Strain Transfer Research Articles

Crack monitoring and repair model of SMA composite material based on strain transfer

In the process of using composite materials, crack damage is unavoidable. These cracks may cause a decrease in the structural performance of the material and may even pose a threat to the safety of the entire structure. In this paper, the shape memory alloy (SMA) is embedded into the composite material, and the strain transfer effect of the interface layer is considered. The crack monitoring and repair model of SMA composite material based on strain transfer are established using SMA resistance-sensing characteristics and SMA constitutive model. Based on this monitoring and repair model, the crack monitoring behavior of SMA under different initial states and temperature conditions is discussed, and the crack repair behavior of SMA under specific initial states and temperature conditions is also discussed. The research results show that the change in SMA resistance and the strain of the composite material crack are linearly segmented, and as the temperature increases, the composite material crack is gradually repaired. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the further engineering application of SMA composite material crack monitoring and repair theory.

Ab initio study of highly tunable charge transfer in β−RuCl3 /graphene heterostructures

Heterostructures of graphene in proximity to magnetic insulators open the possibility to investigate exotic states emerging from the interplay of magnetism, strain and charge transfer between the layers. Recent reports on the growth of self-integrated atomic wires of β−RuCl3 on graphite suggest these materials as versatile candidates to investigate these effects. Here we present detailed first-principles calculations on the charge transfer and electronic structure of β−RuCl3/graphene heterostructures and provide a comparison with the work function analysis of the related honeycomb family members α−RuX3 (X = Cl,Br,I). We find that proximity of the two layers leads to a hole-doped graphene and electron-doped RuX3 in all cases, which is sensitively dependent on the distance between the two layers. Furthermore, strain effects due to lattice mismatch control the magnetization which itself has a strong effect on the charge transfer. Charge accumulation in β−RuCl3 strongly drops away from the chain making such heterostructures suitable candidates for sharp interfacial junctions in graphene-based devices. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Critical Review of Physical-Mechanical Principles in Geostructure-Soil Interface Mechanics

AbstractDue to the relatively different mechanical and physical properties of soils and structures, the interface plays a critical role in the transfer of stress and strain between them. The stability and safety of geotechnical structures are thus greatly influenced by the behavior at the soil–structure interface. It is therefore important to focus on the unique characteristics that set the interface apart from other geomaterials while examining the interface behaviour. Understanding the physical mechanism and modelling principles of these interfaces becomes a crucial step for the secure design and investigation of soil-structure interaction (SSI) issues. Moreover, to deal with this soil-environment interaction problem, the classical soil mechanics formulation must be progressively generalised in order to incorporate the effects of new phenomena and new variables on SSI behaviour. Considering the variety of energy geostructures that are emerging nowadays, it is crucial to comprehend the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behaviour of the interface. The objective of this study is to fill this information gap as concisely as possible. A critical review is provided along with the state-of-the-art information on the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the soil-structure interface, including testing tools and measurement methods, basic principles and deformation mechanisms, constitutive models, as well as their applications in numerical simulations. This study explains how loading influences the mechanisms at the interface and critically examines the effects of boundary conditions, soil properties, environmental factors, and structure type on the THM behaviour of interface zones between soils and structural elements. The validity and reliability of the interface shear stress-displacement models are also covered in this paper. Lastly, the trends and recent advancements are also recommended for the interface research.

Investigation of strain transfer mechanism of fiber grating sensor subject to temperature and fatigue loading

Investigation of strain transfer mechanism of fiber grating sensor subject to temperature and fatigue loading

Multi-Directional Strain Measurement in Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Based on Birefringence of Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating.

Embedded fiber Bragg gratings are increasingly applied for in-situ strain measurement in fiber-reinforced plastics, integral to high-end aerospace equipment. Existing research primarily focuses on in-plane strain measurement, limited by the fact that fiber Bragg gratings are mainly sensitive to axial strain. However, out-of-plane strain measurement is equally important for comprehending structural deformation. The birefringence of fiber Bragg gratings shows promise for addressing this problem; yet, the strain transfer relationship between composites and optical fibers, along with the decoupling method for multi-directional strains, remains inadequately explored. This study introduces an innovative method for multi-directional strain measurement in fiber-reinforced plastics using the birefringence of a single-fiber Bragg grating. The strain transfer relationship between composites and embedded optical fibers was derived based on Kollar's analytical model, leading to the development of a multi-directional strain decoupling methodology. This method was experimentally validated on carbon fiber/polyetherimide laminates under thermo-mechanical loading. Its reliability was confirmed by comparing experimental results and finite element simulations. These findings significantly broaden the application scenarios of fiber Bragg gratings, advancing the in-situ measurement technology crucial for the next generation of high-end aerospace equipment.

