Quasi-static Compressive Loading Research Articles

THE EFFECT OF HEAT-TREATMENT ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED GLASS PARTICLE/A356 SYNTACTIC FOAM

This research investigates the manufacturing of metal syntactic foams (MSFs) using a packed bed of porous (2-2.8 mm) expanded glass (EG) within an A356 alloy matrix. To this end, the counter-gravity infiltration casting technique is employed to manufacture the specimens. The density of the MSFs ranges from 1.05 to 1.17 g/cm3, making it one of the lowest densities foams, attributed to the filler particles' low bulk density. The study investigates the influence of T6 heat treatment on the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of the manufactured MSFs. The mechanical properties of the MSFs are characterized under quasi-static compressive loads at 1 mm/min. After heat treatment, the compression test results indicate a significant enhancement in most mechanical properties. Compression strength and plateau stress are approximately doubled compared to as-cast foams for samples with similar densities. While energy absorption of the MSFs triples in heat-treated conditions. These improvements are attributed to changes in the matrix microstructure due to thermal treatment. Microstructural analysis reveals that Si particles, initially sharp and continuous within inter-dendritic boundaries, become blurry and discontinuous through spheroidization after thermal treatment. This hinders crack growth in the cell wall and mitigates the effects of casting defects and the columnar dendritic structure. The majority of mechanical properties in both heat-treated (HT) and as-cast (AC) foams exhibited an increase in density due to an increase in the matrix fraction. However, plateau end strain and energy absorption efficiency demonstrated an independent effect of heat treatment and density.

Mechanical energy absorption capacity of the porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy under quasi-static and dynamic compression

Porous materials are very efficient in absorbing mechanical energy in different applications. In the present study, porous materials based on the Ti-6(wt.%)Al-4V alloy were manufactured with the use of two different powder metallurgy methods: i) blended elemental powder approach using titanium hydride (TiH2) as well as V-Al master alloy powders and ii) using hydrogenated Ti-6-4 pre-alloyed powder. The powder compacts were sintered with additions of ammonium bicarbonate as a pore-holding removable agent. The emission of hydrogen from hydrogenated powders on vacuum sintering and the resulting shrinkage of powder particles permitted the control of the sintering process and creation of anticipated porous structures. Mechanical characteristics were evaluated under quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading conditions. Dynamic compression tests were performed using the direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar technique. All investigations aimed at characterizing the mechanical energy-absorbing ability of the obtained porous structures. The anticipated strength, plasticity, and energy-absorbing characteristics of porous Ti-6-4 material were evaluated, and the possibilities of their application were also discussed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that porous Ti-6-4 material produced with a blended elemental powder approach showed more promising energy absorption properties in comparison with pre-alloyed powder.

Ageing effects on the mechanical properties stability of 3D printed material under compression

The paper deals with the examination of the ageing effects on the mechanical properties stability of 3D printed material via stereolithography under compression when subjected to various conditions, including UV radiation, X-rays, and the effects of time, from the opening of the bottle with the material to the 3D-printing process. The sets of samples under investigation were subjected to quasi-static and dynamic compression loading using an Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. The aim of this paper is to investigate the long-term stability of the samples in terms of their mechanical properties and material behaviour and their degradation pattern. Despite the manufacturer’s information, it was found that the mechanical behaviour of the printed samples was significantly affected by the ageing process.

Quasi-static crushing response of a novel triaxial isotropy mechanical metamaterial with dual-platform property

A novel triaxial isotropy origami metamaterial with dual-platform is proposed by combining the tachi tubes and the honeycomb structures. Crushing responses of the hexahedral metamaterial under quasi-static compression load are investigated through experimental tests and numerical simulations. Experimental and numerical results reveal that the hexahedral metamaterial sample shows three deformation modes. Meanwhile, the numerical predictions of deformation modes and locations agree very well with the experimental results. Moreover, the effect of aspect ratio, thickness-to-span ratio, angle on the deformation mode, peak stress, plateau stress of different stages, and specific energy absorption (SEAM, SEAV) is investigated. Finally, the proposed metamaterial is compared with traditional honeycomb. The numerical results demonstrate that the SEAM of the hexahedral metamaterial is 90.6% of the traditional honeycomb in the Z-direction. However, during X/Y-direction compression, the energy absorption capacity of the hexahedral metamaterial is 13.0 and 12.2 times that of the traditional honeycomb, respectively.

