Computed Tomography analysis of damage in composites subjected to impact loading

The composites, used in the transportation engineering, include different classes with a wide range of materials and properties within each type. The following different typologies of composites have been investigated: laminated composites, PVC foam sandwiches, aluminium foam and honeycomb sandwiches. Aim of this paper was the analysis of low-velocity impact response of such composites and the investigation of their collapse modes. Low velocity impact tests were carried out by a drop test machine in order to investigate and compare their structural response in terms of energy absorption capacity. The failure mode and the internal damage of the impacted composites have been, also, investigated using 3D Computed Tomography

Definition of the linearity loss of the surface temperature in static tensile tests

Static traction tests on material samples for mechanical constructions have pointed out the loss of linearity of the specimen surface temperature with the applied load. This phenomenon is due to the heat generation caused by the local microplasticizations which carry the material to deviate from its behavior, perfectly thermoelastic. The identification of the static load which determines the loss of linearity under the temperature stress becomes extremely important to define an initial dynamic characterization of the material. The temperature variations that can be read during the static loads applications are often very limited (a few tenths of degree for every 100 MPa in steels) and they require the use of special temperature sensors able to measure the temperature variations. The experience acquired in such analysis highlighted that, dealing with highly accurate sensors or with particular materials, the identification of the first loss of linearity can be influenced by the investigator himself mainly for the above mentioned limited temperature variations which can lead to incorrect estimations, sometimes really significant. Checking the validity and the above mentioned observations on the different steels, this work proposes the application of the autocorrelation function to the data collected during the application of a static load in order to make the results of the thermal analysis free from the sensitivity of the operator and also to make the result as objective as possible in order to detect the time of the loss of linearity of the temperature-time function

Fatigue characterization of mechanical components in service

The quickly identify of fatigue limit of a mechanical component with good approximation is currently a significant practical problem not yet resolved in a satisfactory way. Generally, for a mechanical component, the fatigue strength reduction factor ( ? i) is difficult to evaluate especially when it is in service. In this paper, the procedures for crack paths individuation and consequently damage evaluation (adopted in laboratory for stressed specimens with planned load histories) are applied to mechanical components, already failed during service. The energy parameters, proposed by the authors for the evaluation of the fatigue behavior of the materials [1-5], are defined on specimens derived from a flange bolts. The flange connecting pipes at high temperature and pressure. Due to the loss of the seal, the bolts have been subjected to a hot flow steam addition to the normal stress. The numerical analysis coupled experimental analysis (measurement of surface temperature during static and dynamic tests of specimens taken from damaged tie rods), has helped to determine the causes of failure of the tie rods. The determination of an energy parameter for the evaluation of the damage showed that factors related to the heat release of the material (loaded) may also help to understand the causes of failure of mechanical components

fatigue assessment by energy approach during tensile and fatigue tests on ppgf35

Abstract: Today, lightweight and low cost components can be obtained with short fibre reinforced plastics. The recyclable nature of these materials by comparison to thermoset matrixes composites is also clearly appealing. This paper investigates static and fatigue behaviour for a glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene composite. Tensile tests were carried out using DIC and IR Camera. Stress vs strain curves and temperature evolution associated to the applied tensile stress were determined. The trend of the surface temperature of the specimen during fatigue tests was analyzed

Assessment of Damage Evolution in Sandwich Composite Material Subjected to Repeated Impacts by Means Optical Measurements

Abstract In the last decade, sandwich composite materials have had an increasing use in design of racing boats. The main reasons are: higher strength-weight ratio, low density, excellent durability and versatility. The knowledge of impact response is very important to design racing boats. The aim of the present study is the investigation of absorbing impact energy ability of a sandwich composite material used for offshore vessels in UIM (Unione Internationale Motonautique) Championship. The material analysed in this study is a sandwich manufactured with hand lay-up technique. In the first phase, the damage assessment of single impact has been studied with an optical measurement technique. In a second phase, the damage evaluation due to repeated impacts has been analysed with the similar technique

Theoretical Approach for Developing the Thermographic Method in Ultrasonic Fatigue

AbstractIn the last years, several approaches were developed in literature for predicting the fatigue strength of different kinds of materials. One approach is the Thermographic Method, based on the thermographic technique. This study is devoted to the development of a theoretical approach for modeling of surface and undersurface fatigue crack initiation and temperature evolution during ultrasonic fatigue test. The proposed model is based on the statistical description of mesodefect ensemble and describes an energy balance in materials (including power of energy dissipation) under cyclic loading. The model allows us to simulate the damage to fracture transition and corresponding temperature evolution in critical cross section of a sample tested in very high cyclic fatigue regime

Fatigue life prediction of high strength steel welded joints by Energy Approach

AbstractTwo full-field techniques were applied for the study of the base material and welded specimens, made of S690QL steel: digital image correlation and thermographic techniques. Static and fatigue tests were carried out. The thermographic measurements can be used to predict the fatigue, with a great saving in time and effort. Fatigue tests at increasing loads were carried out by a stepwise succession, applied to the same specimen, for applying an energy-based approach. The predictions of the fatigue life, obtained by means of the Energy Approach, were compared with the values obtained by the traditional procedure

aluminum honeycomb sandwich for protective structures of earth moving machines

Abstract The design and the assembly of the vehicles subjected to the risk of crushing from falling objects have to consider such danger and provide the operators with suitable safety systems. Generally, falling object protective structures for earth moving machines consist of vertical elements, connected by transversal elements, covered by a roof. The latter has the aim to protect the operators from falling objects and it is usually made of a steel skeleton with a metal plate. In this study, sandwich panels were proposed as technical solution for the impact protection from falling objects in earth moving machines. A very light and cheap aluminum honeycomb core (AA3003 alloy and cell size = 19 mm) was considered as design solution and was subjected to static and dynamic full-scale tests. The results were analysed according to the performance requirements of ISO 3449 standard. The experimental results confirmed that the honeycomb structures are well suitable for designing absorber devices in vehicles protective structures in order to ensure occupant safety

thermographic analysis during tensile tests and fatigue assessment of s355 steel

Abstract Structural S355 steel is widely applied in various sectors. Fatigue properties are of fundamental importance and extremely time consuming to be assessed. The aim of this research activity is to apply the Static Thermographic Method during tensile tests and correlate the temperature trend to the fatigue properties of the same steel. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Infrared Thermography (IR) techniques have been used during all static tests. The Digital Image Correlation technique allowed the detection of displacements and strain, and so the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the material. Traditional fatigue tests were also performed in order to evaluate the stress-number of cycles to failure curve of the same steel. The value of the fatigue limit, obtained by the traditional procedure, was compared with the values predicted by means of the Static Thermographic Method (STM) obtained from tensile tests. The predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental values of fatigue life

Fatigue assessment of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy laser welded joints in absence of filler material by means of full-field techniques

The aim of this research activity was to study the fatigue behavior of laser welded joints of titanium alloy, in which the welding was performed using a laser source and in the absence of filler material, by means of unconventional full field techniques: Digital Image Correlation (DIC), and Infrared Thermography (IRT). The DIC technique allowed evaluating the strain gradients around the welded zone. The IRT technique allowed analyzing the thermal evolution of the welded surface during all the fatigue tests. The fatigue limit estimated using the Thermographic Method corresponds with good approximation to the value obtained from the experimental fatigue tests. The obtained results provided useful information for the development of methods and models to predict the fatigue behavior of welded T-joints in titanium alloy