic specimens. However, from the theoretical viewpoint little has been said about how these formulations relate to realistic predicting many different inelastic and time dependent problems of two‐ or threedimensional solids, such as fatigue, discontinuous plastic deformation etc. In this paper, fundamentally new aspect of isochronous constitutive relations for Hencky’s theory, which are dependent of the each loading path, is achieved by systematically introducing RDA concept into the continuum framework. Specific inelastic and fatigue formulation of triaxial state of stress is developed and discussed within the new theoretical tool and related to von Mises plasticity..

This paper is concerned with a new proposal regarding the analysis of visco‐elastoplasticity and fatigue and is based on rheological‐dynamical theory. Due to the analogy between rheological model and dynamical model with viscous damping, it becomes obvious that inelastic response of members is essentially a dynamical problem. An analytical rheological‐dynamical viscoelasto‐ plastic solution of one‐dimensional longitudinal continuous vibration under loading and solution for the stress relaxation as unloading have been developed and used to obtain the fatigue limit of thin long bars. Rheologic behavior of the bar can be characterized by one parameter, like in a single‐degree‐of‐freedom spring mass system. In all inelastic strains time rate effects are always present to some degree. Whether or not their exclusion has a significant influence on the prediction of the material fatigue behavior depends upon several factors like: maximum absolute stress in the cycle, coefficient of asymmetry of cycle, creep coefficient, slope of the strain hardening portion of the stress‐strain curve, relative frequency and uniaxial yield stress. This paper provides description of dynamic magnification factor, relaxation of stress, stress concentration and the fatigue limit of thin long symmetrical bars.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the solution of the fatigue damage problem of reinforced concrete frames in bending.

The problem of fatigue damage is formulated based on the rheological–dynamical analogy, including a scalar damage variable to address the reduction of stiffness in strain softening. The modal analysis is used by the finite element method for the determination of modal parameters and resonance stability of the selected frame cross-section. The objectivity of the presented method is verified by numerical examples, predicting the ductility in bending of the frame whose basic mechanical properties were obtained by non-destructive testing systems.

The modal analysis in the frame of the finite element method is suitable for the determination of modal parameters and resonance stability of the selected frame cross-section. It is recommended that the modulus of elasticity be determined by non-destructive methods, e.g. from the acoustic response.

The paper presents a novel method of solving the ductility in bending taking into account both the creep coefficient and the aging coefficient. The rheological-dynamical analogy (RDA) method uses the resonant method to find material properties. The characterization of the structural damping via the damping ratio is original and effective.

The problems of inelastic instability (buckling) and dynamic instability (resonance) have been the subject of extensive investigation and have received wide attention from the structural mechanics community. This paper aims to tackle these problems in thin-walled structures, taking into account geometrical and/or material non-linearity.

The inelastic buckling mode interactions and resonance instabilities of prismatic thin-walled columns are analysed by implementing the semi-analytical finite strip method (FSM). A scalar damage parameter is implemented in conjunction with a material modelling named rheological-dynamical analogy to address stiffness reduction induced by the fatigue damage.

Inelastic buckling stresses lag behind the elastic buckling stresses across all modes, which is a consequence of the viscoelastic behaviour of materials. Because of the lag, the same column length does not always correspond to the same mode at the elastic and inelastic critical stress.

This paper presents the influence of mode interactions on the effective stresses and resonance instabilities in thin-walled columns due to the fatigue damage. These mode interactions have a great influence on damage variables because of the fatigue and effective stresses around mode transitions. In its usual semi-analytical form, the FSM cannot be used to solve the mode interaction problem explained in this paper, because this technique ignores the important influence of interaction of the buckling modes when applied only for undamaged state of structure

An analytical rheological‐dynamical visco‐elastic solution of one‐dimensional longitudinal continuous vibration of bars has been developed and used to evaluate the validity of the classical analytical elastic solutions. As it is well known, the resonance occurs only in the continuous or singledegree‐of‐freedom ideal elastic system when the excitation frequency ωP is equal to the one of the natural frequency of the bar. However, owing to the visco‐elastic nature of materials and frequency dependence of the damping factor it is useful to consider separately the situations arising when the is positive (system is stable) and when it is negative. Negative damping factor means that the complementary solution of the response would not die away (system is unstable because of the factor e). Rheologic behavior of the bar can be characterized by one parameter, i.e. dynamic time of retardation TK D=1/ω, like in a single‐degree‐of‐freedom spring mass system. RDA model has the same phase angle as a simple single‐degree‐of‐freedom spring mass system with damping in the steady state vibration and from that the damping factor is obtained. This paper provides description of the dynamic magnification factor and the transmissibility of several metallic materials using RDA similitude and could be concluded that an ideally effective antivibration mount material should satisfy at least two requirements: first, it should posses a relatively large damping factor; and second, it should possess a damping factor that either remains constant or decreases only slowly with frequency.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the solution of the buckling and resonance stability problems in inelastic beams and wooden plane trusses, taking into account geometric and material defects.

