Key Engineering Materials Vol. 827

Abstract: The work discusses the processes that can be present at fractures and defects at geological interfaces. The introductory comment clearly indicates that the computational approaches offer the most appropriate methods for examining complex contact problems at geomaterial interfaces. There are, however, certain types of contact problems that are amenable to analytical treatment. The paper examines the problem of a circular dilatant-frictional patch located at an otherwise frictionless interface. The dilatancy processes are induced at the circular patch by the relative shear of the elastic regions. The paper presents a mathematical approach for the study of the problem where results from the solution of integral equations applicable for the internal indentation of a penny-shaped crack by a rigid inclusion and the internal pressurization of an annular crack are combined with a work-dissipation relationship to examine the mechanics of the interactions at the dilatant zone.

Abstract: Laser welding is an innovative technology of joining metallic materials. In comparison with conventional arc welding, it has numerous advantages, like high energy of laser beam and high effectiveness, very good reproducibility, possibilities of automation, low energy consumption etc. High pressure vessels and high pressure pipeline industry represent perspective new fields of application. However, since pressure vessels and pipelines are usually operated at conditions of repeated or cyclic loading, an acceptable resistance to fatigue loading of the welds has to be demonstrated. In this contribution, results of an experimental programme aimed at an evaluation of high-cycle fatigue resistance in and near laser welds of a P355 pressure vessel steel are presented and discussed. Particular attention is paid to evaluation of crack initiation mechanisms in connection to laser weld character and welding imperfections. The programme is completed by measurement of fatigue crack growth rates and threshold values in the weld. Results of high-cycle fatigue tests of some groups of specimens were characteristic by a considerable scatter. The reason of the scatter was found in welding defects in some parts of the welds. Fatigue results are discussed also from the viewpoint of fracture mechanics and threshold values of fatigue crack growth.

Abstract: This study focuses on the thermo-elastic rolling contact problem of a graded coating/substrate system. The problem is formulated under the plane thermoelasticity framework. Assuming an exponential variation of the shear modulus within the coating, the governing singular integral equations are extracted by means of the Fourier transform. The solution to problem is provided via the Gauss-Chebyshev integration method. The sensitivity of the contact stresses as well as the surface temperature rise to the stiffness ratio, the coating thickness and the non-dimensional speed is investigated. The results indicate that the thermal expansion ratio substantially affects the contact stresses. Also, the softening coatings will result in maximum surface temperature rise. The coating thickness can alter the surface temperature rise such that an increase of the coating by a factor of 1.6 may result in 50% reduction of the maximum surface temperature.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to solve dynamic fracture problems of plates under both tension and bending using the boundary element method (BEM). The dynamic problems were solved in the Laplace-transform domain, which avoided the calculation of the domain integrals resulting from the inertial terms. The dual boundary element method, in which both displacement and traction boundary integral equations are utilized, was applied to the modelling of cracks. The dynamic fracture analysis of a plate under combined tension and bending loads was conducted using the BEM formulations for the generalized plane stress theory and Mindlin plate bending theory. Dynamic stress intensity factors were estimated based on the crack opening displacements.

Abstract: Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP) are expected to be used in various fields for the point of their superior mechanical properties. CFRP laminates with continuous fibres tend to be damaged by microcracks in the layer and interlaminar delamination. Especially, it is necessary to evaluate the mode II delamination growth property, which is correlated with compression after impact (CAI) strength. It is reported that CF/Epoxy laminates with a thicker interlaminar resin layer show higher toughness. By applying an extra thick interlaminar resin layer to CFRTP in which thermoplastic resin with relatively higher fracture toughness is used for the matrix, CFRTP with higher interlaminar fracture toughness can be developed. In this study, the mode II delamination growth property of CFRTP laminates under static loading was evaluated for the specimens with various layer thicknesses of polyamide (PA) resin in the middle layer of the laminates. Their moldability and damage propagation properties were evaluated by three-point bending tests and end notched flexure (ENF) tests. CF/PA laminated composites with a thicker PA layer showed superior mode II delamination growth property under static loading since they had more ductile fracture due to a thicker PA layer.

Abstract: In the present paper, we investigated a sandwich composite as a potential electromagnetic interference shielding wall panel for buildings. The panel was built using a ferrite-particle modified high density polyethylene in a sandwich assembly enabling electromagnetic shielding properties. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was employed here to assist in the production phase and in the materials selection, in order to obtain an environmental friendly final product. An optimization of the constituents of the sandwich structure is proposed by comparing the environmental impact of different potential solutions without influencing the EMI shielding properties.

Abstract: This paper reports an experimental investigation on embedded polyurethane (PUR) electrodes into a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite to enable the dependable use of composites as a piezoresistive sensors, among other uses, and pave the way towards advanced structural health monitoring (SHM). To be able to use polyurethane as electrodes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as fillers in PUR to increase its electrical conductivity. Various concentrations of MWCNTs in PUR were tested to reveal the optimum synthesis. This was conducted by performing mechanical and electrical property tests of the electrodes, studying the adhesion capabilities between composite matrix and polyurethane electrode and carrying out load-unload testing where the composite acts as a strain sensor.

Abstract: In this work, the applicability of structural health monitoring (SHM) technique for damage detection in two composite mono-stringers representative of composite fuselage are investigated. The two different manufacturing technologies are co-curing and co-bonding of composite mono-stringers to the skin. The panels were then impacted at the foot of the stringer to cause Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID). Piezoelectric transducers were surface mounted on the mono-stringers, guided wave measurements before and after impact were taken and used for detecting damage based on Weighted Energy Arrival Method (WEAM).

Abstract: In this work, a smart thermoplastic window frame for a regional aircraft has been designed and manufactured. The aim of the work was to design a smart sensing system for monitoring of a bonded thermoplastic aircraft window frame in operation. The conductive tracks were designed and inkjet-printed onto the window frame and their disruption was used as an indication of a damage event created within the bondline. Based on the electrical resistance measurements, the method was able to detect a damage that was created in the bondline due to an impact event. To verify the proposed methodology, ultrasonic C-scan inspection was also performed.

Abstract: This paper presents a novel Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based metamodel for impact detection and characterization for a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) application. The signals recorded by PZT sensors during various impact events on a composite plate is used as inputs to CNN to detect and locate impact events. The input of the metamodel consists of 2D images, constructed from the signals recorded from a network of sensors. The developed meta-model was then developed and tested on a composite plate. The results show that the CNN-based metamodel is capable of detecting impacts with more than 98% accuracy. In addition, the network was capable of detecting impacts in the other regions of the panel, which was not trained with but had similar geometric configuration. The accuracy in this case was also above 98%, showing the scalability of this method for large complex structures of repeating zones such as composite stiffened panel.