Limitation on crack speed for a strip-craze model applied to PMMA

A strip-craze model is proposed to study crack propagation in polymers. A nonlinear differential equation is derived to govern the dynamic process of crack propagation. The viscous feature of the material in the craze zone is taken into account by means of an experimentally determined relationship between the craze stress and crack speed. By fitting experimental data of PMMA into the model, some parameters including the strip-craze length are deduced. A non-singular stress is introduced to control the crack propagation with a strip craze at its tip. Variations of the crack length and the crack speed with time are computed and their dependence on the non-singular stress is investigated. For PMMA, three stages of crack propagation are identified in terms of initial non-singular stress σ_ns0. When σ_ns0<60 MPa, the crack speed mm/s and the crack is basically stationary; when 60 <σ_ns0<95 MPa, then mm/s the crack is in slow propagation; when σ_ns0>95 MPa, then mm/s and the crack is in rapid propagation. The proposed model is applicable only in slow crack propagation.     

Collision operator including large-angle scattering for moderately coupled plasma

A new approach has been developed to treat the large-angle as well as the small-angle binary collisions in high temperature and high density plasmas when the test particle distribution function f_α is even function about the test velocity and the relations of the mass and the velocity between the test particles and the field particles are satisfied with m_αm_β (such as electron–ion collision or Lorentz-gas model) and . With the approach, the Boltzmann collision operator is derived to be suitable for the plasma considered as weakly coupled (Coulomb logarithm ) and moderately coupled , i.e., for the electron–ion coupling constant Γ_ei<0.1. The modified collision operator has a direct and practical connection to the Rosenbluth potentials, the new reduced electron–ion collision operator differs from the original Fokker–Planck operator for Coulomb collisions by terms of order . Moreover, some calculations of relaxation rate and transport properties are given for new reduced electron–ion collision operator that shows corrections.     

Explicit conditions for the existence of exceptional body waves and subsonic surface waves in anisotropic elastic solids

It is known that a subsonic surface (Rayleigh) wave exists in an anisotropic elastic half-space x₂  0 if the first transonic state is not of Type 1. If the first transonic state is of Type 1 but the limiting wave is not exceptional, a subsonic surface wave exists. If the first transonic state is of Type 1 and the limiting wave is exceptional, a subsonic surface wave exists when . It is shown that an exceptional body wave is necessarily an exceptional transonic wave, and could be an exceptional limiting wave. Only two wave speeds are possible for an exceptional body wave. We present explicit conditions in terms of the reduced elastic compliances for the existence of an exceptional body wave. If an exceptional body wave exists, conditions are given for identifying whether the transonic state is of Type 1. Hence, through the existence of an exceptional body wave we provide explicit conditions for the existence of a subsonic surface wave with the exception when needs to be computed.     

Collapsed 27 node Lagrangian element for three-dimensional stress intensity computations

Considered are the details of a collapsed 27 node (singular) Lagrangian element for use in three-dimensional stress intensity factor calculations. The element is shown to capture both the singularity near the front as required for linear elastic fracture mechanics and a 1/r singularity under a relaxed constraint for plastic fracture. It is shown that the radial and circumferential strains exhibit the singularity, but that direct strain along the front is zero, thus providing plane strain conditions. Of equal relevance is the quality of mesh at the front. For this we adopt a standard suite of elements comprising a number of singular ‘wedge-shaped' elements around the crack tip in the form of a tube, with the major axis placed along the front. A number of three-dimensional fracture problems are analysed to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the collapsed element, even when used with moderate mesh sizes.     

Regularity criteria for the 3D MHD equations in terms of the pressure

In this paper we consider the regularity criteria for weak solutions to the 3D MHD equations. It is proved that under the condition b being in the Serrin's regularity class, if the pressure p belongs to L^α,γ with or the gradient field of pressure p belongs to L^α,γ with on [0,T], then the solution remains smooth on [0,T].     

