Search

Additive manufacturing (AM) has gained popularity due to reduced production times of low-cost and geometrically complex structures. Due to technological constraints such as print volume, time, and thermal stability of large AM parts, adhesive joints are commonly used in assembling smaller components in large-scale polymeric structures. This work investigates the feasibility of using embedded optical fibers to monitor strain distributions within AM composite (carbon fiber/nylon) single-lap shear (SLS) joints. Internal strain distributions within the adhesive and surface strain fields of the SLS joints with AM adherends under tensile loads were obtained using optical fibers and digital image correlation, respectively. Results indicate negligible influence of optical fibers on the failure strength and axial stiffness of 3D-printed SLS joints under quasi-static loading. Higher strains were observed at the bond edges within the adhesive (using optical fiber) and the surface (using DIC) of the joints due to the rotation of the bond under loading. All specimens failed in the adherends beyond the bonded region due to their low interlaminar strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture resistance of friction-welded wood joints can be improved by applying bio-based bonding additives. Several biomolecules including tannic acid, organosolv lignin from hardwood, kraft lignin from softwood, and derivates thereof, were investigated regarding their applicability as bonding additives in the friction welding process. Welding with kraft lignin showed significantly increased moisture stability after 24 h water immersion. An average wet bond strength of 1.5 MPa compared to 0.38 MPa of untreated spruce was obtained. Modification of kraft lignin through succinylation, acetylation or depolymerisation led to no further improvement in moisture stability. Depolymerised kraft lignin resulted in an even higher delamination rate of the samples during water immersion than untreated samples. Structural analysis of the lignin variations by FTIR-ATR, GPC and 31P NMR in combination with thermal analysis by TGA and DSC showed the impact of various structural and chemical features on the thermal behaviour and intermolecular interactions of the applied lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-light composites are produced through the spread tow technology. The success of spread tow fabrics lies in their unique woven structure. By interlacing widespread thin flat tapes, instead of regular (and thicker) yarns, more straight fibers and thinner plies are obtained which leads to improvements in the mechanical performance in terms of both stiffness and strength. The available numerical studies on spread tow fabric composites are based on the approximation to equivalent thin ply laminates, where the key observations are dedicated to a delayed or suppressed microcracking. This paper helps to investigate the limitations of considering thin-ply spread tow composites as equivalent laminates, as well as to bring more understanding on how the tow thickness affect the sequence of failure mechanisms. As an aid to these investigations, a parameterized mesoscale model has been developed that preserves the complex geometry of the woven structure and can analyze the tow thickness effect down to 35 µm. By applying shifted periodic boundary conditions through the thickness, the effect of periodic layer shifting is also analyzed without having to discretize and model more than one layer of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most commonly used personal protection equipment (PPE) in various production activities, the impact resistance of the helmet is of great importance. Referred to the conventional experimental method, this study constructs a helmet impact resistance test system with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensor array. Compared with the traditional test method, this study installed PVDF sensors on the contact surface between the headform and the helmet. The stress and its distribution on the headform are measured directly, which is helpful to evaluate the impact resistance of the helmet more accurately and comprehensively. Finally, the intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of peak pressure of the repeated test results are calculated to evaluate the reliability of the test system, which shows high reliability. The test system is helpful for optimization of the helmet production design and further related research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) structures are vulnerable to low-speed impacts, which will lead to almost invisible impact damage. Therefore, the timely localization of impact is of great significance to damage detection and maintenance of the structure. In this article, a low velocity impact supervisory and testing system based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors was built up for CFRP laminates to obtain the low velocity impact strain sensitivity model. Meanwhile, genetic algorithm was applied to optimize the configuration of the FBG sensing network. The eigenvectors of the impact signals were extracted by applying fast Fourier transform (FFT) transform and principal component analysis (PCA) technology used as the input of the back propagation (BP) neural network model, while the corresponding impact coordinates were used as the output, to train the model. After training, the impact position prediction model based on BP neural network was obtained, thereby achieving the impact localization for CFRP laminates successfully with an average localization error of 2.1 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we computationally assess the effects of the distributed fibre orientation in the periodontal ligament (PDL) on mechanical responses of the tooth-PDL complex. An idealised axial-symmetric geometry of a tooth-PDL complex was constructed. The fibre orientation in the PDL was