Three-dimensional crack propagation with distance-based discontinuous kernels in meshfree methods

Distance fields are scalar functions defining the minimum distance of a given point in the space from the boundary of an object. Crack surfaces are geometric entities whose shapes can be arbitrary, often described with ruled surfaces or polygonal subdivisions. The derivatives of distance functions for such surfaces are discontinuous across the surface, and continuous all around the edges. These properties of the distance function were employed to build intrinsic enrichments of the underlying mesh-free discretisation for efficient simulation of three-dimensional crack propagation, removing the limitations of existing criteria (reviewed in this paper). Examples show that the proposed approach is able to introduce quite convoluted crack paths. The incremental nature of the developed approach does not require re-computation of the enrichment for the entire crack surface as advancing crack front extends incrementally as a set of connected surface facets. The concept is based on purely geometric representation of discontinuities thus addressing only the kinematic aspects of the problem, such to allow for any constitutive and cohesive interface models to be used.     

Axial crushing of metal foam-filled square columns: Foam density distribution and impactor inclination effects

In this paper, the effects of foam density distribution and initial impactor inclination angle on crushing behaviour of metal foam-filled thin-walled square columns have been investigated. The simplified version of an existing pressure dependent self-similar constitutive model with tensile failure for metal foam has been implemented in ABAQUS/Explicit code. Random distribution of cubic regions with normal distribution of density has been created. The analyses have been accomplished for three distinct foam densities, two extreme random distributions (fine and coarse), and five different impactor inclination angles. A local effect on folding patterns of columns filled with low-density foam has been identified. Furthermore, unstable bending mode of collapse appears in the case of slightly inclined impactor and medium and high-density foams. In addition, for high-density foam-filled specimens global buckling can initiate by just letting the density of foam vary inside the sample.     

Formation of Nanocrystalline Silicon Carbide Powder from Chlorine-Containing Polycarbosilane Precursors

Nanocrystalline ß-SiC particulates with a grain-size range of 5-20 nm were prepared by heating a prepyrolyzed, chlorine-containing polysilane/polycarbosilane (PS/PCS) to 1600°C. The transformation from the prepyrolyzed PS/PCS to nanocrystalline SiC was investigated by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the nanocrystalline ß-SiC was formed by the crystallization of the PS/PCS random network and the crosslinking of Si-Si, Si-Cl, and Si-CH₂-Si bonds. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that SiC particulates consisted of equiaxed, randomly oriented, ultrafine grains.     

In-plane and through-thickness properties,failure modes,damage and delamination in 3D woven carbon fibre composites subjected to impact loading

Two noncrimp 3D woven carbon fibre composites (through thickness angle interlock) of binder volume fractions 3% and 6% were characterised for their response to applied deformation. Experiments were performed at quasi static, medium and high strain rates under a large variety of load cases (tension in warp/weft direction, interlaminar/intralaminar shear, through thickness tension/compression, 3-point bending and plate bending). During the study, novel experimental methods were developed in order to address several challenges specific to 3D composite materials. The results show that, while the different binder volume fractions of 3% and 6% have only a small effect on the in-plane stiffness (warp and weft direction), its effect on the delamination resistance in plate bending experiments is considerable. This is a very important result for the use of these materials in the future. The availability, in previous publications, of complementary data for the matrix and the interface between matrix pockets and fibre bundles makes the comprehensive data set a generically useful reference for hierarchical numerical modelling strategies.     

Experimental characterisation and constitutive modelling of RTM-6 resin under impact loading

The response to mechanical loading of the thermosetting resin system RTM-6 has been investigated experimentally as a function of strain rate and a constitutive model has been applied to describe the observed and quantified material behaviour. In order to determine strain rate effects and to draw conclusions about the hydrostatic stress dependency of the material, specimens were tested in compression and tension at strain rates from 10⁻³ to 10⁴ s⁻¹. A Standard screw-driven tensile machine was used for quasi-static testing, with an ‘in house’ hydraulic rig and Hopkinson bars for medium and high strain rates, respectively. At all rates appropriate photography and optical metrology have been used for direct strain measurement, observation of failure and validation of experimental procedures. In order to enable the experimental characterisation of this brittle material at very high rates in tension, a novel pulse shaping technique has been applied. With the help of this device, strain rates of up to 3800 s⁻¹ have been achieved while maintaining homogeneous deformation state until specimen fracture in the gauge section of the tensile specimens. The yield stress and initial modulus increased with increasing strain rate for both compression and tension, while the strain to failure decreased with strain rate in tension. An existing constitutive model, the Goldberg model has been extended in order to take into account the nonlinear strain rate dependence of the elastic modulus. The model has been validated against 3-point impact bending tests of prismatic RTM-6 beams.     

