Experimental investigation of strength criteria for S-glass, E-glass and graphite fiber composite plate

Investigated are the Tsai-Hill and Tsai-Wu strength criteria for unidirectional S-glass, E-glass and graphite fiber reinforced composite plate specimens subjected to off-axis tension and compression. Off-axis shear is analyzed by using a circular specimen. The specimen contains almost collinear slits and antisymmetric cut-outs such that their orientation can change with the local axis to produce different combination of normal and shear action. Uniformity of the two-dimensional stress distribution in the center portion of the specimen is checked photoelastically. The stress coefficient F₁₂ in the Tsai-Wu criterion is determined experimentally for a normal extension and pure shear stress field; it is used to analyze the more general situations of off-axis tension, off-axis compression and off-axis shear. The results agreed well with experiments. Similar findings are obtained for the Tsai-Hill criterion except for the case of off-axis shear where large deviations occurred between analytical and experimental results.     

The “Twin capillary” a simple device to separate shear- and slip-flow of fluids

When the flow behaviour of fluids is investigated with capillary-or rotational rheometers, adhesion of the fluid to the wall is normally one of the boundary conditions. For many fluids, especially for suspensions, this assumption is not valid. These fluids tend to slip at the wall. Therefore the normal evaluation of rheometer measurements leads to apparent but not compatible flow functions. The flow behaviour of these fluids can be characterized with two material functions which describe separately slipping in the boundary layer and shearing within the fluid. Only if both functions are known, correct predictions of flow processes are possible. A simple equipment to separate the shear function and the slip function is described.List of symbols Y^* apparent shear rate - Y _w ^* apparent wall shear rate - Y_w wall shear rate corrected with Rabinowitsch and Weissenberg correction - Y_s reduced shear rate (slip corrected) - Y_ws reduced wall shear rate (slip corrected) - * (r) velocity distribution in a capillary - _G slip velocity (at the wall) - * (r) velocity distribution in a capillary (without slip) - shear stress - _w wall shear stress - V_S total volume rate - V_G shear volume rate - V_G slip volume rate - p ₁ pressure in the reservoir channel of the capillary rheometer - p ₀ athmospheric pressure - L capillary length - R capillary radius     

A new method for measuring the complex shear modulus of a viscoelastic material coupled with an elastic material

Summary In the mechanical-dynamic characterization of viscoelastic materials as a function of temperature, considerable difficulties are encountered, due to the change of joint, to the strong variation of the modulus of elasticity and the increase ofQ ^–1.This paper deals with a theoretical and experimental method for the determination of the shear modulusG₂ and of the internal lossQ ₂ ^–1 of a viscoelastic material by measurements at torsional vibration of a composite test-piece. Experimental measurements were carried out on composite test-pieces by gluing of polystyrene and of pinchbeck. The results obtained are in good agreement with the values found by other methods.     

On the viscosity-temperature behavior of polymer melts

Based on the free volume concept and the equation by Doolittle, an empirical equation is offered for the flow activation energy, E ^*, for polymer melts for the range of over 150°C above glass transition temperature, T _g. This E ^* represents the temperature coefficient of viscosity for the Newtonian region which is also equal to the value measured at constant shear stress for non-Newtonian flow. Data show that the E ^* of linear polymers approaches a constant value for a temperature range above T _g+150°C. Data on 17 polymers are correlated. The proposed equation for this region predicts the E ^* of polymer melts from the volume expansion coefficient, _l, above T _g and also from the T _g.Correlations have also been developed between E ^* and _l and between E ^* and T _g by simplifying the equation by use of the Simha-Boyer expression. A polymer having a lower _l or higher T _g generally has a higher E ^*. However, more satisfactory results are obtained by calculating E ^* from both _l and T _g. The E ^* calculated is found to agree with measurements within the experimental precision of about ±1 Kcal/mole.The effects of polymer composition, molecular weight, branching and microstructure on E ^* are also discussed. These factors influence E ^* in the way in which they effect _l and T _g.     

