Reliability assessment of a bi-material notch: Strain energy density factor approach

Joints of different materials have many applications in structural engineering and microelectronics. In the present contribution the joint is modelled as a bi-material notch. The singular stress field near the notch tip is investigated. Depending on the notch geometry and materials, the stress field can have one or two singularities. It is shown that to study the problem of a crack onset at the notch, both terms have to be taken into account. Criteria for the direction and for crack nucleation are formulated. The approach utilizes the knowledge of the strain energy density factor distribution in a bi-material notch vicinity.     

A constitutive model for the in-plane mechanical behavior of nonwoven fabrics

A constitutive model is presented for the in-plane mechanical behavior of nonwoven fabrics. The model is developed within the context of the finite element method and provides the constitutive response for a mesodomain of the fabric corresponding to the area associated to a finite element. The model is built upon the ensemble of three blocks, namely fabric, fibers and damage. The continuum tensorial formulation of the fabric response rigorously takes into account the effect of fiber rotation for large strains and includes the nonlinear fiber behavior. In addition, the various damage mechanisms experimentally observed (bond and fiber fracture, interfiber friction and fiber pull-out) are included in a phenomenological way and the random nature of these materials is also taken into account by means of a Monte Carlo lottery to determine the damage thresholds. The model results are validated with recent experimental results on the tensile response of smooth and notched specimens of a polypropylene nonwoven fabric.     

Numerical analysis of progressive damage in nonwoven fibrous networks under tension

Understanding a mechanical behaviour of polymer-based nonwoven materials that include large-strain deformation and damage can help to evaluate a response of nonwoven fibrous networks to various loading conditions. Here, a nonwoven felt made by thermal bonding of polypropylene fibres was used as a model system. Its deformation and damage behaviour was analysed by means of experimental assessment of damage evolution based on single-fibre failure and finite-element simulations. Tensile tests of nonwoven fabrics were carried out to characterise their damage behaviour under in-plane mechanical loading. It was found that progressive failure of fibres led to localization of damage initiation and propagation, ultimately resulting in failure of the nonwoven felt. To obtain the criteria that control the onset and propagation of damage in these materials, tensile tests on single fibres, extracted from the felt with bond points attached to their ends, were performed. A finite-element model was developed to study damage initiation and propagation in nonwovens. In the model, structural randomness of a nonwoven fibrous network was implemented by means of direct introduction of fibres according to the orientation distribution function. The evolution of damage in the network was controlled by a single-fibre failure criterion obtained experimentally. The proposed numerical model not only captured the macroscopic response of the felt successfully but also reproduced the underlying mechanisms involved in deformation and damage of nonwovens.     

试样疲劳性能尺度效应的概率控制体积方法

试样尺度、缺口和加载方式通常对材料的疲劳性能具有重要影响. 因此,发展关联试样尺度、缺口和加载方式对疲劳强度影响的方法对于从材料疲劳性能到结构件疲劳性能的预测具有重要意义.首先,采用旋转弯曲加载和轴向加载方式对不同几何形状EA4T车轴钢试样进行了疲劳实验.实验结果表明, 由于试样尺度的增加,轴向加载下狗骨形试样的疲劳强度明显低于沙漏形试样; 相同寿命下,缺口显著降低试样的疲劳强度. 疲劳断口扫描电镜观测结果表明,疲劳裂纹均起源于试样表面.沙漏形试样和狗骨形试样疲劳断口大多只有一个裂纹源,而缺口试样疲劳断口均具有多裂纹源特征. 然后,采用概率控制体积方法研究了试样尺度、缺口和加载方式对疲劳强度的影响,并与临界距离和应变能密度方法进行了比较. 结果表明,概率控制体积方法能够更好地关联试样尺度、缺口和加载方式对EA4T车轴钢疲劳强度的影响.最后, 提出一种基于控制体积的结构件疲劳强度预测方法,并用于具有不连续高应力区域车轴钢试样的疲劳强度预测,预测结果与实验结果 吻合.      

A biaxial stress transducer for fabrics

A transducer^* is developed for measurement of biaxial stresses in fabrics and other flexible sheet materials. The stress transducer responds directly to the far-field stresses by means of strains induced in an elastic inclusion which are monitored by strain gages. Design of the transducer is based on the analytical solution for such inclusions in linear-anisotropic materials, but the concept is applied and tested in nonlinear-orthotropic structural fabrics. Calibration and verification tests are conducted for principal far-field stresses in the yarn directions in vinyl-coated polyester and tefloncoated fiberglass.     

