Coupled Modeling Approach for Laser Shock Peening of AA2198-T3: From Plasma and Shock Wave Simulation to Residual Stress Prediction

Laser shock peening (LSP) is a surface modification technique to improve the mechanical properties of metals and alloys, where physical phenomena are difficult to investigate, due to short time scales and extreme physical values. In this regard, simulations can significantly contribute to understand the underlying physics. In this paper, a coupled simulation approach for LSP is presented. A global model of laser–matter–plasma interaction is applied to determine the plasma pressure, which is used as surface loading in finite element (FE) simulations in order to predict residual stress (RS) profiles in the target material. The coupled model is applied to the LSP of AA2198-T3 with water confinement, 3×3mm2 square focus and 20 ns laser pulse duration. This investigation considers the variation in laser pulse energy (3 J and 5 J) and different protective coatings (none, aluminum and steel foil). A sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the impact of parameter inaccuracies of the global model on the resulting RS. Adjustment of the global model to different laser pulse energies and coating materials allows us to compute the temporal pressure distributions to predict RS with FE simulations, which are in good agreement with the measurements.

Evaluating the Design Criteria for Light Embankment Piling: Timber Piles in Road and Railway Foundations

Three-dimensional finite element (FE) simulations were performed to further develop the Swedish design guidelines for geogrid-reinforced timber pile-supported embankments, also known as lightly piled embankments. Lightly piled embankments are constructed mainly in areas which typically have highly compressible soils, and the method utilises untreated timber piles as its key feature. The timber piles are installed in a triangular arrangement instead of the more common square arrangement, with a centre-to-centre distance of 0.8–1.2 m. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current standard using FE modelling setups with square and triangular pile arrangements with varying centre-to-centre distances, based on a typical road foundation case. The evaluation mainly focused on comparing the embankment settlements, as well as the load and stress distribution in the embankment, the piles and the geosynthetic reinforcement. As part of the evaluation, a state-of-the-art study was done on international design guidelines and analytical models. From the FE simulations, no evident difference in mechanical behaviour was found between the triangular and square piling patterns. The maximum allowed centre-to-centre distance between piles can potentially be increased to 1.4 m, decreasing the number of piles by as much as one third.

Generation of Shakedown Boundaries of Thin-Walled 90-Degree Scheduled Pipe Bends Determined via Large and Small Displacement Finite Element Models

The present research investigates the effect of employing large displacement in finite element modelling on the generated shakedown (SD) boundaries of thin-walled 90-degree scheduled pipe bends. A recently developed methodology termed: Shakedown Limit - Plastic Work Dissipation (SDLimit-PWD) method generates the SD boundaries via employing the large displacement in the FE simulations. Additionally, a well-established direct non-cyclic technique termed: Shakedown Direct Noncyclic Technique (SD_DNT) generates the SD boundaries via employing the small displacement formulation in the FE simulations. Comparing the SD boundaries generated via both methods illustrated marked increase in the generated SD domains due to employing large displacement.

A Multifeatured Data-Driven Homogenization for Heterogeneous Elastic Solids

A computational homogenization of heterogeneous solids is presented based on the data-driven approach for both linear and nonlinear elastic responses. Within the Double-Scale Finite Element Method (FE2) framework, a data-driven model is proposed to substitute the micro-level Finite Element (FE) simulations to reduce computational costs in multiscale simulations. The heterogeneity of porous solids at the micro-level is considered in various material properties and geometrical attributes. For material properties, elastic constants, which are Lame’s coefficients, are subjected to be heterogeneous in the linear elastic responses. For geometrical features, different numbers, sizes, and locations of voids are considered to reflect the heterogeneity of porous solids. A database for homogenized microstructural responses is constructed from a series of micro-level FE simulations, and machine learning is used to train and test our proposed model. In particular, four geometrical descriptors are designed, based on N-probability and lineal-path functions, to clearly reflect the geometrical heterogeneity of various microstructures. This study indicates that a simple deep neural networks model can capture diverse microstructural heterogeneous responses well when given proper input sources, including the geometrical descriptors, are considered to establish a computational data-driven homogenization scheme.