A study of the in situ transverse tensile lamina strength and the classical solution of the opening mode crack in a 0/90/0 laminate

In this paper, the classical solution of the opening mode crack in the 90° layer of 0/90/0 laminates has been determined by means of Fourier transformations and the procedure of Copson for a pair of dual integral equations. The fracture behavior and the in situ transverse strength of the 90° layer have been quantitatively studied in graphite/epoxy laminates, based on the solution obtained above. The results show that the stress intensity factor of this kind of laminates, which is different from that of a single unidirectional 90° layer, decreases with the increase in thicknessb, or modulusE _L orG _LT of the 0° layer and also decreases with the decrease in the thickness of the 90° layer. So the lamination effect manifests itself and thein situ transverse strength of the 90° layer is thereby enchanced. The theoretical calculations agree with the experimental data presented by D.L. Flaggs. Supported by National Natural Science Fundation of China.     

Rheology of polydisperse polymers: relationship between intermolecular interactions and molecular weight distribution

An expression of the relaxation function of linear polydisperse polymers is proposed in terms of intermolecular couplings of reptative chains. The relaxation times of each molecular weight are assumed to be shifted according to a tube renewal mechanism accounting for the diffusion of the surrounding chains. The subsequent shift is applied to the relaxation function of each molecular weight obtained from an analytical expression of the complex compliance J ^*(). Therefore the complex shear modulus G ^*() is derived from the overall relaxation function using the probability density accounting for the molecular weight distribution and four species-dependent parameters: a front factor A for zero-shear viscosity, plateau modulus G _N ⁰ , activation energy E and characteristic temperature T . All the main features of the theology of polydisperse polymers are described by the proposed model.     

Rheological properties of skim milk gels at various temperatures; interrelation between the dynamic moduli and the relaxation modulus

The rheological properties of rennet-induced skim milk gels were determined by two methods, i.e., via stress relaxation and dynamic tests. The stress relaxation modulusG _c (t) was calculated from the dynamic moduliG andG by using a simple approximation formula and by means of a more complex procedure, via calculation of the relaxation spectrum. Either calculation method gave the same results forG _c (t). The magnitude of the relaxation modulus obtained from the stress relaxation experiments was 10% to 20% lower than that calculated from the dynamic tests.Rennet-induced skim milk gels did not show an equilibrium modulus. An increase in temperature in the range from 20° to 35 °C resulted in lower moduli at a given time scale and faster relaxation. Dynamic measurements were also performed on acid-induced skim milk gels at various temperatures andG _c (t) was calculated. The moduli of the acid-induced gels were higher than those of the rennet-induced gels and a kind of permanent network seemed to exist, also at higher temperatures. G storage shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G loss shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G _c calculated storage shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G _c calculated loss shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G _e equilibrium shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G _ec calculated equilibrium shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G(t) relaxation shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G _c (t) calculated relaxation shear modulus,N·m^–2; - G ^*(t) pseudo relaxation shear modulus,N·m^–2; - H relaxation spectrum,N·m^–2; - t time,s; - relaxation time,s; - angular frequency, rad·s^–1. Partly presented at the Conference on Rheology of Food, Pharmaceutical and Biological Materials, Warwick, UK, September 13–15, 1989 [33].     

Driven torsion pendulum for measuring the complex shear modulus in a steady shear flow