中厚扁壳断裂问题的特征根及特征函数

证明了含任意切口、任意切口边界的多材料中厚扁壳问题的特征根等于相应的平面切口问题和平板弯曲切口问题两部分的特征根组合。进而证明了中厚扁壳切口问题的特征根等于相应反平面切口问题和平面切口问题的组合。中厚扁壳切口问题的特征根及其对应的0级特征函数均可直接按相应的两类基本问题（反平面切口问题和平面切口问题）进行求解。     

Applicability of the crack-face electromagnetic boundary conditions for fracture of magnetoelectroelastic materials

This paper discusses the different electromagnetic boundary conditions on the crack-faces in magnetoelectroelastic materials, which possess coupled piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and magnetoelectric effects. A notch of finite thickness in these materials containing air (or vacuum) is also addressed. Four ideal crack-face electromagnetic boundary condition assumptions, that is, (a) electrically and magnetically impermeable crack, (b) electrically impermeable and magnetically permeable crack, (c) electrically permeable and magnetically impermeable crack and (d) electrically and magnetically permeable crack, are investigated separately. The influence of notch thickness on the field intensity factors at notch tips and the electromagnetic field inside the notch are obtained in closed-form. The results are compared with the ideal crack solutions. Applicability of crack-face electromagnetic boundary condition assumptions is discussed.     

Study of skin model and geometry effects on thermal performance of thermal protective fabrics

Thermal protective clothing has steadily improved over the years as new materials and improved designs have reached the market. A significant method that has brought these improvements to the fire service is the NFPA 1971 standard on structural fire fighters’ protective clothing. However, this testing often neglects the effects of cylindrical geometry on heat transmission in flame resistant fabrics. This paper deals with methods to develop cylindrical geometry testing apparatus incorporating novel skin bioheat transfer model to test flame resistant fabrics used in firefighting. Results show that fabrics which shrink during the test can have reduced thermal protective performance compared with the qualities measured with a planar geometry tester. Results of temperature differences between skin simulant sensors of planar and cylindrical tester are also compared. This test method provides a new technique to accurately and precisely characterize the thermal performance of thermal protective fabrics.     

APPLICABILITY OF THE CRACK FACE ELECTRICAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS IN PIEZOELECTRIC MECHANICS

The electrical boundary conditions on the crack faces and their applicability in piezoelectric materials are discussed. A slit crack and a notch of ?nite thickness in piezoelectric materials subjected to combined mechanical and electrical loads is consi…     

Discussion on electromagnetic crack face boundary conditions for the fracture mechanics of magneto-electro-elastic materials

This paper discusses electromagnetic boundary conditions on crack faces in magneto- electroelastic materials, where piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and magnetoelectric effects are coupled. A notch of finite thickness in these materials is also addressed. Four idealized electromagnetic boundary conditions assumed for the crack-faces are separately investigated, i.e. (a) electrically and magnetically impermeable (crack-face), (b) electrically impermeable and magnetically permeable, (c) electrically permeable and magnetically impermeable, and (d) electrically and magnetically permeable. The influence of the notch thickness on important parameters, such as the field intensity factors, the energy release rate at the notch tips and the electromagnetic fields inside the notch, are studied and the results are obtained in closed-form. Results under different idealized electromagnetic boundary conditions on the crack-face are compared, and the applicability of these idealized assumptions is discussed.The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10102004) The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Shape modeling and strength analysis of parachutes

We generalize a discrete elastic scheme for automated computer-aided analysis of shaping, stress-strain state, and safety factors of structural elements of single-shell parachutes; various canopy layouts and design features of the parachutes are considered. The developed algorithms and programs are based on the sketch diagram of the parachute design, the lumped mass method, and the database of mass, stiffness, and strength characteristics of parachute structural materials. As the design features of parachutes, we consider slots and structural vents in the canopy, irregular reinforcing framework, ribbing, special pockets at the canopy outer edge, non-flat initial configuration of the canopy, the use of inside (including central) lines in addition to the main, outside shroud lines, canopies made from different fabrics that have different strength and air permeability, and others. It is also possible to consider functional and military damage of the parachute structure, which affect its durability. Specific examples are give to demonstrate the capabilities of the automated computational system.     