Experimental and theoretical research on deformation monitoring of distributed piezoelectric inclinometer tube

To improve horizontal displacement monitoring in geotechnical engineering, researchers have focused on developing distributed, automated, and cost-effective inclinometers capable of long-term monitoring. However, existing technologies cannot fully satisfy these requirements. This study proposes a novel piezoelectric inclinometer tube that incorporates a sensor-enabled piezoelectric geocable (SPGC), which was mounted along the surfaces of three tubes made of different materials. The distributed strain along the inclinometer tube was measured using the impedance–strain effect of the SPGC, and a deflection curve was obtained. The results of the failure test showed that the piezoelectric inclinometer tube remained within its measurement range before breaking. Furthermore, the placement of the SPGC on the outer surface of the tube demonstrated superior monitoring effectiveness under bending deformation, providing qualitative insights into the deformation and fracture behavior of the tube. Loading and unloading tests demonstrated excellent reproducibility of strain in the piezoelectric inclinometer tube. Among the tested materials, the inclinometer tube made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene exhibited acceptable elasticity, large bending displacement, and a high strain transfer rate, making it ideal for monitoring significant deformations in rock and soil. A linear calibration equation was established for the normalized impedance change–strain relationship of the piezoelectric inclinometer tube through calibration tests. Furthermore, a theoretical model was derived to convert the normalized impedance change to the deflection of the piezoelectric inclinometer tube using the finite difference method. Theoretical and experimental values were significantly consistent, with strain and deflection measurement accuracies of 10 με and 0.1 mm, respectively, and an average calculation error of less than 4%. These results are expected to improve the distributed monitoring of horizontal displacement in rock and soil.

Strain-insensitive fiber Bragg grating composite structure for wide-range temperature sensing

This paper reports on the design, fabrication, and temperature strain sensing performance of a fiber Bragg grating composite structure for surface mounted temperature measurements over a wide temperature range, with highly reduced strain cross-sensitivity. The fiber Bragg grating sensor is encapsulated in a polyimide tube filled with epoxy resin, forming an arc-shaped cavity. This assembly is then placed between two layers of glass fiber prepreg with a flexible pad in between and cured into shape. Experimental results, supported by finite element simulations, demonstrate an enhanced temperature sensitivity is 26.3 pm/ºC over a wide temperature range of -30℃ to 70℃, and high strain transfer isolation of about 99.65%. Conflict of Interest Statement The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of laminated ferrous medium-entropy alloys fabricated by direct energy deposition and post-rolling annealing treatment

Laminated ferrous medium entropy alloy (Fe-MEAs), Fe75(CoCrNi)25/Fe60(CoCrNi)40, was successfully fabricated by direct energy deposition (DED). Due to the component mixing during DED process, a transition layer with face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) dual-phase was obtained in the Fe60(CoCrNi)40 layer after rolling and annealing. This dual-phase exhibits higher strength compared to a single FCC phase, thereby enhancing the overall strength of the material. During the deformation process of the laminated material, interface constraint will lead to high yield strength, resulting in performance superior to that predicted by the rule of mixtures. Moreover, the transition layer plays an important role in strain transferring and shows greater strain-hardening ability than the other two layers, enhancing the overall ductility of the laminated alloy.