To investigate the viscoelastic behavior of fluid dispersions under steady shear flow conditions, an apparatus for parallel superimposed oscillations has been constructed which consists of a rotating cup containing the liquid under investigation in which a torsional pendulum is immersed. By measuring the resonance frequency and bandwidth of the resonator in both liquid and in air, the frequency and steady-shear-rate-dependent complex shear modulus can be obtained. By exchange of the resonator lumps it is possible to use the instrument at four different frequencies: 85, 284, 740, and 2440 Hz while the steady shear rate can be varied from 1 to 55 s^–1. After treatment of the theoretical background, design, and measuring procedure, the calibration with a number of Newtonian liquids is described and the accuracy of the instrument is discussed.Notation a radius of the lump - A geometrical constant - b inner radius of the sample holder - c constant - C ₁, C ₂ apparatus constants - D damping of the pendulum - e _x , e _y , e _z Cartesian basis - e _r , e , e _z orthonormal cylindrical basis - E geometrical constant - E _t , ⁰ E _t , _t relative strain tensor - f function of shear rate - F _t relative deformation tensor - G (t) memory function - G ^* complex shear modulus - G Re(G ^* ) - G Im(G ^* ) - h distance between plates - H ^* transfer function - , functional - i imaginary unit: i ²= – 1 - I moment of inertia - J _exc excitation current - J ₀ amplitude of J _exc - k ^* = k – ik complex wave number - K torsional constant - K fourth order tensor - l length of the lump - L mutual inductance - M _dr driving torque - M _liq torque exerted by the liquid - ⁰ M _liq, _liq steady state and dynamic part of Mliq - n power of the shear rate - p isotropic pressure - Q quality factor - r radial position - R,R ₀, R _c Re(Z ^*, Z ₀ ^* , Z _c ^* ) - s time - t, t time - T temperature - T, ⁰ T, stress tensor - u velocity - U lock-in output - ₀ velocity - V _det detector output voltage - V _sig, V _cr signal and cross-talk part of V _det - x Cartesian coordinate - X , X ₀, X _c Im(Z ^*, Z ₀ ^* , Z _c ^* ) - y Cartesian coordinate - z Cartesian coordinate, axial position     

Vortex shedding in cylinder flow of shear-thinning fluids: I. Identification and demarcation of flow regimes

An experimental study on the flow of non-Newtonian fluids around a cylinder was undertaken to identify and delimit the various shedding flow regimes as a function of adequate non-dimensional numbers. The measurements of vortex shedding frequency and formation length (l_f) were carried out by laser-Doppler anemometry in Newtonian fluids and in aqueous polymer solutions of CMC and tylose. These were shear thinning and elastic at weight concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.6%. The 10 and 20 mm diameter cylinders (D) used in the experiments had aspect ratios of 12 and 6 and blockage ratios of 5 and 10%, respectively. The Reynolds number (Re^*) was based on a characteristic shear rate of U_∞/(2D) and ranged from 50 to 9×10³ thus encompassing the laminar shedding, the transition and shear-layer transition regimes. Increasing fluid elasticity reduced the various critical Reynolds numbers (Re_etr^*, Re_lf^*, Re_bbp^*) and narrowed the extent of the transition regime. For the 0.6% tylose solution the transition regime was even suppressed. On the other end, pseudoplasticity was found to be indirectly responsible for the observed reduction in Re_otr^*: it increases the Strouhal number which in turn increases the vortex filaments, precursors of the transition regime. Elasticity was better quantified by the elasticity number Re′/We than by the Weissenberg number. This elasticity number involves the calculation of the viscosity at a high characteristic shear rate, typical of the boundary layer, rather than at the average value (U_∞/(2D)) used for the Reynolds number, Re^*.     

On physical criteria for the selection of wood for soundboards of musical instruments

In order to develop criteria for the physical evaluation of wood for soundboards of musical instruments, measurements were made of dynamic Young's modulusE, static Young's modulusE, internal frictionQ ^–1 in longitudinal direction, and specific gravity for numerous species of broad-leaved wood. From the results obtained, including those of our previous paper on coniferous wood [1], it was found that the suitability of wood for soundboards could be evaluated by the quantity ofQ ^–1/(E/), and that there were very high correlations betweenQ ^–1/(E/) andE/, and betweenE andE, regardless of wood species. Consequently, it becomes possible to select practically any wood suitable for soundboards by using the value ofE/, which can be measured easily, and it was derived that the relation betweenE/ andQ ^–1 of wood could be expressed by an exponential equation regardless of wood species.     

Determination of in-plane and out-of-plane shear moduli of composite materials

A general closed-form relationship was derived between torque and angle of twist for a prismatic composite specimen in terms of the geometric parameters and shear properties of the laminae. In the case of unidirectional laminates, relations are expressed in terms of three principal shear moduli, G₁₂, G₂₃ and G₁₃. An experimental method was developed for determining these moduli by measuring surface and edge strains with strain gages. Unidirectional coupons of graphite/epoxy and silicon carbide/glass ceramic were tested in torsion and the three shear moduli were determined in each case.     

