K.Y. Volokh ^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.5, No.3, pp. 207-216, 2008, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2008.005.207

Abstract One of the seminal contributions of Y.C. Fung to biomechanics of soft tissue is the introduction of the models of arterial deformation based on the exponential stored energy functions, which are successfully used in various applications. The Fung energy functions, however, explain behavior of intact arteries and do not include a description of arterial failure. The latter is done in the present work where Fung's model is enhanced with a failure description. The description is based on the introduction of a limiter for the stored energy -- the average energy of chemical bonds, which can More >

L. Li, S. Liu, H. Wang¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.36, No.2, pp. 173-192, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.036.173

Abstract We study ductile fracture using Reproducing Kernel Particle Interpolation and the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model. The meshless simulations are compared with the available experimental results and previous finite element simulations for crack propagation. The results agree well with experimental results, and it is confirmed that the proposed method provides a convenient and yet accurate means for simulation of ductile fracture. More >

Z. Chen^1,2, Y. Gan¹, J.K. Chen²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 123-138, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.026.123

Abstract A coupled thermo-mechanical constitutive model with decohesion is proposed to simulate the material failure evolution due to localized heating. A discontinuous bifurcation analysis is performed based on a thermoviscoplasticity relation to identify the transition from continuous to discontinuous failure modes as well as the orientation of the discontinuous failure. The thermo-mechanical model is then implemented within the framework of the Material Point Method (MPM) so that the different gradient and divergence operators in the governing differential equations could be discretized in a single computational domain and that continuous remeshing is not required with the evolution More >

Aleš Belšak¹, Jurij Prezelj²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 239-246, 2007, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2007.003.239

Abstract Noise source vizualization represents an important tool in the field of technical acoustics. There are many different techniques of noise source visualization. Most of them, however, are intended for a specific noise source in a specific type of acoustic environment. Consequently, a certain visualization method can be used only for certain types of noise sources in a specific acoustic environment and in a restricted frequency area. This paper presents a new visualization method of complex noise sources on the basis of the use of an acoustic camera. A new algorithm has been used, which makes More >

Ralf G. Cuntze¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.3, No.2, pp. 87-106, 2007, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2007.003.087

Abstract The paper deals with the application of phenomenological, invariant-based strength conditions (fracture failure) and their interrelationships. The conditions have been generated and are just applied here for a variety of materials. These might possess a dense or a porous consistency, and belong to brittle and ductile behaving isotropic materials, brittle unidirectional laminae and brittle woven fabrics. The derivation of the conditions was based on the author's so-called Failure Mode Concept (FMC) which basically builds up on the hypotheses of Beltrami and Mohr-Coulomb.
Essential topics of the paper are: 'global fitting' versus 'failure mode fitting', a short… More >

M. Kumosa¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 35-50, 2007, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2007.003.035

Abstract This paper deals with the structural integrity and durability of suspension composite (non-ceramic, polymer) insulators widely used in power transmission systems around the world. Under certain conditions, the insulators can fail in-service both electrically and mechanically resulting in the drop of energized transmission lines and power outages. In this work, predominantly mechanical failures of the insulators are discussed. In particular, the most important characteristics of a catastrophic failure process called brittle fracture are described. Subsequently, two examples of insulator failures by brittle fracture are shown and their causes explained. Finally, several recommendations on how to More >

C.P. Providakis¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 29-34, 2007, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2007.003.029

Abstract Actuators are structures that give micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) the ability to interact with their environment rather than just passively sensing it. Recent studies of MEMS thermal micro-actuators have shown that simple in design and production devices can provide deflection of the order of 10 μm at low voltages. Recently, metals and single-crystal silicon materials were included in the range of materials used for thermal actuators since they operate at lower temperatures than the commonly used (poly)silicon devices. These actuators are liable to meet the loads in service, so the corresponding integrity and stability analysis constitutes a… More >

C. Bisagni¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 93-98, 2007, DOI:10.3970/icces.2007.001.093

Abstract The research here presented shows the numerical results for progressive failure of stiffened composite panels into the post-buckling field. In particular, a strength reduction procedure is implemented in the commercial finite element code ABAQUS where the stiffness properties of the material are removed in the failed areas. The results show a good correlation with experimental data obtained from a post-buckling test of a stiffened panel with a notch, that can be found in literature. More >

G. Milani¹, T. Rotunno², E. Sacco³, A. Tralli^1,4

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 29-50, 2006, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2006.002.029

Abstract Aim of the present work is the evaluation of the ultimate load bearing capacity of masonry panels reinforced with FRP strips. The investigation is developed performing both experimental and numerical studies. In particular, several panels subjected to different loading conditions are tested in the Tests Laboratory of the University of Florence (Italy). Then, numerical models based on combined homogenization and limit analysis techniques are proposed. The results obtained by numerical simulations are compared with experimental data. The good agreement obtained shows that the proposed numerical model can be applied for the evaluation of the ultimate More >

R. Han¹, M.S. Ingber¹, H.L. Schreyer¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.4, No.3, pp. 163-176, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2006.004.163

Abstract Decohesion is an important failure mode associated with fiber-reinforced composite materials. Analysis of failure progression at the fiber-matrix interfaces in fiber-reinforced composite materials is considered using a softening decohesion model consistent with thermodynamic concepts. In this model, the initiation of failure is given directly by a failure criterion. Damage is interpreted by the development of a discontinuity of displacement. The formulation describing the potential development of damage is governed by a discrete decohesive constitutive equation. Numerical simulations are performed using the direct boundary element method. Incremental decohesion simulations illustrate the progressive evolution of debonding zones More >