Using developed creep constitutive model for optimum design of HDPE pipes

Unlike metal pipes, high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are not susceptible to erosion and corrosion. However, the most important mechanical feature of the HDPE pipes is that this material creeps even at room temperature. Therefore, it is essential to study the creep behavior of this material in order to develop a model. In this paper, creep behavior of HDPE at different temperature and stress levels has been experimentally studied to obtain the creep constitutive parameters of the material. These parameters are used to predict the creep behavior of different structures such as HDPE pipes. For this purpose, a number of specimens have been machined from industrial manufactured pipe walls. Uniaxial creep tests have been carried out and creep strain curves with time for each test were recorded. Then, a constitutive model is proposed for HDPE based on the experimental data and optimization methods. The results of this model have been compared with the test data and good agreement is observed. The developed constitutive model and reference stress method (RSM) were used to produce graphs which provide optimum creep lifetime and design conditions for HDPE pipes that are subjected to combined internal pressure and rotation. These graphs can facilitate the design process of HDPE pipes.     

Strain fields in adhesively bonded patch repairs of damaged Metallic beams

Most engineering structures will need repairs during their lifetime. Traditional repairs of welding and bolting can be intrusive, causing expensive stops of operation due to fire hazards etc. A promising alternative repair method is “composite patch repairs”. This paper reports an investigation of the structural behavior of patches, which needs to be well understood if the repairs can be used in critical applications.The repair of notched metal I-beams was tested in a four-point bend test. Patches can be well designed by focusing on the interaction between the adhesive joint behavior and the notch tip in the metal. Identifying the onset of nonlinear behavior in the adhesive joint is important to characterize damage development and the limits of use. The onset of nonlinear behavior could be identified by changes in the strain field in the patch close to the adhesive measured experimentally with distributed fiber-optic sensing and analyzed by FE-analysis.     

Alternative accelerated and short-term methods for evaluating slow crack growth in polyethylene resins with high crack resistance

The current market has widely adopted the new polyethylene pipe grade PE 100 RC (resistant to cracks) for pipe applications. However, the main drawback of this material is the long test period (∼10,000 h) required for ranking the resins. This paper proposes a modified Pennsylvania edge-notch tensile (PENT) test with higher load and temperature conditions (2.8 MPa and 90 °C). With the modified PENT test, failure time is six times shorter but slow crack growth is maintained. Additionally, it evaluates and finds an unexpected relationship between the strain hardening modulus and specimen thickness. These results suggest that the 0.30-mm thickness recommended by ISO 18488 is not optimal. Therefore, thicker specimens are proposed for accurate strain hardening modulus determination. Both methods are viable alternatives for evaluating the failure resistance of the new polyethylene pipe grades.     

Developing a thermomechanical and thermochemical model for investigating the cooling rate effects on the distortion of unsymmetrical viscoelastic polymeric composite laminates

An experimental and semi-analytical study of distortion of asymmetric composite laminates with different cooling rates and lay-ups has been presented. In this study, thermomechanical constitutive equations of thin composite laminates are developed using basic viscoelastic constitutive law considering chemical and thermal effects with time-temperature dependent material properties. To solve a fully scouple problem, both the thermochemical and thermomechanical constitutive equations are formulated. The general heat conduction equation known as the Fourier-Biot equation, viscoelastic laws, Boltzmann superposition principle and composite equations are utilized to formulate thin composite laminates. A static model with constant properties in ambient temperature and a transient model by obtaining constitutive equations are simulated. Results are compared with experimental data. Changing lay-up from cross-ply to angle-ply and then quasi isotropic will increase the value of maximum distortion. Results indicated that the increasing cooling rate will increase the value of the maximum distortion. The differences between FEM results with static analysis of different lay-ups and experimental specimens that cooled in the oven, environment and refrigerator is about 3%, 35% and 55% respectively. The differences between FEM simulation with transient analysis of different lay-ups and experimental specimens that cooled in the environment and the refrigerator is less than 9%.     

国内外PVB材性研究

主要介绍了国内外研究PVB(聚乙烯醇缩丁醛)材性的现状。国内外研究表明,PVB是应变率及温度敏感材料。应变率增加,弹性模量变大;温度升高,弹性模量和剪切模量均下降。同时,国内外进行了少量的实验,研究PVB的本构模型。总结发现,PVB的本构模型可描述为线弹性、弹塑性、线性粘弹性和非线性粘弹性四种,但本质上PVB是非线性粘弹性材料,不同的环境条件与计算要求可选择不同的本构模型。目前,国内外学者比较认可的是用超弹性考虑其非线性,用Maxwell模型考虑其粘弹性。     

