Quasi-static Tests Research Articles

Dynamic mechanical analysis, flammability and quasi-static test on Kevlar/basalt-epoxy hybrid composite laminates

Dynamic mechanical analysis, flammability and quasi-static test on Kevlar/basalt-epoxy hybrid composite laminates

A study of energy absorption properties of Heteromorphic TPMS and Multi-morphology TPMS under quasi-static compression

TPMS (Triply periodic minimal surface) has attracted significant attention recently because of its superior energy-absorbing properties. To improve its energy-absorbing performance and designability, a heteromorphic structure for TPMS is proposed. This structure is formed by the fusion of two kinds of TPMS and inherits the structural characteristics of both TPMS. We systematically investigate Heteromorphic TPMS and Multi-morphology TPMS using quasi-static compression tests and finite element simulations. The results showed that the Heteromorphic TPMS with Gyroid and Primitive fusion structure, which inherits the advantageous parts of Gyroid and Primitive, possesses a lower Peak Force. For instance, the SEA (Specific Energy Absorption) value increases by 24.4 %, and the CFE (Crush Force Efficiency) increases by 68.5 %. Heteromorphic TPMS with Gyroid and Diamond fusion can bring more flexible designability. Research on Multi-morphology TPMS showed that compared with a single structure, its energy absorption performance was better, and all structures had greatly improved CFE, making them more secure in practical applications. For Multi-morphology TPMS, the MulD&G (A structure that superimposes Diamond and Gyroid) has the highest energy absorption performance, with 76.3 % improvement in CFE compared to the single structure, and the formation of gradient energy absorption in Multi-morphology TPMS depends on the preferential deformation of the inferior structure.

Crushing behavior of GFRP composite-reinforced PVC tubes: Experimental testing and numerical simulation

This paper introduces glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)-reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) tubes, both corrugated and non-corrugated, designed as energy absorber devices. The PVC tubes were externally and internally reinforced with GFRP composite oriented at ±45∘ and subjected to quasi-static axial compression tests. Results indicated that all reinforced tubes exhibited significantly higher load-bearing capacity, energy absorption capability, and crushing force efficiency compared to standard PVC tubes. Among the tested specimens, externally reinforced corrugated tubes demonstrated the highest specific energy absorption (SEA), surpassing other configurations by 17.5 kJ/kg when considering both pre- and post-crushing stages combined. However, these corrugated specimens showed instability during crushing, reflected in poor instantaneous crush force efficiency (iCFE) and the lowest iCFE among the composite tubes, with an average decrease of 43.59%.The corrugation notably increased the initial peak load, enhancing energy absorption in the pre-crushing stage without compromising the stability of crush force efficiency (CFE). Additionally, the combination of external and internal reinforcement significantly improved CFE and iCFE. Consequently, the PVC tubes combining corrugation with both external and internal reinforcement emerged as the best-performing configuration among all tested tubes.Furthermore, a 3D Finite Element (FE) model was developed using ABAQUS FE code with user-defined subroutines to simulate the crushing process. The constitutive models and numerical procedures employed are detailed. The FE model’s predictions showed a satisfactory correlation with experimental results, providing valuable insights into the crushing mechanics and offering a predictive tool for future design optimizations.

Towards gradient design of TPMS lattices and laser powder bed fusion processing– Role of laser strategies and lattice thickness

