Dynamic delamination modelling using interface elements

An Eulerian approach to soil impact analysis for crashworthiness applications

Parallel computation methods for large-scale nonlinear CSM

Parallel computation methods for large-scale nonlinear CSM

Thermoplastic fiber metal laminates (FMLs) are hybrid material systems that consist of a thin aluminum alloy sheet bonded to plies of fiber-reinforced adhesive. They provide excellent properties like fatigue strength, damage-tolerant properties, and inherent resistance to corrosion. However, they are still challenging materials in terms of the metal-composite interface, which is the weakest link in this material system. In this paper, an experimental-numerical method for the determination of the fracture stress and energy for metal-composite interlayer is presented and verified. The proposed method utilizes four different experimental tests: DCB test (interface opening-mode I), ENF test (interface shearing-mode II), MMB test (mixed-mode I+II-opening with the shearing of the interface) and three-point bending test (3PB). For each test, digital twin in the form of a numerical model is prepared. The established numerical models for DCB and ENF allowed us to determine fracture stress and energy for mode I and mode II, respectively. On the basis of the numerical and experimental (from the MMB test) data, the B-K exponent is determined. Finally, the developed material model is verified in a three-point bending test, which results in mixed-mode conditions. The research is conducted on the thermoplastic FML made of aluminum alloy sheet and glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6. The research presented is complemented by fundamental mechanical tests, image processing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. As an effect, for the tested material, fracture parameters are determined using the described method.

Delamination growth analysis in laminated structures with continuum-based 3D-shell elements and a viscoplastic softening model

This study is part of a wider feasibility analysis of a new forestry road in the Dolomitic region. The investigated area is located in northeastern Italy, in the Carnic Alps complex geological context. The rock mass which would be crossed by the tunnel is a highly tectonized limestone characterized by a relatively high strength of the intact rock. The project focuses on the rock mass characterization and the modelling of its behavior by means of numerical simulations with a Finite Elements (FE) code. The generalized Hoek-Brown criterion is used, normal and shear stiffness of the joints are evaluated and different strategies for the representation of the rock mass discontinuities are adopted. The effects of two support systems, preliminary designed by a diffused simplified method, are evaluated focusing on the space around the tunnel, where the joints reach the critical state.

A micro-mechanical model is developed for laminated composite materials and implemented in the explicit finite element method. The objective of this study is to get an accurate and simple micro-model, which can be used in the displacement-based explicit finite element packages. The micro-mechanical model implemented in the explicit finite element code can be used for simulating the behavior of composite structures under various loads such as impact and crash. The stress-strain relation for the micro-model is derived for shell element. As a demonstration case of the developed micro-model a finite element model of Graphite/Epoxy tube structure is developed and simulated under axial crash.

Numerical simulations allow engineers in roadside safety to investigate the safety of retrofit designs minimizing or, in some cases, avoiding the high costs related to the execution of full-scale experimental tests. This paper describes the numerical investigation made to assess the performance of a roadside safety barrier when relocated behind the break point of a 3H:1V slope, found on a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) system. A safe barrier relocation in the slope would allow reducing the installation width of the MSE system by an equivalent amount, thus decreasing the overall construction costs. The dynamics of a pick-up truck impacting the relocated barrier and the system deformation were simulated in detail using the explicit non-linear dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA. The model was initially calibrated and subsequently validated against results from a previous full-scale crash test with the barrier placed at the slope break point. After a sensitivity analysis regarding the role of suspension failure and tire deflation on the vehicle stability, the system performance was assessed when it was relocated into the slope. Two different configurations were considered, differing for the height of the rail respect to the road surface and the corresponding post embedment into the soil. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn based on the results obtained from the numerical analysis.

The fatigue property of riveted lap joint is greatly related to the riveting-induced residual stress, especially the stress distribution on the faying surface. However, an accurate study of the residual stress characteristics in the riveted sheet could be very difficult. In this paper, both numerical and experimental investigations were carried out on the stress/strain characteristics in riveted aircraft lap joints. A special specimen was designed for the test of strain variations on the faying surface of the sheet by microstrain gages. For the numerical simulation, the rivet squeezing process was analyzed using the explicit dynamic finite element (FE) method, whilst a general static FE analysis was employed for the elastic springback after the squeeze force was removed. A comparison of the strain variations between the experimental results and FE simulations shows a general good agreement, although there may be some difference for points measured near the hole surface. The FE analysis reveals that both compressive and tensile residual stresses could be introduced in the riveted sheet. Massive compressive residual stress can be created in the near-surface layer of the hole. However, the stress level is not always increased with increasing the squeeze force, and so is the improvement of fatigue life observed. Further study is still necessary to account for the fatigue life decreasing effect caused by a high squeeze force.

Laminated glass is widely used for architectural glazing and as windshield material in automotive industry. The architectural application of laminated glass is subjected to low-velocity impact by flying debris in hurricane, tornado, and blast events. The automotive application is subjected to low-velocity impact in traffic accidents. Circular samples of laminated glass are subjected to low-velocity impact at 1, 2, 3, and 4 m/s impact velocity approximately by means of Instron Dynatup testing machine. The impact tup force is recorded by data acquisition equipment of the machine. The low-velocity impact of laminated glass is modelled in explicit finite elements, using the commercial software ABAQUS. Three finite element models are examined: brick element model with 4 plies of elements per a glass layer and one per the interlayer, continuum shell element model with a brick element ply for the interlayer, and conventional shell element model excluding the interlayer shear. The glass layers are modelled by brittle damage material model, which is based on fracture toughness Charpy tests. The interlayer of the polymeric (PVB) material is modelled as elastic material with instantaneous Young’s modulus found in a creep test. The careful modelling of laminated glass low-velocity impact in explicit finite element code provides corresponding to the experiment results. The conventional shell element model underestimates the energy dissipation. The continuum shell element model could be very efficient if it is stable enough. The necessity of efficient laminated glass shell element is discussed. The finite element analysis gives an insight of the progressive failure of the laminated glass, explaining the place and the order of radial and circular crack appearance. The investigation of the laminated glass response to the low-velocity impact gives the opportunity to optimize the laminated glass layers for higher resistance.