Relation between extrudate swelling of polypropylene and molecular weight

Six samples of polypropylene produced by Montepolimeri were carefully characterized in dilute solution and studied, with a capillary extrusion rheometer, in large ranges of shear and temperature. The extrudate swelling behaviour is found to be regular as far as its shear stress and temperature dependence is concerned, but the influence of molecular weight is abnormal. With increasing molecular weight the amount of elastic recovery (as measured by the extrudate swell) decreases markedly and the shear modulusG (obtained from the data by making use of simplifying assumptions) appears to be an increasing function ofM _w at all the shear stress investigated. No similar results appear to be reported in the literature.Presented in part at the VIIIth Intern. Congress on Rheology, Naples, September 1–5, 1980.     

The effect of instrument compliance on dynamic rheological measurements

The effect of instrument compliance on ERD and forced oscillation experiments is examined. A relationship for the determination of correct experimental conditions in ERD measurements is presented. It is concluded that the applicability of shear compliance corrections is doubtful whenever their magnitude is over 50% of the measured quantity and |G ^*| > 5 × 10⁵ Pa. Compressive compliance is found to have a negligible effect in all practical cases. Torsional compliance can be important in oscillatory experiments when sample torsional stiffness is high relative to instrument stiffness. Numerical values for Rheometrics equipment are used throughout the discussion.     

Resonant-Based Identification of the Poisson’s Ratio of Orthotropic Materials

The resonant-based identification of the in-plane elastic properties of orthotropic materials implies the estimation of four principal elastic parameters: E ₁ , E ₂ , G ₁₂ , and ν ₁₂ . The two elastic moduli and the shear modulus can easily be derived from the resonant frequencies of the flexural and torsional vibration modes, respectively. The identification of the Poisson’s ratio, however, is much more challenging, since most frequencies are not sufficiently sensitive to it. The present work addresses this problem by determining the test specimen specifications that create the optimal conditions for the identification of the Poisson’s ratio. Two methods are suggested for the determination of the Poisson’s ratio of orthotropic materials: the first employs the resonant frequencies of a plate-shaped specimen, while the second uses the resonant frequencies of a set of beam-shaped specimens. Both methods are experimentally validated using a stainless steel sheet.     

Numerical prediction of the formation of Goertler vortices on a concave surface with suction and blowing

This paper presents a numerical prediction of the formation of Goertler vortices on a concave surface with suction and blowing. Suction stabilizes the boundary layer flow on the surface, whereas blowing destabilizes the flow. The criterion on the position marking the onset of Goertler vortices is defined in the present paper. For facilitating the numerical study, the computation is carried out in the transformed x–η plane. The results show that the onset position characterized by the Goertler number depends on the local suction/blowing parameter, the Prandtl number and the wavenumber. The value of the critical Goertler number increases with the increase in suction, while the value of the Goertler number decreases with the increase in blowing. Both the experimental and the numerical data can be correlated by G_θ*=10.2(a′θ)*^3/2 without suction and blowing and by a simple relation G*_x=(G*_x)_γ=0 e^−γ with suction and blowing. The obtained critical Goertler number and wavenumber are in good agreement with the previous experimental data. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A complete mechanical-property characterization of a single composite specimen

For a unidirectional lamina, the in-plane mechanical properties of interest areE ₁₁,E ₂₂, ν₁₂, ν₁₂ andG ₁₂. Only three of the first four listed are independent. The fourth may be calculated from the reciprocal relationshipE ₁₁ ν₂₁ =E ₂₂ ν₁₂, which results from stiffness-tensor symmetry. Measurement of any four of the five properties listed will completely characterize the in-plane mechanical properties. A longitudinal uniaxial tension test was used to evaluate longitudinal modulus and Poisson's ratio. A modified rail-shear apparatus was designed to measure shear modulus in a rail-shear orientation, as well as a totally constrained transverse modulus in a uniaxial tension test with an orientation transverse to the longest dimension of the specimen. A flexure test was also used to estimate transverse moduli, since the achievement of the totally constrained transverse-modulus measurement was impaired by the variability of load distribution and constraint across the breadth (10-in. length) of the specimen. An apparatus was designed that applied a line loading to the specimen, simply supported on two opposite sides, with the two remaining sides free. The feasibility of this technique was documented by comparing measured values of the transverse modulus and out-of-plane displacement for a [0°]₄ specimen to values obtained from the Levy solution for bending of an orthotropic plate.     