The ability to manufacture complex design geometries via Additive Manufacturing (AM) has led to a rapid growth in advancing the design methods, fabrication, and application of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) lattices with minimal surface topologies. Due to its zero-mean curvature, TPMS lattices can be additively manufactured without any sacrificial support structures and offer both design and manufacturing engineers, unprecedented control over the local physical properties (surface area, relative density, etc.) and local mechanical properties (flexural strength, Young’s modulus, etc.). TPMS lattices are of high interest for a wide range of applications such as biomedical implants, energy absorption, and surface fluidic applications such as heat exchangers, and energy storage. Recent advancements in functionally graded TPMS lattice design by varying local lattice geometry has shown to result in different mechanical performance. However, there have been limited studies in understanding the functional grading of AM process conditions (e.g., Laser-Powder Bed Fusion in this study) and lattice sheet thickness to better map the design-processing conditions-properties. The goal of this study is to achieve similar mechanical properties in TPMS sheet lattices with two different TPMS sheet thicknesses by varying laser processing conditions (e.g., contour and hatch conditions in this study). Quasi-static tensile testing of solid samples with corresponding AM conditions and 3-point bending tests of TPMS lattices were performed in accordance with ASTM E8 and ASTM E290, respectively. It was observed that the flexural properties of the 0.75 mm and 0.25 mm TPMS lattices are similar and exhibit different properties with different scan strategies and speed variations under contour-only and hatch-only laser scanning strategies. Also, the 0.75 mm TPMS sheet lattices exhibited 79 % higher flexural stiffness than the 0.25 mm sheet lattices. It was also observed that this observed trend was reversed in the case of tensile properties. Findings from this study can provide new directions towards achieving gradient TPMS lattice designs with varying local mechanical performance by grading the laser scanning strategies to achieve desired mechanical properties and surface topologies.

An optimal penalty method for the joint stiffening in beam models of additively manufactured lattice structures

Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing structural design, with lattice structures becoming increasingly prominent due to their superior mechanical properties. However, simulating these structures quickly and accurately using the finite element method (FEM) remains challenging. Recent research has highlighted beam element simulation within FEM as a more efficient alternative to traditional solid FE simulations, achieving similar accuracy with reduced computational resources. However, a significant challenge is managing the lack of rigidity at nodes and the prevalence of low aspect ratio beams. While various methodologies have been proposed to address these issues, there is still a gap in the comprehensive evaluation of their limitations. An optimal node penalization methodology is required to expand the limited range of accurately represented lattice behavior. A preliminary study investigates lattice geometries through comparative analysis of solid and beam FE simulations. Built on this, we developed a methodology suitable to linear, dynamics and nonlinear beam FE simulations, contributing to enhanced computational speed and accuracy. Several lattice structures were printed using material jetting and quasi-static compressive tests were conducted to validate the methodology’s accuracy. The numerical results reveal a good accuracy between the proposed beam FE methodology and the experimental data, offering a better alternative to conventional FEM for energy absorption in terms of computing time.

An experimentally validated multiscale machine learning fatigue damage model for fiber reinforced composites

In this paper, a fatigue model is formulated and implemented to predict fatigue life of fiber reinforced composite laminates. The developed model is based on experimental data collected at different spatial and temporal scales, and reported in [1] and [2]. The model is first validated against quasistatic tensile test data and is shown to accurately capture damage modes and the sequences in which the modes occur. Next the fatigue damage model is formulated and for computational efficiency the cycle jumping approach is used to implement the model for predicting fatigue life. The computational efficiency is further enhanced through the use of a neural network that allows for very fast computation. Details of the model are presented and shown to be an efficient way to predict fatigue life of composite laminates.

Design and numerical investigation of the 3D reinforced re-entrant auxetic and hexagonal lattice structures for energy absorption properties

Lattice Structures (LS) are widely recognized for their light weight and excellent mechanical properties. In this study, strut reinforcement technique is applied to enhance the energy absorption properties of 3D re-entrant auxetic (Aux) and hexagonal (Hex) LS. Numerical investigation using finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to understand the mechanical and energy absorption properties of the novel designs through quasi-static compression test. The uniaxial loading results of the reinforced designs were compared to the traditional 3D hexagonal and re-entrant auxetic LS. In order to numerically simulate the mechanical behaviour of 3D printed LS, mechanical properties of experimentally studied PA2200 matrix material (manufactured via additive manufacturing) was used. Study of the mechanical behaviour of the 3D printed LS parts is essential because additive manufacturing has the capacity to fabricate the complex LS compared to conventional manufacturing processes, and innovative LS design can provide high specific strength of parts. The stress–strain and energy absorption curve results indicate that the purposed new designs are excellent choice for energy absorption properties at large strain. The findings of this study contribute towards the novel design of 3D hexagonal and re-entrant auxetic LS for superior mechanical strength and specific energy absorption properties.