Two new criteria for the service life prediction of plastics pipes

In this contribution, two new criteria and related methodologies for the prediction of the long-term (creep rupture) behavior of single layer and multilayer plastics pipes under hydrostatic pressure are presented. One of these is the ultimate strain extrapolation method (USEM) and the other is called the distortion energy extrapolation method (DEEM). The strain concept is based on the use of the failure strain criteria instead of the normally employed stress concept. A related long-term extrapolation methodology is presented that employs the ultimate strain instead of the rupture stress. The strain energy concept is based on the use of the distortion energy corresponding to the failure stress. For both of these two criteria, related extrapolation methodologies are introduced. An example is presented that compares the classical standard extrapolation method (SEM) with the ultimate strain and the energy methods. For correlation of various models, an example of a PVC-U pipe under internal hydrostatic pressure at T=20 °C was studied. The three models employed were the stress-based, the strain-based, and the energy-based regression analyses. Direct regression analysis was performed for all three failure criteria. However, for comparison, the modified version of the SEM was also used. In all cases, a complete match between the independent model and the modified SEM analysis was obtained. A backward calculation of failure stress from the long-term failure distortion energy gave a 50-year failure stress equal to 18.59 MPa. This value was lower than the stress-based extrapolation (25.37 MPa) and higher than the strain-based extrapolation. The proposed USEM is suitable for materials which fail due to the ultimate strain state and not necessarily due to the maximum stresses. Thus, the proposed strain extrapolation criteria may prove to be especially suitable for brittle and fiber reinforced materials. The strain-based extrapolation can be used in connection with rupture data in internal hydrostatic tests or creep rupture of pipe samples under other loading conditions. The DEEM, on the other hand, is believed to be applicable to a broad range of material types. The proposed methodologies can be used as a new guideline for prediction of the service life of single layer brittle thermoplastics pipes, glass fiber reinforced laminate pipes, and multilayer plastics pipes with fiber reinforced layers.     

Characterization of the compressive deformation behavior with strain rate effect of low-density polymeric foams

This study investigates the compressive deformation behavior of a low-density polymeric foam at different strain rates. The material tested has micron-sized pores with a closed cell structure. The porosity is about 94%. During a uni-axial compressive test, the macroscopic stress–strain curve indicates a plateau region during plastic deformation. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation was carried out, in which the yield criterion considered both components of Mises stress and hydrostatic stress. By using the present FEM and experimental data, we established a computational model for the plastic deformation behavior of porous material. To verify our model, several indentation experiments with different indenters (spherical indentation and wedge indentation) were carried out to generate various tri-axial stress states. From the series of experiments and computations, we observed good agreement between the experimental data and that generated by the computational model. In addition, the strain rate effect is examined for a more reliable prediction of plastic deformation. Therefore, the present computational model can predict the plastic deformation behavior (including time-dependent properties) of porous material subjected to uni-axial compression and indentation loadings.     

Fracture mechanics analysis of arc shaped specimens for pipe grade polymers

Instrumented three-point bend impact fracture tests are widely used to evaluate pipe grade polymers. Often specimens cut from small-diameter pipe are used, and these are necessarily arc-shaped. Because the orientation and thermal history may differ between extruded pipe and compression moulded plaque material, this additional difference in geometry must be properly accounted for, or it may mask any effects on material properties. This paper modifies a previously published solution for the geometry-dependent energy correction factor for arc-shaped specimens, and extends it to a wider range of standard pipe geometries. When the results are properly corrected, the effects of processing on a commercial PE100 appear to be minor.     

A novel dynamic constitutive micromechanical model to predict the strain rate dependent mechanical behavior of glass/epoxy laminated composites

In the present research, a novel dynamic constitutive micromechanical (DCM) model was developed to predict the strain rate dependent mechanical behavior of laminated glass/epoxy composites. The present model is an integration of the generalized strain rate dependent constitutive model as a constitutive model for the neat polymer, the plasticity model of Huang as a micromechanical model, and dynamic progressive failure criteria. This model is able to predict the longitudinal and transverse tensile and in-plane shear behaviors of unidirectional glass/epoxy composites with arbitrary fiber volume fractions at arbitrary strain rates. The present model can also predict the stress-strain behavior of laminated composites with different layups and fiber volume fractions at arbitrary strain rates. A comparison between the results predicted by the present model and the available experimental data showed that the model predicts the strain rate dependent mechanical behavior of glass/epoxy composites with very good accuracy.     

