scholarly journals An experimental investigation of the response of slender protective structures to rockfall impacts

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1215-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Lambert ◽  
Frank Bourrier ◽  
Philippe Gotteland ◽  
François Nicot
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Lateral Diffusion ◽  
Middle Layer ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Fill Material ◽  
Measuring Techniques ◽  
Protective Structures ◽  
Impact Energies ◽  
Real Scale

This article investigates the mechanical response of slender rockfall protection embankments subjected to impacts based on real-scale experiments. More specifically, it deals with rectangular (in cross-section) vertical-sided gabion structures, designed to meet footprint constraints. These three-layered structures, 3 m in width and 4 m in height, are made up of gabion cages filled with different materials, depending on their location in the structure. Real-scale experiments were conducted with impact energies up to about 2000 kJ on two structures differing by the fill material used for their middle layer: ballast or sand–tire mixture. The experiments demonstrate the capacity of these slender structures in resisting high-energy impacts. The response of the structures is also addressed considering data obtained using different measuring techniques and a large number of sensors within the structure. The results are presented and discussed with the aim of highlighting some issues associated with the structure impact response, such as the load lateral diffusion, stone breakage, the contribution of the wire mesh, and the fill material characteristics. In the end, a structure with a middle layer filled with ballast appears more efficient in reducing the structure back face displacement.

scholarly journals Discrete element analysis of the punching behaviour of a secured drapery system: from laboratory characterization to idealized in situ conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pol ◽  
Fabio Gabrieli ◽  
Lorenzo Brezzi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Steel Wire ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Steel Plates ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Wire Meshes

AbstractIn this work, the mechanical response of a steel wire mesh panel against a punching load is studied starting from laboratory test conditions and extending the results to field applications. Wire meshes anchored with bolts and steel plates are extensively used in rockfall protection and slope stabilization. Their performances are evaluated through laboratory tests, but the mechanical constraints, the geometry and the loading conditions may strongly differ from the in situ conditions leading to incorrect estimations of the strength of the mesh. In this work, the discrete element method is used to simulate a wire mesh. After validation of the numerical mesh model against experimental data, the punching behaviour of an anchored mesh panel is investigated in order to obtain a more realistic characterization of the mesh mechanical response in field conditions. The dimension of the punching element, its position, the anchor plate size and the anchor spacing are varied, providing analytical relationships able to predict the panel response in different loading conditions. Furthermore, the mesh panel aspect ratio is analysed showing the existence of an optimal value. The results of this study can provide useful information to practitioners for designing secured drapery systems, as well as for the assessment of their safety conditions.

scholarly journals Research on the Response Characteristics of Bio-Inspired Composite Sandwich Structure under Low Velocity Impact

2021 ◽  
Vol 2101 (1) ◽  
pp. 012087
Author(s):  
Peng Hao ◽  
Lin’an Li ◽  
Jianxun Du
Keyword(s):  
Sandwich Structure ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Shear Fracture ◽  
Impact Load ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Low Velocity Impact ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Composite Sandwich ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In order to research the impact mechanical response characteristics of the bio-inspired composite sandwich structure, the hemispherical impactor is preloaded with different energy to impact bio-inspired and conventional composite sandwich structure, the stress distribution and dynamic response characteristics of composite sandwich structure under impact load are studied. The results show that the main damage of the upper panel is fiber shear fracture, while crushing fracture for the core, and the main damage of the lower panel is fiber tensile tearing under different impact load. The bio-inspired composite sandwich structure shows better impact resistance in terms of damage depth and maximum impact load under the same impact energy. From the perspective of energy consumption, the bio-inspired structure absorbed more energy than conventional structure under high energy impact.