Investigating the mechanical properties and crashworthiness of hybrid PLA/GFRP composites fabricated using FDM-filament winding

The failure and crashworthiness performance of hybrid Polylactide (PLA)/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite tubes subjected to axial and radial quasistatic compression loads were investigated in the present study. The composite tubes are fabricated using hand lay-up and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-filament winding processes. The crashworthiness performance was studied using parameters such as the peak load, energy absorption, crush load, crushing load efficiency, and specific energy absorption. The highest peak loads from the compression test results in the axial and radial directions are calculated using variations in the filament winding PLA/GFRP (FPG) specimen, whose values were 16130.50 N and 12077.33 N, respectively. The highest mean crush load is found in the material variation with the FPG specimen, which is 5734.43 J/mm for axial loading and 4886.75 J/mm for radial loading. The highest energy absorption (EA) value is found in the material variation with the FPG specimen, which is 262.18 J for axial direction loading and 94.02 J for radial direction loading. The highest specific energy absorption (SEA) value is found in the material variation with the specimen Filament Winding PLA/GFRP, which is 16.92 J/g for axial loading and 10.98 J/g for radial loading. There are three main types of failure of the composite: matrix cracking, fiber damage, and folding. The study showed that by combining Additive Manufacturing and composite lamination, the hybrid PLA/GFRP specimen outperformed the existing structures.

Mechanical behaviors of composite auxetic structures under quasi-static compression and dynamic impact

This paper presents a low-velocity impact study on two types of structures, namely (1) planar multi-cellular auxetic structures (AUS) composed of multiple re-entrant cell structures made of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP) laminate, and (2) sandwich CFRP-AUS structures (Al/CFRP-AUS), whereby the CFRP-AUS was sandwiched by aluminium plates. The experimental results reveal the mechanical behaviors of CFRP-AUS under quasi-static compression and drop hammer impact loading, and the mechanical behavior of Al/CFRP-AUS under drop impact loading. The energy absorption of the CFRP-AUS associated with quasi-static compression is greater than that associated with drop hammer impact, which is consistent with the observed differences in failure modes. The impact energy absorption capacity of the Al/CFRP-AUS is slightly higher than that of the CFRP-AUS due to the interaction between the plates and the AUS. The corresponding finite element analysis was performed and the drop hammer impact of the multi-layered CFRP-AUS was predicted. In conclusion, the CFRP-AUS structures have good energy absorption capacity during impact loading, and the known complex mechanical behaviors of deformation, failure and contact can provide guidance for the design of energy absorption box and bumper in engineering application.

New 3D petal-like structures with lightweight, high strength, high energy absorption, and auxetic characteristics

A novel type of petal-like structure that exhibits superior mechanical properties, was proposed and fabricated by integrating advantages of metamaterial, multi-stage deformation, and high strength of fiber-reinforced composites. Compression testing and finite element analysis were first conducted on three petal-like structures formed with different angles and made from fiber-reinforced composites. The findings indicated that these composite-based multi-cell structures can also exhibit a satisfactory stress plateau stage through judicious structural design. After ensuring the structures' performance under quasi-static compression load, the impact resistance of the new structures was further examined. It was found that the structure's auxetic characteristics diminished under low-speed impact load. However, under a 20 J impact load, the structures exhibited energy absorption characteristics (SEA) that surpassed those of both conventional and other new auxetic structures by 8–40 times. These promising results demonstrate that the newly designed petal-like structures have high potential applications in various fields such as construction and automotive industries.

