Biaxial Tests Research Articles

Constant-volume cyclic bi-axial tests on assembly of metal rods with/without pre-shear histories

Constant-volume cyclic bi-axial tests on assembly of metal rods with/without pre-shear histories

Effects of Different Surface Treatments on Flexural Strength of Zirconium Oxide Cores

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the biaxial flexural strength of zirconia and to determine phase transformation before and after sintering. Materials and Methods: 150 cylindrical specimens with the dimensions 15 mm diameter and 1,3 mm height were obtained from semi-sintered Y-TZP blocks. These specimens were randomly separated into subgroups; sandblasting, Er:YAG laser, Nd:YAG laser, Er:YAG laser+sandblasting, Nd:YAG laser+sandblasting, fine grain bur, coarse grain bur. Half of the semi-sintered Y-TZP samples were treated before sintering and the others were treated after the sintering procedures. No treatment was performed in control group. Biaxial flexural strength test was performed to all samples. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were performed to identify transformed monoclinic phase. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Man Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test (p<0,05). Results: Specimens that were treated before sintering had lower biaxial flexural strength. The highest biaxial flexural strength values in all groups were seen in sandblasting groups and the lowest in grinding groups. According to the XRD analysis the highest phase transforme was determined in sandblasting groups. Sandblasting, Er-YAG laser+sandblasting and Nd-YAG laser+sandblasting were greatly increased the biaxial flexural strength of all the surface treatments after sintering. All the sandblasting treatments were found more monoclinic phase was found than other groups. Conclusions: Surface treatments were found to affect both the mechanical properties and phase changes of zirconia.

Effect of firing time and wall thickness on the biaxial flexural strength of 3D-printed zirconia

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of accelerated firing on 3D-printed zirconia. MethodsTo check if formulae provided by ISO 6872 can be extended to thin samples, finite element analyses were carried out in advance of fabricating 3-mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal discs by milling and by 3D-printing. Four groups (n = 38 each) of 3D-printed specimens were produced with two nominal thicknesses (0.6 mm and 1.2 mm) and two firing strategies (long: 51 h, accelerated: 14.5 h). In the milled group (thickness 1.2 mm, n = 30), a standard firing program (9.8 h) was selected. Biaxial flexural strength tests were applied and mean strength, characteristic strength, and Weibull modulus were calculated for each group. Differences were analyzed using Welch ANOVA and Dunnett-T3 post-hoc tests. ResultsMaximum tensile stresses occurring during biaxial strength testing can be calculated according to ISO 6872 for thin samples with b > 0.3 mm. Variability of measured strengths values was smaller for milled zirconia compared with 3D-printed zirconia. The 1.2-mm-thick 3D-printed samples had significantly decreased strength after accelerated firing than after long firing. However, for the 0.6-mm-thick samples, comparable mean biaxial strength values of about 1000 MPa were measured for both firing protocols. SignificanceAt the moment, long fabrication time for zirconia restorations is a major drawback of 3D-printing when compared with milling technology. This investigation showed that the strength of 0.6-mm-thick zirconia discs fabricated by 3D-printing was not impaired by accelerated firing. Thus, overnight firing of thin-walled 3D-printed zirconia restorations could be possible.

