Activation energy based extreme value statistics and size effect in brittle and quasibrittle fracture

Because the uncertainty in current empirical safety factors for structural strength is far larger than the relative errors of structural analysis, improvements in statistics offer great promise. One improvement, proposed here, is that, for quasibrittle structures of positive geometry, the understrength factors for structural safety cannot be constant but must be increased with structures size. The statistics of safety factors has so far been generally regarded as independent of mechanics, but further progress requires the cumulative distribution function (cdf) to be derived from the mechanics and physics of failure. To predict failure loads of extremely low probability (such as 10^-6 to 10^-7) on which structural design must be based, the cdf of strength of quasibrittle structures of positive geometry is modelled as a chain (or series coupling) of representative volume elements (RVE), each of which is statistically represented by a hierarchical model consisting of bundles (or parallel couplings) of only two long sub-chains, each of them consisting of sub-bundles of two or three long sub-sub-chains of sub-sub-bundles, etc., until the nano-scale of atomic lattice is reached. Based on Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of thermal energies of atoms, the cdf of strength of a nano-scale connection is deduced from the stress dependence of the interatomic activation energy barriers, and is expressed as a function of absolute temperature T and stress-duration τ (or loading rate 1/τ). A salient property of this cdf is a power-law tail of exponent 1. It is shown how the exponent and the length of the power-law tail of cdf of strength is changed by series couplings in chains and by parallel couplings in bundles consisting of elements with either elastic-brittle or elastic-plastic behaviors, bracketing the softening behavior which is more realistic, albeit more difficult to analyze. The power-law tail exponent, which is 1 on the atomistic scale, is raised by the hierarchical statistical model to an exponent of m=10 to 50, representing the Weibull modulus on the structural scale. Its physical meaning is the minimum number of cuts needed to separate the hierarchical model into two separate parts, which should be equal to the number of dominant cracks needed to break the RVE. Thus, the model indicates the Weibull modulus to be governed by the packing of inhomogeneities within an RVE. On the RVE scale, the model yields a broad core of Gaussian cdf (i.e., error function), onto which a short power-law tail of exponent m is grafted at the failure probability of about 0.0001-0.01. The model predicts how the grafting point moves to higher failure probabilities as structure size increases, and also how the grafted cdf depends on T and τ. The model provides a physical proof that, on a large enough scale (equivalent to at least 500 RVEs), quasibrittle structures must follow Weibull distribution with a zero threshold. The experimental histograms with kinks, which have so far been believed to require the use of a finite threshold, are shown to be fitted much better by the present chain-of-RVEs model. For not too small structures, the model is shown to be essentially a discrete equivalent of the previously developed nonlocal Weibull theory, and to match the Type 1 size effect law previously obtained from this theory by asymptotic matching. The mean stochastic response must agree with the cohesive crack model, crack band model and nonlocal damage models. The chain-of-RVEs model can be verified and calibrated from the mean size effect curve, as well as from the kink locations on experimental strength histograms for sufficiently different specimen sizes.     

Experimental strain analysis of the losipescu shear test specimen

An experimental strain analysis of the losipescu shear test specimen was performed, utilizing a 20-ply AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy unidirectional composite. Using three-element strain-gage rosettes, it was shown that the presence of loading-point-induced transverse normal strains in the gage section do not affect the measured shear strain. Thus, the shear modulus determined using the standard notch specimen is not affected. Likewise, modulus determination is not influenced by cracking at the notch tips, since this occurs at strains beyond the range over which modulus is determined. To further evaluate the effect of notch-tip cracking, material was removed adjacent to the standard V-notches where these cracks initiate. The measured shear strength was unaffected by removing this material, although the shear modulus was reduced slightly (by as much as eight percent for the more grossly exaggerated geometries). E.Q. Lewis, former graduate student, is now Engineer, Lockheed Corporation.     