Experimental evaluation on the axial crushing performance of BFRP-bamboo winding composite hollow components

In order to study the quasi-static axial crushing performance of BFRP-bamboo winding composite hollow components, considering the cloth ratio of BFRP (0%~14.68%) the number of BFRP layers (0 layer~4 layers) as an influencing factor, 20 tube specimens were designed for quasi-static compression tests. In this paper, the failure modes of the specimens under quasi-static axial compressive load are presented with the relevant load-displacement curves. The deformation types were carefully studied to evaluate the compressive crushing indicators of the specimens. The test results showed that when the cloth ratio of BFRP increased from 0 to 14.68%, the specific energy absorption (SEA), the mean crushing force (MCF) and the crushing load efficiency (CFE) increased to some extent, whilst the initial peak crushing force (PCF) did not show any trend. When compared with those of the bamboo winding hollow components (BT), the SEA, MCF and CFE of BFRP-bamboo winding composite hollow components with four layers of BFRP winding outside of BT (BBT4) increased by 87.53%, 194.37% and 255.59% respectively. Compared with other composite hollow components such as composite wrapped hollow components (CWT) and carbon reinforced composite hollow components (CRCT), BFRP-bamboo winding composite hollow components (BBT) showed superior crushing resistance while offering the advantages of light weight.

Optimizing an auxetic metamaterial structure for enhanced mechanical energy absorption: Design and performance evaluation under compressive and impact loading

Auxetic metamaterials, characterized by their negative Poisson’s ratio, offer promising prospects for utilization in absorbing energy during quasi-static compressive loading as well as in applications requiring impact energy absorption. The optimization of auxetic structures’ geometrical parameters can improve their performance. This research aims to optimize the design of an auxetic structure for maximum specific energy absorption and investigate its behavior under quasi-static compressive and high-velocity impact loading. The geometrical parameters of the cross-petal auxetic structure are optimized using genetic algorithm and a neural network surrogate model. The behavior of the optimized auxetic structure is examined in quasi-static compressive loading and compared with that of the basic auxetic structure using finite element simulations. The optimized auxetic structure is then evaluated in high-velocity impact loading as the core of a sandwich panel, with two plates placed in the front and rear. Simulations of projectile impacts at velocities ranging from 100 to 250 m/s reveal the sandwich panel’s behavior. Results indicate a 69.82% increase in specific energy absorption capacity for the optimized auxetic structure as compared to the basic structure in quasi-static compressive loading. In high-velocity impact, the sandwich panel with the optimal auxetic core outperforms the one with the basic core. At velocities more than the minimum perforation velocity, the core contributes about 64%–67% of the total absorbed energy by the sandwich panel.

Energy absorption assessment of recovered shapes in 3D-printed star hourglass honeycombs: Experimental and numerical approaches

This study provides an experimental and numerical evaluation of the energy absorption performance of a 3D-printed star hourglass honeycomb structure with a novel design made from pure and reinforced PLA by chopped carbon fibers and continuous glass fiber. The study further investigates the energy absorption response of this structure after the shape recovery due to thermal stimuli under the quasi-static compressive loading. As an additive manufacturing process, Fused Deposition Modeling is used to produce the specimens with pure and reinforced PLA filament. The difference in the nonlinear response of PLA due to plasticity and damage in tension and compression loading directions, as a feature that helps the shape recovery, is considered in mechanical response analysis using the Finite Element approach. Then, in the obtained results distinguish constitutive laws in tension and compression mechanical properties are employed leading to a failure model using the appropriate algorithm consistent with the experiments. According to the obtained results which reveal good agreement regarding the experimental results, by designing appropriate auxetic configuration selecting suitable geometry parameters, and employing the proper material with diverse properties in tension and compression directions, it is possible to fabricate a lattice structure inherits the shape recovery after the compression deformation which exhibits acceptable energy absorption performance even the second shape recovery.