modelled as a trigonometric function based on anatomical knowledge, and the PDL was modelled as a transversely isotropic hyperelastic material dependent on fibre orientations. Parametric studies of the fibre orientation on the mechanical responses of the tooth-PDL complex were conducted. Obtained results showed that the anatomically consistent fibre orientation functions as a supporting structure against not only vertical but also horizontal loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than 7 years, our research work is focussed upon the electrical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced composites. Effectively carbon/polymeric matrix laminates can be considered as an electrically conductive network (i.e. carbon fibers) embedded in an insulating medium (i.e. the polymeric matrix). Consequently, from an electrical point of view laminated composites have been modelled owing to combinations of electrical resistances (i.e. fibers themselves and the contact points between the fibers) and capacitances (i.e. polymeric matrix). During their manufacturing, composite material such as thermoset matrix composites for instance, undergo various changes in their physical (including electrical and mechanical) properties and in their geometrical characteristics. In fact, in the case of manufacturing processes such as oven curing (vacuum bag), autoclave curing or heating plate press, beside the chemo-rheological changes, the laminated parts are the place of a compaction phenomenon inducing changes in fiber volume fraction and thicknesses. The idea developed in this paper is that since the carbon/polymeric matrix laminate can be considered as an electrical network, it can then be view and used as a sensor for following the material state during the manufacturing process enabling thus defects to be detected and this without any additional sensing material or device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive and comparative experimental study was conducted to determine how the thermal ageing process, applied at different temperatures for different exposure durations, affects the mechanical properties and mechanical performance of the single lap composite joints bonded by adhesives with different properties. Initially, the glass fibre/epoxy composite joints were divided into seven different groups and each group was subjected to thermal ageing at -10 to 120°C. Subsequently, specimens aged for 24 to 1440 hours were subjected to single lap shear tests to determine the change in their mechanical properties. As a result of this study, it is deduced that the maximum load carrying capacity generally decreases as the thermal ageing duration increases and take its lowest value at 120°C, however, surprisingly the capacity of joints bonded with a ductile characteristic adhesive (DP 460) and aged at 80 °C shows an increasing trend as the ageing duration is prolonged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global material properties and boundary conditions of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) plates can change substantially from their initial values after prolonged use. Since composite plates use different materials in different layers, a method for determination of layerwise material parameters can be useful for structural health monitoring. Vibration responses being sensitive to material properties, an inverse material identification methodology using experimental modal testing and finite element model updating can be a reasonable option. Most of the existing inverse techniques are limited to the determination of average homogenized material constants only. The current two-staged technique, supplemented by information from specially fabricated 'Characteristic plates' having material properties same as those of the 'Actual plate' but different stacking sequences, is proposed as an effective solution. Modal testing has been conducted on a rectangular FRP plate under various boundary conditions and the difficulties associated with the implementation of such technique have been critically judged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel technique for the determination of local variations in the constituent level elastic parameters of fibre reinforced plastics composite plates has been presented from experimentally measured natural frequencies and mode shapes or frequency response functions (FRF) using finite element model updating technique. The constituent level elastic parameters, i.e. the fibre and matrix stiffnesses for a 'patch area' having different elastic properties from the rest of the structure have been estimated quantitatively. The location and extent of this patch can be predicted a-priori from careful comparison of mode shapes. The methodology uses the correlations between the experimentally measured frequencies and mode shapes or FRFs and their corresponding values from finite element predictions of the 'patch plate'. The objective function, consisting of the weighted differences in the undamped eigenvalues as well as the normalized mode shapes or FRFs of the two models, is minimized in the least square sense using a gradient-based inverse eigen-sensitivity method implemented through a computer program. The methodology has been demonstrated through a numerically simulated example first, followed by a real experimental case study. Results indicated that the efficiency and the robustness of the algorithm depend upon the accuracy of the acquired modal data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesively bonded joints have been increasingly used in structural applications over mechanical joints. Cohesive Zone Modelling (CZM) is the most widespread technique to predict the strength of these joints, and it uses the tensile fracture toughness (GIC) and the shear fracture toughness (GIIC). Different fracture characterization methods are available for shear loadings, among which the End-Notched Flexure (ENF) is