Dental zirconia microwave-sintering followed by rapid cooling protocol

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of microwave sintering temperature and cooling rate (MS) on 3Y-TZP ceramics and its influence on the ceramic microstructure and mechanical properties. Specifically, to optimize the sintering process, reducing the total sintering time compared to conventional sintering. Materials and methodsEighty-four pre-sintered Y-TZP discs (Vipi block Zirconn, VIPI) (ISO 6872) were divided into seven groups (n = 12) according to the sintering conditions: conventional sintering (CS) at 1530 °C for 120 min and microwave sintering at 1400 °C (MS1400) and 1450 °C (MS1450) for 15 min followed by different cooling conditions: rapid cooling (RC), cooling at 400 °C (C400) and 25 °C (C25). The specimens were submitted to apparent density measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and biaxial flexural strength test. Data was statistically analyzed through two-way ANOVA, Tukey, Sidak, Dunnett and Weibull (α = 0.05). ResultsAll MS1400 groups presented lower density values than the CS and MS1450 groups. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the MS temperature and cooling rate affected the biaxial flexural strength of the Y-TZP (p < 0.01). Group MS1400RC presented lower biaxial flexural strength values (681.9 MPa) than MS1450RC (824.7 MPa). The cooling rate did not statistically decrease the biaxial strength among the groups submitted to microwave sintering at 1450 °C. XRD analysis showed that the sintering and cooling temperature did not induce tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation. ConclusionsMicrowave sintering at 1450 °C for 15 min followed by rapid cooling can be a viable fast alternative protocol for Y-TZP sintering, compared with the conventional sintering, reducing the total sintering time by 75% and reducing the energy used for the sintering process without affecting the Y-TZP biaxial flexural strength and relative density compared to the conventional sintering. Moreover, the microwave technique promoted smaller grains and did not induce monoclinic phase formation.

Characteristic fatigue strength and reliability of dental glass-ceramics: Effect of distinct surface treatments – Hydrofluoric acid etching and silane treatment vs one-step self-etching ceramic primer

The aim of this study was to mechanically characterize through flexural fatigue test two CAD-CAM glass-ceramics according to distinct surface etching protocols. To do so, feldspathic (FELD) and lithium disilicate (LD) glass ceramics were subjected to different surface treatments: (1) control – no treatment (Ctrl); (2) conventional protocol etching with 5% hydrofluoric acid followed by silane coupling agent application (HF + SIL; Monobond N, Ivoclar); or (3) using a self-etching ceramic primer (E&P; Monobond Etch & Prime, Ivoclar). Ceramic discs (N = 120; Ø = 12 mm; thickness = 1.2 mm) were produced from CAD-CAM blocks, with 60 being from FELD (VITABLOCS Mark II, Vita Zahnfabrik) and 60 from LD (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar). Next, 20 disks of each ceramic were allocated into three groups: Ctrl, HF + SIL, or E&P. Surface roughness data were collected on all samples before and after surface treatments (except for Ctrl). Cyclic fatigue (n = 15) biaxial flexural strength tests were performed by the piston-on-three-balls geometry (ISO 6872) considering the test parameters established from a monotonic test (n = 5). The monotonic test was carried out at a 1 mm/min loading rate and 500 kgf loading cell until fracture to obtain the failure data. The cyclic fatigue test was executed underwater at a frequency up to 20 Hz, with the first stress being 25% of the monotonic test for 5000 cycles, followed by increments of 5% of the monotonic test at each step of 10,000 cycles until failure (fracture). Complementary fractography, topography and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses were performed. Characteristic Fatigue Strength (CFS) and Weibull modulus were analyzed by Weibull analysis using the fatigue test data. Roughness and complementary analysis data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The statistical results exhibited similar CFS among Ctrl, HF + SIL and E&P for both glass-ceramics. The survival analysis corroborates the findings, however the Weibull modulus pointed out superior structural reliability of FELD treated with the E&P group compared to HF + SIL. According to the complementary analyses, HF + SIL exhibited a higher surface area than E&P and Ctrl for FELD (p = 0.001). Roughness showed statistically significant differences among conditions for FELD (E&P < Ctrl = HF + SIL; p < 0.05) and no difference for LD (p > 0.05). Therefore, the CFS were not influenced by any condition evaluated for FELD and LD glass-ceramics; however, superior structural reliability (higher Weibull modulus) for the feldspathic ceramic treated with the E&P was observed.

Identification of thermo-viscoplastic behavior for AA6061 under in-plane biaxial loadings

This work aims to investigate the thermo-visco-plastic behavior of an aluminum alloy (AA6061) sheet metal submitted to in-plane biaxial loadings under warm conditions. Biaxial tensile tests are performed in a temperature range from room temperature to 160 °C, and in a strain rate range from quasi-static to the so-called “intermediate” strain rate (up to few s−1). The specimen shape used in this study has been previously defined and validated by the authors to identify the viscoplastic hardening models of metallic alloys at large strains. A specific device leading to a uniform temperature in the sample is associated with a dynamic biaxial traction bench to carry out the temperature and strain rate dependent characterizations. From these experiments, both the experimental forces measured on each axis of the in-plane biaxial specimen and the principal strains at the center of the specimen are obtained. These experimental data are then used in an inverse analysis loop, based on a finite element model of the biaxial test, to calibrate the parameters of a thermo-viscoplastic strain hardening model by minimizing the difference between the experimental and numerical principal strains at the center point of the specimen. Finally, it is shown that the identified hardening model well predicts the flow stress of AA6061 under different temperatures and strain rates for a strain level of up to 40%.

