A Method to Determine the Effect of Microscale Heterogeneities on Macroscopic Web Mechanics

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-373
Author(s):  
Lewis Thigpen ◽  
Patrick T. Reardon ◽  
Jeremy W. Leggoe ◽  
Alan L. Graham ◽  
Mark Fitzgerald

The effect of a spatially heterogeneous density distribution on the development of defects during the transport of nonwoven webs through roller systems has been investigated numerically. A modeling approach has been developed by which the spatial heterogeneity in web mechanical properties can be characterized statistically and recreated for use in finite element simulations. The approach has been applied to model the transport of a carded nonwoven web, consisting of an agglomeration of polypropylene fibers bound together by a regular array of thermal bond points. The web was scanned optically to obtain a gray scale light distribution representing the local material density. Analysis of the local density distribution permitted the generation of “virtual webs” for use in heterogeneous finite element models, in which local mechanical properties were governed by local density. Virtual web response was investigated under two loading configurations; simple tensile testing, and web transport under tension through a three-roller system. The modeling approach provided results that were in good agreement with experimentally observed web mechanics, failure mechanisms, and processing instabilities. Spatial heterogeneity in material properties was found to strongly influence both general web behavior and the tendency for the web to incur manufacturing defects during transport through roller systems.

Author(s):  
Riccardo Cenni ◽  
Matteo Cova ◽  
Giacomo Bertuzzi

We propose a finite element methodology to consider local material properties for large cast iron components in shape optimization. We found that considering local strength instead of uniform strength within shape optimization brings to different results in terms of safety-cost balance for the same component. It is well known that local mechanical properties of large cast iron components are defined by their microstructure and defects, which locally affect the strength of the components. Considering or not local mechanical properties can dramatically change a component reliability evaluation during its design. Since a typical industrial aim for shape optimization is trying to get the optimal solution in terms of component quality and cost, considering local material properties is even more important than in traditional design process where no optimization techniques are used. We compute solidification process parameters via finite element solidification analysis, and then we exploit experimental correlation between these parameters and ultimate tensile strength to evaluate the local reliability of the finished component under its static loading conditions. We believe that this methodology represents an opportunity to better design casting components when mechanical properties are deeply affected by their production process as described in the provided examples. In these examples, we wanted to minimize casting cost constrained by a target reliability and we get component cost reduction by considering local material properties. Future research will address the problem of using dedicated casting simulation software instead of general purpose finite element analysis software to compute solidification analysis and then introducing fatigue analysis and correlation between fatigue material properties and casting process output variables.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guibing Li ◽  
Hengshuai Meng ◽  
Jinming Liu ◽  
Donghua Zou ◽  
Kui Li

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate a finite element (FE) pedestrian model with high computational efficiency and stability using a novel modeling approach. Methods: Firstly, a novel modeling approach of using hollow structures (HS) to simulate the mechanical properties of soft tissues under impact loading was proposed and evaluated. Then, an FE pedestrian model was developed, employing this modeling approach based on the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) pedestrian model, named as THUMS-HS model. Finally, the biofidelity of the THUMS-HS model was validated against cadaver test data at both segment and full-body level. Results: The results show that the proposed hollow structures can simulate the mechanical properties of soft tissues and the predictions of the THUMS-HS model show good agreement with the cadaver test data under impact loading. Simulations also prove that the THUMS-HS model has high computational efficiency and stability. Conclusions: The proposed modeling approach of using hollow structures to simulate the mechanical properties of soft tissues is plausible and the THUMS-HS model could be used as a valid, efficient and robust numerical tool for analysis of pedestrian safety in vehicle collisions.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Łukasz Warguła ◽  
Dominik Wojtkowiak ◽  
Mateusz Kukla ◽  
Krzysztof Talaśka

This article presents the results of experimental research on the mechanical properties of pine wood (Pinus L. Sp. Pl. 1000. 1753). In the course of the research process, stress-strain curves were determined for cases of tensile, compression and shear of standardized shapes samples. The collected data set was used to determine several material constants such as: modulus of elasticity, shear modulus or yield point. The aim of the research was to determine the material properties necessary to develop the model used in the finite element analysis (FEM), which demonstrates the symmetrical nature of the stress distribution in the sample. This model will be used to analyze the process of grinding wood base materials in terms of the peak cutting force estimation and the tool geometry influence determination. The main purpose of the developed model will be to determine the maximum stress value necessary to estimate the destructive force for the tested wood sample. The tests were carried out for timber of around 8.74% and 19.9% moisture content (MC). Significant differences were found between the mechanical properties of wood depending on moisture content and the direction of the applied force depending on the arrangement of wood fibers. Unlike other studies in the literature, this one relates to all three stress states (tensile, compression and shear) in all significant directions (anatomical). To verify the usability of the determined mechanical parameters of wood, all three strength tests (tensile, compression and shear) were mapped in the FEM analysis. The accuracy of the model in determining the maximum destructive force of the material is equal to the average 8% (for tensile testing 14%, compression 2.5%, shear 6.5%), while the average coverage of the FEM characteristic with the results of the strength test in the field of elastic-plastic deformations with the adopted ±15% error overlap on average by about 77%. The analyses were performed in the ABAQUS/Standard 2020 program in the field of elastic-plastic deformations. Research with the use of numerical models after extension with a damage model will enable the design of energy-saving and durable grinding machines.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4145
Author(s):  
He Xue ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Jinxuan He ◽  
Hongliang Yang

