A finite element modelling methodology for the non-linear stiffness evaluation of adhesively bonded single lap-joints. Part 2, Novel shell mesh to minimise analysis time

A new modelling methodology is presented that enables the stiffness of adhesively bonded single lap-joints to be included in the finite element analysis of whole vehicle bodies. This work was driven by the need to significantly reduce computing resources for vehicle analysis. To achieve this goal the adhesive bond line and adherends are modelled by a relatively ‘small’ number of shell elements to replace the usual solid element mesh for a reliable analysis. Previous work in Part 1 has provided the necessary background information to develop and verify the new finite element analysis that reduces the solution runtime by a factor of 1000. Although a joint’s non-linear stiffness is reliably simulated to failure load, it is recognised by the authors that the coarse shell mesh cannot provide accurate peak stresses or peak strains for the successful application of a numerical failure criterion. Given that the new modelling methodology is very quick to apply to existing shell models of vehicle bodies, it is recommended for use by the stress analyst who requires, say at the preliminary design stage, whole vehicle stiffness performance in a significantly reduced timeframe

Influence of boundary conditions and geometric imperfections on lateral–torsional buckling resistance of a pultruded FRP I-beam by FEA

Presented are results from geometric non-linear finite element analyses to examine the lateral torsional buckling (LTB) resistance of a Pultruded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) I-beam when initial geometric imperfections associated with the LTB mode shape are introduced. A data reduction method is proposed to define the limiting buckling load and the method is used to present strength results for a range of beam slendernesses and geometric imperfections. Prior to reporting on these non-linear analyses, Eigenvalue FE analyses are used to establish the influence on resistance of changing load height or displacement boundary conditions. By comparing predictions for the beam with either FRP or steel elastic constants it is found that the former has a relatively larger effect on buckling strength with changes in load height and end warping fixity. The developed finite element modelling methodology will enable parametric studies to be performed for the development of closed form formulae that will be reliable for the design of FRP beams against LTB failure

Buckling of built-up columns of pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer C-sections

This paper presents the test results of an experimental investigation to evaluate the buckling behavior of built-up columns of pultruded profiles, subjected to axial compression. Specimens are assembled by using four (off the shelf) channel shaped profiles of E-glass fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), having similar detailing to strut members in a large FRP structure that was executed in 2009 to start the restoration of the Santa Maria Paganica church in L’Aquila, Italy. This church had partially collapsed walls and no roof after the April 6, 2009, earthquake of 6.3 magnitude. A total of six columns are characterized with two different configurations for the bolted connections joining the channel sections into a built-up strut. Test results are discussed and a comparison is made with closed-form equation predictions for flexural buckling resistance, with buckling resistance values established from both eigenvalue and geometric nonlinear finite element analyses. Results show that there is a significant role played by the end loading condition, the composite action, and imperfections. Simple closed-form equations overestimate the flexural buckling strength, whereas the resistance provided by the nonlinear analysis provides a reasonably reliable numerical approach to establishing the actual buckling behavior

Effects of weak anchoring on C1 and C2 chevron structures

We present a theoretical study of the effect of weak anchoring on the transition between C1 and C2 chevron structures in smectic C liquid crystals. We employ a continuum theory which allows for variable cone, azimuthal and layer tilt angles. Equilibrium profiles for the director cone and azimuthal angles in the C1 and C2 states are calculated from the standard Euler-Lagrange minimisation of the total energy of the system. By comparing the total energies of the C1 and C2 states we can determine the globally stable chevron profile and calculate the critical temperature for the C1-C2 transition, which depends on anchoring strength and pretilt angle variations

Response of beam-to-column web cleated joints for FRP pultruded members

Physical testing is used to characterize the structural properties of beam-to-column joints, comprising pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) H-shapes of depth 203 mm, connected by 128 mm-long web cleats and two M16 bolts per leg. Testing is performed on two batches of nominally identical specimens. One batch had web cleats of pultruded FRP and the other had structural steel. The structural behavior of the joints is based on their moment-rotation responses, failure modes, and serviceability vertical deflection limits. Joints with FRP cleats failed by delamination cracking at the top of the cleats, and when the cleats were of steel, the FRP failure occurred inside the column members. Neither failure mode is reported in the design manuals from pultruders. At the onset of the FRP damage, it was found that the steel joints were twice as stiff as the FRP joints. On the basis of a characteristic (damage) rotation, calculated in accordance with Eurocode 0, the serviceability deflection limits are established to be span/300 and span/650 for the joints with FRP and steel cleats, respectively. This finding suggests that appropriate deflection limits, in relation to cleated connections, should be proposed in manufactures’ design manuals and relative design standards and design codes. Failure to address the serviceability, by the engineer of record, could lead to unreliable designs