Experimental investigations into 3D printed hybrid auxetic structures for load-bearing and energy absorption applications

Auxetic structures possess negative Poisson’s ratio due to their unique geometrical configuration. It also offers enhanced indentation resistance, superior energy absorption capacity, excellent impact resistance, higher compressive strength, and other exceptional mechanical properties. In this study, multiple hybrid auxetic structures of three novel geometries have been designed by considering different sets of geometric parameters to numerically investigate the mechanical behaviors of the structures. The energy absorption properties and Poisson’s ratio of the developed hybrid auxetic structures have been measured under quasi-static compressive and bending loads. The numerically optimized structures from each of the three different geometries have been fabricated of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene using fused deposition modeling. Additionally, the simulated results have been experimentally validated. The validation studies have shown close agreement of their performances with the simulated results. Finally, comparative analyses of energy absorption performances have also been performed to select the most suitable structure for impact-resistant applications. Moreover, it has been observed that structure-2 exhibits superior performance in terms of maximum load-bearing capacity of 3395 N. On the other hand, structure-3 has the maximum energy absorption capacity of 51902 N.mm which is 4.85% higher than structure-1 and structure-2. Similarly, three-point bending test results have revealed that structure-2 performs better in terms of energy absorption capacity (10864 N.mm). Besides this, the effects of loading direction on deformation patterns and mechanical responses of the structures have been observed due to the changes in deformation mechanism. The high-velocity (8 m.s−1) impact test results have also confirmed the suitability of structure-2 for crashworthiness applications. The comparative findings derived from this study contribute significantly in developing lightweight, energy-absorbent, and impact-resistant auxetic core-sandwiched structures for civil, defense, and automobile sectors.

Mechanical properties of 3D continuous CFRP composite graded auxetic structures

A novel type of petal-like linear/linear symmetrical gradient auxetic structures with multi-stage deformation ability was designed and fabricated by using lightweight and high strength continuous carbon fiber reinforced composites to avoid the cliff-like stress drops caused by fiber fractures. The mechanical response, deformation mode and energy absorption capacity of the structures under quasi-static compression and low-speed impact loads were investigated by using finite element method in combination with experiments. The outcomes revealed that, through appropriate structural design, these auxetic structures made from fiber reinforced composites could also exhibit a stress plateau stage. Moreover, the gradient design enhanced the equivalent compression modulus of structures formed with smaller angles, while concurrently suppressing the buckling failure in structures with larger angles, thereby facilitating the predictability of structural failure. Besides, in comparison to traditional multicellular structures, the composite gradient petal-like structures exhibit superior energy absorption characteristics, thus rendering them promising candidates for applications in the construction, marine, and wind power industries.

Mechanical properties and failure behavior of additively manufactured Al2O3 lattice structures infiltrated with phenol-formaldehyde resin

The lightweight design and load-bearing capacity of underwater vehicles remain perennial focal points. Ceramic lattice structures (CLSs) offer significant weight reduction while maximizing structural strength; however, their inherent brittleness poses a limitation. To optimize the performance of CLSs for underwater vehicle applications, a biomimetic Al2O3/phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin composite structure (APCS) was proposed and fabricated by infiltrating additive-manufactured Al2O3 lattice structures (ALSs) with PF. Comprehensive assessments of the quasi-static mechanical properties were conducted using both experimental and simulation methods. The specific compressive strength and specific energy absorption of the APCSs under quasi-static compressive loading exhibited remarkable improvements, with the maximum values achieved from the body-centered cubic (BCC)/PF structure increasing by ∼15.23 and ∼307.93 times, respectively. In contrast to ALSs, the failure process of APCSs was gradual, with the confining pressure introduced by the PF promoting transverse crack propagation and layer-by-layer failure, thereby strengthening the ceramic lattice. Toughing mechanisms (i.e., crack arrest, crack deflection, and branching) were also observed in the APCSs. Furthermore, the simulation results aligned well with the experimental results, providing an in-depth analysis of internal damage and crack propagation. The improvements introduced by the composite structure in this study provide a reliable approach for obtaining lightweight and strong materials, thereby accelerating the application of ceramic-based materials in underwater vehicles.

Investigating the impact of cross-sectional area on the crushing characteristics of axially-loaded hemispherical composite shells

The research focus has shifted towards lightweight structures with high energy absorption capabilities due to advancements in automotive safety technology. This study specifically investigates the impact of cross-sectional area on the energy absorption characteristics of hemispherical composite shells. The experimental phase involves characterizing a glass fiber epoxy composite, followed by the manufacture of hemispherical composite shell specimens with varying cross-sectional areas. These specimens undergo quasi-static axial compressive loading, and the energy absorption parameters are analyzed. The results indicate a significant influence of the composite cross-sectional area on the crushing behavior of hemispherical shells, with a observed decrease in specific energy absorption as the cross-sectional area increases. Additionally, a 3D Finite Element (FE) model is created using ABAQUS FE code to numerically simulate the crushing process. The model’s predictions are compared and validated against experimentally measured values, demonstrating a satisfactory correlation.

