Stress State Research Articles

Investigating the Mechanical Characteristics and Fracture Morphologies of Basalt Fiber Concrete: Insights from Uniaxial Compression Tests and Meshless Numerical Simulations

To explore the mechanical properties and fracture modes of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete, single-doped and hybrid-doped basalt fiber-reinforced concrete was prepared, and uniaxial failure tests under different basalt fiber-reinforced concrete contents were carried out. At the same time, the smooth kernel function in the traditional SPH method was improved, and the basalt fiber random generation algorithm was embedded in the SPH program to realize the simulation of the progressive failure of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete. The results show that under the circumstance with no basalt fiber, the specimen final failure mode is damage on the upper and lower surface, as well as the side edge, while the interior of the specimen center is basically intact, indicating that there is an obvious stress concentration phenomenon on the upper and lower surface when the specimen is compressed. Under the circumstance with basalt fiber, longitudinal cracks begin to appear inside the specimen. With the increase in the content, the crack location gradually develops from the edge to the middle, and the crack number gradually increases. This indicates that appropriately increasing the fiber content in concrete may improve the stress state of concrete, change the eccentric compression to axial compression, and indirectly increase the compressive strength of concrete. The numerical simulation results are consistent with the test results, verifying the rationality of the numerical simulation algorithm. For the concrete model without the basalt fiber, shear cracks are generated around the model. For the concrete model with basalt fiber, in addition to shear cracks, the tensile cracks generated at the basalt fiber inside the model eventually lead to the splitting failure of the model. The strength of concrete samples with basalt content of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% is increased by 1.69%, 5.10%, and 4.31%, respectively, compared to the concrete sample without basalt fiber. It can be seen that with the increase in the content of single-doped basalt fiber, the concrete strength is improved to a certain extent, but the improvement degree is not high; For hybrid-doped basalt fiber-reinforced concrete, the strength of concrete samples with basalt content of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% is increased by 14.51%, 15.02%, and 30.31%, respectively, compared to the concrete sample without basalt fiber. Therefore, compared with the single-doped basalt fiber process, hybrid doping is easier to improve the strength of concrete.

Coherent to semi-coherent transition of precipitates in Van der Merwe epitaxial films

Abstract The interplay of stresses of two coherent systems, specifically a coherent precipitate within an epitaxial film (in Van der Merve growth mode), gives rise to an interesting scenario; wherein the configurational effects and the strain energy landscape are enriched. This leads to an interdependent evolutionary pathway for the coherent to semi-coherent transition. The transition of the film-substrate interface to the semi-coherent state occurs beyond a critical thickness ( t c ) which arises from energy minimization. Using the model example of the precipitation of NbH0.5 precipitate in a Nb/Sapphire epitaxial system, the critical radii ( r film ∗ ) for model geometries have been computed. 3D finite element models have been used to compute the stress state and energetics of precipitates growing in an epitaxial film. The following important observations can be made based on the simulations. (1) The epitaxial stresses can lead to the stabilization of the coherent precipitate. (2) The transition to a semi-coherent film interface, characterized by an array of interfacial misfit dislocations, can energetically favor the semi-coherent state of the precipitate over the coherent state. The magnitude of r film ∗ depends on the spatial coordinates within the film. (3) The presence of Nb–H coherent precipitates can stabilize the coherent state of the film interface.

Dynamic Ruptures on Bending Fault: Insights from Numerical Simulations of Transient Stress Field

ABSTRACT We delve into the spontaneous rupture propagation on bending faults by numerical simulations based on the boundary integral equation method with unstructured meshes. To study the effect of fault geometry on dynamic rupture propagation, special attention is paid to the role of the dynamic stress field. The numerical results demonstrate that the bending angle is a key geometrical factor influencing the rupture propagation because it affects both the initial stress distribution and the dynamic stress field on the bending branch. The rupture propagation on the bending branch can be separated into two distinct stages: first, the propagation from the main branch to the bending branch, which largely depends on the dynamic stress field near the bend; and second, a subsequent propagation stage primarily influenced by the initial stress state on the bending branch, with the influence of the dynamic stress field decreasing rapidly with distance from the bend. Geometrical smoothing of the bend can be regarded as a modification of the bending angle, which may significantly alter the behavior of rupture propagation near the bend. In theory, if the bending angle ranges between −120° and 60°, there is a potential for rupture to propagate onto the bending branch through the bend.