A new boundary element approach of modeling singular stress fields of plane V-notch problems

In this paper, a new boundary element (BE) approach is proposed to determine the singular stress field in plane V-notch structures. The method is based on an asymptotic expansion of the stresses in a small region around a notch tip and application of the conventional BE in the remaining region of the structure. The evaluation of stress singularities at a notch tip is transformed into an eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations that is solved by the interpolating matrix method in order to obtain singularity orders (degrees) and associated eigen-functions of the V-notch. The combination of the eigen-analysis for the small region and the conventional BE analysis for the remaining part of the structure results in both the singular stress field near the notch tip and the notch stress intensity factors (SIFs).Examples are given for V-notch plates made of isotropic materials. Comparisons and parametric studies on stresses and notch SIFs are carried out for various V-notch plates. The studies show that the new approach is accurate and effective in simulating singular stress fields in V-notch/crack structures.     

Topological evolution in dense granular materials: A complex networks perspective

One of the great challenges in the science of complex materials – materials capable of emergent behavior such as self-organized pattern formation – is deciphering their “inherent” structural design principles as they deform in response to external loads. We have been exploring the efficacy of techniques from complex networks to the study of dense granular materials as a means to: (i) uncover such design principles and (ii) identify suitable metrics that quantify the evolution of structure during deformation. Herein, we characterize the developing network structure and loss of connectivity in a quasistatically deforming granular medium from the perspective of complex networks. Attention is paid to the evolution of the contact and contact force networks at the local or mesoscopic level, i.e., a particle and its immediate neighbors, as well as the macroscopic level. We explore network motifs and other topological properties at these multiple length scales, in an attempt to find that which best correlates with the constitutive properties of nonaffine deformation and dissipation, spatially and with respect to strain. Key processes or rearrangement events that cause loss of connectivity within the material domain, e.g. microbanding and force chain buckling, are investigated. Network statistics of these processes, previously shown to be major sources of energy dissipation and nonaffine deformation, are then tied to corresponding trends observed in the evolving macroscopic network. It is shown that consideration of the unweighted contact network alone is insufficient to tie dissipation to loss of material connectivity.     

Detecting and describing a notch in a pipe using singularities

A hybrid Semi-Analytical Finite Element (SAFE) and standard finite element procedure is adopted to simulate ultrasonically generated waves traveling in an infinitely long steel pipe having an open, rectangular notch. Numerical illustrations indicate that dispersive guided waves can be used to locally detect and characterize such a notch. A frequency oriented approach is preferred because a problematic separation in time is circumvented when incident waves overlap their reflections from the nearby notch. The notch is discerned straightforwardly because distinctive singularities are introduced that differ from those observed at the modal cutoff frequencies in a Frequency Response Function (FRF) of a comparable but undamaged pipe. Its characterization is (suggested) demonstrated for a (non)axisymmetric notch by using several of the smallest differences in the frequencies at which the two set of singularities occur. Consequently an external stimulus that simultaneously excites more than one mode is beneficial.     

垂直于界面V型缺口尖端的应力奇异性及其应用

基于双材料垂直于界面V型缺口理论,给出了单一材料和双材料裂纹问题、V型缺口问题应力强度因子的统一定义,得到了应力外推法计算双材料K_I的公式,数值算例验证了本文方法的有效性.以双材料单向拉伸和三点弯曲模型为对象,深入研究了双材料中弹性模量、泊松比、缺口深度、缺口张角对缺口尖端奇异应力场的影响,获得了一定范围内各种参数变化对缺口尖端奇异应力场的影响规律,为异体材料形成的V型缺口在应力断料中的应用提供了必要的参考依据.     

Particle flow study on strength and meso-mechanism of Brazilian splitting test for jointed rock mass

A discrete element method （DEM） called particle flow code （PFC2D） was used to construct a model for Brazilian disc splitting test in the present study. Based on the experimental results of intact Brazilian disc of rock-like material, a set of micro-parameters in PFC2D that reflected the macro-mechanical behavior of rock-like materials were obtained. And then PFC2D was used to simulate Brazilian splitting test for jointed rock mass specimens and specimen containing a central straight notch. The effect of joint angle and notch angle on the tensile strength and failure mode of jointed rock specimens was detailed analyzed. In order to reveal the meso-mechanical mechanism of crack coalescence, displacement trend lines were applied to analyze the displacement evolution during the crack initiation and propagation. The investigated conclusions can be described as follows. （1） The tensile strength of jointed rock mass disc specimen is dependent to the joint angle. As the joint angle increases, the tensile strength of jointed rock specimen takes on a nonlinear variance. （2） The tensile strength of jointed rock mass disc specimen containing a central straight notch distributes as a function of both joint angle and notch angle. （3） Three major failure modes, i.e., pure tensile failure, shear failure and mixed tension and shear failure mode are observed in jointed rock mass disc specimens under Brazilian test. （4） The notch angle roles on crack initiation and and joint angle play important propagation characteristics of jointed rock mass disc specimen containing a central straight notch under Brazilian test.     