Strain Rate Effect on Microstructure of Dynamically Compressed Magnesium Alloy AZ31B

2013 ◽  
Vol 535-536 ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iram Raza Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Syfiqu ◽  
Xiao Jing ◽  
Dong W. Shu
Keyword(s):  
Magnesium Alloy ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Mechanical Behaviour ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Microstructural Analysis ◽  
Strain Rate Effect ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Magnesium Alloy Az31b ◽  
Protective Structures

Lightweight materials have been in focus in recent times for their use in automobiles, planes and protective structures for numerous benefits ranging from reduction in fuel consumption and increased payload in vehicles to lighter and stronger protective structures. For efficient use of materials in applications where they are subjected to unusual higher sudden loads, it is necessary to understand their mechanical behaviour under such conditions.In present study, the effect of strain rate on deformation of magnesium alloy AZ31Bunder compression has been investigated. The alloy is subjected to various strain rates as 10-4s-1, 500s-1 and 2500s-1 and the microstructural analysis was performed to see the changes in the microstructure of the alloy and their effect on the mechanical response of the alloy is portrayed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Single-Impact-Induced Cartilage Degeneration by Optical Coherence Tomography

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence de Bont ◽  
Nicolai Brill ◽  
Robert Schmitt ◽  
Markus Tingart ◽  
Björn Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Cartilage Degeneration ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Human Cartilage ◽  
Irregularity Index ◽  
Impact Area ◽  
Impact Energies

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis constitutes a major cause of disability in our increasingly elderly population. Unfortunately, current imaging modalities are too insensitive to detect early degenerative changes of this disease. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising nondestructive imaging technique that allows surface and subsurface imaging of cartilage, at near-histological resolution, and is principally applicablein vivoduring arthroscopy. Thirty-four macroscopically normal human cartilage-bone samples obtained from total joint replacements were subjected to standardized single impactsin vitro(range: 0.25 J to 0.98 J). 3D OCT measurements of impact area and adjacent tissue were performed prior to impaction, directly after impaction, and 1, 4, and 8 days later. OCT images were assessed qualitatively (DJD classification) and quantitatively using established parameters (OII, Optical Irregularity Index; OHI, Optical Homogeneity Index; OAI, Optical Attenuation Index) and compared to corresponding histological sections. WhileOAIandOHIscores were not significantly changed in response to low- or moderate-impact energies, high-impact energies significantly increased mean DJD grades (histology and OCT) andOIIscores. In conclusion, OCT-based parameterization and quantification are able to reliably detect loss of cartilage surface integrity after high-energy traumatic insults and hold potential to be used for clinical screening of early osteoarthritis.

scholarly journals Numerical Study of Rock Fragmentation Process and Acoustic Emission by FDEM Based on Heterogeneous Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Qi Liu ◽  
Penghai Deng
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Uniaxial Compression Test ◽  
Rock Damage ◽  
Heterogeneous Model ◽  
Damage And Fracture ◽  
Heterogeneous Rock ◽  
Rock Model

Rock has the characteristics of natural heterogeneity and discontinuity. Its failure phenomenon induced by external force involves complex processes, including the microcrack initiation, propagation, coalescence, and the macrocrack formation. In this study, the Weibull random distribution based on the rock microstructure characteristics is introduced into the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) to establish the heterogeneous rock model, and the mechanical response and damage evolution of rock samples in uniaxial compression test are simulated. The results show that FDEM simulation with loaded heterogeneous rock model can reflect the progressive development of rock damage, fracture, and acoustic emission (AE) activity in real rock well. Meanwhile, the statistical analysis indicates that the number and energy evolution of AE events with different fracture modes in the model are consistent with the macroscopic failure mode of rock. The change of b-value also agrees with the increasing trend of high-energy events in the loading process. This method provides a new tool for the analysis of rock damage and fracture evolution.

Modeling of Laboratory Animals Exposure Conditions behind Local Concrete Shielding Bombarded by 650-MeV Protons

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
A Ivanov ◽  
A Krylov ◽  
A. Molokanov ◽  
A. Bushmanov ◽  
A. Samoylov
Keyword(s):  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Diamond Detector ◽  
Radiation Fields ◽  
The Monte Carlo Method ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Protective Structures ◽  
Dose Measurements

