Assessment of foam fracture in sandwich beams using thermoelastic stress analysis

Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA) has been well established for determining crack-tip parameters in metallic materials. This paper examines its ability to determine accurately the crack-tip parameters for PVC foam used in sandwich structures

Locating Chinatown in the global village: Cultural innovation in Taiwan\u27s multichannel environment

The availability of media technology in the mid-1980s in Taiwan has forever changed the landscape of its television industry. With the help of cable and satellite technologies, audiences in Taiwan today receive an average of 60 channels, 20 times the number available just a few years ago. Through focus group interviews, this study examines the possible cultural implications of such speedy changes for a society that is in the midst of political, cultural, social and economic transitions. The results indicate that Chinese cultural identity in Taiwan has come to another crossroad and stress the prospect of cultural innovation as a possible outcome in the age of a multichannel environment. The study also advocates further thoughtful consideration over potential media impacts on culture as the world strips itself of distinguishing characteristics on the path toward the global village

Experimental investigation of interfacial crack arrest in sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading using a novel crack arresting device

A recently proposed face-sheet/core interface crack arresting device is implemented in sandwich beams and tested using the Sandwich Tear Test (STT) configuration. Fatigue loading conditions are applied to propagate the crack and determine the effect of the crack stopper on the fatigue growth rate and arrest of the crack. Digital image correlation is used through the duration of the fatigue experiment to track the strain evolution as the crack tip advances. The measured strains are related to crack tip propagation, arrest, and re-initiation of the crack. A finite element model is used to calculate the energy release rate, mode mixity and to simulate crack propagation and arrest of the crack. Finally the effectiveness of the crack arresting device is demonstrated on composite sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading conditions

Interfacial crack arrest in sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading using a novel crack arresting device - Numerical modelling

A novel crack arresting device is implemented in foam cored composite sandwich beams and tested using the Sandwich Tear Test (STT) configuration. A Finite Element Model of the setup is developed, and the predictions are correlated with observations and results from a recently conducted experimental fatigue test study. Based on a linear elastic fracture mechanics approach, the developed FE model is utilized to simulate crack propagation and arrest in foam cored sandwich beam specimens subjected to fatigue loading conditions. The effect of the crack arresters on the fatigue life is analysed, and the predictive results are subsequently compared with the observations from the previously conducted fatigue tests. The FE model predicts the energy release rate and the mode mixity based on the derived crack surface displacements, utilizing algorithms for the prediction of accelerated fatigue crack growth as well as the strain field evolution in the vicinity of the crack tip on the surface of the sandwich specimens. It is further shown that the developed finite element analysis methodology can be used to gain a deeper insight onto the physics and behavioral characteristics of the novel peel stopper concept, as well as a design tool that can be used for the implementation of crack arresting devises in engineering applications of sandwich components and structures

Experimental investigation of interfacial crack arrest in sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading using a novel crack arresting device

A recently proposed face-sheet–core interface crack arresting device is implemented in sandwich beams and tested using the Sandwich Tear Test configuration. Fatigue loading conditions are applied to propagate the crack and determine the effect of the crack stopper on the fatigue growth rate and arrest of the crack. Digital image correlation is used through the duration of the fatigue experiment to track the strain evolution as the crack tip advances. The measured strains are related to crack tip propagation, arrest, and re-initiation of the crack. A finite element model is used to calculate the energy release rate, mode mixity and to simulate crack propagation and arrest of the crack. Finally, the effectiveness of the crack arresting device is demonstrated on composite sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading conditions