Lateral-torsional buckling design for pultruded FRP beams

This paper presents an investigation into the development of a design procedure for Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymers (PFRP) beams failing by the elastic buckling mode of Lateral-Torsional Buckling (LTB). The design procedure is based on the European design approach for uniform members in bending of structural steel. In particular, the calibration method adopts the general case ‘resistance’ formula in Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1:2005), and follows a standard design from testing procedure given in Eurocode 0 (EN 1990:2002) when calibrating the ‘design model’ to determine the partial factor γM for a member instability check. The test population for calibration has 114 LTB buckling resistances using four PFRP section sizes of I and channel shapes. The non-dimensional slenderness parameter is defined using the local flange buckling strength instead of the yield strength. An imperfection factor of 0.34 and partial factor of 1.3 are shown to be appropriate for calculation of the LTB moment of resistance

Reliable in-plane shear modulus for pultruded FRP shapes

Presented is a simple test method to determine the in-plane shear properties of pultruded materials where the mat reinforcement is of random oriented continuous fibres. Existing standard test methods have a number of weaknesses and a number of them can be overcome by using the 10 degree off-axis tensile test method, proposed in 1976 by Chamis and Sinclair. Straightsided specimens have unidirectional fibre reinforcement oriented at 10o to the direction of tensile load. Tension generates a biaxial in-plane stress state that, by employing stress and strain transformations, enables the shear modulus to be determined. The mean shear moduli for the web material in four shapes, from 20 coupon tests in batches of five, are found to be consistent and from 4.2 - 4.8 GPa. Given that the 10 degree off-axis coupon is easy to be prepared, with Text - 2/35 no technical difficulties this non-standard method can be recommended to characterize the in-plane shearing of pultruded materials having continuous filament (or strand) mat reinforcement

Classifying the embedded young stellar population in Perseus and Taurus & the LOMASS database

Context. The classification of young stellar objects (YSOs) is typically done using the infrared spectral slope or bolometric temperature, but either can result in contamination of samples. More accurate methods to determine the evolutionary stage of YSOs will improve the reliability of statistics for the embedded YSO population and provide more robust stage lifetimes. Aims. We aim to separate the truly embedded YSOs from more evolved sources. Methods. Maps of HCO+ J=4-3 and C18O J=3-2 were observed with HARP on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) for a sample of 56 candidate YSOs in Perseus and Taurus in order to characterize emission from high (column) density gas. These are supplemented with archival dust continuum maps observed with SCUBA on the JCMT and Herschel PACS to compare the morphology of the gas and dust in the protostellar envelopes. The spatial concentration of HCO+ J=4-3 and 850 micron dust emission are used to classify the embedded nature of YSOs. Results. Approximately 30% of Class 0+I sources in Perseus and Taurus are not Stage I, but are likely to be more evolved Stage II pre-main sequence (PMS) stars with disks. An additional 16% are confused sources with an uncertain evolutionary stage. Conclusions. Separating classifications by cloud reveals that a high percentage of the Class 0+I sources in the Perseus star forming region are truly embedded Stage I sources (71%), while the Taurus cloud hosts a majority of evolved PMS stars with disks (68%). The concentration factor method is useful to correct misidentified embedded YSOs, yielding higher accuracy for YSO population statistics and Stage timescales. Current estimates (0.54 Myr) may overpredict the Stage I lifetime on the order of 30%, resulting in timescales of 0.38 Myr for the embedded phase.Comment: 33 pages, 21 figures, 6 tables, Accepted to be published in A&

The RMS Survey: Resolving kinematic distance ambiguities towards a sample of compact HII regions using HI absorption

We present high-resolution HI data obtained using the Australia Telescope Compact Array to resolve the near/far distance ambiguities towards a sample of compact HII regions from the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey. The high resolution data are complemented with lower resolution archival HI data extracted from the Southern and VLA Galactic Plane surveys. We resolve the distance ambiguity for nearly all of the 105 sources where the continuum was strong enough to allow analysis of the HI absorption line structure. This represents another step in the determination of distances to the total RMS sample, which with over 1,000 massive young stellar objects and compact HII regions, is the largest and most complete sample of its kind. The full sample will allow the distribution of massive star formation in the Galaxy to be examined.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS. This paper consists of 15 pages and contains 10 figures and 5 table