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This paper investigates the rate of transformation induced plasticity in TRIP steel (TRansformation-Induced Plasticity) after plastic straining by the use of Barkhausen noise emission. The samples were subjected to a variable degree of plastic straining and analysed by the use of conventional techniques such SEM, XRD, as well as microhardness in order to investigate residual stress and microstructural alterations initiated by the uniaxial tensile test. Barkhausen noise emission is analysed as a function of plastic straining as well as in the direction of the exerted load and interpreted with respect to the aforementioned microstructure and stress alterations. It was found that Barkhausen noise markedly decreases along with increasing plastic straining, up to 20%, followed by a strain region in which the evolution of Barkhausen noise reaches saturation. Samples after the tensile test exhibited marked magnetic anisotropy since the Barkhausen noise emission in the direction perpendicular to the tensile stress remained less affected. Apart from the effective value of Barkhausen noise, the Barkhausen noise envelopes were also analysed. • Barkhausen noise in TRIP steel exhibits steep decrease at low plastic strains. • Barkhausen noise evolution is sensitive to the rate of austenite decomposition. • Higher plastic strains increase magnetic hardness of TRIP steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we discuss a regional recovery of gravity disturbances at the mean geocentric sphere approximating the Earth over the area of Central Europe from satellite gravitational gradients. For this purpose, we derive integral formulas which allow converting the gravity disturbances onto the disturbing gravitational gradients in the local north-oriented frame (LNOF). The derived formulas are free of singularities in case of r ≠ R . We then investigate three numerical approaches for solving their inverses. In the initial approach, the integral formulas are firstly modified for solving individually the near- and distant-zone contributions. While the effect of the near-zone gravitational gradients is solved as an inverse problem, the effect of the distant-zone gravitational gradients is computed by numerical integration from the global gravitational model (GGM) TIM-r4. In the second approach, we further elaborate the first scenario by reducing measured gravitational gradients for gravitational effects of topographic masses. In the third approach, we apply additional modification by reducing gravitational gradients for the reference GGM. In all approaches we determine the gravity disturbances from each of the four accurately measured gravitational gradients separately as well as from their combination. Our regional gravitational field solutions are based on the GOCE EGG_TRF_2 gravitational gradients collected within the period from November 1 2009 until January 11 2010. Obtained results are compared with EGM2008, DIR-r1, TIM-r1 and SPW-r1. The best fit, in terms of RMS (2.9 mGal), is achieved for EGM2008 while using the third approach which combine all four well-measured gravitational gradients. This is explained by the fact that a-priori information about the Earth’s gravitational field up to the degree and order 180 was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the use of non-destructive testing technology for measurement of asphalt and unbound pavement structure layer thicknesses for quality control and quality assurance within the context of civil engineering project handover process. In addition to layer thickness information, the pavement roughness was also verified using 3D accelerometer technique and IRI parameters were calculated and analyzed. This presentation summarizes the technology and results of a project where a special section of highway R2 Žiar nad Hronom bypass in the length of 5.2 km was selected for the non-destructive testing. The processing and interpretation consists of extensive data sets presented as longitudinal profiles from survey of each lane of road. The designed layer thicknesses of the road were then compared with measured thickness data. In addition, a comprehensive presentation of the results in GIS view was produced to ensure the subsequent decision-making process easy to execute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about assessing the quality of earth structures in terms of possibilities of using alternative methods. These methods are beneficial to engineering practice with respect to speed and smart testing. Methods described in the article are not yet included in the Slovak technical standards and their application is very rare as they are not verified in practice yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Third-order gradients of the gravitational potential (gravitational curvatures) have already found some applications in geosciences. Observability of these parameters, describing the Earth's gravitational field in a more complex way than any other currently available gravitational parameter, such as gravitational acceleration (first-order gradient) or gravitational (second-order) gradient, is currently discussed by physicists. Moreover, first designs of observational devices (sensors) have already been proposed. The spherical harmonic analysis and synthesis are the common tools used by geoscientists to study spectral properties of various functionals of the Earth's gravitational potential. However, the conventional spherical harmonic expansions of the gravitational curvatures in the local north-oriented reference frame have rather complicated forms that depend on the first-, second- and third-order derivatives of the associated Legendre functions. Moreover, some of these expansions also contain singular terms at the poles. In this paper, the conventional series are transformed to new simpler and non-singular forms based on relations between the associated Legendre functions and their derivatives. Numerical experiments demonstrate the applicability and correctness of the new expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geoid is an equipotential surface of the static Earth's gravity field which plays a fundamental role in definition of physical heights related to the mean sea level (orthometric heights) in geodesy and which represents a reference surface in many geoscientific studies. Its determination with the cm-level accuracy or better, in particular over dry land, belongs to major tasks of modern geodesy. Traditional data and underlined theory have significantly been affected in recent years by rapid advances in observation techniques. This study reviews gradients of the disturbing gravity potential, both currently available and foreseen, and systematically discusses mathematical models for geoid determination based on gradient data. Fundamentals required for geoid definition and its estimation from measured potential gradients are shortly reviewed at the beginning of the text. Then particular mathematical models based on solutions to boundary-value problems of the potential theory, which include both integral transforms and integral equations, are formulated. Properties of respective integral kernel functions are demonstrated and discussed. With the new mathematical models introduced, new research topics are opened which must be resolved in order to allow for their full-fledged applicability in geoid modelling. Stochastic modelling is also discussed which estimates gradient spatial resolution and accuracy required for geoid modelling with the cm-level accuracy. Results of stochastic modelling suggest that the cm-geoid can be estimated using available gradient data if related problems, namely reduction of gradient data for gravitational effects of all masses outside the geoid and their downward continuation, are solved at the same level of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that Venus has a size very similar to Earth, thermal evolution of both planets should be comparable. Nonetheless, there is no clear evidence of plate tectonics or plate motions on Venus. Instead, various surface deformations attributed to volcanism, resurfacing, localized subduction and other geologic processes were recognized on the planet. In this study we attempt to classify the origin of lithospheric forces on Venus based on using topographic and gravity information. For this purpose, we also estimate the Venusian crustal thickness. In agreement with findings from previous studies, the signature of past or recent global tectonism in the body-force vector pattern on Venus is absent, while exhibiting only regional anomalies. The maximum intensity inferred in the Atla and Beta Regios is likely attributed to mantle upwelling. This is also confirmed by the gravity-topography spectral correlation and admittance analysis that shows the isostatic relaxation of these volcanic regions. The regional body-force pattern in the Bell Regio suggests that a much less pronounced force intensity there is possibly related to crustal load of lava flows. Elsewhere, the body-force intensity is relatively weak, with slightly more pronounced intensity around the Ishtar Terra and the Arthemis Chasmata. The body-force pattern in the Arthemis Chasmata supports the hypothesis that coronae structures are the result of mantle upwelling and the subsequent (localized) plume-induced subduction with only limited horizontal crustal motions. The prevailing divergent pattern of body-force vectors in the Ishtar Terra region suggests the presence of tensional forces due to the downwelling mantle flow that is responsible for a crustal thickening along the Freyja and Maxwell Montes. Except for the Atla and Beta Regios where the isostasy is relaxed by the (active) mantle plumes, the crustal thickness is spatially highly correlated with the topography, with a thin crust under the plains and a thick crust under the plateaus. The maximum Moho depth under the Maxwell Montes in the Ishtar Terra exceeds 90 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]