Stress and Strain Analysis for a Topological Optimized Beam

This paper presents a study of a beam manufactured using fused deposition modeling (FDM) which was topologically optimized and subjected to 3-point bending. In this paper polylactic acid (PLA) was used as a material in order to obtain the beams. Topology optimization is a method widely used in the additive manufacturing (AM) field, that uses algorithmic models to optimize the material layout within some parametric restrictions, like conditions, constraints, or sets of loads and it maximizes the performance and capability of the design by extracting material from different zones that are insignificant in terms of carrying loads to reduce the weight of the model. In the first step, the stress and strain state of the simple beam was numerically and analytically calculated, likewise, the experimental test of the beam subjected to 3-point bending was achieved. After the calculus for the simple beam, the next phase aims at the topological optimization process of the beam subjected to 3-point bending. For all the numerical investigations a calibrated material determined experimentally was used. Following calculations and experimental tests, a final version of the beam topologically optimized was reached, with a minimization of the cost regarding the mass of the beam and the material required for its reproduction.

Do shift-working nurses’ work-life quality relate to their physical health and diet quality?

Abstract Background Shift work negatively affects work-related quality of life and this situation causes significant labour force losses and decreased productivity in the society, especially health problems in nurses. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between work-related quality of life, physical health level and nutritional behaviours of nurses working in shifts. Methods This descriptive and relationship-seeking study was conducted with 312 nurses selected by quota sampling in Istanbul. Data were collected between December 2022 to July 2023 using the The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), Physical Health Questionnaire and Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests were conducted on IBM SPSS 25.0. BeBIS 7.1 software were used for calculation diet index. Results Compassion Satisfaction (CS), Burnout (B) and Compassion Fatigue (CF) scores of nurses was examined, a relationship was found between CS score and B score (r=-0.39 p < 0.05) and between B score and CF score (r = 0.58 p < 0.05). CS score correlated with Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r=-0.15 p < 0.05) and diet index score (r = 0.15 p < 0.05). B score correlated with Gastrointestinal Risk Level score (r = 0.27 p < 0.05) and Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r = 0.38 p < 0.05). There was a correlation between the score of CF and Gastrointestinal Risk Level score (r = 0.25 p < 0.05) and Cardiovascular Risk Level score (r = 0.31 p < 0.05). Daily energy, fibre, vitamin B1 and C, folate, calcium and magnesium intakes of nurses were lower than the recommended. Conclusions Research results support that the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems have a direct relationship with stress and emotional states. In the policies to be developed within the scope of occupational health nursing practices, it is recommended to carry out studies to improve the physical health and nutritional behaviours of nurses in order to improve their work-related quality of life. Key messages • Nurses are a risky occupational group in terms of burnout. Protection studies should be prioritised to prevent burnout. • Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system complaints of nurses should be paid special attention during recruitment and periodic examinations.

On the Relative Effects of Wall and Intraluminal Thrombus Constitutive Material Properties in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Wall Stress.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation localized in the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta that can expand continuously and rupture if left untreated. Computational methods such as finite element analysis (FEA) are widely used with in silico models to calculate biomechanical predictors of rupture risk while choosing constitutive material properties for the AAA wall and intraluminal thrombus (ILT). In the present work, we investigated the effect of different constitutive material properties for the wall and ILT on 21 idealized and 10 unruptured patient-specific AAA geometries. Three material properties were used to characterize the wall and two for the ILT, leading to six material model combinations for each AAA geometry subject to appropriate boundary conditions. The results of the FEA simulations indicate significant differences in the average peak wall stress (PWS), 99th percentile wall stress (99th WS), and spatially averaged wall stress (SAWS) for all AAA geometries subject to the choice of a material model combination. Specifically, using a material model combination with a compliant ILT yielded statistically higher wall stresses compared to using a stiff ILT, irrespective of the constitutive equation used to model the AAA wall. This work provides quantitative insight into the variability of the wall stress distributions ensuing from AAA FEA modeling due to its strong dependency on population-averaged soft tissue material characterizations. This dependency leads to uncertainty about the true biomechanical state of stress of an individual AAA and the subsequent assessment of its rupture risk.

