Ten-deg off-axis test for shear properties in fiber composites

A combined theoretical and experimental investigation was conducted to assess the suitability of the 10-deg off-axis tensile-test specimen for the intralaminar-shear characterization of unidirectional composites. Composite mechanics, a combined-stress failure criterion and a finiteelement analysis were used to determine theoretically the stress-strain variation across the specimen width and the relative stress and strain magnitudes at the 10-deg plane. Strain gages were used to measure the strain variation across the specimen width at specimen midlength and near the end tabs. Specimens from Mod-I/epoxy. T-300/epoxy, and S-glass/epoxy were used in the experimental program. It was found that the 10-deg off-axis tensile-test specimen is suitable for intralaminar-shear characterization and it, is recommended that it should be considered as a possible standard test specimen for such a characterization.     

An analysis on effect of transverse convex curvature on turbulent flow and heat transfer

An analysis based on a model of modified mixing length by Hornby, Mistry und Barrow [1] was made on the effect of transverse convex curvature in turbulent boundary layer for incompressible axial flows along circular cylinders. The deviation of various turbulent flow and heat transfer properties from those of flat plates is presented. The agreement between the analyses and the experimental results for skin friction and heat transfer rate is good. The study demonstrated that, for a given condition, both the friction coefficient and Stanton number increase with decreasing value of the cyclinder radius and that their values are always greater than those for the flow over a flat plate.     

Throughput and coupling in optical fibers

Optical throughput, namely the product of area times subtending solid, is a useful concept in calculations of light coupling to optical fibers. It is invariant through an optical system, thus providing a simple and elegant way to derive the maximum coupling efficiency between a light source and a fiber, regardless of intervening optics. Because throughput is proportional to the number of modes supported by an optical structure, it also yields the distribution of modal power within a fiber.In this paper, we illustrate applications of throughput by calculating light coupling into fibers and mode distribution within.     

A machine for static and dynamic triaxial testing

A machine has been developed for studying the static and dynamic triaxial constitutive behavior of large specimens of geologic and construction materials. Test specimens can also contain a cylindrical tunnel cavity to permit study of tunnel-reinforcement structures and rock-structure interaction. The specimens are 0.3 m in diameter and 0.3 to 0.45 m high; the model tunnels can be up to 50 mm in diameter. Static and dynamic triaxial loads can be applied with maximum pressures of 200 MPa in static tests and 100 MPa in dynamic tests. Dynamic loading can also be superimposed on a static preload as large as 20 MPa. To facilitate study of tunnel reinforcement, the tunnel is maintained at ambient pressure, with access at both ends for instrumentation and photography. Example results show the influence on tunnel deformation of loading rate as well as the presence of joints and their orientation. For a given allowable tunnel closure, substantially greater pressures can be sustained under dynamic loading than under static loading, and substantially greater pressures can be sustained by an intact specimen than by a jointed specimen.     

Energy release rates in a constrained epoxy disc with Hookean and Mooney–Rivlin materials

Assuming that the disc material can be modeled either as Mooney–Rivlin or as Hookean and the steel ring enclosing the disc as Hookean, the energy release rates as a function of the crack length are evaluated and compared. Two loadings are considered––one in which the surface of the star shape hole in the disc is loaded by a uniform pressure and the other in which the temperature of the composite body is uniformly raised. It is found that the linear and the nonlinear analyses give qualitatively similar results for the two loadings. For each load, the energy release rate increases with an increase in the starter crack length, reaches a maximum value and then decreases gradually.     

A model of debonding instability for solid propellant rocket motor: Part II — Unequal longitudinal and transverse stress rate

Considered in Part I was the debonding instability of a three-layered composite system made of steel, adhesive and rubber which models the situation in a solid-fuel rocket motor. Under the condition of a uniform stress rate of 0.75 ksi/s applied to the longitudinal and transverse direction, severe inhomogeneity of the material response were found in regions next to the adhesive/rubber interface. This led to the prediction of a macrocrack about 5 × 10⁻³ in. after an elapsed time of one second and sudden fracture over a length of 1.88 in. at eight seconds after loading.This is Part II of the work that examines the influence of load transients on interface failure. As unequal stress rate state is assumed where loading in the transverse direction is removed causing a more severe disturbance in the longitudinal direction even though the same stress rate of 0.75 ksi/s is maintained. A slightly bent crack of the order of 10⁻³ in. is predicted to initiate near the adhesive/rubber interface; it led to the onset of fracture over a length of 1.60 in. at four seconds. Onset of instability is predicted to occur at a much earlier state.     

An investigation of interior ballistics ignition phase

An axisymmetric viscous two-phase model is presented which describes the transient combustion of granular propellants during the ignition phase of a ballistic charge. Details of the model are presented along with computational results for a low-pressure ballistic simulator. Predicted pressure time evolutions are compared with experimental data of a real test-firing in which an unexpected pressure excursion occurred. Gun propellant breakup effects, due to bed compaction, are taken into consideration to explain the discrepancies between the numerical and experimental results. Finally, a discussion is presented of the mechanisms by which the behavior of pressure waves can be strongly influenced and thus controlled by the manner in which the propelling charge is ignited.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1.0 and the AMS fonts, developed by the American Mathematical Society.     

A theory of finite elastic consolidation

Presented in this paper is a general theory describing the consolidation of a porous elastic soil. The formulation allows for the occurrence of finite geometry changes and finite elastic strains during the consolidation process. The governing equations have been cast in a rate form and the laws which determine deformation and pore fluid flow, i.e. Hooke's law and Darcy's law, are presented in a frame indifferent manner. A numerical technique is described that provides an approximate solution to the governing equations. The theory and the solution technique are illustrated by several examples of practical interest.     

An analytical prediction of sliding motions along discontinuous boundary in non-smooth dynamical systems

This paper presents a method for the analytical prediction of sliding motions along discontinuous boundaries in non-smooth dynamical systems. The methodology is demonstrated through investigation of a periodically forced linear oscillator with dry friction. The switching conditions for sliding motions in non-smooth dynamical systems are given. The generic mappings for the friction-induced oscillator are introduced. From the generic mappings, the corresponding criteria for the sliding motions are presented through the force product conditions. The analytical prediction of the onset and vanishing of the sliding motions is illustrated. Finally, numerical simulations of sliding motions are carried out to verify the analytical prediction. This analytical prediction provides an accurate prediction of sliding motions in non-smooth dynamical systems. The switching conditions developed in this paper are expressed by the total force of the oscillator, and the nonlinearity and linearity of the spring and viscous damping forces in the oscillator cannot change such switching conditions. Therefore, the achieved force criteria can be applied to the other dynamical systems with nonlinear friction forces processing a C ⁰-discontinuity.