A large deformation theory for rate-dependent elastic–plastic materials with combined isotropic and kinematic hardening

We have developed a large deformation viscoplasticity theory with combined isotropic and kinematic hardening based on the dual decompositions F=F^eF^p [Kröner, E., 1960. Allgemeine kontinuumstheorie der versetzungen und eigenspannungen. Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis 4, 273–334] and [Lion, A., 2000. Constitutive modelling in finite thermoviscoplasticity: a physical approach based on nonlinear rheological models. International Journal of Plasticity 16, 469–494]. The elastic distortion F^e contributes to a standard elastic free-energy ψ^(e), while , the energetic part of F^p, contributes to a defect energy ψ^(p) – these two additive contributions to the total free energy in turn lead to the standard Cauchy stress and a back-stress. Since F^e=FF^p-1 and , the evolution of the Cauchy stress and the back-stress in a deformation-driven problem is governed by evolution equations for F^p and – the two flow rules of the theory.We have also developed a simple, stable, semi-implicit time-integration procedure for the constitutive theory for implementation in displacement-based finite element programs. The procedure that we develop is “simple” in the sense that it only involves the solution of one non-linear equation, rather than a system of non-linear equations. We show that our time-integration procedure is stable for relatively large time steps, is first-order accurate, and is objective.     

Multilevel bridged crack model for high-performance concretes

A multilevel bridged crack model is proposed. It reproduces the constitutive flexural response of reinforced concrete members with fibers. Considered are two different reinforcements: the longitudinal bars (primary reinforcement) and the fibers (secondary reinforcement) distributed in the brittle cementitious matrix. The bridging actions exerted by the reinforcements onto the crack faces are assumed to be rigid-perfectly plastic as the primary constituents. Cohesive softening applies to the fibers.From dimensional analysis, the constitutive flexural response is found to depend on three dimensionless parameters. The first , controls the extension of the process zone. The remaining two parameters, referred to as brittleness numbers N_P⁽¹⁾ and N_P⁽²⁾, are related to the reinforcement phases. Specimen size scale is basic to the global structural behaviour. It can range from ductile to brittle as characterized by the two brittleness numbers. They depend on the reinforcement phase of matrix toughness, reinforcement yielding or slippage limit, reinforcement volume fraction and global structural size.     

Multiscale simulation of viscoelastic free surface flows

A micro–macro approach based on combining the Brownian configuration fields (BCF) method [M.A. Hulsen, A.P.G. van Heel, B.H.A.A. van den Brule, Simulation of viscoelastic flow using Brownian configuration fields, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 70 (1997) 79–101] with an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) Galerkin finite element method, using elliptic mesh generation equations coupled with time-dependent conservation equations, is applied to study slot coating flows of polymer solutions. The polymer molecules are represented by dumbbells with both linear and non-linear springs; hydrodynamic interactions between beads are incorporated. Calculations with infinitely extensible (Hookean) and pre-averaged finitely extensible (FENE-P) dumbbell models are performed and compared with equivalent closed-form macroscopic models in a conformation tensor based formulation [M. Pasquali, L.E. Scriven, Free surface flows of polymer solutions with models based on the conformation tensor, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 108 (2002) 363–409]. The BCF equation for linear dumbbell models is solved using a fully implicit time integration scheme which is found to be more stable than the explicit Euler scheme used previously to compute complex flows. We find excellent agreement between the results of the BCF based formulation and the macroscopic conformation tensor based formulation. The computations using the BCF approach are stable at much higher Weissenberg numbers, (where λ is the characteristic relaxation time of polymer, and is the characteristic rate of strain) compared to the purely macroscopic conformation tensor based approach, which fail beyond a maximum Wi. A novel computational algorithm is introduced to compute complex flows with non-linear microscopic constitutive models (i.e. non-linear FENE dumbbells and dumbbells with hydrodynamic interactions) for which no closed-form constitutive equations exist. This algorithm is fast and computationally efficient when compared to both an explicit scheme and a fully implicit scheme involving the solution of the non-linear equations with Newton’s method for each configuration field.     