A comparative study of three types of strength criteria for rocks

Currently, the unified strength criterion (USC), the three-dimensional Hoek-Brown (3D H-B) criterion and the generalized unified strength theory (GUST) are the three types of typical rock strength criteria. In this paper, a comparative study of the three types of strength criteria is performed for rocks. Based on the nonlinear characteristics of rock strength on meridian and deviatoric planes, the USC can predict rock strength under triaxial stress state. The USC is composed of two failure functions on meridian and deviatoric planes. The failure surface of the USC in principal stress space satisfies smoothness and convexity. The predicted strength for five types of rock under the true triaxial tests were compared among the USC, the GUST, and the 3D H-B criterion. The results indicate that the USC can effectively reflect the influence of the intermediate principal stress on rock strength and accurately predict rock strength under both triaxial tension (σ1=σ2>σ3) and triaxial compression (σ1>σ2=σ3). Additionally, the conventional triaxial tests were conducted on other eight types of rock to measure the strength on meridian plane. The predicted strengths for the eight types of rock on meridian plane were compared between the USC and the original H-B, which suggests that the USC is suitable for various types of rock and provides higher accuracy.

Evaluation of Wellbore Stability by Small Parameter Perturbation Nonlinear Elastoplastic Model

Abstract Wellbore instability is a frequent occurrence during drilling and a popular research topic among petroleum workers. Most of the previous studies simplified the hardening stage and ignored or classified it into the elastic stage. Engineering practice shows that the total stress–strain process of rock can more truly reflect the bearing and deformation characteristics of rock. This study establishes a total stress–strain constitutive model by combining the perturbation index equation with the linear elastic equation. Additionally, the physical model of rock around the well is presented using the total deformation theory for the plastic zone. The stress field of the rock surrounding the well is analyzed based on the physical model of the rock surrounding the well, taking into account the influence of rock strength and geostress state. The relationship between rock strength, geostress state, drilling fluid density, and plastic radius is given. The calculation method of drilling fluid density limit is also given. The practical application demonstrates that the stability of a borehole wall can be evaluated by analyzing the size and direction of the plastic radius, as well as the distribution of radial, tangential, and shear stress for various combinations of stress states and rock strengths. The maximum shear stress is always found in the softening zone, which is also the region where wellbore instability is most likely to happen. Therefore, the area within the softening radius is regarded as an unstable area, and the softening radius can be used to determine the range of wellbore instability.

Modeling of elastic plastic deformation of near-surface layers of materials

According to the results of strain measurements, a kinematically hardening body model is used to describe the process of elastic-plastic deformation of 1X18H9T steel. Special attention is paid to the processes occurring in the surface layers. The model takes into account the increasing tightness of shear deformations deep into the material. The increase in the stress of the plastic flow in depth is described by a second-order polynomial. The main parameters of the surface effect were determined experimentally and by calculations using the method of reduction coefficients in the process of successive approximations: depth, coefficient of hardening of the material, stresses of plastic flow on the surface and inside the material. It is shown that in order to study the near-surface effect by the strain gauge method, it is necessary to give preference to bending tests of samples rather than stretching. The presence of the surface effect explains the following facts: the destruction of the sample during the tensile test does not begin from the surface, but from the inside, the origin of fatigue cracks occurs under the surface, the surface effect practically does not affect the deformed state of the elastic body, but very strongly affects the stress state at the surface.

Optimized designation of mesoscopic configuration of Zr/Ti layered metal composites for strength-ductility synergy improvement

Zirconium (Zr) and its alloys are highly promising for extreme service environments due to their excellent radiation and corrosion resistance. However, a major challenge in Zr-based materials lies in the strength-ductility trade-off, which limits their broader structural applications. This study aims to address this challenge by fabricating Zr/Ti layered metal composites (LMCs) with different layer thickness ratios (LTRs) and investigating the effects of LTR on the mechanical properties of Zr/Ti LMCs. Zr/Ti LMCs with varying LTRs were fabricated to explore how mesoscopic configurations influence their deformation mechanisms. The results reveal that an optimized layer thickness (∼50 μm for Zr and ∼40 μm for Ti) maximizes the hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) strengthening effect, resulting in a synergy improvement in strength and ductility. Stable and constrained cracks observed in the Zr layers contributed to local stress relief and improved ductility. The anisotropic deformation between the Zr and Ti layers transformed the local stress states into triaxial states. In addition, the localized stress state and inter-layer strain transmission also promote prismatic <a> slip near the interfaces. This study provides key insights into the design of Zr-based composites with improved mechanical performance, offering potential solutions for their application in demanding environments.