Dynamic property and constitutive model of polyvinyl butaral material at high strain rates

The polyvinyl butaral (PVB) interlayer of automotive windshield plays an important role in the protection of both pedestrian and passenger, the mechanical property of PVB material should be in‐depth studied. In this article, the systematical uniaxial tensile experiments of PVB material under high strain rates are conducted, the strain rates range from 125.6 to 3768 s^?1. The results of experiments show that there exists a phenomenon of stress spurt caused by the stress hardening in the final stage of tension, and the strain rate exerts great influence on mechanical property of PVB material. Further, the data fitting basing on Mooney–Rivlin model is carried out, it is found that the fitting results are consistent with the experiment data, which means that the Mooney–Rivlin constitution model can describe the large deformation behavior of PVB material. At last, the rate‐dependent mechanical behavior of the PVB material is further investigated in this article. On the basis of the experiment results and Johnson–Cook model, a rate‐dependent constitutive model is proposed to describe the tensile mechanical property of PVB material under high strain rates. This work will be beneficial to the simulation and analysis of automotive collision safety and pedestrian safety protection, which are related to damage of automotive windshield. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visualisation de l'écoulement discontinu gaz-solide dans un changement de direction

With the use of 25 images per s camera, the process of solid plugs of a gas-solid plug flow in a pipe bend with constant curvature (R_b/D=0) can be highlighted. This process can be seen on frame sequences 1, 2, 3 and 4. This study is realised in horizontal-vertical pipes, for solid-gas mass flow rates (q=q_s/q_g) equal to 12.7 and 17.9. The visualisations show that the flow deceleration and propulsion stages of the solid plug are not correlated because at the end of the deceleration stage, the plug velocity is zero. This work has allowed us to validate the different hypotheses necessary for the stress model between solid plug and the outer face of a pipe bend.     

On the large strain deformation behavior of silicone-based elastomers for biomedical applications

The results of a comprehensive mechanical analysis of five silicone-based elastomers are presented. Large strain monotonic tests were performed under uniaxial, strip biaxial and equi-biaxial stress states. Based on the multiaxial experimental data, hyperelastic constitutive models were determined for each material. The small strain elastic modulus ranges from 49 kPa to 1.5 MPa, and the materials show different degrees of non-linearity of their stress-strain response. Data on the time and history dependence allow determining the deviation from the behavior predicted using a non-dissipative hyperelastic constitutive model. Next to representing a guideline for a comprehensive characterization of highly deformable materials, the present results provide data which can be used for the selection of an appropriate material, depending on the specific application. The corresponding models can be used to simulate the performance of each elastomer in applications involving large strains and multiaxial loading states.     

单向应力条件下松弛时间率相关的非线性粘弹性本构模型

基于单向拉伸实验研究和内变量理论 ,提出了一种新的简单的一维非线性粘弹性本构关系 .对两种粘弹性材料 ,即高密度聚乙烯和聚丙烯进行了不同加载速率作用下的拉伸实验研究 ,实验结果表明 ,两种材料的应力应变关系与加载速率相关 ;对材料的应力应变实验数据进行拟合发现 ,材料的松弛时间具有很强的应变率相关性 ,当应变率发生数量级变化时 ,材料的松弛时间也发生数量级的变化 .采用内变量理论 ,导出了在单轴应力条件下松弛时间率相关的非线性粘弹性本构关系的迭代形式 ,并给出其收敛条件 .当采取一次迭代形式时 ,本构关系退化为松弛时间率相关的Maxwell模型 .数值拟合的结果表明 ,一次迭代形式的本构关系就可以很好地拟合和预测实验结果 .     

An experimental investigation of fracture by cavitation of model elastomeric networks

A new methodology to investigate the failure of elastomers in a confined geometry has been developed and applied to model end-linked polyurethane elastomers. The experimental in situ observations show that the elastomers fail by the growth of a single cavity nucleated in the region of maximum hydrostatic stress. Tests carried out at different temperatures for the same elastomer show that the critical stress at which this crack grows is not proportional to the Young's modulus E but depends mainly on the ratio between the mode I fracture energy G_IC and E. A reasonable fit of the data can be obtained with a model of cavity expansion by irreversible fracture calculating the energy release rate by finite elements with a strain hardening constitutive equation. Comparison between different elastomers shows that the material containing both entanglements and crosslinks is both tougher in mode I and more resistant to cavitation relative to its elastic modulus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48:1409–1422, 2010     

Material and structural behaviour of PMMA from low temperatures to over the glass transition: Quasi-static and dynamic loading

This work aims at characterizing the mechanical behaviour of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) under high velocity impact conditions over a wide range of testing temperatures. To this end, the mechanical response at uniaxial compression is studied for both quasi-static and dynamic conditions covering testing temperatures below, at and above glass transition. A pseudo-brittle to ductile transition in the failure of PMMA is observed at a threshold that depends on testing temperature and strain rate. This analysis allows for the interpretation of the perforation impact tests and to explain the principal deformation and failure mechanisms. To complete the study, the Richeton model to predict yielding is revisited. Finally, we provide a new constitutive model for finite deformations to further identify the deformation mechanisms governing the mechanical behaviour of PMMA and the influence of temperature and strain rate on them.     