One of the most harmful of two-vehicle crashes to passenger vehicle occupants is when the front of passenger vehicle hits and passes underneath the rear of truck. It resulted in 23% of total death from two-vehicle crashes with a truck in 2018 based on data from the U.S. Department of transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). To reduce the violence of such accidents, the rear underrun protective device (RUPD) is installed on the rear of heavy goods vehicle (HGV), to cause the crumple zone of the impacting passenger vehicle absorbing the impact energy and prevent the impacting passenger vehicle from getting crushed under the HGV. This article demonstrates an approach to design the RUPD based on design inputs, including the structural strength, the local RUPD builders, and the variation of commercial HGV types in Thailand. The morphological analysis is applied along with brainstorming among design team, local manufacturers, and government agency, to generate a total of 72 potential RUPD solutions. In this study, three potential RUPD designs were proposed as RUPD prototypes for different HGV types to investigate their structural strength in terms of strain, deformation, and maximum reaction force. The explicit dynamic finite element (FE) method was implemented to accurately simulate the structural strength of the RUPD prototype since its results were validated by the real test of full-scale prototype with reference to the UN R58 standard. From the results, all proposed RUPD prototypes satisfied the UN R58 standard and are not violated by test loads at all relevant positions. In addition, different designs of the protective beam, which was found to be the main load-bearing resstive component of RUPD, were proposed. Their structural strength and energy-absorbing capability were examined by FE simulation to allow local RUPD builders to have alternatives for RUPD fabrication depending on their resources and applications. Besides, the proposed design approach in this study could be further applied as a guideline design for other RUPD types in a commercial scale.

Simply-supported bridges are vulnerable to surface fault rupture as evidenced by several fault-crossing bridges in the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake. To investigate the seismic collapse mechanism of simply-supported bridges crossing the fault, across-fault ground motions are firstly simulated in the present study. In particular, based on a previously developed fault model of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, broadband across-fault ground motions at six fault-crossing bridges are simulated using the hybrid deterministic-stochastic method, in which the low- and high-frequency components are computed using the deterministic Green’s function method and the stochastic finite-fault modeling method, respectively. The simulation results indicate that the hybrid deterministic-stochastic method can give reasonable predictions to the across-fault ground motions. Furthermore, utilizing the explicit dynamic finite element (FE) code LS-DYNA, behaviors of a three-span simply-supported bridge under a selected pair of across-fault ground motions are numerically simulated. Numerical results indicate that the structural responses and collapse mechanisms are dominated by the low-frequency ground motions. The large differential static offset across the fault is the main reason for the collapse of the simply-supported bridges. This study contributes understandings for the across-fault ground motions and the collapse mechanism of some bridges in the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake.

Direct computation of the design point of a stochastic structure using a finite element code

Geometric imperfections play a significant role in the evaluation of the buckling capacity of thin-walled structures. Since the pattern and distribution of such imperfections take a random variation, the determination of a critical imperfect shape that leads to the minimum buckling load becomes a challenge. In this study, an optimization technique based on binary coded genetic algorithms is used together with a nonlinear finite element model to identify the critical imperfection pattern for thin-walled welded structures. The finite element model is based on a consistent sub-parametric shell element that accounts for the effect of both geometric and material nonlinearities. The binary coded genetic algorithm is used as the optimization means to arrive at the imperfection pattern leading to the near globally minimum buckling load. A previously developed mathematical model is employed to describe the imperfection bulges associated with lines of weldment. The method is demonstrated by considering the nonlinear stability analysis of both a circular cylinder subjected to pure axial compressive load and a conical tank under hydrostatic pressure. The combined genetic algorithm – finite element code is used to determine the critical imperfection bulge patterns for the two problems, as well as their associated buckling loads.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have been increasingly used in spacecraft applications. Spacecraft may encounter highenergy-density X-ray radiation in outer space that can cause severe damage. To protect spacecraft from such unexpected damage, it is essential to predict the dynamic behavior of CFRP composites under X-ray radiation. In this study, we developed an in-house three-dimensional explicit finite element (FEM) code to investigate the dynamic responses of CFRP composite under X-ray radiation for the first time, by incorporating a modified PUFF equation-of-state. First, the blow-off impulse (BOI) momentum of an aluminum panel was predicted by our FEM code and compared with an existing radiation experiment. Then, the FEM code was utilized to determine the dynamic behavior of a CFRP composite under various radiation conditions. It was found that the numerical result was comparable with the experimental one. Furthermore, the CFRP composite was more effective than the aluminum panel in reducing radiation-induced pressure and BOI momentum. The numerical results also revealed that a 1 keV X-ray led to vaporization of surface materials and a high-magnitude compressive stress wave, whereas a low-magnitude stress wave was generated with no surface vaporization when a 3 keV X-ray was applied.