Search results for "fracture mechanics"
showing 10 items of 102 documents
Non associative damage interface model for mixed mode delamination and frictional contact
2019
Abstract The present paper proposes a new interface constitutive model based on the non-associative damage mechanics and frictional plasticity. The model is developed in a thermodynamically consistent framework, with three independent damage variables. The non associative flow rules drive the concurrent evolution of the three damage variables. The interface model provides two independent values for the mode I fracture energy and the mode II fracture energy and it is able to accurately reproduce arbitrary mixed mode fracture conditions. The model can also take into account the presence of frictional effects both at the fully debonded zones and at the partially debonded ones. The experimental…
Mode I translaminar fracture toughness of high performance laminated biocomposites reinforced by sisal fibers: Accurate measurement approach and lay-…
2022
Abstract The present work performs a systematic experimental analysis of the translaminar fracture behavior of high performance biocomposites constituted by green epoxy reinforced by sisal fibers, by varying the main influence parameters as fiber concentration and lay-up. Despite the corrective function properly introduced to take into account the anisotropy as well as the use of the equivalent crack length, the study shows that the LEFM does not give accurate estimations of the fracture toughness, because the extension of the near tip damaged zone is higher than the singular dominated one. Accurate estimations can be obtained instead by the proposed modified area method that takes into acc…
Effects of fiber orientation of adjacent plies on the mode I crack propagation in a carbon-epoxy laminates
2011
Abstract The influence of ply orientation on the resistance to mode I delamination of multidirectional composite laminates can be assessed by Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests. However, one of the difficulties associated with such a study is the change in overall elastic parameters occurring when modifying local ply orientations. The present work uses laminates with special stacking sequences allowing for isolating the orientation parameter. Multidirectional DCB specimens were designed so as to obtain an uncoupled quasi isotropic and quasi-homogeneous elastic behavior, with the same properties for the entire laminate and the two sub laminates separated by the pre crack at mid-plane. The re…
Evaluation of toughness by finite fracture mechanics from crack onset strain of brittle coatings on polymers
2008
Crack onset strain measurements of a confined layer in tension provide the means for layer toughness estimation. The procedure can be simplified if steady-state conditions prevail starting from the commencement of crack propagation, an assumption frequently employed in energy release rate evaluation. It is demonstrated, by numerical analysis of experimental data, that an estimate of the defect size in the film is needed in order to reliably evaluate its fracture toughness from the crack onset strain. Only if microcracks of sufficient size are present in the brittle layer, the steady-state energy release rate at the crack onset strain can be identified with layer toughness. Otherwise, the to…
Siliceous spicules enhance fracture-resistance and stiffness of pre-colonial Amazonian ceramics
2015
AbstractPottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils and as cooking vessels. Abundance and workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality and durability. The inclusion of reinforcement particles is a possible route to improve its resistance to mechanical and thermal damage. The Amazonian civilizations incorporated freshwater tree sponge spicules (cauixí) into the clay presumably to prevent shrinkage and crack propagation during drying, firing and cooking. Here we show that isolated siliceous spicules are almost defect-f…
The Effect of Calcium on the Cohesive Strength and Flexural Properties of Low-Methoxyl Pectin Biopolymers.
2019
Abstract: Pectin binds the mesothelial glycocalyx of visceral organs, suggesting its potential role as a mesothelial sealant. To assess the mechanical properties of pectin films, we compared pectin films with a less than 50% degree of methyl esterification (low-methoxyl pectin, LMP) to films with greater than 50% methyl esterification (high-methoxyl pectin, HMP). LMP and HMP polymers were prepared by step-wise dissolution and high-shear mixing. Both LMP and HMP films demonstrated a comparable clear appearance. Fracture mechanics demonstrated that the LMP films had a lower burst strength than HMP films at a variety of calcium concentrations and hydration states. The water content also influe…
A computational framework for coating fatigue analysis of wind turbine blades due to rain erosion
2021
Author's accepted manuscript The rain-induced fatigue damage in the wind turbine blade coating has attracted increasing attention owing to significant repair and maintenance costs. The present paper develops an improved computational framework for analyzing the wind turbine blade coating fatigue induced by rain erosion. The paper first presents an extended stochastic rain field simulation model that considers different raindrop shapes (spherical, flat, and spindle), raindrop sizes, impact angles, and impact speeds. The influence of these raindrop characteristics on the impact stress of the blade coating is investigated by a smoothed particle hydrodynamics approach. To address the expensive …
FATIGUE LIFE ANALYSIS OF RAIL-WELDS USING LINEAR ELASTIC FRACTURE MECHANICS
2019
The initiation and growth of fatigue cracking is mainly due to high stress concentration, heterogeneity and poor quality of weld. The detection and rectification of such weld defects are major concerns of rail network managers to reduce potential risk of rail breaks and derailments. To estimate the fatigue life of welded joints and to analyze the progress of fatigue cracks, a fracture mechanics-based analysis and fatigue models were developed using Finite Element Analysis. The initial flaw is obtained from a sample weld using ultrasonic flaw detecting machine test. Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) approach based on the Paris law was applied to determine critical crack size and the n…
Expected principal stress directions under multiaxial random loading. Part I: theoretical aspects of the weight function method
1999
As has been observed experimentally by many authors, the position of the fatigue fracture plane appears to strongly depend on the directions of the principal stresses or strains. In Part I of the present work the expected principal stress directions under multiaxial random loading are theoretically obtained by averaging the instantaneous values of the three Euler angles through some suitable weight functions which are assumed to take into account the main factors influencing fatigue behaviour. Then, in Part II, it is examined how such theoretical principal directions determined by applying the proposed procedure are correlated to the position of the experimental fracture plane for some fati…
R-Curve Modelling of Mode I Delamination in Multidirectional Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminates
2014
In the present work, the mode I delamination behaviour of a quasi-isotropic quasi-homogeneous carbon/epoxy composite laminate with adjacent plies of 0o//45o is studied numerically. To describe the R-curve behaviour observed during crack propagation, a linear-exponential traction-separation law is proposed, where the fracture toughness and the increment in the fracture energy could be considered separately in the model. This model is then implemented in the finite element simulation of the delamination process in the composite laminate. Numerical results indicate that with the incorporation of the fibre bridging effect leads to a well-predicted force-displacement response of the composite la…