Investigation of particle-scale mechanical behavior of hydrate-bearing sands using DEM: Focus on hydrate habits

Natural gas hydrates are commonly found in onshore permafrost and seabed regions. Hydrates often exhibit different pore habits in different regions, which may affect the mechanical behavior of hydrate-bearing sands (HBSs). In this study, pore-filling, load-bearing and cementing HBSs were prepared using discrete element method (DEM). The numerical biaxial compression tests show that the digital cementing HBS specimen well capture the stress-strain response of the gas-saturated HBS specimen in experiments under σc = 3 MPa, which justify the DEM model in this study. The pore-filling hydrates contribute little to the stress-strain response of sediments, while the load-bearing and cementing hydrates significantly enhance the failure strength and stiffness, and also induce strain-softening behavior and higher volume dilation. Hydrate cementation hinders the lateral fabric development in HBS, and renders orderly particle displacement and abundant strong force chains. The yielding of HBS is dominated by the buckling of strong force chains. Particle sliding, dislocation and rotation are responsible for the formation and development of shear bands, which governs the volume dilation and non-uniform deformation of HBS. Comprehending the geomechanical behavior of HBS under different hydrate habits facilitates the optimization of engineering solutions for hydrate exploitation.

Mechanical behavior of PVDF membrane based on the uni-/bi-axial loading experiments

Recently, composite PVDF membranes with good performance have triggered enormous interest because of their great potential application. However, the uncertainty of mechanical properties limits their application. Herein, this paper reveals the elastic modulus properties of the loading angle between warp and tensile direction using the uni-axial tensile test of SH-1050P membrane textile. In addition, the bi-axial tensile test with different loading ratios was implemented. Both uni-axial and bi-axial ductile load-displacement/stress-strain curves are featured. It is the first to establish a relationship between the elastic modulus and the loading angle using a theoretical method based on the assumption that there is no slippage and crease between yarns and matric. Furthermore, simulations with different textile parameters were carried out to verify the theoretical results. The key finding is that the elastic modulus under uni-axial load can be divided into two stages, which are elasticity and plasticity. Both of which are proportional to the sine function applied to two times the loading angle. The Poisson’s ratio of SH-1050P textile can be considered as a fixed value of 0.11. This conclusion can be extended to similar textiles. The outcome of this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the PVDF memrane’s mechanical behavior and presents a novel insight into its response to different loading conditions.

Variability in structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the descending thoracic and infrarenal aorta around their circumference

Aortic diseases, such as aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and dissections, demonstrate a preferential development and progression around the aortic circumference, resulting in a highly heterogeneous disease state around the circumference. Differences in the aorta's structural composition and mechanical properties may be partly responsible for this phenomenon. Our goal in this study was to analyze the mechanical and structural properties of the human aorta at its lateral, anterior, posterior, and medial quadrants in two regions prone to circumferentially inhomogeneous diseases, descending Thoracic Aorta (TA) and Infrarenal Aorta (IFR). Human aortas were obtained from 10 donors (64 ± 11 years) and dissected from their loose surrounding tissue. Mechanical properties were determined in all four quadrants of TA and IFR using planar biaxial testing and fitted to three common constitutive models. The structure of tissues was assessed using Movat Pentachrome stained histology slides. We observed that the anterior quadrant exhibited the greatest thickness, followed by the lateral region, in both the TA and IFR. In TA, the posterior wall appeared as the stiffest location in most samples, while in IFR, the anterior wall was the stiffest. We observed a higher glycosaminoglycans content in the lateral and posterior regions of the IFR. We found elastin density to be similar in TA lateral, anterior, and posterior quadrants, while in IFR, the anterior region demonstrated the highest elastin density. Despite significant variations between subjects, this study highlights the distinct morphometrical, mechanical, and structural properties between the quadrants of both TA and IFR.