Dissimilar metal welded joints (DMWJs) possess significant localized mechanical heterogeneity. Using finite element software ABAQUS with the User-defined Material (UMAT) subroutine, this study proposed a constitutive equation that may be used to express the heterogeneous mechanical properties of the heat-affected and fusion zones at the interfaces in DMWJs. By eliminating sudden stress changes at the material interfaces, the proposed approach provides a more realistic and accurate characterization of the mechanical heterogeneity in the local regions of DMWJs than existing methods. As such, the proposed approach enables the structural integrity of DMWJs to be analyzed in greater detail.


2011 ◽  
Vol 243-249 ◽  
pp. 1461-1465
Author(s):  
Chuan Min Zhang ◽  
Chao He Chen ◽  
Ye Fan Chen

The paper makes an analysis of the reinforced concrete beams with exterior FRP Shell in Finite Element, and compares it with the test results. The results show that, by means of this model, mechanical properties of reinforced concrete beams with exterior FRP shell can be predicted better. However, the larger the load, the larger deviation between calculated values and test values. Hence, if more accurate calculation is required, issues of contact interface between the reinforced concrete beams and the FRP shell should be taken into consideration.


Vibration ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-174
Author(s):  
André F. S. Rodrigues ◽  
Zuzana Dimitrovová

In this paper, the three-layer model of ballasted railway track with discrete supports is analyzed to access its applicability. The model is referred as the discrete support model and abbreviated by DSM. For calibration, a 3D finite element (FE) model is created and validated by experiments. Formulas available in the literature are analyzed and new formulas for identifying parameters of the DSM are derived and validated over the range of typical track properties. These formulas are determined by fitting the results of the DSM to the 3D FE model using metaheuristic optimization. In addition, the range of applicability of the DSM is established. The new formulas are presented as a simple computational engineering tool, allowing one to calculate all the data needed for the DSM by adopting the geometrical and basic mechanical properties of the track. It is demonstrated that the currently available formulas have to be adapted to include inertial effects of the dynamically activated part of the foundation and that the contribution of the shear stiffness, being determined by ballast and foundation properties, is essential. Based on this conclusion, all similar models that neglect the shear resistance of the model and inertial properties of the foundation are unable to reproduce the deflection shape of the rail in a general way.


Author(s):  
Vipul P. Gohil ◽  
Paul K. Canavan ◽  
Hamid Nayeb-Hashemi

This research is aimed to study the variations in the biomechanical behavior of bone and bone tissues with osteoporosis and bone tumors. Osteoporosis and bone tumors reduce the mechanical strength of bone, which creates a greater risk of fracture. In the United States alone, ten million individuals, eight million of whom are women, are estimated to already have osteoporosis, and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass (osteopenia) placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. World Health Organization defines osteopenia, as a bone density between one and two and a half standard deviations (SD) below the bone density of a normal young adult. (Osteoporosis is defined as 2.5 SD or more below that reference point.). Together, osteoporosis and osteopenia are expected to affect an estimated 52 million women and men age 50 and older by 2010, and 61 million by 2020. The current medical cost of osteoporosis total is nearly about $18 billion in the U.S. each year. There is a dearth of literature that addresses the effects of osteoporosis on bone tissue properties. Furthermore, there are few studies published related to the effect of bone tumors such as Adamantinoma of long bones, Aneurysmal bone cyst, Hemangioma and others on overall behavior of bone. To understand the variations in bio-mechanical properties of internal tissues of bone with osteoporosis and bone tumor, a 2D finite element (FE) model of bone is developed using ANSYS 9.0 ® (ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA). Trabecular bone is modeled using hexagonal and voronoi cellular structure. This finite element model is subjected to change in BVF (bone volume fraction) and bone architecture caused by osteoporosis. The bone tumor is modeled as finer multi-cellular structure and the effects of its size, location, and property variation of tumor on overall bone behavior are studied. Results from this analysis and comparative data are used to determine behavior of bone and its tissue over different stage of osteoporosis and bone tumor. Results indicate that both bone tumor and osteoporosis significantly change the mechanical properties of the bone. The results show that osteoporosis increases the bone tissue stiffness significantly as BVF reduces. Bone tissue stiffness is found to increase by 80 percent with nearly 55 percent reduction of BVF. The results and methods developed in this research can be implemented to monitor variation in bio-mechanical properties of bone up to tissue level during medication or to determine type and time for need of external support such as bracing.


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