Research on FBG curvature sensor based on PET substrate and silicone package

To address the low repeatability and accuracy in single package form and lack of strain transfer theory analysis in composite material form of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) curvature sensors, a flexible curvature sensing test scheme for FBG based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and silicone package is proposed. Firstly, the factors affecting the strain response of the FBG are obtained through the analysis of the multilayer strain transfer theory, and the relationship between different material encapsulation forms and the strain response of the FBG is explored through finite element simulation. Secondly, the FBG curvature sensor with optimized simulation parameters is fabricated in package, and the curvature calibration verification experiments are performed on the sensor. Finally, the experimental results show that the deviation index of the FBG curvature sensor is between −1.89 % and 1.62 %, which indicates a better repeatability consistency. Based on the computation, the maximum sensitivity of the FBG curvature sensor is 13.32 µε/m−1 when the spacing between the fiber and the substrate layer is 2.50 mm, and its error is 0.30 % comparing with the simulation of the same condition, which supports the accuracy of the theoretical analysis and simulation of the multilayer strain transfer of the encapsulated FBG sensor conducted in this paper, meanwhile, the optimal encapsulation process of the FBG curvature sensor is obtained.

Biaxial Strain Transfer in Monolayer MoS2 and WSe2 Transistor Structures.

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides are intensely explored as active materials in 2D material-based devices due to their potential to overcome device size limitations, sub-nanometric thickness, and robust mechanical properties. Considering their large band gap sensitivity to mechanical strain, single-layered TMDs are well-suited for strain-engineered devices. While the impact of various types of mechanical strain on the properties of a variety of TMDs has been studied in the past, TMD-based devices have rarely been studied under mechanical deformations, with uniaxial strain being the most common one. Biaxial strain on the other hand, which is an important mode of deformation, remains scarcely studied as far as 2D material devices are concerned. Here, we study the strain transfer efficiency in MoS2- and WSe2-based flexible transistor structures under biaxial deformation. Utilizing Raman spectroscopy, we identify that strains as high as 0.55% can be efficiently and homogeneously transferred from the substrate to the material in the transistor channel. In particular, for the WSe2 transistors, we capture the strain dependence of the higher-order Raman modes and show that they are up to five times more sensitive compared to the first-order ones. Our work demonstrates Raman spectroscopy as a nondestructive probe for strain detection in 2D material-based flexible electronics and deepens our understanding of the strain transfer effects on 2D TMD devices.

Smart prediction of rock crack opening displacement from noisy data recorded by distributed fiber optic sensing

The commonly used method for estimating crack opening displacement (COD) is based on analytical models derived from strain transferring. However, when large background noise exists in distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) data, estimating COD through an analytical model is very difficult even if the DFOS data have been denoised. To address this challenge, this study proposes a machine learning (ML)-based methodology to complete rock’s COD estimation from establishment of a dataset with one-to-one correspondence between strain sequence and COD to the optimization of ML models. The Bayesian optimization is used via the Hyperopt Python library to determine the appropriate hyper-parameters of four ML models. To ensure that the best hyper-parameters will not be missing, the configuration space in Hyperopt is specified by probability distribution. The four models are trained using DFOS data with minimal noise while being examined on datasets with different noise levels to test their anti-noise robustness. The proposed models are compared each other in terms of goodness of fit and mean squared error. The results show that the Bayesian optimization-based random forest is promising to estimate the COD of rock using noisy DFOS data.

Novel Surface Acoustic Wave Strain Sensor with Enhanced High-Temperature Performance and Resistance to Aging

Abstract Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors based on Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14, LGS) have emerged as promising candidates for high-temperature strain measurement in passive wireless systems. However, limitations of strain transfer at temperatures above 800°C have hindered the repeatability of sensors due to temperature-induced effects. For instance, the aging of conventional high-temperature adhesives at elevated temperatures restricts the strain transfer between the measured object and the sensor. Moreover, materials like Inconel-600 exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion significantly larger than the LGS, leading to thermal strains caused by thermal expansion mismatch beyond the maximum range of existing SAW strain sensors. Such factors increase the likelihood of sensor damage during a test. In this paper, we present a novel SAW sensor utilizing an ultra-thin LGS substrate encapsulated within a ceramic coating, which transfers strain by exerting pressure on both sides of the sensor. The strain sensor is mounted on an equal-strain beam inside a high-temperature furnace. The ceramic coating is not tightly bonded to the sensor, thereby mitigating the thermal expansion mismatch between the sensor and the beam at high temperatures. Furthermore, the ceramic coating can withstand large strain caused by thermal expansion while maintaining pressure on the sensor. This innovative SAW sensor enables repeat strain tests up to 800°C, including both calibration and formal tests. The measured strain exhibits an error of less than 5% compared to a standard strain gauge, demonstrating the sensor’s enhanced performance and reliability.