Effect of Constant Cyclic Stress Coupling on the Fatigue Behavior of 304LN Stainless Steel

The stress state of the primary circuit main pipeline is very complex mixed constant stress and periodic cyclic stress during the operation of nuclear power plants, which often affects the failure behavior of the stainless steel (SS) pipe. The fatigue behavior of 304LN SS under mixed constant stress and cyclic stress was investigated, and it was found that the coupling effect of constant stress and cyclic stress has a significant collaborative acceleration on the fatigue behavior. The research results showed that the cracks in the 304LN SS did not propagate even after 78 days under both constant load conditions of 5 KN and 7.5 KN, while the crack growth rate (CGR) of the specimen increased by about an order of magnitude when coupled with a cyclic fatigue load. The fatigue life of 304LN SS was the longest under 200 °C high-temperature water, and its life was roughly the same under 250 °C and 300 °C water. In a 300 °C high-temperature water environment, the fatigue life under the coupling of constant stress and cyclic fatigue stress is significantly lower than that under symmetric cyclic stress alone. There is a synergistic acceleration effect on the fatigue life of 304LN SS when constant stress is coupled with periodic cyclic stress, which is attributed to the combined effect of a corrosion environment and mechanical factors.

The Role of Biomarkers in Monitoring Chronic Fatigue Among Male Professional Team Athletes: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on biomarker responses to physiological loads in professional male team sport athletes, providing insights into induced fatigue states. Structured searches across major databases yielded 28 studies examining various biomarkers in elite team sport players. Studies evaluated muscle damage markers, anabolic/catabolic hormones reflecting metabolic strain, inflammatory markers indicating immune activity and tissue damage, immunological markers tied to infection risk, and oxidative stress markers showing redox imbalances from excessive physiological load. Responses were examined in official matches and training across competitive seasons. The evidence shows that professional team sports induce significant alterations in all studied biomarkers, reflecting measurable physiological strain, muscle damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and immunosuppression during intensive exercise. These effects tend to be larger and more prolonged after official matches compared to training. Reported recovery time courses range from 24-h to several days post-exercise. Monitoring biomarkers enables quantifying cumulative fatigue and physiological adaptations to training/competition loads, helping to optimize performance while mitigating injury and overtraining. Key biomarkers include creatine kinase, testosterone, cortisol, testosterone/cortisol ratio, salivary immunoglobulin-A, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Further research should extend biomarker monitoring to cover psychological stress and affective states alongside physiological metrics for deeper insight into athlete wellness and readiness.

Analysis of the three‐dimensional elasticity theory problem for a radially inhomogeneous cylinder

AbstractIn this paper an axisymmetric problem of elasticity theory for a radially inhomogeneous cylinder of small thickness is studied. It is assumed that homogeneous mixed boundary conditions are specified on lateral surfaces of the cylinder, and boundary conditions that leave the cylinder in equilibrium are specified on the ends of the cylinder. It is considered that elastic moduli are arbitrary continuous functions of a variable along the radius of the cylinder. The formulated boundary value problem is reduced to a spectral problem containing a small parameter characterizing the thinness of the cylinder walls. To determine its solution, the method of asymptotic integration is used, based on three iteration processes. All solutions of the equilibrium equation are constructed, satisfying the specified homogeneous boundary conditions on lateral surfaces. It is obtained that the solution of the problem consists of a penetrating solution and a solution of the nature of the boundary layer. An analysis of stress‐strain states corresponding to different types of solutions is carried out. Based on the constructed asymptotic solutions, a connection is found between the solutions obtained by the equation of elasticity theory and by the applied theory of shells. It is shown that the penetrating solution determines the internal stress‐strain state of a radially inhomogeneous cylinder. The stress state determined by the penetrating solution is equivalent to the principal vector of stress acting in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder.The first terms of asymptotic expansions of the penetrating solution in a small parameter coincide with solutions in the applied theory of shells. New classes of solutions are defined as the character of a boundary layer, which are localized at the ends of the cylinder and decrease exponentially with distance from the ends. These solutions are absent in the applied theories of shells. The first terms of the asymptotic expansion of the solution, having the nature of a boundary layer, are equivalent to the Saint‐Venant edge effect in the theory of heterogeneous plates. Asymptotic formulas for displacement and stresses are constructed, allowing one to calculate the three‐dimensional stress‐strain state of a radially heterogeneous cylinder of small thickness with any predetermined accuracy. Based on the obtained asymptotic expansions, one can estimate the applicability areas of applied theories and construct a refined applied theory for radially heterogeneous cylindrical shells.