Failure behaviors of square-tunnel-structured rock specimens under various inclined boundary stress conditions

In most engineering practices, the directions of geo-stress are not always perpendicular or parallel to the center line of underground tunnels’ cross section, and the surrounding rocks are subjected to inclined boundary stresses, which is often ignored in most previous studies. The investigations on the failure characteristics of surrounding rocks around tunnels under inclined boundary stresses have great practical significance. In this study, a series of uniaxial or biaxial compression tests were conducted using cubic red sandstone specimens with different prefabricated square holes. The horizontal centerline inclinations of square holes were designed as 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. The test results show that the horizontal centerline inclinations of holes have a great impact on the strength of rock specimens which tend to increase firstly and followed by decreasing. The confining pressure stress σ2 amplify the horizontal centerline inclination effect of holes on the strength of rock specimens. In addition, the horizontal centerline inclination of holes also affected the failure mode and crack propagation of surrounding rock significantly, the stress concentration zone at the right-angle boundary of the hole can induce the propagation of cracks. The findings of this study may provide theoretical guidance and reference significance for the stability evaluation, support parameter and disaster control of underground tunnels.

Effect of elastic-plastic deformation by biaxial tension on the magnetic characteristics of the nickel

The studies were carried out in a test facility based on the original biaxial testing machine created at the IES UB RAS, designed to determine the physical properties of materials during elastic-plastic deformation independently along two axes. Finite element modeling of the stress-strain state of a cruciform nickel specimen has shown that, under symmetric biaxial tension, equivalent von Mises stresses are uniformly distributed in the central part. The results of microstructural studies indicate that dynamic recrystallization takes place in the material during biaxial deformation at room temperature. The results of studying the behavior of the hysteretic magnetic characteristics, magnetostriction, Barkhausen magnetic noise parameters, and electromagnetic parameters of nickel under biaxial symmetrical tension have been presented. A unique relationship between the coercive force and equivalent stresses in the region of plastic deformation has been revealed. It has been shown that such magnetic parameters as maximum magnetic permeability and the maximum in the field dependence of differential magnetic permeability, as well as the amplitude and frequency of the eddy current signal determined at a frequency of 10 kHz, vary monotonically with increasing equivalent stresses under both elastic and plastic deformations.

A phase field fracture model for ultra-thin micro-/nano-films with surface effects

Surface effects usually remarkably affect the mechanical response of ultra-thin micro-/nano-structures. However, the mechanisms of surface effects on the fracture characteristics of ultra-thin films are still not fully understood. To this end, this paper develops a modeling framework to investigate the fracture of ultra-thin films at microscales or below. Such a framework couples the Gurtin–Murdoch theory with a phase-field fracture model, in which the former is adopted to introduce the surface effects, i.e., the surface residual stress and surface elasticity of a thin film, and the latter is able to model crack evolution without requiring predefined crack paths or any criteria. Furthermore, a novel crack driving force is introduced, which encompasses the tensile components of both bulk elastic energy and surface elastic energy. Several numerical examples including the biaxial tension test as well as the single-edge notched tension/shear test are performed. The simulation results indicate that the surface strain energy plays a major role in the total elastic strain energy of an ultra-thin film when its thickness is at a micro level, thus demonstrating the significance of surface effects. Moreover, the mode-I fracture test shows that the surface elasticity and surface residual stress have a remarkable influence on the displacement at failure, while for the mode-II fracture test, the surface residual stress significantly influences the fracture characteristics such as the crack path and failure displacement. The developed model paves the way for revealing the fracture mechanisms of ultra-thin micro-/nano-films and conducting their safety assessment.