Effect of load triaxiality on polymorphic transitions in zinc oxide

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and first-principles calculations are carried out to analyze the stability of both newly discovered and previously known phases of ZnO under loading of various triaxialities. The analysis focuses on a graphite-like phase (HX) and a body-centered-tetragonal phase (BCT-4) that were observed recently in - and [0 0 0 1]-oriented nanowires respectively under uniaxial tensile loading as well as the natural state of wurtzite (WZ) and the rocksalt (RS) phase which exists under hydrostatic pressure loading. Equilibrium critical stresses for the transformations are obtained. The WZ → HX transformation is found to be energetically favorable above a critical tensile stress of 10 GPa in nanowires. The BCT-4 phase can be stabilized at tensile stresses above 7 GPa in [0 0 0 1] nanowires. The RS phase is stable at hydrostatic pressures above 8.2 GPa. The identification and characterization of these phase transformations reveal a more extensive polymorphism of ZnO than previously known. A crystalline structure–load triaxiality map is developed to summarize the new understanding.     

Integration approach of the Couette inverse problem of powder type self-compacting concrete in a wide-gap concentric cylinder rheometer

For powder type self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes, commonly used in Belgium, a shear thickening (Herschel–Bulkley) flow behaviour of the fresh mixes is quite often observed.A longstanding problem in rheometry is the so-called “Couette inverse problem”, where one tries to derive the flow curve from the torque measurements T(N) in a (wide-gap) concentric cylinder (Couette) rheometer, with T the torque registered at the inner, stationary cylinder and N the rotational velocity of the outer, rotating, cylinder.In this paper, the Couette inverse problem is approached by means of the integration method in order to convert T(N) into for a wide-gap (R_o/R_i = 1.45) concentric cylinder rheometer. The approach consists in the decoupling of the flow resistance and the power-law flow behaviour after exceeding the flow resistance. The integration approach is validated by experimental verification with different powder type SCC mixtures. By means of illustration, the results of one limestone powder type SCC mixture with different superplasticizer contents are shown in this paper.     

Computing Green's function of elasticity in a half-plane with impedance boundary condition

This Note presents an effective and accurate method for numerical calculation of the Green's function G associated with the time harmonic elasticity system in a half-plane, where an impedance boundary condition is considered. The need to compute this function arises when studying wave propagation in underground mining and seismological engineering. To theoretically obtain this Green's function, we have drawn our inspiration from the paper by Durán et al. (2005), where the Green's function for the Helmholtz equation has been computed. The method consists in applying a partial Fourier transform, which allows an explicit calculation of the so-called spectral Green's function. In order to compute its inverse Fourier transform, we separate as a sum of two terms. The first is associated with the whole plane, whereas the second takes into account the half-plane and the boundary conditions. The first term corresponds to the Green's function of the well known time-harmonic elasticity system in (cf. J. Dompierre, Thesis). The second term is separated as a sum of three terms, where two of them contain singularities in the spectral variable (pseudo-poles and poles) and the other is regular and decreasing at infinity. The inverse Fourier transform of the singular terms are analytically computed, whereas the regular one is numerically obtained via an FFT algorithm. We present a numerical result. Moreover, we show that, under some conditions, a fourth additional slowness appears and which could produce a new surface wave. To cite this article: M. Durán et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).     