Dynamic compressive behavior of functionally graded triply periodic minimal surface meta-structures

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice structures have gained considerable attention because of their light weight, high strength, and excellent energy absorption capabilities. However, the effect of the amplitude that can control the topological morphology of a TPMS on the dynamic properties of the TPMS structure is not yet fully understood, as previous studies have focused on the relative density and size as well as their quasi-static mechanical properties. In this study, three types of uniform sheet-based TPMS structures with different amplitudes and three types of functionally graded sheet-based TPMS structures were proposed. Experiments and numerical simulations were conducted under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. Six types of TPMS lattice structures made of 316L stainless steel were manufactured via powder bed fusion. Quasi-static compression tests were performed at a strain rate of 0.001 s⁻¹. The experimental results indicate that increasing the amplitude can increase the elastic modulus, plateau stress, and energy absorption capacity of a structure. Moreover, the functional gradient amplitude structure has a higher energy absorption capacity, and the structures with line and log gradient strategies improved by 17.38% and 35.43%, respectively, compared to the uniform structure with an amplitude of 1. Additionally, an idealized rigid-linear plastic hardening (R-LPH) model was proposed to predict the mechanical response of the structures. The finite element method (FEM) was used to construct dynamic compression numerical models, and their validity was verified through split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests at a strain rate of 695 s⁻¹. The mechanical response, deformation modes, and stress enhancement effects of the structures under dynamic compression were systematically studied. The results show that the mechanical performance and energy absorption capacity of the structures under dynamic impact loading increase with increasing strain rate. The critical velocity for the transition from the quasi-static mode to the impact mode increases with amplitude. For strain rates below 6000 s⁻¹, the strain rate effect is the main factor influencing the dynamic stress enhancement. As the strain rate continues to increase, the dynamic stress enhancement results from the combined effects of inertia and strain rate, with inertia effects gradually becoming the dominant factor. This study shows that functional gradient TPMS meta-structures have excellent mechanical and energy absorbing properties under quasi-static compression and dynamic compression, with potential applications in passive safety protection.

Crashworthiness analysis of splitting-expanding structures made from magnesium alloy

This paper aims to investigate the energy absorption performance of a splitting-expanding structure made from magnesium alloy through experimental investigations, computer simulations, and theoretical analyses. The results of the quasi-static compression test showed that the addition of the expansion deformation mode allowed the splitting-expanding structure to retain the excellent stroke efficiency exhibited by the splitting structure, while effectively improving the efficiency and stability of the structure’s energy absorption. The simulation results indicated that structural parameters, such as tube thickness (T), pre-cut depth (d), number of pre-cuts (N), and the friction coefficient between the die and tube (f), significantly influence the mechanical properties of the structure. An increase in ‘T’, ‘d’, and ‘f’, along with a decrease in ‘N’, resulted in an increase in both the mean crushing force and specific energy absorption of the structure. Increasing ‘d’ and decreasing ‘T’ and ‘f’ could effectively reduce the initial peak force of the structure. In addition, the load-carrying capacity of the structure decreased with an increase in ‘d’. However, as ‘T’ and ‘N’ increased, the change in the load-carrying capacity of the structure was non-monotonic. Therefore, selecting appropriate structural parameters was essential to achieve optimal overall performance of the structure. Finally, a theoretical model for the mean crushing force of the structure was established, taking into account both split deformation and expansion deformation. The error between theoretical and experimental results was less than 5%.

