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Digital image correlation (DIC) is widely used in material experiments such as ores; the quality of a speckle image directly affects the accuracy of the DIC calculation. This study aims to acquire high-quality speckle pattern images and improve the calculation accuracy and stability. A gradient-based image quality metric was selected to evaluate the image quality, and its validity was verified by a rigid body experiment and a numerical experiment. Based on the maximum image quality metric, an automatic exposure control algorithm and the control procedure were proposed to obtain the optimal exposure time. Finally, nine sets of images with different poses and illuminations were captured, and displacement and strain fields were calculated at the fixed exposure time and the optimized exposure time. The results of the rigid-body motion experiment show that the calculated data at the optimized exposure time is smoother and less noisy, and the error is smaller, which verifies the effectiveness of the exposure control procedure and its algorithm and improves the accuracy and stability of DIC calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a total of 30 3D re-entrant honeycomb specimens made of polyamide were fabricated with various configurations by using the additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests were conducted on the RH specimens at different impact velocities. The incident, reflected and transmitted waveforms can well explain the wave propagation and energy absorption characteristics of the specimens, which can help us to understand and analyse the process of impact loading. The stress–strain curves, energy absorption ability and failure modes of SHPB tests with different impact velocities and quasi-static compression tests were analysed and compared, and it was found that the flow stress and energy absorption ability of the specimens subjected to impact load were much improved. Among the tested specimens, specimen C2, with a smaller re-entrant angle θ, displayed the best energy absorption ability, which was 1.701 J/cm3 at the impact velocity of 22 m/s and was 5.1 times that in the quasi-static test. Specimen C5 had the longest horizontal length of the diagonal bar L 0 , and its energy absorption was 1.222 J/cm3 at the impact velocity of 22 m/s and was 15.7 times that in the quasi-static test, reflecting the superiority of a structurally stable specimen in energy absorption under impact loading. The test results can provide a reference for the optimization of the design of the same or similar structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although highly desirable, the experimental technology of the dynamic mechanical properties of materials under multiaxial impact loading is rarely explored. In this study, a true-biaxial split Hopkinson pressure bar device is developed to achieve the biaxial synchronous impact loading of a specimen. A symmetrical wedge-shaped, dual-wave bar is designed to decompose a single stress wave into two independent and symmetric stress waves that eventually form an orthogonal system and load the specimen synchronously. Furthermore, a combination of ground gaskets and lubricant is employed to eliminate the shear stress wave and separate the coupling of the shear and axial stress waves propagating in bars. Some confirmatory and applied tests are carried out, and the results show not only the feasibility of this modified device but also the dynamic mechanical characteristics of specimens under biaxial impact loading. This novel technique is readily implementable and also has good application potential in material mechanics testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a macroscopically orthotropic material, beech wood has different mechanical properties along the fiber direction and the direction perpendicular to the fiber direction, presenting a complicated strain rate sensitivity under impact or blast loadings. To understand the effect of the strain rate on the mechanical properties of beech wood, dynamic compression tests were conducted for the strain rate range of 800 s−1–2000 s−1, and quasi-static compression tests for obtaining the static mechanical properties of beech wood were also performed for comparison. The fiber direction effect on the mechanical properties was also analyzed, considering two loading directions: one perpendicular to the beech fiber direction and the other parallel to the beech fiber direction. The results show that beech wood for both loading directions has a significant strain rate sensitivity, and the mechanical properties of beech wood along the fiber direction are superior to those along the direction perpendicular to the fiber direction. An analysis of the macrostructures and microstructures of beech specimens is also presented to illustrate the failure mechanisms. The beech wood, as a natural protective material, has special dynamic mechanical properties in the aspect of transverse isotropy. This research provides a theoretical basis for application in protective structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gait analysis using wearable sensors is an inexpensive, convenient, and efficient manner of providing useful information for multiple health-related applications. As a clinical tool applied in the rehabilitation and diagnosis of medical conditions and sport activities, gait analysis using wearable sensors shows great prospects. The current paper reviews available wearable sensors and ambulatory gait analysis methods based on the various wearable sensors. After an introduction of the gait phases, the principles and features of wearable sensors used in gait analysis are provided. The gait analysis methods based on wearable sensors is divided into gait kinematics, gait kinetics, and electromyography. Studies on the current methods are reviewed, and applications in sports, rehabilitation, and clinical diagnosis are summarized separately. With the development of sensor technology and the analysis method, gait analysis using wearable sensors is expected to play an increasingly important role in clinical applications.