Micromechanical Aspects of Failure in Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Composites

Micromechanical aspects of failure in unidirectional fiber reinforced composites are investigated using combined experimental and analytical methods. Results from an experimental investigation on mechanical behavior of a unidirectional fiber reinforced polymer composite (E-glass/vinylester) with 50% fiber volume fraction under quasi-static uniaxial and proportional multiaxial compression are presented. Detailed examination of the specimen during and after the test reveals the failure mode transition from axial splitting to kink band formation as the loading condition changes from uniaxial to multiaxial compression. Motivated by the experimental observations, an energy-based model is developed to provide an analytical estimate of the critical stress for axial splitting observed in unidirectional fiber reinforced composites under uniaxial compression in the fiber direction (also with weak lateral confinement). The analytic estimate for the compressive strength is used to illustrate its dependence on material properties, surface energy, fiber volume fraction, fiber diameter and lateral confining pressure. To understand the effect of flaws on the strength of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites, a fracture mechanics based model for failure is developed. Based on this model, failure envelope, dominant initial flaw orientation and failure mode for the composites under a wide range of stress states are predicted. Parametric study provides quantitative evaluation of the effect of various mechanical and physical properties on failure behavior and identifies their influence on strength. Finally, results from an experimental investigation on the dynamic mechanical behavior of unidirectional E-glass/vinylester composites with 30%, 50% fiber volume fraction under uniaxial compression are presented. Limited experimental results are also presented for the 50% fiber volume fraction composite under dynamic proportional lateral confinement. Specimens are loaded in the fiber direction using a modified Kolsky (split Hopkinson) pressure bar. The results indicate that the compressive strength of the composite increases with increasing strain rate and confinement. Post-test scanning electron microscopy reveals that axial splitting is the dominant failure mechanism in the composites under uniaxial compression in the entire range of strain rates. Based on the experimental results and observations, the energy-based analytic model is extended to predict the compressive strength of these composites under dynamic uniaxial loading conditions.</p

Application of New Inverse Analysis Method to Crust Deformation of Japanese Islands

東京大学Scedule:17-18 March 2003, Vemue: Kanazawa, Japan, Kanazawa Citymonde Hotel, Project Leader : Hayakawa, Kazuichi, Symposium Secretariat: XO kamata, Naoto, Edited by:Kamata, Naoto

統合地震シミュレーション : 強震動と構造物地震応答の評価

Advances in computer technology and sciences enable us to carry out large-scale numerical simulations. As one of such, the authors have been simulating the entire process of an earthquake, i.e., generation and propagation of an earthquake, responses of structures and damage, and actions by people and communities for earthquake damage. This is an integrated earthquake simulation (IES). With the aid of the latest geographical information system (GIS), IES can automatically construct a computer model of a city of some hundred meters in scale. This paper presents the current state of IES, focusing on the simulation of strong ground motions and structure responses ; the structure response simulation applies several numerical analysis methods. Data exchanges between each method and IES are controlled by an interpreter program. The usefulness of IES is discussed. It is pointed out that IES provides vital information to form a common recognition of possible earthquake hazards and disasters by government offcials and residents

Intermolecular-medium and intramolecular-weak hydrogen bonding chains in the crystals of chiral trifluoromethylated amino alcohols

A structural feature of hydrogen bonding chains found in the crystals of trifluoromethylated amino alcohols is reported. Hydrogen bondings of 3-(N,N-dialkylamino)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanols construct chiral spiral hydrogen bonding chains. Lone pairs on the nitrogen atoms of the amino alcohols participate in two hydrogen bondings. Detailed structural analysis of the hydrogen bonds of the 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol suggested that the chain built up with alternating intermolecular medium and intramolecular weak hydrogen bonds. The medium intermolecular hydrogen bond, which transfers a proton from the hydroxy group to the amino nitrogen, would make a tentative zwitterionic form of the molecule. Then, electrostatic attraction between the charges in the zwitterion centers induced a weak intramolecular hydrogen bond.</p

Perinatal Asphyxia Affects Rat Auditory Processing: Implications for Auditory Perceptual Impairments in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Perinatal asphyxia, a naturally and commonly occurring risk factor in birthing, represents one of the major causes of neonatal encephalopathy with long term consequences for infants. Here, degraded spectral and temporal responses to sounds were recorded from neurons in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of adult rats exposed to asphyxia at birth. Response onset latencies and durations were increased. Response amplitudes were reduced. Tuning curves were broader. Degraded successive-stimulus masking inhibitory mechanisms were associated with a reduced capability of neurons to follow higher-rate repetitive stimuli. The architecture of peripheral inner ear sensory epithelium was preserved, suggesting that recorded abnormalities can be of central origin. Some implications of these findings for the genesis of language perception deficits or for impaired language expression recorded in developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, contributed to by perinatal asphyxia, are discussed

GPS on Every Roof, GPS Sensor Network for Post-Seismic Building-Wise Damage Identification

Development of wireless sensor network equipped with GPS for post-seismic building-wise damage identification is presented in this paper. This system is called GPS on Every Roof. Sensor node equipped with GPS antenna and receiver is installed on the top of the roof of each and every building. The position of this sensor node is measured before and after earthquake. The final goal of this system is to i) identify the displacement of the roof of each house and ii) collect the information of displacement of the roof of the houses through wireless communication. Superposing this information on GIS, building-wise damage distribution due to earthquake can be obtained. The system overview, hardware and some of the key components of the system such as on-board GPS relative positioning algorithm to achieve the accuracy in the order of several centimeters are described in detail. Also, the results from a field experiment using a wireless sensor network with 39 sensor nodes are presented