Purpose: To estimate the radiation fields formed after the passage of high-energy protons through the concrete protection for subsequent radiobiological experiments on animals on this model. Material and methods: The results of the calculation of the secondary characteristics of a field of mixed radiation behind the local concrete with thickness 20, 40, and 80 cm, bombarded by a proton beam of 650 MeV at the JINR Phasotron and experimental estimation of the values of the absorbed dose phantoms of mice irradiated for protection during radiobiological experiments. The calculation was performed by the Monte Carlo method according to the MCNPX program for secondary protons, neutrons, π-mesons, and gamma rays. To verify the adequacy of calculations was performed the comparison of calculated and measured in the experiment spatial distribution of activation threshold detectors for aluminum protection, as well as a comparison of the calculated values of absorbed dose for radiation protection with the results of absorbed dose measurements with a diamond detector. Results: The calculations made it possible to obtain the characteristics of the fields of mixed secondary radiation behind local concrete shields of different thickness irradiated with protons with an energy of 650 MeV and to estimate the values of absorbed doses in the irradiation sites of mice in the radiobiological experiment. The reliability of the calculations was confirmed by experimental verification of the activation of aluminum threshold detectors behind a 20 cm thick protection, as well as direct measurements using a diamond detector. Conclusion: The calculated assessment of radiation fields formed after protons pass through the concrete protection and its comparison with the results of radiation dose measurements for the subsequent radiobiological experiment on animals on this model in the interests of designing protective structures on the Moon and other space bodies, as well as biological defenses on charged-particles accelerators.

scholarly journals Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Plasma Sprayed Al2O3-ZrO2-SiO2 Amorphous Coatings by Surface Crystallization

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Medricky ◽  
Frantisek Lukac ◽  
Stefan Csaki ◽  
Sarka Houdkova ◽  
Maria Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Wear Resistance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Hardness Profile ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Content Ratio ◽  
Plasma Sprayed

Ceramic Al2O3-ZrO2-SiO2 coatings with near eutectic composition were plasma sprayed using hybrid water stabilized plasma torch (WSP-H). The as-sprayed coatings possessed fully amorphous microstructure which can be transformed to nanocrystalline by further heat treatment. The amorphous/crystalline content ratio and the crystallite sizes can be controlled by a specific choice of heat treatment conditions, subsequently leading to significant changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings, such as hardness or wear resistance. In this study, two advanced methods of surface heat treatment were realized by plasma jet or by high energy laser heating. As opposed to the traditional furnace treatments, inducing homogeneous changes throughout the material, both approaches lead to a formation of gradient microstructure within the coatings; from dominantly amorphous at the substrate–coating interface vicinity to fully nanocrystalline near its surface. The processes can also be applied for large-scale applications and do not induce detrimental changes to the underlying substrate materials. The respective mechanical response was evaluated by measuring coating hardness profile and wear resistance. For some of the heat treatment conditions, an increase in the coating microhardness by factor up to 1.8 was observed, as well as improvement of wear resistance behaviour up to 6.5 times. The phase composition changes were analysed by X-ray diffraction and the microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

scholarly journals Hyperelastic modelling of arterial layers with distributed collagen fibre orientations

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 15-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Christian Gasser ◽  
Ray W Ogden ◽  
Gerhard A Holzapfel
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Constitutive Relations ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Collagen Fibre ◽  
Middle Layer ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Free Energy Function ◽  
Collagen Fibres ◽  
Small Pitch

Constitutive relations are fundamental to the solution of problems in continuum mechanics, and are required in the study of, for example, mechanically dominated clinical interventions involving soft biological tissues. Structural continuum constitutive models of arterial layers integrate information about the tissue morphology and therefore allow investigation of the interrelation between structure and function in response to mechanical loading. Collagen fibres are key ingredients in the structure of arteries. In the media (the middle layer of the artery wall) they are arranged in two helically distributed families with a small pitch and very little dispersion in their orientation (i.e. they are aligned quite close to the circumferential direction). By contrast, in the adventitial and intimal layers, the orientation of the collagen fibres is dispersed, as shown by polarized light microscopy of stained arterial tissue. As a result, continuum models that do not account for the dispersion are not able to capture accurately the stress–strain response of these layers. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to develop a structural continuum framework that is able to represent the dispersion of the collagen fibre orientation. This then allows the development of a new hyperelastic free-energy function that is particularly suited for representing the anisotropic elastic properties of adventitial and intimal layers of arterial walls, and is a generalization of the fibre-reinforced structural model introduced by Holzapfel & Gasser (Holzapfel & Gasser 2001 Comput. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng . 190 , 4379–4403) and Holzapfel et al . (Holzapfel et al . 2000 J. Elast . 61 , 1–48). The model incorporates an additional scalar structure parameter that characterizes the dispersed collagen orientation. An efficient finite element implementation of the model is then presented and numerical examples show that the dispersion of the orientation of collagen fibres in the adventitia of human iliac arteries has a significant effect on their mechanical response.

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