The geometry of fault reactivation and uplift along the central part of the Maacama Fault Zone, Northern California Coast Ranges (USA)

Fault reactivation of bedrock structures in active fault zones influences stress state and earthquake rupture phenomena through the introduction of weak slip surfaces that impact fault zone geometry and width. Yet, geometric relationships between modern faults and older reactivated faults are difficult to quantify in rocks that have experienced multiple deformation episodes. We used new geologic mapping, geomorphic tools, and structural modeling to quantify rock uplift and subsurface fault geometry of the central part of the Maacama Fault Zone near Ukiah, California, USA, and the surrounding area. Results suggest that the northern Mayacamas Mountains are in a tectonically driven disequilibrium, with differential rock uplift focused on the western side of the range. Steeply east-dipping fault surfaces and splays characterize the geometry of the Maacama Fault Zone. We mapped two newly identified faults to the east of the main Maacama Fault, the Cow Mountain–Mill Creek Fault, and Willow Creek Fault, which align with a moderately east-dipping cluster of microseismicity between 4–10 km depth beneath the Mayacamas Mountains. Static stress modeling on the Maacama Fault Zone and newly identified faults to the east quantify slip tendency values of 0.5–0.4, which suggests that the faults are moderately to poorly suited for slip in the modern stress field and may be weak. We infer that modern uplift is driven by oblique reverse, up-to-the-east, dip-slip motion on the reactivated Cenozoic Cow Mountain–Mill Creek and Willow Creek Faults as material is advected through a restraining bend on the Maacama Fault. This study shows that reactivated bedrock faults increase the fault zone width and introduce fault surfaces that contribute a component of vertical deformation and uplift in major strike-slip fault zones. Deformation is accommodated on an interconnected network of new and reactivated faults that delineate a complex seismic hazard.

Determination and Application of Stress States Based on Finite Element Techniques: A Case Study of the Longmaxi Formation in the Luzhou Block, Sichuan Basin

Determination and Application of Stress States Based on Finite Element Techniques: A Case Study of the Longmaxi Formation in the Luzhou Block, Sichuan Basin

Computational Analysis of the Micromechanical Stress Field in Undamaged and Damaged Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Plastics Using a Modified Principal Component Analysis

This study investigated the internal stress distribution of unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastics (UD-FRP) at the micro level using principal component analysis (PCA). The composite material was simulated using a representative volume element model together with the embedded cell approach. Two fundamental quasi-static load cases, transverse and longitudinal tensile deformation, were considered. The experimental results show that mechanical failure occurred at 2.15 ± 0.06% transverse tensile strain and at 1.52 ± 0.07% longitudinal tensile strain. Furthermore, the undamaged state and a combination of matrix and interface damage, as well as fiber breakage, were simulated. From the simulations, the octahedral shear stress and octahedral normal stress were computed at the integration points of the matrix elements, constituting what is known as the octahedral stress field. A modification on the PCA to obtain mesh-independent eigenvalues is presented and was used to investigate the effects of damage events on the octahedral stress field. The results indicate that each damage mechanism had a distinct signature in the redistribution of the stress field, characterized by specific changes in the eigenvalues and orientation of the principal component (θ1). Furthermore, the PCA suggests that the accumulation of matrix damage began to be relevant at the 1% strain, while fiber breakage began at an average longitudinal strain of 0.98 ± 0.12%. Additionally, it is shown that the first principal component served as an indicator of the predominant stress state of the stress field. This investigation suggests that the PCA can provide valuable insights regarding the complex damage mechanisms of UD-FRP that may not be captured by conventional mechanical analysis.

