Densification effects on the fracture in fused silica under Vickers indentation

This study investigates the effects of densification on the deformation and fracture in fused silica under Vickers indentation by both the finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental tests. A refined elliptical constitutive model was used, which enables us to investigate the effects of the evolution of yield stress under pure shear and elastic properties with densification. The densification distribution was predicted and compared with experiments. The plastic deformation and indentation stress fields were used to analyze the initiation and morphology of various crack types. The formation mechanism of borderline cracks was revealed for the first time. This study reveals that the asymmetry of the densification distribution and elastic-plastic boundary significantly influences the cracking behavior. Under the Vickers indentation, conical cracks have the largest penetration depth. When these cracks emerge from a region far from the impression, they extend with constant radii to form circles on the sample surface. Otherwise, they tend to be initiated at the centers of the indenter-material contact edges before propagating towards the impression corners with increasing radii. Therefore, the borderline cracks consisting of successive partial conical cracks can form at a low load and makes them the first type of crack to appear.     

Development of high pressure membraneless alkaline electrolyzer

A technology for cyclic generation of hydrogen and oxygen using electrodes made of variable valency material that does not need the use of separating ion-exchange membranes is presented. The technological solution enables to fabricate electrolyzers for uninterrupted producing high-pressure hydrogen with reduced energy intensity of the production. The total work for compressing 1 m³ of hydrogen and 0.5 m³ of oxygen has been estimated. Results of investigation of influence of discrete supply of DC current to the electrolysis cell, in order to improve the processes of gas evolution and to simplify the power systems of the electrolysis plant, have been considered. There is also considered an electrolysis installation equipped with a thermosorption compressor in which LaNi₅ is used as a hydride-forming compound. The comparative characteristics of the developed electrolyzer and the currently used hydrogen generators are given.     

Analysis of adhesively bonded CFRE composite scarf joints modified with MWCNTs

The main objective of the present work is to improve the performance of bonded joints in carbon fiber composite structures through introducing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) into Epocast 50-A1/946 epoxy, which was primarily developed for joining and repairing of composite aircraft structures. Results from tension characterizations of structural adhesive joints (SAJs) with different scarf angles (5–45°) showed improvement up to 40% compared to neat epoxy (NE)–SAJs. Special attention was considered to investigate the performance of SAJs with 5° scarf angle under different environments. The tensile strength and stiffness of both NE-SAJs and MWCNT/E-SAJs were dramatically decreased at elevated temperature. Water absorption showed a marginal drop of about 2.0% in the tensile strength of the moist SAJs compared to the dry one. Cracks initiation and propagation were detected effectively using instrumented-SAJs with eight strain gauges. The experimental results agree well with the predicted using three-dimensional finite element analysis model.     

Questioning numerical integration methods for microsphere (and microplane) constitutive equations

In the last few years, more and more complex microsphere models have been proposed to predict the mechanical response of various polymers. Similarly than for microplane models, they consist in deriving a one-dimensional force vs. stretch equation and to integrate it over the unit sphere to obtain a three-dimensional constitutive equation. In this context, the focus of authors is laid on the physics of the one-dimensional relationship, but in most of the case the influence of the integration method on the prediction is not investigated.Here we compare three numerical integration schemes: a classical Gaussian scheme, a method based on a regular geometric meshing of the sphere, and an approach based on spherical harmonics. Depending on the method, the number of integration points may vary from 4 to 983,040! Considering simple quantities, i.e. principal (large) strain invariants, it is shown that the integration method must be carefully chosen. Depending on the quantities retained to described the one-dimensional equation and the required error, the performances of the three methods are discussed. Consequences on stress–strain prediction are illustrated with a directional version of the classical Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic model. Finally, the paper closes with some advices for the development of new microsphere constitutive equations.     

Interfacial failure analysis of functionally graded adhesively bonded double supported tee joint of laminated FRP composite plates

This paper deals with three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses to assess the structural behavior of adhesively-bonded double supported tee joint of laminated FRP composites having embedded interfacial failures. The onset of interfacial failures is predicted by using Tsai–Wu coupled stress failure criterion with pre-determined stress values. The concept of fracture mechanics principle is utilized to study the sustainability of the tee joint having interfacial failures pre-existed at the critical locations. Individual modes of the strain energy release rates (SERR) G_I, G_II and G_III, are considered as the damage growth parameters and, are evaluated using the Modified crack closure integral (MCCI) technique based on the concept of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). Based on the stress analyses, it has been observed that the interfacial failures in tee joint structure trigger at the interface of base plate and adhesive layer from both ends of base plate. Depending on the SERR magnitudes, it has been noticed that the interfacial failure propagates under mixed mode condition. Therefore total SERR (G_T) is considered as the governing parameter for damage propagation. Furthermore, efforts have been made to retard damage propagation rate by employing functionally graded adhesive (FGA) instead of monolithic adhesive material. Series of numerical simulations have been performed for varied interfacial failure length in functionally graded adhesively bonded double supported tee joint structure in order to achieve the significant effect of FGA with various modulus ratios on SERR. Material gradation of adhesive indicates significant SERR reduction at the incipient stage of failure which necessitates the use of functionally graded adhesive for the tee joint and prolong the service life of the structure.     

Stress-deformable state of isotropic double curved shell with internal cracks and a circular hole

This work is devoted to the stress–strain state of isotropic double curved shell with defect system. The construction is weakened by two non-through thickness (internal) cracks of different length and by a circular hole located between cracks. In this study we use the line-spring model. Within the framework of this model cracks are modeled as mathematical cuts of shell’s middle surface. This leads to a two-dimensional problem. The problem is reduced to a system of eight boundary integral equations. To ensure the uniqueness of solution an additional equation is added. In the numerical solution of the problem special quadrature formulas for singular integrals of Cauchy type and the finite difference method are applied. The influence of defects on each other for double curved shell has been investigated. The given theoretical results can be used for the calculation of structural elements with holes, cracks on the strength and fracture toughness in various branches of engineering.     

Excited-state absorption of meso-tetrasulfonatophenyl porphyrin: Effects of pH and micelles

The influence of the environment on the excited state transitions of meso-tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) is reported. TPPS was investigated in protonated and non-protonated forms, and in the presence of the cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles. The singlet excited-state absorption spectra were measured by using the white-light continuum Z-scan technique and the triplet–triplet absorption spectra were acquired employing an association of laser flash photolysis and Z-scan techniques. Our results show that the perseveration of the molecular symmetry, upon excitation, depends on the state of multiplicity of the molecules, as well as on the environment and structural characteristics of the porphyrin. Additionally, it was observed that for excited molecules, the ring distortion caused by the protonation of porphyrin ring has great influence on the changes observed for the symmetry and vibronic structure. The results clearly show that the porphyrin investigated is a promising candidate for optical limiting applications for all investigated environments.