Development of a testing machine for biaxial testing of soft tissue and biomaterials

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of soft tissues and biomaterials is the keystone for predictive modeling in cardio- and endovascular surgery, traumatology and orthopedics, neurosurgery, and the development of tissue-engineering constructs. Needed mechanical properties can be only explored via experimental tests. Therefore, mechanical experiments are forming the foundation of medical decision support systems, which are impossible without adequate mathematical models of the processes involved. Sirius University of Science and Technology has launched the project "Experimental research and mathematical modeling of the mechanical behavior of biomaterials". The goal of the project is to create an infrastructure for experimental study of the mechanics of soft tissues and biomaterials. At this stage, a machine for biaxial testing of soft tissues and biomaterials has been developed and put into trial operation. The developed machine takes into account the features of working with soft tissues: small sample size, maintaining certain environmental conditions to preserve the sample, various types of sample gripping to minimize edge effects and no slippage, non-contact methods for assessing displacement and deformation fields, variability in sample loading protocols. The result of the test is a data set that includes a test report and synchronized output readings of strain gauge, temperature, optoelectronic sensors with high-resolution images. Uniaxial verification tests of acrylic tapes VHB4910 were carried out by the developed machine. The results were compared with data obtained on a commercial dynamic mechanical analyzer RSA-G2 (TA Instruments) for similar materials under the same test conditions. A series of biaxial cyclic experiments were carried out for the pericardium of cattle, the cardiovascular patch Ecofolon PS04/PS01 (JSC NPK Ecoflon, St. Petersburg, Russia), and the GoreTex vascular graft (W.L. Gore and Associates, USA).

Minimally processed recycled yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia for dental applications: Effect of sintering temperature on glass infiltration

This study aimed to develop a recycling process for the remnants of milled 3Y-TZP and enhance their properties using glass infiltration. 3Y-TZP powder was gathered from the vacuum system of CAD–CAM milling equipment, calcined and sieved (x < 75 μm). One hundred twenty discs were fabricated and pre-sintered at 1000 °C/h. These specimens were then divided into four groups, categorized by glass infiltration (non-infiltrated [Zr] or glass-infiltrated [Zr-G]) and sintering temperature (1450 °C [Zr-1450] or 1550 °C [Zr-1550]/2h). After sintering, the specimens were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), relative density measurement, and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The biaxial flexural strength test was performed according to the ISO 6872 and followed by fractographic analysis. Subsequent results were analyzed using Weibull statistics. Relative density values of the sintered specimens from Zr-1450 and Zr-1550 groups were 86.7 ± 1.5% and 92.2 ± 1.7%, respectively. Particle size distribution revealed particles within the range of 0.1–100 μm. XRD analysis highlighted the presence of the ZrO2-tetragonal in both the Zr-1450 and Zr-1550 groups. Glass infiltration, however, led to the formation of the ZrO2-monoclinic of 9.84% (Zr-1450-G) and 18.34% (Zr-1550-G). SEM micrographs demonstrated similar microstructural characteristics for Zr-1450 and Zr-1550, whereas the glass-infiltrated groups exhibited comparable infiltration patterns. The highest characteristic strength was observed in the glass-infiltrated groups. Fractographic analyses suggested that fracture origins were related to defects on the tensile side, which propagated to the compression side of the samples. Both the sintering temperature and glass infiltration significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the 3Y-TZP recycled.

Effect of the apron in the mechanical characterisation of hyperelastic materials by means of biaxial testing: A new method to improve accuracy

Biological soft tissues and polymers used in biomedical applications (e.g. in the cardiovascular area) are hyperelastic incompressible materials that commonly operate under multi-axial large deformation fields. Their characterisation requires biaxial tensile testing. Due to the typically small sample size, the gripping of the specimens commonly relies on rakes or sutures, where the specimen is punctured at the edges of the gauge area. This approach necessitates of an apron, excess of material around the gauge region.This work analyses the apron influence on the estimated mechanical response of biaxial tests performed by using a rakes gripping system, with the aim of verifying the test accuracy and propose improved solutions.In order to isolate the effect of the apron, avoiding the influence of anisotropy and inhomogeneity typical of most soft tissues, homogeneous and isotropic hyperplastic samples made from a uniform sheet of casted silicone were tested. The stress-strain response of specimens with different apron sizes/shapes was measured experimentally by means of biaxial testing and digital image correlation. Tests were replicated numerically, to interpret the experimental findings.The apron surrounding the gauge area acts as an additional annular constraint which stiffens the system, resulting in a significant overestimate in the stress values. This error can be avoided by introducing specific cuts in the apron.The study quantifies, for the first time, the correlation between the apron size/shape and the experimental stress overestimation, proposing a research protocol which, although identified on homogeneous hyperelastic materials, can be useful in providing more accurate characterisation of both, synthetic polymers and soft tissues.