The mechanical responses of SiC-coated carbon-bonded carbon fiber composites under quasi-static cyclic compressive loading

SiC-coated carbon-bonded carbon fiber composites (CBCFs), serving as novel thermal protection materials for hypersonic vehicles, are manufactured to investigate their mechanical properties concerning reusability. Comprehensive analyses are performed on their microstructures, including the fiber arrangement and the morphology of individual fibers and interconnecting bonds. The results demonstrate that SiC-coated CBCFs exhibit higher elastic moduli and strengths in both typical directions compared to bare CBCFs. To evaluate their durability in repeated use scenarios, a series of quasi-static uniaxial cyclic compressive experiments are conducted with emphasis on the variations of deformation recovery, load bearing and energy dissipation. The results indicate that SiC-coated CBCFs exhibit stable deformation recovery ability in the OP direction after the 25th cycle, with a decelerating decline in their load-bearing capacity observed over subsequent cycles. The energy loss coefficient initially decreases with increasing cycle number, and higher compression loads enlarge the amount of energy that is dissipated in the first cycle. These insights elucidate critical correlations between the mechanical properties of SiC-coated CBCFs and the number of compressive cycles, contributing to the optimization of their practical utilization in reusable scenarios.

Energy absorption characteristics of modular assembly structures under quasi-static compression load

Inspired by the assembly of building blocks, an innovative modular assembly structure (MAS) is proposed. With its modular design and versatility, MAS can be tailored to diverse working environments and task requirements. A prototype MAS is generated through three-dimensional (3D) printing, and subsequent compression tests consistently display energy absorption performance akin to a finite element model, affirming the validity of the simulations. Multiple MASs are obtained through the assembly of oblique cross cells, and the effect of compression direction on the energy absorption capacity of MASs is discussed. It is found that transverse compression outperforms longitudinal compression in energy absorption, and MAS with four cells and transverse loading demonstrates the highest specific energy absorption (SEA) value. Furthermore, quadrilateral, pentagonal, and hexagonal cells are proposed to obtain more MASs, and the compression performance of these MASs is evaluated by varying the frame structure thickness d and supporting structure thickness j of cells. Results highlight the superior energy absorption efficiency of the pentagonal element structure. Notably, parameter d has a more pronounced impact on energy absorption compared with parameter j. When j is 2.0 mm and d increases from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, the SEA values of quadrilateral, pentagonal, and hexagonal MASs increase by 113.70, 139.45, and 86.25 J/kg. In summary, MASs exhibit impressive energy absorption capabilities, promising versatile applications in energy absorption and anti-collision mechanisms across various scenarios.

Quasi-static uniaxial compression and low-velocity impact properties of composite auxetic CorTube structure

Auxetic structures are gaining great attention due to their unique contraction deformation characteristics under compression and impact. In this paper, high performance carbon fiber-reinforced composites are used to fabricate the auxetic structure consist of corrugated sheets and tubes (CorTube). The quasi-static uniaxial compression and low-velocity impact properties of composite CorTube structure are explored. The response of the composite CorTube structures under quasi-static compression loads are analyze through a combination of theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimental tests. Additionally, drop-weight impact tests are conducted using a rigid impactor with a hemispherical head to examine the effects of impact energy levels, impact locations, and corrugated sheet thickness on the impact response of CorTube structure. Enhancing corrugated sheet-tube bonding via modified cross members and reducing tube crushing during quasi-static compression are notable findings. The results also highlight the remarkable auxetic properties of the composite CorTube under low-speed impact, and the impact resistance could be enhanced by increasing the corrugated sheet thickness and stiffness. Various failure modes were observed, including cracks, pits, tube crushing, and delamination. Significantly, peak-impacted specimens exhibited greater maximum displacement with lower peak impact forces. This study offers insights into the deformation and failure modes of auxetic CorTube structures under low-velocity impact.