On Anisotropic Elastic Materials for which Young''s Modulus E ( n ) is Independent of n or the Shear Modulus G ( n , m ) is Independent of n and m

It is shown that, among anisotropic elastic materials, only certain orthotropic and hexagonal materials can have Young modulus E(n) independent of the direction n or the shear modulus G(n,m) independent of n and m. Thus the direction surface for E(n) can be a sphere for certain orthotropic and hexagonal materials. The structure of the elastic compliance for these materials is presented, and condition for identifying if the material is orthotropic or hexagonal is given. We also study the case in which n of E(n) and n, m of G(n,m) are restricted to a plane. When E(n) is a constant on a plane so are G(n,m) and Poisson's ratio ν(n,m). The converse, however, does not necessarily hold. A plane on which E(n) is a constant can exist for all anisotropic elastic materials. In particular, existence of such a plane is assured for trigonal, hexagonal and cubic materials. In fact there are four such planes for a cubic material. For these materials, not only E(n) is a constant, two other Young's moduli, the three shear moduli and the six Poisson's ratio on the plane are also constant.     

The accuracy of some formulae for the interconversion of creep and stress-relaxation data

The accuracy of the approximation formulaeJ (t) ~ 1/G (t) andd lnJ (t)/d lnt ~ —d lnG (t)/d lnt, which interconnect stress-relaxation modulusG (t) and creep complianceJ (t) and their double logarithmic rates are investigated. For glassy polymers, the errors in the first formula are less than 1–2%, and in the second, they are generally in the order of a few percent, too. Similar estimates can also be found for the real parts of the analogous complex functionsJ ^* () andG ^* ().     

Precursor vacuum-ultraviolet radiation ahead of strong shock waves in a shock tube

The profile and excitation mechanism of vacuum-ultraviolet radiation emitted from shock wave is investigated in a shock tube. For shock wave in argon, the rdiation is due to resonant transition excited by argon-argon collision in the shock front with excitation cross section coefficientS ^*=1.0×10⁻¹⁷ cm²·ev⁻¹ and activation energyE ^*=11.4 ev. For shock wave in air the radition is emitted from a very thin shock layer in which the mechanism ofX ¹∑→b ¹∑ of N₂ is excited with excitation cross sectionQ=2×10⁻¹⁶cm² and activation energyE ^*=12.1 ev. Institute of Mechanics, Academia Sinica     

Hydromagnetic free convection flow with induced magnetic field effects

An exact solution is presented for the hydromagnetic natural convection boundary layer flow past an infinite vertical flat plate under the influence of a transverse magnetic field with magnetic induction effects included. The transformed ordinary differential equations are solved exactly, under physically appropriate boundary conditions. Closed-form expressions are obtained for the non-dimensional velocity (u), non-dimensional induced magnetic field component (B _x ) and wall frictional shearing stress i.e. skin friction function (τ _x ) as functions of dimensionless transverse coordinate (η), Grashof free convection number (G _r ) and the Hartmann number (M). The bulk temperature in the boundary layer (Θ) is also evaluated and shown to be purely a function of M. The Rayleigh flow distribution (R) is derived and found to be a function of both Hartmann number (M) and the buoyant diffusivity parameter (ϑ ^*). The influence of Grashof number on velocity, induced magnetic field and wall shear stress profiles is computed. The response of Rayleigh flow distribution to Grashof numbers ranging from 2 to 200 is also discussed as is the influence of Hartmann number on the bulk temperature. Rayleigh flow is demonstrated to become stable with respect to the width of the boundary layer region and intensifies with greater magnetic field i.e. larger Hartman number M, for constant buoyant diffusivity parameter ϑ ^*. The induced magnetic field (B _x ), is elevated in the vicinity of the plate surface with a rise in free convection (buoyancy) parameter G _r , but is reduced over the central zone of the boundary layer regime. Applications of the study include laminar magneto-aerodynamics, materials processing and MHD propulsion thermo-fluid dynamics.