On modeling the in vivo ventricular passive mechanical behavior from in vitro experimental properties in porcine hearts

Myocardium passive mechanical response has been a major topic of study for decades due to its major impact on cardiac physiology. Here, we propose a novel modeling methodology that integrates both in vivo and in vitro data to estimate the tissue mechanical parameters for a particular orthotropic hyperelastic model as those proposed by Costa and by Holzapfel & Ogden, although it can be easily extended to any other. In vitro biaxial and triaxial shear extension tests were conducted in biopsied samples and in vivo pressure-volume recordings were obtained. Left ventricle (LV) geometry was reconstructed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pressure gradients during ventricular inflation were recorded with the Catheter Conductance Method (CCM). Finally, a Finite Element (FE) in vivo LV model was implemented to get the material model parameters using an inverse approach that uses a minimization process combining both the in vivo and in vitro available data. Our results demonstrate that the parameters obtained solely from in vitro testing (IVT), or from in vivo passive inflation (IVV) do not provide satisfactory fits for both responses simultaneously (R2IVTtests=0.977,R2IVTPV=0.697 and R2IVVtests=0.687,R2IVVPV=0.995). On the contrary, the proposed combined in vitro &in vivo optimization process (MIN) converges to a solution that effectively captures both the in vivo and in vitro behaviors (R2MINtests=0.815,R2MINPV=0.992). Thus, this novel combined approach offers a comprehensive framework for accurately characterizing myocardial mechanical behavior. The obtained parameters can serve as a basis for further cardiac simulations and contribute to a better understanding of cardiac mechanics and function.

Experimental investigation on biaxial mechanical properties of laminated rock and floor heave mechanism of tunnel based on DIC

Floor heave at the bottom of a tunnel is a common defect during tunnel service. To study the deformation behavior and failure characteristics of the floor, laminated sandstone specimens with precracked U-shaped grooves were prepared, and a series of biaxial compression tests were carried out in the laboratory. Two typical floor structures of a tunnel (with and without inverts) and four lateral stress levels (σ2 = 0, 5, 10 and 15 MPa) were considered. The effects of lateral stress and inverted structure on the deformation and failure characteristics of the floor were investigated. The displacement, strain evolution and failure extent of the floor were analyzed based on the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The testing results show that the stress concentration at the U-shaped grooves of the specimens can be effectively reduced by the inverted structure. The specimen with an invert can bear more axial deformation and axial stress than that without an invert. The V-shaped notch failure behavior occurred near the tunnel sidewalls for the specimen without an invert, and it occurred in the middle of the tunnel floor for the specimen with an invert. The failure intensity of the V-shaped notch was positively related to the lateral stresses. With the increasing of axial stress, the heave displacement at the tunnel floor gradually increased, while the settlement displacement of the sidewall showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The tensile strain concentration area of the floor undergoes a process of increasing and then decreasing and finally transforms to compressive strain. The failure characteristics of the sandstone specimen observed in the laboratory tests are consistent with the phenomena in real tunnel engineering. In addition, the deformation and failure mechanism of the tunnel floor was analyzed. The key points for the treatment of tunnel floor heave are put forward based on the testing results.