Rectangular tensile sheet with a center notch root crack

This paper deals with the rectangular tensile sheet with a center notch crack. Such a crack problem is called a center notch crack problem for short. By using a hybrid displacement discontinuity method (a boundary element method) proposed recently by Yan, two center notch models are analyzed in detail. By changing the geometrical forms and parameters of the center notch, and by comparing the SIFs of the center notch crack problem with those of the center cracked plate tension specimen (CCT), which is a model frequently used in fracture mechanics, the effect of the geometrical forms and parameters of the center notch on the stress intensity factors (SIFs) of the center cracked plate tension specimen, is revealed. Some geometric characterestic parameters are introduced here, which are used to formulate the notch length and the branch crack length, which are to be determined in mechanical machining of the center cracked plate tension specimen. So we can say that the geometric characterestic parameters and the formulae used to determine the notch length and the branch crack length presented in this paper perhaps have some guidance role for mechanical machining of the center cracked plate tension specimen. In addition, the numerical investigation proves that the conventional angular notched specimen is much less sensitive to the size of notch than is the circular notched specimen.     

分子动力学模拟金属玻璃板拉伸时剪切带的形成和演化过程

金属玻璃在低温高应力条件下容易生成剪切带而导致结构的破坏,大大限制了它的推广应用。本文采用分子动力学模拟研究了三种Cu64Zr36（不带缺口、一侧带缺口、两侧带缺口）金属玻璃板试样在拉伸过程中剪切带的形成和演化过程及其力学性能。结果表明：不带缺口金属玻璃板试样在低温高应力的拉伸过程中会自发出现局部剪切转变区,发生剪切局部化,继续拉伸会在与加载轴大约成45°方向上形成剪切带。剪切带的形成与剪切转变区的分布和局部化有关,带缺口比不带缺口的试样会更早出现应变局部化,即在较低的拉伸应变下便形成剪切带,其拉伸强度也相应较低。相同条件下,一侧带缺口与两侧带缺口的试样在拉伸强度上几乎相同,但两侧带缺口试样的应变局部化程度稍低,主要是两侧缺口处均出现了剪切转变区,导致其分布和局部化不够集中,这也是形成主剪切带和次剪切带的主要原因。以上结果为进一步从原子尺度理解金属玻璃剪切带的形成和演化特征提供了重要的信息。     

分子动力学模拟金属玻璃板拉伸时剪切带的形成和演化过程

金属玻璃在低温高应力条件下容易生成剪切带而导致结构的破坏,大大限制了它的推广应用。本文采用分子动力学模拟研究了三种Cu64Zr36（不带缺口、一侧带缺口、两侧带缺口）金属玻璃板试样在拉伸过程中剪切带的形成和演化过程及其力学性能。结果表明：不带缺口金属玻璃板试样在低温高应力的拉伸过程中会自发出现局部剪切转变区,发生剪切局部化,继续拉伸会在与加载轴大约成45°方向上形成剪切带。剪切带的形成与剪切转变区的分布和局部化有关,带缺口比不带缺口的试样会更早出现应变局部化,即在较低的拉伸应变下便形成剪切带,其拉伸强度也相应较低。相同条件下,一侧带缺口与两侧带缺口的试样在拉伸强度上几乎相同,但两侧带缺口试样的应变局部化程度稍低,主要是两侧缺口处均出现了剪切转变区,导致其分布和局部化不够集中,这也是形成主剪切带和次剪切带的主要原因。以上结果为进一步从原子尺度理解金属玻璃剪切带的形成和演化特征提供了重要的信息。     

Notch strengthening in titanium aluminides under monotonic loading

An important concern for titanium aluminides is their limited ductility and its consequences for TiAl components containing stress concentrators. In recent experiments, evidence of notch strengthening has been found in one TiAl alloy under monotonic loading. The goal of this study is to fully explore this issue through tests on two cast alloys, one with a microstructure consisting of predominantly equiaxed gamma grains and the other having a fully lamellar microstructure. Tests involve monotonic tensile loading of notched specimens at room temperature under conditions of plane stress, where the notch radii are large relative to grain size. For each material, results from the testing of three notched specimen geometries are presented and finite element models are used to interpret the test results. This includes using the numerical models to apply Weibull statistical methods to predict notch strengthening in the specimens. It is shown that notch strengthening is clearly seen in both alloys tested and thus is likely to be a characteristic of TiAl alloys in general; however, strengthening is not as great as would be predicted by Weibull statistical methods as applied to brittle materials.