undoubtedly the most popular. The 4-Point End-Notched Flexure (4ENF) is also available. This work consists of a detailed comparison between the ENF and 4ENF tests for the experimental estimation of GIIC of bonded aluminium joints. Three adhesives were used: a strong and brittle (Araldite® AV138), a less strong but with intermediate ductility (Araldite® 2015) and a highly ductile (SikaForce®7752). Different data reduction methods were tested, and the comparison included the load-displacement (P-δ) curves, resistance curves (R-curves) and measured GIIC. It was found that the ENF test presents a simpler setup and has a higher availability of reliable data reduction methods, one of these not requiring measuring the crack length (a) during its growth. For the 4ENF test, only one test method proved to be accurate, and the test geometry revealed to be highly affected by friction effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the back-face technique is exploited to monitor fatigue crack growth (FCG) in a composite, single lap adhesive bonded joint, using distributed sensing by Optical Backscatter Reflectometry (OBR). Some preliminary results are presented, indicating that, by measuring accurately the strain profile in the overlap region, the correlation between the minimum peak of the strain profile and the position of the crack tip can be exploited for monitoring the structural health of joints. The proposed structural health monitoring technique was validated on the basis of the results obtained by a non-destructive technique using phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). The comparison between the two methods yielded encouraging results, suggesting that, thanks to its distributed sensing capabilities, the OBR technology could allow for improving the back face (BF) technique, as well as any other strain field-based measurement technique, for the health monitoring of adhesive joints. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to monitor crack initiation and propagation under static and fatigue loading in adhesively bonded joints, strain profile measurement such as backface strain (BFS) is a very efficient technique. In single lap (SL) joints, crack initiation and propagation in the glue line can be monitored by detecting the negative peak of the strain profile. Therefore, the accuracy of the monitoring system greatly depends on detecting the strain profile correctly and accurately. Previously, an array of electrical strain gages as well as fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors had been used successfully to capture the profile of BFS of a SL joint by applying sensors on the backface of an adherend, near the overlap zone. In this work, the backface technique is improved by replacing an array of strain sensors by an ordinary optical fiber (without FBG sensors) connected to an optical backscatter reflectometer. The great advantage of this system over the more conventional arrays of FBG is that the entire length of the fiber can be used for sensing strains, and hence it provides a better spatial resolution. The experimental results are compared with finite element analyses, which were further validated by two-dimensional digital image correlation measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acoustic emission location is important for finding the structural crack and ensuring the structural safety. In this paper, an acoustic emission location method by using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm were investigated. Four FBG sensors were used to form a sensing network to detect the acoustic emission signals. According to the signals, the quadrilateral array location equations were established. By analyzing the acoustic emission signal propagation characteristics, the solution of location equations was converted to an optimization problem. Thus, acoustic emission location can be achieved by using an improved PSO algorithm, which was realized by using the information fusion of multiple standards PSO, to solve the optimization problem. Finally, acoustic emission location system was established and verified on an aluminum alloy plate. The experimental results showed that the average location error was 0.010 m. This paper provided a reliable method for aluminum alloy structural acoustic emission location. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite their considerable importance to biomechanics, there are no existing methods available to directly measure apparent Poisson’s ratio and friction coefficient of oral mucosa. This study aimed to develop an inverse procedure to determine these two biomechanical parameters by utilizingin vivoexperiment of contact pressure between partial denture and beneath mucosa through nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis and surrogate response surface (RS) modelling technique. First, thein vivodenture–mucosa contact pressure was measured by a tactile electronic sensing sheet. Second, a 3D FE model was constructed based on the patient CT images. Third, a range of apparent Poisson’s ratios and the coefficients of friction from literature was considered as the design variables in a series of FE runs for constructing a RS surrogate model. Finally, the discrepancy between computedin silicoand measuredin vivoresults was minimized to identify the best matching Poisson’s ratio and coefficient of friction. The established non-invasive methodology was demonstrated effective to identify such biomechanical parameters of oral mucosa and can be potentially used for determining the biomaterial properties of other soft biological tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors-based impact localization system on composite structure and a novel localization algorithm independent of wave velocity were proposed. Six FBG sensors constitute two isosceles right triangle FBG arrays. Impact signals were detected by a high-speed FBG interrogation system. Morlet wavelet transform