SHEAR TEST AND FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF POLYURETHANE POLYMER GROUTING MATERIALS1)

通过扭转试验对高聚物注浆材料剪切性能进行试验研究,并在扫描电子显微镜(scanning electron microscope, SEM) 下观测了试件断面处胞体形状破坏特征,在此基础上通过有限元数值模拟,对其剪切变形力学响应特征及剪应力分布规律进行了研究。结果表明：密度对高聚物材料的剪切强度及剪切模量影响显著,且随着高聚物材料密度的增加,其剪切强度和剪切模量被显著提升;高聚物材料胞体分布遵循能量最低原理,密度越大,胞体表面积越小,表面能越小,体系越稳定;面心立方体堆砌模型可以较好模拟材料剪切变形行为,且密度越大,拟合效果越好。     

Experimental investigation of the behavior of extra high strength steel

This paper comprises a study concerning the mechanical behavior of extra high strength steel. This is investigated by means of biaxial testing of flat cross-shaped specimens in the full σ₁-σ₂ plane, a concept developed earlier at Steel Structures, Luleå University of Technology. Furthermore, new specimen designs had to be developed to enable testing of a material with high yield strength and low ultimate over yield strength ratio, such as the extra high strength steel Weldox 1100. The tests are performed in two steps: one initial loading followed by unloading and a subsequent loading in a new direction. The test results, containing data from 15 biaxial tests, are characterized by a slightly anisotropic initial yield criterion where the proof stress in compression is consequently somewhat higher compared to the results in tension. In the subsequent loading the observed phenomena are a Bauschinger effect in the direction opposite the initial loading direction and that the transition from elastic to plastic state in subsequent loadings is gradual and direction-dependent.     

Determining the Thermoviscoplastic State of Shells of Revolution Subject to Creep Damage

A technique is developed for determining the thermoviscoplastic state of shells of revolution with allowance for creep damage. The technique is based on the hypotheses of rectilinear element and the theory of deformation along paths of small curvature. The equivalent stress appearing in the kinetic equations of damage and creep is determined using a creep-rupture criterion that accounts for the stress mode and the level of irreversible strains. The technique is tested by determining the thermoviscoplastic state and time to failure of tubular specimens under a tensile force and a torque     

Critical Stresses in Spalling and Dynamic Rupture of Metals

Results of dynamic rupture tests of a series of metals obtained using a composite Hopkinson bar and shock-wave loading of plane specimens are described. It is shown that the actual rupture strength at a strain rate of 5 · 10³ sec⁻¹ is very close to the spall strength at higher strain rates. Results of testing the same metals using a composite Hopkinson bar within a temperature range of 20–350°C are given. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 103–107, November–December, 2005.     

缝纫复合材料层合板面内拉伸强度研究

旨在研究由缝纫引起的材料弹性性质的变化并对缝纫复合材料层合板面内拉伸强度进行理论预测。认为缝纫引起的面内纤维偏转是缝纫影响复合材料面内力学性能的主要原因，引入最大纤维偏转角和变形区宽度两个结构参数，提出了描述材料非均匀性的纤维弯曲模型。采用多层次多尺度模拟的方法得到层合板非均匀的材料性质。通过二维有限元分析对单向拉伸载荷作用下的面内强度进行理论预测，得到与试验数据相吻合的结果，进而分析了缝纫密度对拉伸强度的影响。     

UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SINGLE MICRO-PARTICLES AND THEIR COMPACTION BEHAVIOUR

The compaction of particulate materials to form tablets is increasingly employed as a final dosage form for functional products due to its simplicity and low cost. However, the functionality of some products may be impaired due to the high compression pressures required. The general aim of the current study is to understand the relationship between the mechanical properties of single feed particles （〈 100μm） and their compaction behaviour in order to produce tablets at low compression pressure with acceptable strength. The materials studied were pharmaceutical excipients, comprising three enteric polymer particles and three different powders in the form of agglomerates. The mechanical properties of the individual particles or agglomerates were determined by a micromanipulation technique. The samples were also compacted in cylindrical tableting dies. It was observed that there was a strong correlation between the forces required to cause the fracture of the single particles and those derived from the compaction measurements as determined using an existing analysis.     

甘肃北山地质处置库围岩节理抗剪强度经验估算

节理抗剪强度参数是地质处置库预选地段工程地质对比和围岩稳定性分析的重要指标。本文在旧井地段英云闪长岩节理分组的基础上,运用定向统计测量方法估测节理粗糙度系数,通过评价节理粗糙度系数的尺寸效应,确定节理抗剪强度经验估算有效长度,由JRC-JCS模型求得各组节理4个方向的抗剪强度参数,并评价了地质处置库围岩节理抗剪强度的各向异性特征。     

FJ662A公路客车骨架的脆漆和静态电测试验分析

本文介绍用脆漆法和电测法测定和分析车身骨架强度的方法及结果、并讨论使用这两种方法相辅相成的关系。