Plate Modes Research Articles

Ballistic performance of TPU/steel configurations against spherical projectiles

In this work, we numerically and experimentally investigate the ballistic performance of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/steel configurations against spherical projectiles. We chose TPU materials with high and low hardness values to form the impact-sustaining layer to investigate the ballistic performance of protective configurations. Experiments were performed by using a powder gun that shot spherical projectiles, each with a diameter of 8.4 mm, at velocities ranging from 250 to 400 m/s. A typical plug formation was observed as the failure mode of steel plates under all configurations, and we obtained curves of the ballistic limit of each configuration. The ballistic performance of the best design, featuring a TPU material with a high hardness value, was 5.8% better than that of a monolithic plate. We also separately tested materials to calibrate their models for numerical simulations. Numerical models of projectile–target systems were established by using Abaqus software and validated based on the experimental results. The results of the simulations were in good agreement with those of the experiments in terms of the failure mechanism of the configurations and residual velocity of the projectiles. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to accurately predict the residual velocity of the projectile after having perforated the TPU/steel configuration. It considers the thickness and hardness of the layers and the weight and initial velocity of the projectile. The predictions of our model yielded a high correlation coefficient and a low mean squared error with the results of simulations.

Tunable Imaging Distance Focusing Module Directly Driven by a Thin‐plate Piezoelectric Actuator

AbstractWith the advancement of imaging technology, the performance of optical focusing modules becomes crucial for determining imaging quality. Conventional focusing modules frequently face challenges of excessive bulk and weight, complicating the integrated design and limiting application fields. Herein, this study presents a piezo‐actuated optical focusing module (POFM) and the construction strategy to alleviate these issues. A novel radial‐bending resonant‐type piezoelectric actuator (RB‐RPA) is developed to directly drive the POFM. The RB‐RPA, which features a hollow structure (27 × 27 × 7 mm3), utilizes both radial and bending vibration modes of a thin metal plate. It achieves a speed of 122.93 mm s−1, a thrust force of 0.14 N, and a displacement resolution of 0.52 µm. Employing the proposed construction strategy, RB‐RPA is integrated with imaging components to fabricate a POFM prototype. Furthermore, the micrometer‐level displacement resolution of POFM facilitates optical focusing on imaging targets, allowing the acquisition of sharp images within 70 ms. It achieves an image resolution of 119.57 lp mm−1 within a 42 mm segment of the captured image. Finally, a QT‐based interface for the POFM, enables real‐time image capture and sharpness evaluation, thereby enhancing imaging efficiency and integration. This work provides a potential candidate for next‐generation imaging devices.

Strain distribution and failure modes of steel lattice tower gusset plates as a function of their geometry

Steel gusset plates (SGP) are structural elements that connect and transfer loads among various members, such as beams, columns, and trusses, in steel structures like buildings, bridges, and lattice towers. Their geometry significantly affects structural performance, requiring a thorough analysis of strain distribution and failure modes to ensure the integrity and safety of structural systems. However, the design and evaluation of lattice tower gusset plates (LTGP) in particular, present challenges due to complex geometries and the lack of universally accepted design methods. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative study of the strain distribution and failure modes of LTGP across different geometries. Experimental tests were conducted using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) on specimens with different configurations, each featuring a single row of bolts. The force–displacement curves and strain distributions were analyzed to determine the influence of gusset plate width, end-distance, and the number of bolts on their behavior. The study compares the experimental data with the prescriptions of design standards. Additionally, it presents numerical modeling of LTGP connections using finite element analysis in ANSYS®, with validation against experimental results confirming model accuracy. The research program is further complemented by a parametric study examining the effects of end-distance, plate width, and bolt spacing on the ultimate strength of LTGP.

