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This paper aims to statistically estimate the dynamic fatigue strength in brittle materials under a wide range of stress rates. First, two probabilistic models were derived on the basis of the slow crack growth (SCG) concept in conjunction with two-parameter Weibull distribution. The first model, Model I, is a conventional probabilistic delayed-fracture model based on a concept wherein the length of the critical crack growth due to SCG is enough larger than the initial crack length. For the second model, Model II, a new probabilistic model is derived on the basis of a concept wherein the critical cracks have widely ranging lengths. Next, a four-point bending test using a wide range of stress rates was performed for soda glass and alumina ceramics. We constructed fracture probability-strength-time diagrams (F-S-T diagrams) with the experimental results of both materials using both models. The F-S-T diagrams described using Model II were in good agreement with plots of the fracture strength and the fracture time of both materials more so than Model I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture content is known to influence the properties of wood. While mechanical parameters like stiffness and strength decrease with increasing moisture content, investigations on the influence on fracture properties have been concentrated on linear elastic fracture mechanics. In this paper, the wedge splitting method is used to investigate also the non-linear fracture behaviour of sprucewood at different moisture contents. Complete load-displacement curves at four different moisture levels are evaluated. While the initial slope and the maximum stress state are decreasing with increasing moisture content the specific fracture energy is increasing. It is shown that this behaviour can be attributed to an increase in ductility which increases both the dissipated energy during crack initiation and the one in the crack propagation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radial direction of wood is reinforced by an additional tissue called rays. These rays are one of the reasons for the anisotropy of wood in the transverse plane. In this paper the influence of rays on the mechanical properties like tensile strength as well as on fracture mechanical parameters like critical stress intensity factor and specific fracture energy is shown. By investigating two deciduous tree species with a similar wood structure in general but a different ray characteristic in particular the importance of this radial reinforcement of the wood structure could be demonstrated. The relevance for the living tree is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructure and fracture behavior of brazed joint between commercially pure titanium and low carbon steel using silver (Ag–34Cu–2Ti) and copper (Cu–12Mn–2Ni ) based alloys have been characterized to determine the effect of brazing parameters and chemical composition on the strength of brazed joints. It is found that the shear strength of brazed joints strongly depends on the lap width. Furthermore, the fracture path and the value of shear strength significantly changed with the type of filler alloy. The two filler metals showed metallurgical interaction with steel and titanium forming different kinds of intermetallic compounds such as CuTi, Cu2Ti, and FeTi with silver based filler and Ti2Cu, FeTi and TiCuFe with copper based filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breaking force during transversal loading of fibre-cement corrugated roofing sheets was measured on several test samples from a serial production. The results were statistically analyzed assuming the 2-parameter Weibull statistics. In addition, Monte Carlo statistical simulations were made by using a computerised built-in random-number generator. While smaller sample data groups, mostly containing up to 50 samples, were studied in the literature, we extended their size up to 400 samples. We showed that some trends in the evaluation of statistical parameters which hold for smaller data groups, apply well to larger data groups. In particular, we confirmed that the statistical distribution of the Weibull parameters obtained from repeated Monte Carlo simulations is log-normal. Furthermore, we considered the influence of the measurement uncertainty on the statistical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate solution for a rotating functionally graded annular disk is presented. Material properties of the present annular disk are assumed to be graded in the radial direction according to a simple exponential-law distribution. The inner surface of the disk is pure metal whereas the outer surface of the disk is pure ceramic. The boundary condition of rigid casing is considered herein, that is the vanishing of the radial displacement at the outer surface. The boundary condition at the inner surface of the disk is taken to be vanishing either radial displacement or radial stress. Analytical solutions for the elastic deformation of the rotating functionally graded annular disks subjected to these boundary conditions are obtained. Numerical results for radial displacement, circumferential and radial stresses are presented. Comparisons between the different rotating homogeneous and functionally graded annular disks are made at the same angular velocity. The results show that distributions of stresses and displacement through the radial direction of the rotating annular disk vary with different parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]