Impact of elevated loading rates on the shape of the Master Curve (ASTM E1921) for a German RPV steel

The Master Curve Methodology (ASTM E1921) experimentally assesses a materials temperature-dependent fracture toughness, predominantly for quasi-static testing conditions. The treatment of elevated loading rates is described by the annex A1 of ASTM E1921 and A14 of ASTM E1820. This paper presents results of the evaluation of a large and standard-conforming database in order to verify the procedures recommended by the standard for elevated loading rates. Testing involved C(T)- and SEN(B)-specimens of the RPV-steel 22NiMoCr3-7 (A508 Grade 2) for loading rates of 100 MPa√m/s ≤ K̇ ≤ 104 MPa√m/s in the ductile to brittle transition region. While valid T0-values were found, single-temperature T0-values were observed to differ more than expected from multi-temperature T0-values, which cannot be explained by the Master Curve uncertainty. The shape and underlying distribution of the Master Curve show deviations with increased loading rate. The shape factor p is optimized with respect to the individual data, and it increases with K̇, but deviations are not completely overcome. This can be linked to a change in distribution, which was demonstrated by an optimization of minimum fracture toughness Kmin, which increases with temperature. It is argued that the cause for the observations is linked to both heating processes and local crack arrest that severely influence macroscopic fracture behavior. Also, an individual adjustment of p or Kmin is not helpful due to the material-dependency in practice. It is recommended that fracture mechanics testing at elevated loading rates is performed close to or below T0 in order to minimize the influence of dynamic loading conditions on the assessment.

The superior ballistic performance of highly stretchable and flexible double-face knitted fabrics (DFKF): An experimental investigation

When the protective and protected systems are detached, the former can be allowed to absorb the kinetic energy of the impacting projectile through large deformation without considering the back face signature of the latter. This paper presents a novel double-face knitted fabric (DFKF) designed for this very impacting scenario. Shooting tests equipped with high-speed camera were used to characterize the ballistic performance with the impact velocities ranging from 100∼450 m/s. The results showed that the ballistic limits (Vbl) of DFKF are approximately triple and double that of its counterpart UD and plain fabrics, respectively. For mass-normalized metrics, the specific energy absorption (SEA) is 250% and 350% greater than the UD and plain fabrics at their corresponding Vbls. The quasi-static tests showed that the DFKF displayed greater resilience, crease recovery properties, and flexibility, which also made it an especially better candidate than UD and plain weaves for the design of umbrella surface cloth. It was also found that DFKF is dependent on yarn count and the incorporation of spandex. A prototype anti-ballistic umbrella is manufactured using DFKF made of 200D multi-filament yarn. The ballistic performance is also sensitive to the impact site when the umbrella is subjected to impact.

Nonlinear mechanical behaviour and visco-hyperelastic constitutive description of isotropic-genesis, polydomain liquid crystal elastomers at high strain rates

The mechanical behaviour of isotropic-genesis, polydomain liquid crystal elastomers (I-PLCEs) at various strain rates is systematically investigated via experiments, theoretical analysis, and numerical modelling. Experiments encompassing SEM (scanning electron microscope), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), TGA (thermogravimetric analyser), quasi-static and dynamic (SHPB – split Hopkinson pressure bar) mechanical tests, as well as drop-weight impact tests, are undertaken to identify the nonlinear, large-strain, rate-dependent relationship between compressive stress and deformation of the I-PLCEs studied. Subsequently, a three-dimensional compressible visco-hyperelastic constitutive model for the material is established based on the summation of Cauchy stress components. The as-used model yields good agreement with experimental data, particularly an excellent description of the mechanical responses at high strain rates of 103∼104 s−1. The fully-calibrated constitutive model is implemented in the commercial finite element code ABAQUS via a virtual user-defined material (VUMAT) subroutine. The inhomogeneous deformation processes of the I-PLCEs, corresponding to impact by a hemispherically-tipped drop weight, which induces complex stress states, are also well described. Finally, when evaluated by two dimensionless physical parameters, the I-PLCEs demonstrate a more pronounced strain rate sensitivity in terms of dynamic strength and impact toughness compared to other commonly used materials, highlighting their superior performance in dynamic loading scenarios. The present study is helpful for the design and development of impact-resistant LCE-based materials and structures.