Two sources of non-linearity are analyzed, namely the geometrical non-linearity due to geometrical imperfections and material non-linearity due to material defects. The load-bearing capacity is obtained by the rheological-dynamical analogy (RDA). The RDA inelastic theory is used in conjunction with the damage mechanics to analyze the softening behavior with the scalar damage variable for stiffness reduction. Based on the assumed damages in the wooden truss, the corresponding external masses are calculated in order to obtain the corresponding fundamental frequencies, which are compared with the measured ones.

RDA theory uses rheology and dynamics to determine the structures' response, those results in the post-buckling branch can then be compared by fracture mechanics. The RDA method uses the measured P and S wave velocities, as well as fundamental frequencies to find material properties at the limit point. The verification examples confirmed that the RDA theory is more suitable than other non-linear theories, as those proved to be overly complex in terms of their application to the real structures with geometrical and material defects.

The paper presents a novel method of solving the buckling and resonance stability problems in inelastic beams and wooden plane trusses with initial defects. The method is efficient as it provides explanations highlighting that an inelastic beam made of ductile material can break in any stage from brittle to extremely ductile, depending on the value of initial imperfections. The characterization of the internal friction and structural damping via the damping ratio is original and effective.

The purpose of this paper is to describe various aspects of the visco-elastoplastic (VEP) behavior of porous-hardened concrete samples in relation to standard tests.

The problem is formulated on the basis of the rheological-dynamic analogy (RDA). In this study, changes in creep coefficient, Poisson's ratio, damage variables, modulus of elasticity, strength and angle of internal friction as a function of porosity are defined by P and S wave velocities. The RDA model provides a description of the degradation process of material properties from their peak state to their ultimate values using void volume fraction (VVF).

Compared to numerous versions of acoustic emission tracking developed to analyze the behavior of total wave propagation in inhomogeneous media with density variations, the proposed model is comprehensive in interpretation and consistent with physical understanding. The comparison of the damage variables with the theoretical variables under the assumption of spherical voids in the spherical representative volume element (RVE) shows a satisfactory agreement of the results for all analyzed samples if the maximum porosities are used for comparison.

The paper presents a new mathematical-physical method for examining the effect of porosity on the characteristics of hardened concrete. Porosity is essentially related to density variations. Therefore, it was logical to define the limit values of porosity using the strain energy density.

This chapter provides an overview of the Department of Defense (DoD) laboratory structure to help equipment designers, modelers, and manufacturers determine where research, testing programs, or relevant findings can be found. The chapter includes a discussion of the performance measures and metrics typically used in DoD laboratories and concludes by considering the current state-of-the-art as well as the state-of-the-possible for human performance measurement.

The purpose of this review is to summarize new research indicating that high-dose supplements of the antioxidant vitamin C can interfere with the benefits of physical exercise for athletic performance and the risk for chronic disease.

This article reviews current original literature on the regulation of human metabolism by oxidants and antioxidants and evaluates the role of exercise and high-dose vitamin C in this context. The presentation in this article aims to be informative and accessible to both experts and non-experts.

The evidence reviewed here indicates that single, high-dose supplements of the antioxidant vitamin C abolish the beneficial effects of athletic training on muscle recovery and strength as well as abolishing the benefits of exercise in lowering the risk for chronic disease. In contrast, an antioxidant-rich diet based on regular foods apparently enhances the benefits of exercise. These findings are consistent with an updated understanding of the critical importance of both oxidants and antioxidants in the regulation of human metabolism. While more research is needed to address the role of timing and level of antioxidant consumption, it is clear that a balance between oxidants and antioxidants is essential.

The information presented in this review is important for both athletes and the public at large in their efforts to choose nutrition and exercise regimes appropriate to maximize the outcome of their training efforts and lower their risk for chronic disease.

This article provides accessible and comprehensive information to researchers, nutritionists, and consumers interested in optimal nutrition during athletic training and for obtaining the full benefit of physical exercise in lowering the risk for chronic disease.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, nutrition education and health promotion have increasingly focused on the influence of diet on the quality of life in old age. The Government′s Health of the Nation policy in 1991 and the COMA report on The Nutrition of Elderly People in 1992 both emphasized the need for older age groups to adopt the dietary changes recommended for the population as a whole. In order to promote healthier eating habits and consequently improve health status, it is first vital to understand what makes elderly people follow particular dietary patterns and, equally, which factors constrain their choice. Reviews the current state of research on the social, economic, psychological, physiological, educational and personal factors which mediate food choice in later life. Indications are that it is the structural influences on choice which have the greatest impact – education, income, class and access to good health care. As a result, action at national level in the form of health and social policy designed to take into account the needs of older generations is highlighted.