Air blast resistance of ARMOX 500T Steel plates with standard thickness: Experimental and numerical consideration

The numerical and experimental examinations in the behavior of ARMOX 500 T steel plates of a standard thickness under blast loading are presented in this study. Furthermore, the dynamic reaction of the steel plate is crucial, particularly when subjected to blast loads produced by various explosive forms and at a certain stand-off distance (SoD). This study conducted experimental and numerical simulation tests on steel plates under the close-range air blast loads generated by 150 g TNT cylindrical explosives, which are the most widely used explosives in the military and engineering fields. In order to investigate the failure modes of steel plates, close-range air blast load experiments were conducted at a 400 mm SoD. Pressure gauges were positioned at equal distances, and the impact of these tests on the failure deformation and dynamic response of the steel plate was quantitatively examined. Ultimately, the properties of shock waves produced by cylindrical explosives were examined in order to ascertain how SoD and charge quantity affected the shock waves' spatial dispersion.

T-matrix of piezoelectric shunt inclusions on a thin plate

Developing piezoelectric-based plate-like metamaterials necessitates an effective modeling method to elucidate the omnidirectional wave properties of piezoelectric coupled inclusions on a thin plate. The commonly used methods, such as the transfer-matrix method and finite element method, are inadequate for analyzing the transmission and reflection of omnidirectional waves in a two-dimensional elastic medium. Unlike the existing methods, the multiple scattering method employs Bessel functions as the displacement-basis methods which can accurately describe the propagation and scattering characteristics of omnidirectional waves. This paper develops a novel T-matrix formulation to support the multiple scattering method, representing the input-output relationship between incident and reflected waves from a piezoelectric shunt inclusion on a host thin plate. The piezoelectric shunt inclusion comprises a varying-thickness substrate bonded with piezoelectric shunting patches. The T-matrix of the piezoelectric shunt inclusion is formulated by integrating the wave-based method with Rayleigh-Ritz method. The derived T-matrix is then used to semi-analytically analyze the far-field scattering and reflection properties of a single inclusion. Numerical results capture the scattering properties resulting from trapped mode resonances of the piezoelectric shunt inclusion. Additionally, the capability of the piezoelectric shunt damping to design and tune multiple critical coupling conditions for axisymmetric modes of thin plates is parametrically investigated by varying the values of inductors and resistors.

Effect mechanism of low-velocity impact loading rate on the failure modes transition of steel-UHPC-steel composite plates

This study delved into the transition mechanism of loading rate on the failure mode transition in steel-ultra-high performance concrete-steel (SUHPCS) composite plates under concentrated low-velocity impact loads. A series of drop-weight tests elucidated that, as impact velocity escalated, the composite plate shifts from local punching failure, characterized by circumferential cracks, to overall flexural failure, marked by radial cracks resembling yield lines. Given the constraints in capturing strain data in drop-weight test, a 3D nonlinear structural analysis using Abaqus software was conducted. This numerical simulation method was validated by drop-weight test results in terms of crack patterns and impact force time histories. Moreover, structural dynamic punching and flexural loads at a specific loading rate were obtained with the assistance of the dynamic increase factor (DIF). Failure mode could be judged through comparison between the two critical loads. The discrepancy in strain sensitivity exhibited by steel plates and UHPC accounted for the transition in failure modes of the SUHPCS composite plates. DIFs for UHPC compressive strength and steel plate strength were lower than DIF for UHPC tensile strength, as these factors were around 1.5, 1.7 and 2.6, respectively. Parameter analysis showed that the critical transition impact velocity for a composite plate with a core thickness of 80 mm was 11 m/s, surpassing the 13 m/s threshold for a composite plate with a 100 mm-thick core. Moreover, changes in DIFs of UHPC and steel strengths were less than 2 % with various impact masses and the composite plate maintained the same failure mode.

Study on the effect of the excited area on the vibration characteristics of a thin circular plate

Abstract In this paper, the vibration modes and radiated directivity of a thin circular plate excited by a sandwich longitudinal vibration transducer are studied. The finite element model is set up to study the effect of the contact area between the transducer and the circular radiation plate on the vibration modes and the radiation characteristics. The first six vibration modes of the thin vibration plate are analyzed, and the results show that the vibration modes of the area-excited thin circular plate are different from those of the free vibration thin circular plate and the point-excited thin circular plate. Simulation results show that under different contact areas, the thin circular plate vibrates in different modes. With the increase of the excitation area, the frequencies of each mode of the circular plate gradually increase. Moreover, the excited area also affects the radiative directivity. With the increase of the excited area, the main lobe width of the radiative directivity becomes narrower.