Experimental and Numerical Insights into the Multi-Impact Response of Cork Agglomerates

Due to their extraordinary qualities, including fire resistance, excellent crashworthiness, low thermal conductivity, permeability, non-toxicity, and reduced density, cellular materials have found extensive use in various engineering applications. This study uses a finite element analysis (FEA) to model the dynamic compressive behaviour of agglomerated cork to ascertain how its material density and stress relaxation behaviour are related. Adding the Mullins effect into the constitutive modelling of impact tests, its rebound phase and subsequent second impact were further examined and simulated. Quasi-static and dynamic compression tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of three distinct agglomerated cork composite samples to feed the numerical model. According to the results, agglomerated cork has a significant capacity for elastic rebound, especially under dynamic strain rates, with minimal permanent deformation. For instance, the minimum value of its bounce-back energy is 11.8% of the initial kinetic energy, and its maximum permanent plastic deformation is less than 10%. The material’s model simulation adequately depicts the agglomerated cork’s response to initial and follow-up impacts by accurately reproducing the material’s dynamic compressive behaviour. In terms of innovation, this work stands out since it tackles the rebounding phenomena, which was not previously investigated in this group’s prior publication, either numerically or experimentally. Thus, this group has expanded the research on cork materials’ attributes.

Biomechanical Comparison of Three Modified Kessler Techniques for Flexor Tendon Repair: Implications in Surgical Practice and Early Active Mobilization.

Objective: Managing flexor tendon injuries surgically remains challenging due to the ongoing debate over the most effective suture technique and materials. An optimal repair must be technically feasible while providing enough strength to allow for early active mobilization during the post-operative phase. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical properties of three modified Kessler repair techniques using two different suture materials: a conventional two-strand and a modified four-strand Kirchmayr-Kessler repair using 3-0 Prolene® (2s-KK-P and 4s-KK-P respectively), and a four-strand Kessler-Tsuge repair using 4-0 FiberLoop® (4s-KT-FL). Methods: Human flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons were retrieved from Thiel-embalmed prosections. For each tendon, a full-thickness cross-sectional incision was created, and the ends were reattached using either a 2s-KK-P (n = 30), a 4s-KK-P (n = 30), or a 4s-KT-FL repair (n = 30). The repaired tendons were tested using either a quasi-static (n = 45) or cyclic testing protocol (n = 45). Maximum force (Fmax), 2 mm gap force (F2mm), and primary failure modes were recorded. Results: In both quasi-static and cyclic testing groups, tendons repaired using the 4s-KT-FL approach exhibited higher Fmax and F2mm values compared to the 2s-KK-P or 4s-KK-P repairs. Fmax was significantly higher with a 4s-KK-P versus 2s-KK-P repair, but there was no significant difference in F2mm. Suture pull-out was the main failure mode for the 4s-KT-FL repair, while suture breakage was the primary failure mode in 2s- and 4s-KK-P repairs. Conclusions: FDP tendons repaired using the 4s-KT-FL approach demonstrated superior biomechanical performance compared to 2s- and 4s-KK-P repairs, suggesting that the 4s-KT-FL tendon repair could potentially reduce the risk of gapping or re-rupture during early active mobilization.

Experimental characterization of aluminum/polymer/aluminum sandwich structures under various loading rates and temperatures: Establishing a constitutive relationship for LDPE

Composite sandwich structures, for example Alucobond, have appeared as auspicious materials in a diversity of engineering applications due to their lightweight, high strength to weight ratio and thermal insulation properties. Analyzing their mechanical behavior in different loading rates is critical to optimizing their performance. This study inspects the mechanical response of Alucobond sandwich composite structures under dynamic and quasi-static compression loadings. Dynamic compression tests, carried out at high strain rates, and quasi-static compression tests, carried out at lower strain rates and temperatures, were used to predict the behavior of the material under different loading conditions. In addition, the mechanical properties of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) core layer were characterized under dynamic and quasi-static loading conditions, with varying strain rates and temperatures, leading to the establishment of a constitutive relationship for the LDPE material. The comparative study of Alucobond and LDPE highlights the influence of material composition and loading conditions on the mechanical behavior of the composite sandwich structures.

