Papers by Author: Zdeněk Knésl

Abstract: In recent years, particle reinforced composites are widely used due their mechanical properties as construction materials, high-performance engineering materials or protective organic coatings. The paper was mainly focused on the estimating of the interactions of the micro-crack and the particles in the particulate polymer composites. A non-linear material behavior of the matrix was obtained from the experiment and it was used to investigation by means of the finite element method - using ANSYS software. A two-dimensional numerical model was developed and a micro-crack propagation direction was calculated based on the assumption of the linear elastic fracture mechanics. The results indicated that the presence of the interphase between particle and matrix can improve the fracture toughness of the polymer particle composites through debonding process. The paper can contribute to a better understanding of the behavior and failure of the composites with the polymer matrix reinforced by the rigid particles.

Abstract: The paper presents a methodology for the lifetime assessment of welded polymer pipes. A fracture mechanics analysis of a butt-welded joint is performed by simulating radial crack growth in the nonhomogenous region of the pipe weld. It was found that the presence of material nonhomogeneity in the pipe weld caused by the welding procedure leads to an increase in the stress intensity factor of the radial crack and changes the usual failure mode of the pipe system. This can lead to a significant reduction in the lifetime of the pipe system.

Abstract: In many industrial applications it is necessary to predict fatigue lifetime of the structures where the stress field near the crack front have a three-dimensional nature. Due to the existence of vertex singularity in the point where the crack front touches free surface, crack propagation in 3D structures cannot be reduced to a series of plane strain or plane stress problems along the crack front. The paper describes the influence of the vertex singularity on crack shape for three-dimensional structure. The iterative process for estimation of a real crack front based on a stress singularity exponent is presented. In each node defining the crack front the stress singularity exponent has been estimated and complete crack front shape corresponding to the constant stress singularity exponent was found. The methodology presented can help to estimate crack front shape in a linear elastic fracture mechanics framework and estimate fracture parameters of fatigue cracks more accurately.

Abstract: The multi-layered structure components of dissimilar materials are used in many engineering applications to protect the base structure from outer damage. Typical examples of coated structures are pipes with the dimensional addition of protective layers (multi-layer pipes). The purpose of this development is to protect the main (functional) part of the pipes from damages (e.g. surface scratches, internal crack propagation). In the contribution the attention is paid to cracks existing and propagating in inner protective layer. In many cases the cracks are stopped at the interface between protective and functional layers. The important task is to decide if they penetrate further through the interface in the bulk material and thus cause the failure of the system. The critical stress for the crack propagation through the interface depends on the relation between bulk and coating materials as well as on the crack geometry. All these important topics are taken into account and their effect on crack propagation is broadly discussed.

Abstract: Secure and cost effective joining methods are key points for practical applications of plastic pipelines. The morphology and material structure of welded joints are complicated in comparison with the base pipe material. The formation of the weld is highly dependent on both thermal history and stress state. Consequently, the material parameters characterizing the weld joint and corresponding heated zone influence the reliability and safety of the welded pipe system as a whole. In the contribution a welded polymer-polymer butt joint is considered and its possible damage caused by slow crack growing in the weld zone is numerically analyzed. The numerical model takes into account the geometry of the bead and changes in material properties inside the weld zone. The results obtained from welded specimens are compared with those for a smooth specimen from the base material. The conclusions described in the paper can be used for a better transfer of fracture mechanics characteristics between laboratory specimens and real pipes.

Abstract: In this paper polymeric particulate composites are studied (especially polypropylene (PP) matrix stuffed by rigid mineral fillers). Presently, polymeric particulate composites are frequently used in many engineering applications. The composite was modeled as a three-phase continuum – matrix, interphase and particle. The properties of the particles (size, shape) have a significant effect on the global behaviour of the composite. On the basis of fracture mechanics methodology the interaction of micro-crack propagation in the matrix filled by rigid particles covered by the interphase was analyzed. The effect of the composite structure on their mechanical properties is studied here from the theoretical point of view.

Abstract: The microstructure as well as the local mechanical and fracture behaviour of welded joints in plastic pipes made form polyethylene and material zones outside of the welded joints have been analysed using recording microhardness testing, laser extensometry and crack resistance curve tests. In has been found that the mechanical basic properties and damage kinetics are clearly depending on the welding parameters and additional notching.

Abstract: In the case of large diameter polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) pipes the most usual joint is the butt weld. This paper focuses on the influence of a weld bead on the service life of welded pipes from a fracture mechanics perspective. To this aim the stress concentrator created by the connection between the weld bead and the pipe’s free surface is modelled as a notch. Global parameters defining properties of stress and strain field in the notch region are calculated for materials with a prevailing Norton-type creep. It is demonstrated that in the case of creep loading conditions and ductile failure mode the existence of such stress concentrators has no negative influence on the lifetime of pipes.

Abstract: Failure of layered materials is frequently caused by the existence of interfaces between single layers. In structures loaded by long-term constant stress the damage can be described on micro-scale by material changes due to active creep mechanism and at the macro-level by a corresponding change of the stress and strain field. In the contribution the behavior of a crack propagating through the interface is analyzed. Primary attention is devoted to a crack with its tip at the interface under creep exposition. The step change of material properties at the bi-material interface means that standard fracture mechanics access is not applicable and a modified approach based on generalization of the classical concept has to be used. The approach is illustrated on the damage of a plastic pipe with protective layer.

Abstract: Conditions of damage initiation in bi-material structures are analysed in the paper. The considerations are derived from the knowledge of the stress state caused by the existence of the sharp notch and the bi-material interface. The step change of material properties and the geometrical discontinuity at the interface leads to a singular peak of stress that is similar to the stress singularity near the crack tip in homogeneous material. That fact urges to use generalized linear elastic fracture mechanics for assessment of conditions of crack initiation. In the paper crack initiation direction and quantification of the external load connected with crack initiation are discussed. Within the stability assessment, possible directions of crack initiation should be considered and tested in both material components and at their interface as well. Knowing the critical applied stresses, one can decide among the damage eventualities.