Flexible Exchange‐Biased Films with Superior Strain Stability

AbstractThe exchange bias (EB) effect plays an undisputed role in the state‐of‐art spintronic devices, both rigid and flexible. However, the poor stability of EB under mechanical strain is detrimental to the construction of reliable flexible spintronic devices, which poses a great challenge for potential wearable applications. Here, it is revealed that the strain‐induced variation of EB field can be greatly suppressed by engineering flexible IrMn/[Co/Pt]3 systems featured with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). Particularly, in the multi‐stacks with strong PMA, poorly crystallized IrMn structure, and parallel alignment of the ferromagnetic (FM) moments with the biasing magnetic field applied during deposition, an exceptional good strain stability of EB among reported flexible systems is realized, which results from the stable perpendicular FM moments, the low strain transfer efficiency, and the eliminated strain‐driven training effect. These results provide an effective approach to develop flexible spintronic devices with superior strain stability, rendering them strong contenders in the realms of sensor and storage applications.

Performance Evaluation of Structural Health Monitoring System Applied to Full-Size Composite Wing Spar via Probability of Detection Techniques.

Probability of detection (POD) is an acknowledged mean of evaluation for many investigations aiming at detecting some specific property of a subject of interest. For instance, it has had many applications for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), aimed at identifying defects within structural architectures, and can easily be used for structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, meant as a compact and more integrated evolution of the former technology. In this paper, a probability of detection analysis is performed to estimate the reliability of an SHM system, applied to a wing box composite spar for bonding line quality assessment. Such a system is based on distributed fiber optics deployed on the reference component at specific locations for detecting strains; the attained data are then processed by a proprietary algorithm whose capability was already tested and reported in previous works, even at full-scale level. A finite element (FE) model, previously validated by experimental results, is used to simulate the presence of damage areas, whose effect is to modify strain transfer between adjacent parts. Numerical data are used to verify the capability of the SHM system in revealing the presence of the modeled physical discontinuities with respect to a specific set of loads, running along the beam up to cover its complete extension. The POD is then estimated through the analysis of the collected data sets, wide enough to assess the global SHM system performance. The results of this study eventually aim at improving the current strategies adopted for SHM for bonding analysis by identifying the intimate behavior of the system assessed at the date. The activities herein reported have been carried out within the RESUME project.

The longitudinal trend and influential factors exploring of global antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is a human symbiotic opportunistic pathogen capable of causing severe hospital-based infections and community-acquired infections. The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become increasing serious over time, posing a major threat to socio-economic and human development. In this study, we explored the global trend of AMR in 1786 strains of Kp isolated between 1982 and 2023. The number of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Kp increased significantly from 24.29 ± 5.44 to 32.42 ± 8.52 over time. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were responsible for the ARGs horizontal transfer of Kp strains. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated a strong association between the human development index and the increase of antibiotic consumption, which indirectly affected the occurrence and development of antibiotic resistance in Kp. The results of Generalized Linear Models (GLM) indicated that the influence of environmental factors such as temperature on the development of Kp resistance could not be ignored. Overall, this study monitored the longitudinal trend of antimicrobial resistance in Kp, explored the factors influencing antibiotic resistance, and provided insights for mitigating the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Improving strength-ductility synergy of twinning-induced plasticity steel by introducing a sandwich structure via submerged double-face friction stir processing

Twinning-induced plasticity steels typically exhibit remarkable plasticity and ultimate tensile strength, but the inferior yield strength has become a bottleneck limiting their application. In this work, a unique gradient sandwich structure that aims to break the bottleneck was successfully fabricated using a submerged double-face friction stir processing technique. The sandwich structure is composed of a coarse-grained zone in the core and two ultrafine-grained zones on the surfaces. An ultrahigh yield strength (1215 MPa) which is 2.2 times that of the as-received base material (543 MPa) is achieved for the sandwich structure. Additionally, significant elongation (19 %) and corrosion resistance are retained simultaneously. The coordinated deformation and effective strain transfer between the ultrafine-grained zones and coarse-grained zone facilitate the dispersion of stress and uneven deformation, which contributes to the excellent strength-ductility of the sandwich structure. This work provides a feasible method for fabricating high-performance steels.

