E. Viola¹, F. Tornabene²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.2, pp. 155-170, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.155

Abstract In this paper, generalized differential quadrature techniques are applied to the computation of the in-plane free vibrations of thin and thick non-uniform circular arches in undamaged and damaged configurations, when various boundary conditions are considered. Structural damage is represented by one crack in different positions and with various damage levels. The crack present in a structural member can be considered as a local stiffness reduction at the fracturing section, which changes the dynamic behaviour of the structure. Much effort has been devoted to dealing with in-plane free vibration analysis of circular arches, but only a… More >

C. Braccesi¹, F. Cianetti¹, G. Lori¹, D. Pioli¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 277-290, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.277

Abstract This paper describes an original frequency method for fatigue life estimation of mechanical components subjected to random inputs. Currently mechanical components life design under random loads is an important task of the research, due to the increasing importance of virtual simulation in opposition to the experimental tests. The frequency domain approach, in this context, seems to be able to supply reliable estimations with small computational effort. The proposed method belongs to the class of corrective coefficient to narrow-band formula methods and it has been thought for bimodal PSDs. The definition of the generalized bimodal processes and More >

S. Baragetti¹, A. Terranova²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 267-276, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.267

Abstract Aim of this work is to investigate into the possibility of enhancing the fatigue resistance of CrN PVD coated components. In particular PVD coated spur gears were tested and numerical simulation of crack propagation was carried out. The coating layer micro-hardness and the residual stresses characterising the surface film were measured and the obtained results were introduced in a numerical modelling predicting fatigue life procedure of coated gears used in gearboxes for automotive applications. The number of cycles necessary to reach specified crack depths of coated and uncoated samples was numerically determined and represents a More >

C. Colombo¹, M. Guagliano^1,2, L. Vergani¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 253-266, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.253

Abstract In this paper the fatigue crack growth properties of a nitrided and shot-peened steel is dealt with: different peening intensities were considered and the resulting residual stresses measured by means of an X-ray diffractometer. Rotating bending fatigue tests were executed on specimens including a blind micro hole, acting as a pre-existent crack. The fracture surface of broken specimens was observed with a SEM to detect the crack growth initiation point. The run-out specimens were broken after the test and the presence of non-propagating cracks detected. The results allowed to determine the propagation threshold of the More >

L. Fratini¹, S. Pasta²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 245-252, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.245

Abstract In the last years friction stir welding (FSW) has reached a quite large diffusion in the welding of aluminium alloys, difficult to be welded with traditional technologies. The objective of this investigation was to investigate the influence of FSW process parameters on the fatigue strength of the developed joints. Moreover, in order to improvement the strength of joint, the effect of a post-welding treatment has been highlighted; what is more a surface finish treatment has been developed with the aim to eliminate the stress concentration caused by welding process on the surface of the joints. More >

W. Brocks¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 233-244, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.233

Abstract A review on phenomenological fracture criteria is given, based on the energy balance for cracked bodies, and the respective toughness parameters are related to micromechanical processes. Griffith's idea of introducing a "surface energy" and Barenblatt's concept of a "process zone" ahead of the crack tip build the foundation of modern cohesive models, which have become versatile tools for numerical simulations of crack extension. The cohesive strength and the separation energy used as phenomenological material parameters in these models appear to represent a physically significant characterisation of "fracture toughness". Micromechanical interpretations of these parameters can be More >

L.S. Miers¹, J.C.F. Telles²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 225-232, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.225

Abstract The present paper aims at introducing the concept of Green's function type fundamental solutions (i.e., unit source fundamental solutions satisfying particular boundary conditions) into the context of meshless approaches, particularly dealing with the local boundary integral equation method (LBIE) derived from the classic boundary integral equation procedure. The Green's functions discussed here are mainly the so-called half-plane solution, corresponding to a unit source within a semi-plane bounded by a flux-free straight line and an infinite plane containing internal lines of potential discontinuity. The latter is here introduced in numerical fashion, as an extension of the More >

S. Glodež¹, B. Aberšek¹, G. Fajdiga², J. Flašker²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 215-224, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.215

Abstract A computational model for simulation of surface and subsurface initiated fatigue crack growth due to contact loading is presented. The model is based on fracture mechanics theory where the required materials properties are obtained from common fatigue tests. For computational simulations an equivalent model of two contacting cylinders is used instead of simulating the actual contact of mechanical elements. The discretised model with the initial crack on or under the surface is then subjected to normal contact pressure, which takes into account the elasto-hydro-dynamic (EHD) lubrication conditions, and tangential loading due to friction between contacting More >

A. Rama Ch,ra Murthy¹, G.S. Palani¹, Nagesh R. Iyer¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 203-214, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.203

Abstract This paper presents an improved Wheeler residual stress model for remaining life prediction of the cracked structural components under variable amplitude loading. The improvement to the Wheeler residual stress model is in two folds. One is expressions for the shaping exponent, which are generally obtained through experiments. Another is calculation of effective plastic zone size to incorporate the sequent effects under tensile-compressive overloading. The remaining life prediction has been carried out by employing the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) principles. Studies on remaining life prediction of cracked plate panels subjected to tensile-compressive overloading have been More >

G. Minak¹, F. E. G. Chimisso², H. S. Costa Mattos³

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 193-202, 2005, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.193

Abstract Cyclic plasticity and damage of a metal matrix composite have been studied in the framework of continuum damage mechanics. The material was considered as macroscopically homogeneous and a model incorporating damage gradient was applied. Strain-controlled fully reversed low-cycle fatigue uniaxial tests were performed to identify material parameters related to yield stress, isotropic and kinematic hardening, fatigue life and damage diffusion. From previous studies it has been found that in the most general case the parameters of the model are constant or depend exponentially on total strain so that only two or three tests are needed More >