Dynamic stability of a propagating crack

In this work we investigate the stability of a straight two-dimensional dynamically propagating crack to small perturbation of its path. Willis and Movchan (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 43 (1995) 319; J. Mech. Phys. Solids 45 (1997) 591) constructed formulae for the perturbations of the stress intensity factors induced by a small three-dimensional dynamic perturbation of a nominally plane crack. Their solution is exploited here to derive equations for the in-plane and out-of-plane perturbations of the crack path making use of the Griffith fracture criterion and the principle of “local symmetry” (i.e the crack propagates so that local K_II=0). We consider a crack propagating in a body loaded by a pair of point body forces and subjected to a remote uniaxial stress, aligned with the direction of the unperturbed crack. We assume that the loading follows the crack as the crack advances and is such that the unperturbed crack is subjected to Mode I loading. We perform an analysis of the stability of the dynamic crack in a similar way as in earlier work (Obrezanova et al., J. Mech. Phys. Solids 50 (2002) 57) on the quasistatically advancing crack. We present numerical results illustrating the influence of the crack velocity on the crack stability. Numerical computations of the possible crack paths have been performed which show that at velocities of crack propagation exceeding about one-third of the speed of Rayleigh waves the crack may admit one or more oscillatory modes of instability.     

A Dugdale-Barenblatt Crack Between Dissimilar Media

The problem of a Dugdale-Barenblatt crack between dissimilar media is treated. The corresponding singular integral equation of the second kind is solved numerically. The crack propagation criteria is deduced using the revisited Griffith theory (Francfort and Marigo in J. Mech. Phys. Solids 46(8), 1319–1342, 1998). A parametric study is performed. An important result is the absence of the non physical phenomenon of overlapping of the crack faces near the ends observed in (England in J. Appl. Mech. 32(2), 400–402, 1965).     

Modelling the viscoplastic response of polyethylene in uniaxial loading–unloading tests

Two series of uniaxial cyclic tests are performed on low-density polyethylene at room temperature. In the first series of experiments, injection-molded specimens are stretched to several maximal strains ε_max in the region of sub-yield deformations with a constant cross-head speed, mm/min, and retracted down to the zero stress with the same strain rate. In the other series, loading–unloading tests are carried out with the maximal strain ε_max=0.10 and cross-head speeds ranging from 5 to 200 mm/min. A constitutive model is derived for the viscoplastic behavior of a semicrystalline polymer at small strains. A polymer is modelled as an equivalent network of chains bridged by permanent junctions (entanglements, physical cross-links on the surfaces of crystallites and lamellar blocks). The network is treated as an ensemble of meso-regions connected by links (crystalline lamellae). Deformation of a specimen induces sliding of junctions with respect to their reference positions both at active loading and unloading (this process reflects sliding of junctions in amorphous regions and fine slip of crystalline lamellae). At retraction, sliding of junctions is accompanied by mutual displacements of meso-domains (that reflects coarse slip and fragmentation of lamellar blocks). The constitutive equations are determined by 5 adjustable parameters that are found by matching the experimental stress–strain curves.     

Analysing flow and heat transfer of a viscoelastic fluid over a semi-infinite horizontal moving flat plate

This paper presents a numerical study of the flow and heat transfer of an incompressible homogeneous second grade type fluid above a flat plate moving with constant velocity U. Such a viscoelastic fluid is at rest and the motion is created by the sheet. The effects of the non-Newtonian nature of the fluid are governed by the local Deborah number K (the ratio between the relaxation time of the fluid and the characteristic time of the flow). When , a new analytical solution for this flow is presented and the effects of fluid's elasticity on flow characteristics, dimensionless stream function and its derivatives are analysed in a wide domain of K. A novel result of the analysis is that a change in the flow solution's behaviour occurs when the dimensionless stream function at the edge of the boundary layer, f_∞, equals 1.0. It is found that velocity at a point decreases with increase in the elasticity of the fluid and, as expected, the amount of fluid entrained diminishes when the effects of fluid's elasticity are augmented. In our heat transfer analyses we assume that the surface temperature has a power-law variation. Two cases are studied, namely, (i) the sheet with prescribed surface temperature (PST case) and (ii) the sheet with prescribed heat flux (PHF case). Local similarity heat-transfer solutions are given for PST case when s=2 (the wall temperature parameter) whereas when a similarity solution takes place in the case of prescribed wall heat flux. The numerical results obtained are fairly in good agreement with the aforementioned analytical ones.     