Age is superior to aortopathy phenotype as a predictor of aortic mechanics in patients with bicuspid valve

ObjectivesBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy is defined by 3 phenotypes—root, ascending, and diffuse—based on region of maximal aortic dilation. We sought to determine the association between aortic mechanical behavior and aortopathy phenotype versus other clinical variables. MethodsFrom August 1, 2016, to March 1, 2023, 375 aortic specimens were collected from 105 patients undergoing elective ascending aortic aneurysm repair for BAV aortopathy. Planar biaxial data (191 specimens) informed constitutive descriptors of the arterial wall that were combined with in vivo geometry and hemodynamics to predict stiffness, stress, and energy density under physiologic loads. Uniaxial testing (184 specimens) evaluated failure stretch and failure Cauchy stress. Boosting regression was implemented to model the association between clinical variables and mechanical metrics. ResultsThere were no significant differences in mechanical metrics between the root phenotype (N = 33, 31%) and ascending/diffuse phenotypes (N = 72, 69%). Biaxial testing demonstrated older age was associated with increased circumferential stiffness, decreased stress, and decreased energy density. On uniaxial testing, longitudinally versus circumferentially oriented specimens failed at significantly lower Cauchy stress (50th [15th, 85th percentiles]: 1.0 [0.7, 1.6] MPa vs 1.9 [1.3, 3.1] MPa; P < .001). Age was associated with decreased failure stretch and stress. Elongated ascending aortas were also associated with decreased failure stress. ConclusionsAortic mechanical function under physiologic and failure conditions in BAV aortopathy is robustly associated with age and poorly associated with aortopathy phenotype. Data suggesting that the root phenotype of BAV aortopathy portends worse outcomes are unlikely to be related to aberrant, phenotype-specific tissue mechanics.

Concrete strength criteria for biaxial and triaxial state of stress

Based on the experiments conducted by the authors, a concrete strength criteria has been developed, which allows us to take into account biaxial and triaxial states of stress in strength calculations of massive concrete and reinforced concrete structures. The developed strength criteria is adapted to a spatial eight-node finite element (solid type) and implemented in the PrinCe programme. In order to conduct the developed criteria operational check, both experimental data and calculation results of other widely used strength criteria for concrete were compared. Thus, to verify the proposed criteria under triaxial compression, the calculation results were compared with experimental data as well as with the Willam-Warnke criterion and the modified Drucker-Prager criterion. The comparison shows that in the low hydrostatic stresses mode results of the above criteria converge both with each other and with the experimental data. In the medium hydrostatic stress mode , the criteria proposed by the authors and the Willam-Warnke criterion show close results, while the modified Drucker-Prager criterion, on the contrary, gives 20 % overestimation of concrete strength. Comparison of the results of concrete biaxial tests shows good agreement with the criteria developed by the authors. Thus, for heavy coarse concrete the differences in strength values were not more than 3,5 %, for heavy fineconcrete and expanded clay concrete — not more than 4 %.

Equibiaxial flexural strength determination of UO2 using a ball-on-ring test

To increase nuclear fuel performance and reliability, their mechanical properties require an accurate and statistically relevant assessment. Biaxial flexural strength tests provide an alternative to bend bar techniques for assessing mechanical behavior; namely, the transverse rupture strength (TRS) of ceramic samples. Biaxial test samples require simple geometries and minimal surface preparation, reducing fabrication costs and handling hazards. This study investigated the TRS of polycrystalline UO2 fuel forms at room temperature using a ball-on-ring test fixture. Pellets were fabricated from UO2 powder using conventional powder processing and sintering techniques. The TRS and Weibull parameters were obtained through Weibull statistics on over 60 UO2 samples tested under equibiaxial flexure. The larger sample size in this study enabled a more robust Weibull statistical analysis than alternative test methods, which may not capture the stochastic failure of typical ceramics. Furthermore, two different loading ball diameters were employed to assess the impact of contact damage on fracture strength. While Hertzian contact damage was observed with the smaller loading ball, the fracture strength remained unaffected. A fracture analysis of the tested UO2 samples indicated a mixture of intergranular and transgranular fracture that transitions to transgranular fracture with increasing distance from the fracture origin. The characteristic strength of the combined data sets was determined to be 148 MPa, and the Weibull modulus was determined to be 9.1. The TRS values and Weibull parameters were close to values found in the literature for alternative testing techniques using samples with similar microstructure and density. The findings in this study validate the ball-on-ring method used to obtain the TRS of UO2 with a sample geometry more representative of nuclear fuels. Additionally, experimental TRS results from this study can be implemented in modeling codes to predict fuel performance, which is critical to fuel burnup extension and advanced nuclear fuel technologies.