Development of predictive model for compressive strength of eco-brick masonry walls using numerical method

The usage of waste plastics in the form of eco-bricks for the construction of buildings is gradually gaining traction. However, the performance of eco-brick masonry walls is not sufficiently known, and the process of setting up experimental rigs for the conduct of compressive strength test of masonry are usually cumbersome and expensive. This study investigated the compressive strength performance of eco-brick masonry walls and developed a predictive model for evaluating the strength of eco-brick masonry walls. Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were physically recycled and utilised to manufacture four samples of eco-bricks, strength grades 40.5, 21.02, 13.52 and 3.05 N/mm2 using stone dust, sharp sand and laterite at predetermined moisture contents. The eco-bricks were laid with seven grades of mortar to build 54 eco-brick masonry prisms. A quasi-static compressive loading test was carried out on the masonries, and predictive models were developed using multiple non-linear regression. The study found that eco-brick masonry prisms supported large loads and failed due to the propagation of tensile cracks and debonding of the units. The study also found that the compressive strength of eco-brick masonry is a power function of the compressive strength of eco-bricks and the mortar used for the bonding. It was determined that the mean ratio of the expected to experimental prism strength was 1.002. The mathematical model developed in this study for predicting the strength of eco-brick masonries can significantly evaluate the compressive strength of eco-brick masonry.

Discharge and ignition mechanism of high-entropy alloy induced by crack propagation under quasi-static compressive load

In order to reveal the discharge and ignition mechanism of high-entropy alloy under quasi-static compression load, the stress, potential and ignition evolution process of high-entropy alloy with prefabricated cracks were tested. The atomic structure and dislocation evolution of high-entropy alloy during crack propagation and compression were determined by molecular dynamics simulation, and the discharge mechanism of crack tip was analyzed at the micro level. Based on the calculation of Gibbs free energy, the products in the ignition reaction process were predicted. The results of mechanical/thermal/electrical characteristics induced by compressive load show that the discharge usually occurs near the ignition moment of specimen fracture, and the maximum potential signal can reach 34.2 V. The formation of crack group, crack propagation, local stress concentration, charge accumulation and release at the crack tip jointly induce the generation of discharge signals. With the propagation of cracks, a large number of stacking faults appear and a diamond-shaped failure zone is formed. The increase of disordered atoms leads to fracture. During the compression process, a large number of dislocations induce the separation of charges, which aggravates the discharge at the crack tip. In the Hf-Zr-Ti-Ta-Nb-Cu high-entropy alloy system, the reaction product Ta2O5 is preferentially generated, while in the Ti–Zr-Hf-Cu system, Ti2O3 is preferentially generated. The tip discharge and chemical bond fracture during crack propagation induce ignition, and the chemical bond recombines with energy release.

Enhancing crashworthiness characteristics of modified hexagonal honeycomb structural panels through stretching and bending of ribs

The effects of stretching and bending of concave, convex, and horizontal ribs on the energy absorption characteristics of modified hexagonal honeycomb structural panels are investigated under in-plane quasi-static compression loading conditions. In this regard, five hierarchical modified structural panel configurations were fabricated using polylactic acid material (PLA) via a fused filament 3D printer, ensuring uniform wall thickness in the 1.5–2 mm range. The panels included the regular hexagonal panel (RHP), regular hexagonal panel with concave rib (RHCP), regular hexagonal panel with convex rib (RHXP), regular hexagonal panel with concave and horizontal ribs (RHCRP), and regular hexagonal panel with convex and horizontal ribs (RHXRP). In-plane quasi-static compressive loading tests were conducted to analyze crush resistance characteristics, and buckling modes of the modified honeycomb panels were examined through experimental and finite element analysis procedures. The result indicates that the specific energy absorption capacity (SEA) of RHXRP is increasing significantly compared to the SEA capacity of other categories of the structures. The changes in failure modes and increased crush energy absorption characteristics of modified RHP with the introduction of concave, convex, and horizontal ribs are elaborated.