In-plane crashworthiness study of bio-inspired metallic lattice structure based on deep-sea glass sponge

Inspired by the double-diagonal reinforced configuration of deep-sea glass sponges, a metallic bio-inspired lattice structure (BLS) was fabricated using additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. In-plane quasi-static compression tests demonstrated the energy absorption (EA) of BLS was improved by about 60 % compared to conventional lattice designs. Subsequent experimental and numerical investigations examined the effects of wall thickness, elucidating the corresponding variations in crashworthiness indicators. The study revealed that when the wall thickness increased from 0.40 mm to 0.60 mm, the EA and mean crushing force (Pm) exhibited a substantial increment of 58.1 % and 91.1 %, respectively. The finite element (FE) simulations underwent experimental validation, exhibiting satisfactory agreement. Parametric studies using the validated FE model explored the effects of geometric factors, such as diagonal distance, unit size, unit number and graded thickness on the crushing performance of BLS. Results indicated that enhancing the EA performance of BLS was achievable by concurrently reducing the unit size and increasing the unit number. The maximum EA achieved was 3535.5 J, representing a 62.9 % improvement compared to the initial configuration, which exhibited an EA of 2170.7 J. Additionally, the introduction of graded thickness facilitated a controllable collapse pattern, thereby improving the crashworthiness performance. Lastly, the in-plane dynamic crushing simulations were conducted, identifying three distinct collapse patterns, where the U-Mode exhibiting a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) behavior. A deformation mode map and rigid-perfectly plastic-lock (R-PP-L) model were developed to evaluate the dynamic response of BLS under varying relative density (RD) and impact velocity (V). These findings provided valuable insights for designing sponge-inspired structures with enhanced crashworthiness performance.

Mechanical properties and JC constitutive modification of tungsten alloys under high strain rates and high/low temperatures

The original Johnson-Cook model's poor prediction of W90 alloy stress at high strain rate and high and low temperatures restricts research and utilization of this alloy. This study used a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) device to conduct dynamic compression tests on W90 alloy over a temperature range of [-90℃,700℃] and analyze its mechanical behavior. We examined the material's different plastic phase characteristics at high and low temperatures and conducted microstructure research on impact test specimens. Then, we analyzed the stress-strain data from SHPB experiments and quasi-static compression tests on the classical Johnson-Cook model. The original Johnson-Cook model was calibrated using the stress-strain data from SHPB and quasi-static compression tests, and the modified Johnson-Cook model was established and verified. The results show that: low temperature significantly strengthens the material's stress, while increasing temperature thermal softening reduces stress; increasing strain rate increases the strain generated by the workpiece, causing faster strain hardening and thermal softening effects, resulting in higher and more stable stress; low temperature makes thicker grain boundaries, increasing plastic stress, and increasing strain rate also increases plastic stress, as well as making the material's grain boundaries thicker. The increase of strain rate makes the grain more dense, which will also show up in the increase of stress on the macroscopic level; the modified Johnson-Cook model in this paper has high agreement with experimental data, with a mean value of MAPE of only 1.85 %,which is 90.20 % lower than the traditional model, and the average value of the RMSE is 85.56 % lower than the traditional model. The modified model significantly outperforms the traditional model in predicting stress and better describes stress changes in W90 at different temperatures.

