Papers by Keyword: Anisotropic Properties

Abstract: In the present work, critical testing methods are employed in order to assess the formability of a Zn-Ti-Cu alloy, evaluating, therefore, the anisotropic properties of the produced sheet. The determination of plastic strain ratios and the induced combined mathematical expressions, utilizing bi-axial strain measurements for the various test directions (0, 45 and 90 degrees towards the RD), together with the performance of cupping tests are compiled, aiming to rank and interpret the bending and sheet metal roll-forming capability. Moreover, the microstructural characterization is realized to address the influence of grain and phase structure on the sheet metal formability and identify potential optimization routes. Fracture analysis approach elucidated the micro-mechanisms prevailed in damage evolution and accumulation during monotonic loading, signifying the importance of microstructure development during thermomechanical process history.

Abstract: Composite materials are created as a quite complex architecture which includes a fibre reinforcement structure and matrix material. Many material parameters play a role when composite structures are modelled, e.g. in finite element models. In addition to the properties of the raw fibre and matrix materials which are used, also geometrical parameters have a significant effect on structural characteristics. Fibre reinforcement geometry together with material properties of fibre and matrix determine homogenised material properties.The first part of the paper gives an overview of the most important processes which are used in composites processing industry. The factors which affect variability are also listed, and the effect of variability on material parameters is mentioned as well. The second part of the paper elaborates the identification of geometrical variability of the fibre reinforcement structure which is encountered with one particular type of composite material, namely a twill 2/2 carbon fibre weave with an epoxy matrix.

Abstract: The bamboo species Guadua angustifolia is a natural functionally graded material with a high potential to help solving the housing deficit in Latin American countries. Bamboo plantations also play an important role to help reducing the devastation of tropical forests. Many studies have demonstrated the excellent mechanical properties of bamboo along the length of the culm. However, other properties like the strength under circumferential tension and shear are low and the associated types of failure are fragile. Therefore, longitudinal fissures are often initiated in the structural joints which avoid taking advantage of the high resistance along the longitudinal direction. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been devoted to study the mechanical behavior of bamboo along the thickness of the culm or radial direction. This characterization may be crucial to improve the performance of the joints in bamboo structures. The aim of this study was to determine the strength and the Young ́s modulus of Guadua angustifolia along the radial direction. Thus, 27 small hexahedral elements of approximately 11 mm × 6 mm × 7 mm were tested under compression along the thickness of the culm. The stress-strain curves depicted a typical ductile behavior with an average failure strain of 37.8 ± 5.4 %. The failure was characterized by fissures on planes parallel to the fibers and forming angles in the range 35° - 55° with respect to the axis of loading. The secant Young ́s modulus and the radial strength were equal to 44.50 ±9.60 MPa, and 18.50 ±4.20 MPa respectively and there was no significant difference with position along the culm. The initial Young ́s modulus was equal to 96.73 ±52.30 MPa, 37.00 ±24.35 MPa and 48.90 ±7.31 MPa for the bottom, middle and upper portions of the culm and there was a significant difference (p=0.025) between the bottom and middle locations. The high variations of the initial Young ́s modulus may be explained by the irregular form of the surfaces of contact with the testing machine, that were not cut perfectly flat in order to preserve the intact material. These experiments show that Guadua behaves as a ductile material under compression along the thickness of the culm. This property may be used to improve the efficiency of structural joints by applying radial compression.

Abstract: Loess has been subjected to long-term deposit, geological structure and weathering under the condition of self-weight and above covered load. Accordingly, it would result in many vertical joints and differences in mechanical response and deformation properties for vertical and transverse. In order to obtain different mechanical properties of vertical and transverse, laboratory physical mechanics tests (collapsible test, consolidation test, direct shear test, triaxial compression test and unloading test) were carried out to investigate typical Q₃ loess from field above He Jia-zhuang tunnel of Huang Tu-liang district on Zhengzhou-Xi’ an high-speed passenger rail line in China. The results suggest obvious anisotropic properties of undisturbed loess. Not only do the conclusions supply theoretical foundation for design and construction of tunnel in loess, but also can act as guiding reference for similar underground engineering.

Abstract: In the present study, porous nickel foam samples with pore sizes of 20 μm and 150 μm and porosities of 60 % and 70 % were fabricated by the space-holding sintering method via powder metallurgy. Electron scanning microscopy (SEM) and Image-Pro Plus were used to characterise the morphological features of the porous nickel foam samples. The anisotropic mechanical properties of porous nickel foams were investigated by compressive testing loading in different directions, i.e. the major pore axis and minor pore axis. Results indicated that the nominal stress of the nickel foam samples increases with the decreasing of the porosity. Moreover, the foam sample exhibited significantly higher nominal stress for loading in the direction of the major pore axis than loading in direction of the minor pore axis. It is also noticeable that the nominal stress of the nickel foams increases with the decreasing of the pore size. It seems that the deformation behaviour of the foams with a pore size in the micron-order differs from those with a macro-porous structure.