STRAIN TRANSFER ANALYSIS OF A FOUR-LAYER EMBEDDED FIBER OPTIC SENSING MODEL IN AN ELASTIC STATE

Optical fiber grating strain sensors are currently utilized in a variety of structural health monitoring applications. The encapsulated fiber optic sensor is unable to completely detect the strain of the structure, so the strain transfer theory should be established to maximize the strain sensing of fiber. It is required to explore the embedded four-layer fiber optic sensing model to create a more plausible strain transfer error hypothesis. Based on the three-layer fiber optic sensing model, the Goodman assumption and Fourier series approach were presented to study the strain transfer efficiency of the four-layer model in the elastic state. First, the physical quantity to be analyzed is determined, and finally the radius, interlayer bonding coefficient and elastic modulus are selected as the parameters affecting the strain transfer efficiency. The length range of efficiency evaluation is 0–2.5[Formula: see text]m, and the transfer efficiency under different radii is above 0.90 when the length [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. The interlayer bonding coefficient [Formula: see text] between [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N/m3 and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N/m3 has little impact on the transfer efficiency, and the same is true for [Formula: see text], so it cannot be considered in practice. When [Formula: see text] is between [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N/m3 and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N/m3 and the length [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, the strain transfer coefficient reaches 95%. The influence of elastic modulus on the transfer efficiency is very significant when [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. The four-layer model performs similarly to the three-layer model within the paste length range of 1.0[Formula: see text]m, but has a superior strain transfer effect when the pasted length exceeds 1.0[Formula: see text]m. As the radius of the protective layer rises, the effect of strain transfer deteriorates.

Modulation of the Superconducting Phase Transition in Multilayer 2H-NbSe2 Induced by Uniform Biaxial Compressive Strain.

Strain is a powerful tool for tuning the properties of two-dimensional materials. Here, we investigated the effects of large, uniform biaxial compressive strain on the superconducting phase transition of multilayered 2H-NbSe2 flakes. We observed a consistent decrease in the critical temperature of NbSe2 flakes induced by the large thermal compression of a polymeric substrate (>1.2%) at cryogenic temperatures. For thin flakes (∼10 nm thick), a strong modulation of the critical temperature up to 1.5 K is observed, which monotonically decreases with increasing flake thickness. The effects of biaxial compressive strain remain significant even for relatively thick samples up to 80 nm thick, indicating efficient transfer of strain not only from the substrate to the flakes but also across several van der Waals layers. This work demonstrates that compressive strain induced from substrate thermal deformation can effectively tune phase transitions at low temperatures in 2D materials.

Theoretical and experimental investigation into detection of early-stage propagation of double cracks with distributed fiber optic sensor

A strain transfer model is developed to describe the transfer of crack opening displacement (COD) of double cracks in a structural substrate to the distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS). Global and local coordinate systems are set up to aid in the deduction of the transfer of CODs of the double cracks to the DFOS. The analytical model of strain transfer is first derived in the local coordinate system and then is transformed into the global coordinate system. Analytical results show that the DFOS fiber strain induced by CODs of the double cracks in the structural substrate is affected by both the spacing and the CODs of the double cracks, and the strain peak is suppressed as the crack spacing is less than the characteristic length which is defined as the range of influence of the COD of the individual crack. The influences of the material properties of the DFOS, the fiber coating, the bonding adhesive, and the DFOS-fiber coating interfacial stiffness are discussed. The developed model is also experimentally validated by monitoring CODs of double cracks in aluminum alloy plates with optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR) DFOSs. Experimental results show that the strain distribution measured by the OFDR DFOSs agree well with the analytical results of the developed model. The limitations of the developed model and future work anticipated are then discussed.

Analysis of Strain Transfer Efficiency Coefficient of a Novel High-strength Steel Wire FBG Sensor

Analysis of Strain Transfer Efficiency Coefficient of a Novel High-strength Steel Wire FBG Sensor