Aluminum panel vibration reduction using single lead zirconate titanate and resonant circuit

This study aimed to reduce the vibration of an aluminum plate using a single lead zirconate titanate (PZT) electrical circuit. First, the natural frequencies and modes of the aluminum plate were analyzed using an analytical method to determine the dynamic characteristics of the plate. The frequency domain was used to derive the vibration characteristics of the acoustically excited aluminum plate. It was noted that the resonance region where the vibration of the panel increased rapidly was at 390 Hz, which was then set as the reduction target. Thereafter, the vibration reduction performances of the circuit that connects only the resistance element to the PZT panel and the resonant circuit that uses an inductor were compared. Through actual acoustic excitation, the vibration reduction of the aluminum panel using the PZT panel based on resistance and resonance circuits was validated. The results demonstrated that the vibration in the resonant frequency region of 384 Hz was reduced by 20% through the implementation of a resonant circuit, comprising an inductor and a resistor, added to a single PZT, whose weight was 0.08% of the weight of the aluminum panel. Therefore, this study confirmed that the vibration of aluminum plates can be effectively reduced using a low-weight PZT patch.

Isogeometric Analysis for Buckling and Wrinkling of Variable-Stiffness Sandwich Plates Under Compression

In this paper, an isogeometric analysis (IGA) framework based on the high-order sandwich plate theory is developed for the first time to deal with both buckling and wrinkling problems of variable-stiffness sandwich plates under compression. The present sandwich plate model is formulated based on the extended high-order sandwich plate theory (EHSAPT). The weak-form governing equations are firstly derived from the principle of virtual work, and afterward the IGA formulations based on the Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) are applied to predict the instability loads and the corresponding instability modes. Both the membrane and non-membrane conditions are integrated into the linear buckling analysis. The novelty of this work lies in that the employment of high-order continuous NURBS basis functions can directly fulfill the [Formula: see text] continuity requirement inherent in the EHSAPT theory, which enables the EHSAPT-based IGA model to be formulated with fewer degrees of freedom. Besides, the developed EHSAPT-based IGA model has also the ability to capture the overall buckling or wrinkling modes of the sandwich plates. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed EHSAPT-based IGA model are verified by comparison with previously published results and those obtained using ABAQUS. Effects of the core thickness and fiber angle on the buckling behaviors of the sandwich plates are also studied in numerical examples. It is observed that the non-uniform in-plane pre-stress over the skin layers is the main reason for the non-periodic wrinkling of constant-stiffness sandwich constructions, whereas the non-uniformity of both the in-plane pre-stress and out-of-plane bending stiffness is responsible for the non-periodic wrinkling of variable-stiffness sandwich constructions. The results presented herein may be beneficial for the design of variable-stiffness sandwich constructions under compression.

Uncertainty quantification for natural frequency and mode of variable angle tow composite plates with random and interval uncertainties

Variable angle tow (VAT) composite laminated structures are produced by automated tow-placement technology which can take advantage of the designability of composites to meet the aerospace industry’s need for dynamic properties. Complex production techniques inevitably lead to uncertainties in material properties due to manufacturing defects. The aim of this work is to present an efficient computational method for estimating the dynamical properties of VAT composite laminated plates due to multiscale hybrid uncertainties. This method consists of perturbation stochastic finite element method and particle swarm optimization combined with Mori-Tanaka homogenization. The degree of influence of the multiscale parameters on the dynamic properties of VAT composites with different structural forms has been obtained by sensitivity analyses of the frequency and mode. The method is applied to investigate variations in natural frequency and mode of a variety of VAT composite laminated plates with different fiber tow paths, layers, and boundary conditions. The results indicate that variations in natural frequencies and mode shapes are strongly linked to fiber tow paths and boundary conditions. The frequency and modes of the VAT show a nonlinear variation with angle. This method can quickly obtain the probability distribution intervals of the frequency, which is of great significance for assessing the reliability of VAT composites laminated plates dynamic designs.