Mechanism for hydrogen evolution reaction on pipeline steel in near-neutral pH solution

Cyclic voltammetry, hydrogen permeation tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were combined to study the mechanism for hydrogen evolution reaction on X-70 pipe steel in near-neutral pH solution. It is found that hydrogen evolution reaction is dominated by the reduction of water molecules, followed by either an electrochemical hydrogen recombination reaction or a hydrogen absorption reaction. The near-neutral pH environment is capable of generating catalytic surface effect on hydrogen evolution on the pipe steel. The increasing dissolution of the cathodically pre-polarized steel could be due to the enhanced activation of the steel, rather than the increasing amount of hydrogen atoms in the steel. These results provide mechanistic information to understand the near-neutral pH stress corrosion cracking of pipelines.     

Strain rate sensitive compressive response of gelatine: Experimental and constitutive analysis

Gelatine is widely used as a soft tissue simulant in physical surrogates for the human body. Historically, gelatine has been used to evaluate penetrating impacts and, more recently, to evaluate blunt impact and blast loading effects on soft tissue. There is a need for material characterisation data across a wide range of strain rates, and appropriate constitutive relationships that can be used in models, particularly finite element models, to accurately predict the response of gelatine under various loading conditions. In this study, dynamic experiments were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar and quasi-static tests performed on gelatine to investigate its compressive stress-strain response at both quasi-static and dynamic rates of deformation. The experimental results show that gelatine exhibits rate-sensitive and nonlinear behaviour. The Zhu-Wang-Tang constitutive model can adequately describe the rate-sensitive compressive behaviour of gelatine as good agreement was found between experimental results and model prediction.     

Numerical simulation of three‐dimensional polymer extrusion flow with differential viscoelastic model

The numerical simulation of viscoelastic flow problems is nowadays an effective way of investigating the complex flow mechanism related to practical engineering problems, such as plastic injection, blow molding and extrusion. The mathematical model of a three‐dimensional (3D) viscoelastic flow in a typical contraction die for polymer extrusion is established and a stable solving method is investigated. The penalty finite element method (FEM) is performed to simulate the viscoelastic melts flow in the channel with a differential constitutive model. The discrete elastic‐viscous split stress (DEVSS) formulation and the streamline‐upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) technology are employed to improve the computation stability. Both the implementation of the numerical scheme and its application in the practical process analysis are investigated. The effects of various calculation control parameters and different material parameters upon the numerical results are discussed. The 3D flow patterns in the extrusion die with different contraction angles are further investigated based on the above discussions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the use of edge cracked short bend beam specimen for PMMA fracture toughness testing under mixed-mode I/II

In this paper an inclined edge cracked short beam specimen subjected to symmetric three-point bend loading was designed and examined for conducting mixed-mode I/II fracture toughness experiments. The aspect ratio (i.e. length to width ratio) and the loading span distance are considered much lower than the other conventional cracked bend beam samples. Crack tip parameters such as stress intensity factors and T-stress were computed numerically for this specimen by several finite element analyses and it was demonstrated that the specimen is able to produce full combinations of mode I and II including pure mode II. The practical capability of the short bend beam specimen was studied experimentally by conducting a set of mixed-mode fracture tests on PolymethylMethacrylate (PMMA) as a well-known model brittle material. The critical stress intensity factors, the direction of fracture kinking and the path of fracture trajectory were investigated both experimentally and theoretically using two stress and strain-based fracture criteria. The fracture toughness of tested PMMA was decreased by moving towards mode II case due to the effect of T-stress on the fracture mechanism of the short bend beam specimen.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of aramid fibre reinforced laminates subjected to low velocity impact

The low velocity impact performance of domestic aramid fibre reinforced laminates is investigated experimentally and numerically. Laminates with different thicknesses are impacted by drop-weight test machine under different impact energies. The time histories of impact force are recorded and ultrasonic C-scan technology is used to inspect the internal damage of the laminates. Numerical simulation is conducted using finite element method (FEM), taking into account both intralaminar and interlaminar damage. The intralaminar damage model is based on the continuum damage mechanics (CDM) approach, which consists of the strain-based Hashin failure criteria and the exponential damage evolution law, and considers the nonlinear shear behaviour of the material. The interlaminar damage is simulated by interface elements with cohesive zone model. The numerical results show good agreements with the experiments, thus verifying the validity of the presented numerical model.