Fracture strength for a high strength steel bridge cable wire with a surface crack

In this paper, the fracture strength of a cracked suspension bridge wire is determined based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The wire is 5 mm in diameter, with an original ultimate strength of 1725 MPa and ultimate elongation that ranges between 5.5% and 6%. The average value of for the wire fracture toughness, K_C, was recently evaluated by the author. The state of practice is to use the ultimate strength of the cracked wire as obtained from tensile tests. This approach may overestimate the strength of the wire due to possible delamination and crack tip plasticity. A case study for a group of in situ wire breaks retrieved from a suspension bridge cable is presented. The failure analysis is performed based on both the fracture toughness criterion and the net section theory. The fracture toughness criterion produced more realistic results for the fracture strength of the wire. The decline in the fracture toughness and the corresponding reduction in the fracture strength of cracked degraded wire are predicted making use of the strain energy density criterion.     

Effective flow of a viscous liquid through a helical pipe

We study the flow of a viscous fluid through a pipe with helical shape parameterized with , where the small parameter stands for the distance between two coils of the helix. The pipe has small cross-section of size . Using the asymptotic analysis of the microscopic flow described by the Navier–Stokes system, with respect to the small parameter that tends to zero, we find the effective fluid flow described by an explicit formula of the Poisseuile type including a small distorsion due to the particular geometry of the pipe. To cite this article: E. Marušić-Paloka, I. Pažanin, C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).

Résumé

On considère un écoulement dans un tube de section circulaire et de forme hélicoïdale paramétré par , où est la distance entre deux tours de la spirale. Le rayon de la section du tube est lui aussi supposé égal à . A partir de l'écoulement microscopique décrit par le système de Navier–Stokes et en utilisant l'analyse asymptotique par rapport à ce petit paramètre on obtient l'écoulemment effectif décrit par une formule explicite de type Poiseuille associée à une petite déviation due à la géometrie du tube. Pour citer cet article : E. Marušić-Paloka, I. Pažanin, C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).     

Bifurcation analysis of an arch structure with parametric and forced excitation

The subharmonic bifurcation and universal unfolding problems are discussed for an arch structure with parametric and forced excitation in this paper. The amplitude–frequency curve and some dynamical behavior have been shown for this class of problems by Liu et al. Here, by means of singularity theory, in the case of strict 1:2 internal resonance, the bifurcation behavior of the amplitude with respect to a parameter (which is related to the amplitude of the live load imposed on the arch structures) is studied. The results indicate that it is a high codimensional bifurcation problem with codimension 5, and the universal unfolding is given. From the mechanical background, 20 forms of two parameter unfoldings with some constraints are studied. The transition sets in the parameter plane and the bifurcation diagrams are plotted. The results obtained in this paper present some new dynamic buckling patterns and abundant bifurcation phenomena.     

Matched asymptotic expansions for twisted elastic knots: A self-contact problem with non-trivial contact topology

We derive solutions of the Kirchhoff equations for a knot tied on an infinitely long elastic rod subjected to combined tension and twist, and held at both endpoints at infinity. We consider the case of simple (trefoil) and double (cinquefoil) knots; other knot topologies can be investigated similarly. The rod model is based on Hookean elasticity but is geometrically nonlinear. The problem is formulated as a nonlinear self-contact problem with unknown contact regions. It is solved by means of matched asymptotic expansions in the limit of a loose knot. We obtain a family of equilibrium solutions depending on a single loading parameter (proportional to applied twisting moment divided by square root of pulling force), which are asymptotically valid in the limit of a loose knot, ε→0. Without any a priori assumption, we derive the topology of the contact set, which consists of an interval of contact flanked by two isolated points of contacts. We study the influence of the applied twist on the equilibrium.