An experimental investigation of rate-dependent deformation and failure of three titanium alloys

The response of three titanium alloys, Ti 6,4, Ti 550 and Ti 6,2,4,6, commonly used in aerospace applications, has been investigated at rates of strain between 10⁻⁴ and 10³ s⁻¹ in uniaxial tensile and compressive loading in ambient environment. This work identifies and discusses features of their behaviour that must be captured within material models developed for use in predictive modelling of response to in-service loading. That is, an increase in yield strength with increasing strain rate, a difference in yield strength between tensile and compressive loading regimes and, most importantly, the evolution of damage resulting in failure due to growth of voids in both tension and compression.     

Combined effects of inulin,pectin and guar gum on the quality and stability of partially baked frozen bread

Many attempts have been made to increase the nutritional value of bread by adding dietary fibre. However, fibre enrichment is usually associated with various technological problems. The aim of this study was to optimise the composition of a blend of inulin, pectin and guar gum to enrich the fibre content of partially baked frozen bread without impairing its technological quality. We prepared 20 formulations following a central composite design, together with 4 control breads. Bread enriched with inulin had higher crumb hardness, lower specific volume, shape, moisture content, and crumb cohesiveness than control bread, but improved flavour. Pectin and guar improved moisture content and crumb cohesiveness. There was no interaction between inulin and pectin for any of the bread attributes investigated, while interactions between inulin and guar were small. In contrast, guar and pectin significantly interacted to decrease volume and increase crumb hardness and chewiness. A desirability function method identified the optimised blend as containing 3% inulin, 0.9–1% pectin and 0.3–0.4% guar. Bread enriched with such blend had the following characteristics: specific volume, 4.06 cm³/g; shape, 0.63; crumb hardness, 189 g; resilience, 0.36; cohesiveness, 0.84; chewiness, 169 g; and flavour score, 4.6. Experimental values were close to the predicted ones, with prediction errors below 10% for all attributes tested. The specific volume, crumb hardness and chewiness of the enriched bread were superior to those of unenriched bread. However, undesirable textural changes occurred in the enriched bread during 12 weeks of frozen storage, and these changes strongly depended on the fibre blend composition.     

CYBERNETIC MODEL (LOPI) SIMULATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS OF CROATIAN POPULATION

The purpose of our research was to assess the actual contribution and the potential uses of the cybernetic approach to understanding and predicting demographic processes. Methodological premise used was that anthropologically relevant aspects of population change could be expressed as quantitative cybernetic relations. Conducted simulations were based on demographic data for population of the Republic of Croatia. Cybernetic model (LOPI) simulations achieve 90% congruence with recorded population dynamics over a period of several hundred years. Explanatory and predictive forces of the LOPI model are discussed for understanding complexity of emergent phenomena – interaction between genetic kinship, environment, resources, and socio-cultural factors.     

A method for the generation of 3D representative models of granular based materials

The morphology of many naturally occurring and man‐made materials at different length scales can be modelled using the packing of correspondingly shaped and sized particles. The mechanical behaviour of this vast category of materials – which includes granular media, particle reinforced materials and foams ‐ depends strongly upon the shape and size distribution of the particles. This paper presents a method for the generation and packing of arbitrarily shaped polyhedral particles. The algorithm for the generation of the particles is based on the Voronoi tessellation technique, whilst the packing is performed using a geometrical approach, which guarantees the non‐overlapping of the bodies without relying upon any, otherwise typically computationally expensive, contact detection and interaction algorithm. The introduction of three geometrical parameters allows to control the shape, size and spacial density of the polyhedral particles, which are used to build numerical models representative of densely packed granular assemblies, granular reinforced materials and closed‐cell foams. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental Characterisation of Aluminium 6082 at Varying Temperature and Strain Rate

Abstract: This article describes the experimental methodology used in overcoming the challenges of performing tests and recording results on specimens, which are suitable for such a wide range of test conditions. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted on aluminium alloy 6082‐T352 at varying temperatures and strain rates to validate testing techniques and to determine the effect of these parameters upon this material. The applied strain rate varied over several orders of magnitude – using a screw‐driven tensometer for quasi‐static loading (6.9 × 10^?4 s^?1), a hydraulic piston rig for moderate strain rate (4.0 × 10¹ s^?1) and a tensile Hopkinson bar for high strain rate (1.5 × 10³ s^?1). Temperature was varied using a heat gun, and the air temperature was measured using a thermocouple in the hot air stream. Specimen temperature is determined by finite element modelling, and this correlates well with other work. Although it would have been possible to improve the design of individual tests for specific test conditions, an important objective was to conduct the entire series of tests in as consistent a manner as possible. The procedure for characterising the stress–strain behaviour for this material under these different loading conditions is also considered in some detail, as the real material behaviour deviates from simplified elasto‐plastic material models. Results presented for Al 6082 samples show a slight increase in yield stress with increasing strain rate, and a decrease in yield stress with increasing temperature.