Evaluating impact damage on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer plates utilizing zero-group-velocity Lamb waves

This paper presents an effective method for evaluating the impact damage of composite plates using zero-group-velocity (ZGV) Lamb waves. A finite element (FE) model of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate is established to analyze in detail the propagation characteristics of the S1-ZGV Lamb wave mode with a specified propagation direction. The study investigates the changes in the S1-ZGV mode with varying damage levels, characterized by a decrease in elastic moduli. Results indicate that as the damage level increases, the corresponding S1-ZGV frequency and amplitude decrease proportionally. The spectral amplitude (SA) at the initial S1-ZGV frequency exhibits a consistent and significant decrease with increasing damage levels, offering a reliable method for accurately assessing damage in CFRP plates. Additionally, the S1-ZGV mode of the CFRP plate is experimentally excited using the pitch-catch technique with air-coupled ultrasonic transducers to explore the variations in the S1-ZGV mode with different impact damages. Experimental findings show that the SA of the S1-ZGV mode at the initial S1-ZGV frequency decreases monotonically and sensitively with an increasing number of impacts. These experimental results correlate with the FE analysis, validating the effectiveness of accurately evaluating impact damage in CFRP plates based on the SA of S1-ZGV modes.

Cutting failure behavior of foam core sandwich plates

During the ship, collisions with reefs or grounding may cause damage to the hull of ships made of sandwich plates. The cutting failure mechanism of sandwich panels is still not fully understood. In this paper, the failure behavior of metal foam sandwich plates under cutting load by a wedge-shaped indenter is studied through analytical, experimental, and numerical methods. An analytical model is proposed to describe the cutting failure behavior of foam core sandwich plates. Based on experimental results, three distinct failure modes of foam sandwich plates with varying thicknesses are observed. Numerical simulations are performed, and analytical and numerical results capture experimental results reasonably. The effects of core thickness, face-sheet thickness, and tip angle and cutting angle of wedge indenter on the failure mode, load-carrying capacity and energy absorption performance of the sandwich plates are explored. The present analytical model can effectively predict the cutting failure behavior of sandwich plates.

An innovative approach for overcoming challenges in the stacked extrusion forming of Mg/Al composite plates

This study successfully produced Mg/Al composite plates with Cu transition layer, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional stacked extrusion methods in achieving satisfactory bonding of Mg/Al laminates. The relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of composite plates under three extrusion temperatures was revealed, and the deformation process and failure modes of composite plates were investigated. Microstructure observations revealed that the Cu layer exhibited a discontinuous distribution characteristic, and its thicker area effectively impeded the diffusion of Mg and Al elements, thus inhibiting the formation of Mg-Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The extrusion temperature did not significantly affect the distribution of the precipitates and texture in the Mg/Al layers. The grain size of the Mg layer showed a growing tendency with rising extrusion temperature, while that of the Al layer remained relatively constant. Mechanical results indicated that the strength of the composite plates decreased as the extrusion temperature increased, which was attributed to the weakening of fine grain strengthening in the Mg layer and dislocation strengthening in the Al layer. Additionally, higher extrusion temperature markedly reduced the elongation of the composite plate, potentially due to accelerated element diffusion at the interface and the discontinuous distribution of the Cu layer, resulting in significant enrichment of IMCs. The Mg-Cu IMCs accumulated and formed in the thicker Cu layer areas, along with Mg-Al IMCs formed in the weaker Cu layer areas, served as crack sources, resulting in cracking of the composite plate during the tensile and eventual failure.