Seismic behavior of exterior joint of CFDST column to steel beam with RC slab

To investigate the seismic performance of an exterior joint connecting concrete-filled double-skin steel tubular (CFDST) column to steel beam with reinforced concrete (RC) slab, four scaled-down joint specimens were designed at a ratio of 1:2. Quasi-static tests were conducted with different axial compression ratios were performed, and the failure mode, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, bearing capacity, energy dissipation capacity, strength and stiffness degradation, and strain analysis of the composite joint were analyzed. A finite element method (FEM) model of the joint was constructed and validated against the obtained experimental results. Additionally, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the influence of various factors, including the hollow ratio of the CFDST column, the concrete strength of the slab, the thickness of the slab, and the width-to-thickness ratio of the outer steel tube on joint. Based on experimental studies and finite element analysis (FEA), a theoretical calculation method was proposed to evaluate the flexural capacity of the composite joints. The test results showed that the composite exterior joint specimens with RC slab failed at the beam end. Typical failure phenomena of fracture at the steel beam and horizontal end plate interfaces, steel beam flange buckling, and concrete crushing at the RC slab were observed in the experiments. While the interior joint specimen experienced significant plastic deformation and buckling at the column flange. The hysteresis curve of the specimen is elliptical and full without pinching. The presence of RC slab can effectively improve the ultimate bearing capacity, initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity of the specimen. The FEA results show that the bearing capacity of the composite joints was improved significantly with the increase of the thickness of the slab and the width-thickness ratio of the outer steel tube. The theoretical calculation results of the flexural capacity of the joint are 86 %–112 % of the results of the finite element calculation. The stability and accuracy of the calculation method are excellent and can be effectively applied to calculate the flexural capacity in CFDST composite structural systems.

Mechanical characterization of FDM components made of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) for aerospace applications: a comparison of direct printing and box-cut sample manufacturing strategies

This study delves into the manufacturing strategies employed for fabricating tensile samples utilized in the mechanical characterization of material extrusion (MEX) components constructed with polyaryletherketone (PAEK) for aerospace applications. Two distinct methods were investigated for obtaining tensile test samples: direct cutting and extraction from a box. These methods were examined under both as-printed and annealing conditions. Quasistatic tensile tests were conducted along the building direction to evaluate the impact of processing conditions on the adhesion of overlying layers. The results unveiled significant disparities in mechanical behavior and crystallinity between directly printed samples and those derived from the box. The Young’s modulus exhibited marginal influence; however, the tensile strength of directly printed samples measured at 30 MPa (prior to annealing), corresponding to 50% of the strength observed in samples cut from the box (60 MPa). Moreover, the elongation at rupture of directly printed samples was found to be less than 2%, while that of cut samples exceeded 8%. Notably, directly printed samples exhibited a significant degree of incipient crystallization (12.18%), contrasting with the lower level of crystallinity observed in samples cut from the box (3.27%). These findings underscore the importance of recognizing the limitations associated with direct sample printing, emphasizing its crucial role in accurately characterizing components destined for the aerospace industry. Furthermore, this understanding is pivotal for optimizing the performance and reliability of MEX-printed PAEK components in aerospace engineering applications.

Seismic damage assessment of bonded versus unbonded laminated rubber bearings: A deep learning perspective

Laminated Rubber Bearings (LRBs), widely employed in highway bridges worldwide, are vulnerable to shear failure, squeezing or displacing during seismic events, potentially compromising bridge safety. Establishing a reliable approach for assessing the damage of LRBs is crucial for evaluating the seismic performance of bridges and preventing serious damage. To address this concern, this paper proposes a novel approach for LRBs seismic damage assessment based on computer vision (CV) technique. First, quasi-static loading tests are conducted on both bonded and unbonded LRBs to effectively enhance the understanding of their nonlinear properties. Subsequently, a large number of bearing samples are investigated to develop a comprehensive image database for a CV-based damage assessment model. A deep convolutional network (CNN) is designed to segment damage pixels, which are then combined with damage indicators to quantify the impact of various influencing factors on seismic damage using the interpretable machine learning technique, Shapley value. The results demonstrate that the CNN model achieves high-precision pixel segmentation and accurate predictions of seismic damage to LRBs, with RMSE consistently below 0.009 and R2 exceeding 95 %. The primary factor influencing LRB damage is the type of constraint, which interacts with loading characteristics and geometric dimensions to produce various coupled effects. This high-precision CV-based approach shows significant potential for estimating seismic damage states of critical bridge components and building seismic protection.