was employed to extract time differences of impact signals. The straight lines equations, which are through impact source and FBG sensors of right-angled vertices of FBG arrays, can be obtained by the time differences. The coordinate of impact source is the intersection of straight lines. Testing experiments were carried out on composite plate within 400 mm × 400 mm monitor area. The experimental results showed that the maximum and average errors were 20.92 and 8.67 mm, respectively. This article provides a simple and stable impact source localization system independent of wave velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intelligent acoustic emission (AE) source localization technique by using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors was investigated. Four FBGs sensing network was established for detecting the AE signal. And power intensity demodulation method was initialized employing narrow-band tunable laser. The intelligent AE source localization method was proposed based on wavelet transform, cross-correlation analysis, and least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM). LS-SVM modal’s input is signal time difference and output is AE source position. The location experiments were carried out on a 500 mm × 500 mm × 2 mm aluminum alloy plate. The results showed that the AE source position abscissa and ordinate localization errors are all less than 10 mm. The maximum and average localization errors are 8.65 and 6.78 mm, respectively. The research results provided a novel method for AE source localization by using FBG sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors propose a protocol to derive finite element (FE) models from micro computer tomography scans of implanted rat bone. A semi-automatic procedure allows segmenting the images using specimen-specific bone mineral density (BMD) thresholds. An open-source FE model generator processes the segmented images to a quality tetrahedral mesh. The material properties assigned to each element are integrated from the BMD field. Piecewise, threshold-dependent density–elasticity relationships are implemented to limit the effects of metal artefacts. A detailed sensitivity study highlights the coherence of the generated models and quantifies the influence of the modelling parameters on the results. Two applications of the protocol are proposed. The stiffness of bare and implanted rat tibiae specimens is predicted by simulating three-point bending and inter-implant displacement, respectively. Results are compared with experimental tests. The mean value and the variability between the specimens are well captured in both tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguably one of the most specialised subtopics in porous materials research is that of tissue engineering scaffolds. The porous architecture of these scaffolds is a key variable in determining biological response. However, techniques for characterising these materials tend to vary widely in the literature. There is a need for a set of transferable and effective methods for architectural characterisation. In this review, four key areas of importance are addressed. First, the definition and interpretation of pore size are considered in relation to fluid transport properties, by analogy with filtration research. Second, the definition of interconnectivity is discussed using insight obtained from cement and concrete research. Third, the issue of data scalability is addressed by consideration of percolation theory, as implemented for the study of geological materials. Finally, emerging techniques such as confocal and multiphoton microscopy are discussed. These methods allow the three-dimensional observation of pore strut arrangement, as well holding great potential for understanding changes in pore architecture under dynamic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This state-of-the-art report presents the basic concepts of some of the thermo-hydro (TH) and thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) wood processes that are in use today, i.e. heat treatment, compression of wood in the longitudinal or transverse direction and wood welding. The reasons for the growing interest in TH and THM techniques are discussed, and the development of the different concepts, from first ideas to current status, is briefly presented. The physical and chemical changes that occur in wood during TH and THM processing according to the latest research are also presented. Finally, developments that are close to or already have an industrial application are presented, and the challenges for further development of the heat treatment, compression and wood welding processes are discussed. The TH processing of wood is based entirely on water and heat, and a THM process incorporates an additional mechanical force. The purpose of wood transformation by a TH or a THM process is to improve the intrinsic wood properties, to acquire a form and functionality desired by engineers without changing its eco-friendly characteristics or hindering its further use in the total material life cycle. Only a few of the recently developed techniques, e.g. heat treatment, wood welding and various densification applications, have been industrialized to some extent. There are many reasons for this relatively low transfer of the research results to a full up-scaled industrial production. Some of them are related to unsolved problems at the laboratory level on small-sized samples and others are related to the scaling-up processes in industry. Furthermore, the ageing of heated wood leads to deterioration with time, in some cases there is an unpleasant odour, the strength of the wood decreases substantially and the wood becomes more brittle. These are new challenges which need to be resolved by the collaboration of researchers from the different scientific domains of academia, research institutes and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]