Experimental investigation on the dynamic response of vent plate under methane-air mixtures explosion load

The dynamic response study of explosion venting components is of great significance for the assessment of explosion disasters and the determination of damage. Based on the self-developed rectangular explosion venting device, a series of experimental investigations on the dynamic response and failure mode of calcium silicate vent plates under the methane explosion loads induced by a detonator were conducted. The results show that the vent plate mainly exhibits brittleness and presents a plastic hinge failure mode under the blasting loads. When the gas concentration is closer to the stoichiometric concentration, P2 (the peak overpressure generated by the vent plate rupture) and its pressure rise rate dP2/dt are higher. Conversely, when the methane concentration is closer to the upper or lower limits of the explosion, the explosion load tends to be static, the yield line of the vent plate is shorter, and there are fewer fragments generated by the failure of the plate. The pressure-displacement curve and the correlation diagram of failure modes proposed provide a reference for predicting the failure mode of light and fragile explosion venting components.

Creating absolute band gap based on frequency locking of three wave modes in a wavy plate

This paper presents an absolute band gap (BG) by overlapping coupled band gaps based on frequency locking mechanism within a wavy structure. We first introduce coupled BG’s trigger conditions, including weak coupling, and then utilize two coupling in a wavy structure to lock three wave modes into two overlapped coupled BGs. A wavy specimen is determined for experimental validation, by selecting the geometric parameters based on their individual effects on the coupled BG. Four testing loads with the capability to excite all guided waves are applied numerically and experimentally to verify the performance of the absolute BG. The response signals validate the existence of a wide attenuation band introduced by the absolute BG. The results exhibit a great potential for utilizing the frequency locking mechanism to construct an absolute BG for applications such as vibration control.

Behavior of reinforced CHS T-joints by welding collar plates under load

The paper presents a comprehensive test program on collar plate reinforced CHS T-joints under different preload conditions, in order to investigate the effect of preload and welding thermal on reinforced joints. A total of four specimens, including specimens with and without preload when the collar plates were welded, were tested under brace axial loading. The test results, including welding temperature field, development of strain as well as welding residual deformation during the welding process are measured and presented in this paper. Furthermore, the failure model and compressive strength of the collar plate reinforced T-joints were determined. The test results demonstrated that the localized high temperature and rapid attenuation are the characteristics of the welding temperature field, which instantaneous peak temperature rose to 1808 °C at the local area and attenuated to 600 °C in an elliptic range of about 3.1 cm × 1.7 cm. The failure modes of collar plate reinforced CHS T-joints do not change with preload on the chord and welding thermal. Furthermore, preload on the chord reduces the compressive strength of reinforced joints. The strain distribution and residual deformation are affected by the thermal expansion and cold shrinkage, while the development of the welding temperature field is not affected by the preload. Finally, for compressive strength of CHS T-joints reinforced with collar plate by welding, the applicability of the reduction coefficient due to preload calculated by existing codes was assessed by comparing design values with experimental results. A finite element model by ANSYS, considering the welding heat, was established. Key parameters affecting the strength of the T-joint at the reinforced collar plate under load were identified through parametric study with finite element models. Construction recommendations of welded CHS T-joints are proposed.

Integrated analytical, experimental, and numerical study of vibrational response in clamped circular plates with pressurised air cavities

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation, comprised of analytical, experimental and numerical approaches, into the interaction between the sound field produced within a pressurised air-filled back cavity and the vibration of a thin clamped circular plate subjected to its pressure. Previous investigations into the interaction of sound fields with vibrating boundaries have primarily been restricted to non-pressurised cavities. We extend the application of the weak modal coupling method to derive a solution for this unexplored physical problem by utilising classic plate theory, Fourier-Bessel series formulation and the uncoupled solutions for a pressurised cylindrical sound field and a thin clamped circular plate with uniform radial tension. We describe the vibration response of the coupled system in terms of the uncoupled cavity and plate modes. Using a set of geometric and physical properties for the system, the resonance frequencies and response functions are calculated and the coupling between the sound field and the plate is investigated as a function of cavity pressure, providing novel fundamental insights into the physical system. We construct an experimental rig to embody the conditions of the analytical investigation for the purpose of validation. Finite element analysis (FEA), employing modal analysis and transient dynamic analysis, is used to further validate and extend the analytical insights while more accurately mirroring the experimental conditions. The response functions, mode shapes, resonance frequencies and their dependence on the cavity pressure were experimentally measured and numerically simulated, with direct comparisons made with the analytical model. A high degree of accuracy for the analytical model is validated along with its ability to describe the underlying physical phenomena. The validated analytical model is then leveraged to perform fundamental explorations into the modal contributions as a function of cavity pressure and a parametric sensitivity analysis on the effects of plate radii and plate thickness on the coupled system resonance frequencies.