Approach for multiscale modeling the thermomechanical tool load in gear hobbing

In this report, an approach is presented how a geometric penetration calculation can be combined with FE simulations to a multiscale model, which allows an efficient determination of the thermomechanical load in gear hobbing. FE simulations of the linear-orthogonal cut are used to derive approximate equations for calculating the cutting force and the rake face temperature. The hobbing process is then simulated with a geometric penetration calculation and uncut chip geometries are determined for each generating position. The uncut chip geometries serve as input variables for the derived equations, which are solved at each point of the cutting edge for each generating position. The cutting force is scaled according to the established procedure of discrete addition of the forces along the cutting edge over all individual cross-section elements. For the calculation of the temperature, an approach is presented how to consider a variable chip thickness profile. Based on this, the temperature distribution on the rake face is calculated. The model is verified on the one hand by cutting force measurements in machining trials and on the other hand by an FE simulation of a full engagement of a hob tooth.

A Soft Haptic Glove Actuated with Shape Memory Alloy and Flexible Stretch Sensors

Haptic technology allows us to experience tactile and force sensations without the need to expose ourselves to specific environments. It also allows a more immersive experience with virtual reality devices. This paper presents the development of a soft haptic glove for kinesthetic perception. It is lightweight and soft to allow for a more natural hand movement. This prototype actuates two fingers with two shape memory alloy (SMA) springs. Finite element (FE) simulations of the spring have been carried out to set the dimensions of the actuators. Flexible stretch sensors provide feedback to the system to calculate the tension of the cables attached to the fingers. The control can generate several recognizable levels of force for any hand position since the objects to be picked up can vary in weight and dimension. The glove can generate three levels of force (100, 200 and 300 g) to evaluate more easily the proper functioning. We realized tests on 15 volunteers simulating forces in various order after a quick training. We also asked volunteers about the experience for comfort, global experience and simplicity). Results were satisfactory in both aspects: the glove fulfilled its function, and the users were comfortable with it.

Structural and compositional analysis of (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots

We investigated metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy grown (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots (QDs) with potential applications in QD-Flash memories by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (X-STM) and atom probe tomography (APT). The combination of X-STM and APT is a very powerful approach to study semiconductor heterostructures with atomic resolution, which provides detailed structural and compositional information on the system. The rather small QDs are found to be of truncated pyramid shape with a very small top facet and occur in our sample with a very high density of ∼4 × 1011 cm−2. APT experiments revealed that the QDs are GaAs rich with smaller amounts of In and Sb. Finite element (FE) simulations are performed using structural data from X-STM to calculate the lattice constant and the outward relaxation of the cleaved surface. The composition of the QDs is estimated by combining the results from X-STM and the FE simulations, yielding ∼InxGa1 − xAs1 − ySby, where x = 0.25–0.30 and y = 0.10–0.15. Noticeably, the reported composition is in good agreement with the experimental results obtained by APT, previous optical, electrical, and theoretical analysis carried out on this material system. This confirms that the InGaSb and GaAs layers involved in the QD formation have strongly intermixed. A detailed analysis of the QD capping layer shows the segregation of Sb and In from the QD layer, where both APT and X-STM show that the Sb mainly resides outside the QDs proving that Sb has mainly acted as a surfactant during the dot formation. Our structural and compositional analysis provides a valuable insight into this novel QD system and a path for further growth optimization to improve the storage time of the QD-Flash memory devices.

An approach to identify the weak parts of stiffness for the machine tool cantilever structure

Investigating weak parts of the structure is one of the most important issues for improving the stiffness of the machine tool. However, studies show that overcoming the static deformation is a challenging problem in practical structures. In the present study, the dynamic hammer testing approach is applied to analyze the cantilever structure of the machine tool with elastic support. Accordingly, a new weakness index (WI) is proposed to identify weak parts of the cantilever structure with an elastic support. Then the cantilever beam with the elastic support is numerically simulated and weak parts are modeled as stiffness reduction. In this regard, finite element (FE) simulations are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the WI method in several scenarios with single and multiple weaknesses, including the noise case. In the combined structure of the tailstock and the bed of the machine tool, sensors are utilized to collect vibration data. Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics are calculated through the modal state-space method to obtain the stiffness data at zero-frequency. Then, weak parts of the structural stiffness are identified based on the weakness index. It is found that the FE simulations are in an excellent agreement with the experiment. Therefore, it is proved that the WI can accurately identify the weak parts of the machine tool cantilever structure.