The Effects of Alloy Composition and Surface Integrity on the Machinability of Austenitic Stainless Steels 304 and 304L

Austenitic stainless steels, such as 304 and 304L, are extensively utilized in diverse industries due to their favorable properties, including biocompatibility, high durability, ductility, toughness at cryogenic temperatures, and excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, these steels exhibit notable resistance to fatigue and oxidation. Despite these advantages, they are challenging to machine due to characteristics such as high work hardening, built-up edge formation, and low heat conductivity. The material 304L distinguishes itself from material 304 through its lower carbon content, making it more resistance to corrosion. 304L is experiencing a consistent rise in industrial demand. It is anticipated that this advanced material will progressively supersede 304 in various applications. The variability in alloy compositions and surface integrity of blanks can influence the tool wear and may even lead to abrupt tool breakage, necessitating supervision during machining operations. This study delves into the correlation between the alloy compositions, micro structure, surface integrity, and machinability of these special steels, focusing on turning processes. Various blanks of 304 and 304L in the form of bars, sourced from different manufacturers, were utilized in the study. These blanks exhibited slight variations in alloy composition (albeit within the standard range) and differed in the state of surface integrity characterized by variations in microstructure, grain size, microhardness, and residual stress. All blanks (across this array of materials) were subjected to turning using the same tool specifications and sets of machining parameters for comparative analysis. Various machinability indicators, including cutting forces, surface roughness, burr formation, tool wear, and chip morphology, were thoroughly examined. The findings highlight that the key factors influencing machinability include the microhardness of the surface and the residual stress state in the subsurface of the bars before the turning process. In contrast, changing the alloy composition within the standard range has hardly any effect on the machinability of these steels. The machinability of the examined specimens was adversely affected when the hardness exceeded 350 HV from the surface up to 2 mm below the surface and simultaneously the surface compressive residual stress exceeded −130 MPa.

Recombinant Bacillus subtilis expressing functional peptide and its effect on blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) in two state of stress

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of recombinant Bacillus subtilis CM66-P4' (secreting P4, which related to previous research in this laboratory) on the antioxidant capacity and immune function of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) through in vitro and in vivo experiment. The culture experiment was divided into 3 groups, including control group (CG, with no additional bacteria), original bacteria group (OBG, with 2×109 CFU/kg Bacillus subtilis CM66) and recombinant bacteria group (RBG, with 2×109 CFU/kg Bacillus subtilis CM66-P4'). After 8 weeks of feeding, a part of the fish were subjected to fishing stress, and the rest were subjected to starvation stress test. Blood samples were collected for the determination of immune and stress-related indexes. The hepatocytes were divided into control group (CG) and experiment group with P4 peptide (LTG and HTG). The cells were collected after starvation treatment and the expression of related genes was detected. The results showed as follows: compared with the CG group, the gene expressions of hepatocytic hsp60 and hsp70 in the LTG and HTG groups were significantly suppressed after 24 h starvation stress (P < 0.05). The content of MDA, the activities of AKP and ALT in OBG group were significantly changed after 30 days starvation (P < 0.05), while the indexes in RBG group had no significant change. The changes of plasma cortisol, malondialdehyde (MDA) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) in CG and OBG groups were significantly changed at 4 h after fishing stress (P < 0.05), while the indexes in RBG group was not. In conclusion, this study confirmed that Bacillus subtilis CM66-P4' has great potential in preventing adverse effects of stress on aquatic livestock.

Test-and-FE-based method for obtaining complete stress-strain curves of structural steels including fracture

Ductile fracture is a common limit state of frameworks of steel structures and can be predicted by incorporating models for fracture initiation and propagation in finite element (FE) analyses. However, accurate prediction of fracture relies on unique fracture parameters for a given material, requiring precise predictions of fracture strain and stress states obtained through coupon tests and accompanying FE data analysis. In recent decades, various methods have been proposed to predict ductile fracture initiation, including various design geometries of coupons, test setups and FE analyses, which may lead to inconsistent fracture strains and stress states. Hence, there is a need for proposing a standard procedure for the design, test and accompanying FE-based calibration of fracture parameters, as pursued in this paper. Given that ductile fracture initiates under significant plastic strain, a constitutive model for the full strain range is required, as also proposed in this paper. Moreover, to reduce the experimental and data analytical efforts, an empirical method is proposed that uses only a small number of coupon tests to calibrate the fracture parameters. The method encompasses three levels wherein one, two, or three coupon tests are required. All in all, the paper presents a methodology for determining the full-range true stress-strain curve and the initiation of fracture, including a new post-necking constitutive model and methods for determining the free parameters of the post-necking and fracture initiation models. While applied to steel in this paper, the proposed methodology is potentially also applicable to other metals.

Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Stress State of Joints in Two-Way Composite Slabs

Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Stress State of Joints in Two-Way Composite Slabs