Wake-induced response of a flexible splitter plate detachedly placed downstream of a circular cylinder

A fluid–structure interaction numerical investigation was conducted on the flow past a circular cylinder with a detached flexible plate at a low Reynolds number Re = 160. A broad gap ratio range of 0–6.0 is examined at three plate lengths. Numerical results indicated that the vortex formation is closely related to the position of the plate with respect to the recirculation region behind the cylinder. Three wake interference regimes are identified, including the extended-body, continuous reattachment (CR), and alternate reattachment (AR). Taking into account the wake interference and vortex shedding modes and the response order, six wake flow patterns are observed. The CR regime shifts to AR at a critical gap G/D = 3, where both the vibration amplitude and frequency sharply increase. The sizes of vortex spacing and plate length determine the response mode of the flexible plate. Compared to an isolated cylinder, the optimal reduction percentages in drag and lift coefficients are around 90% and 20%, respectively.

Lithium Plating Characteristics in High Areal Capacity Li-Ion Battery Electrodes.

Li-ion battery degradation and safety events are often attributed to undesirable metallic lithium plating. Since their release, Li-ion battery electrodes have been made progressively thicker to provide a higher energy density. However, the propensity for plating in these thicker pairings is not well understood. Herein, we combine an experimental plating-prone condition with robust mesoscale modeling to examine electrode pairings with capacities ranging from 2.5 to 6 mAh/cm2 and negative to positive (N/P) electrode areal capacity ratio from 0.9 to 1.8 without the need for extensive aging tests. Using both experimentation and a mesoscale model, we identify a shift from conventional high state-of-charge (SOC) type plating to high overpotential (OP) type plating as electrode thickness increases. These two plating modes have distinct morphologies, identified by optical microscopy and electrochemical signatures. We demonstrate that under operating conditions where these plating modes converge, a high propensity of plating exists, revealing the importance of predicting and avoiding this overlap for a given electrode pairing. Further, we identify that thicker electrodes, beyond a capacity of 3 mAh/cm2 or thickness >75 μm, are prone to high OP, limiting negative electrode (NE) utilization and preventing cross-sectional oversizing the NE from mitigating plating. Here, it simply contributes to added mass and volume. The experimental thermal gradient and mesoscale model either combined or independently provide techniques capable of probing performance and safety implications of mild changes to electrode design features.

Research on failure characteristics and mechanism of ZK61m magnesium alloy plate under the impact of ogival projectile

To study the influence of the thickness effect on the impact performance of ZK61m magnesium alloy plate, the influence of ogival projectile on the impact performance of magnesium alloy plate of different thicknesses is analyzed through experiments and numerical simulations, the ballistic limits and failure modes of different thicknesses of the punch target plate are obtained. The velocity of the plug is analyzed by introducing the extruded chisel block velocity model. The experimental results show that the ballistic limit value of the target plate in a specific thickness interval (7 ∼ 11 mm) increases slowly with the increase of its thickness, and the failure mode is dominated by the shear punching failure and accompanied by the tensile failure. The plugs formed in the experimental process are consistent with the extruded chisel block velocity model. Numerical simulation results show that the MJC fracture criterion predictions deviate from the experimental results due to the overestimation of the material ductility, while the Lode parameter dependent MMC fracture criterion, which can better predict the ballistic behavior and failure modes of the target plate.