An improved nonlinear damage model of rocks considering initial damage and damage evolution

The experimental results show that the creep properties of the rocks are affected by the initial damage, and the damage evolution also has a significant impact on the time-dependent properties of the rocks during the creep. However, the effects of the initial damage and the damage evolution are seldom considered in the current study of the rocks' creep models. In this paper, a new nonlinear creep damage model is proposed based on the multistage creep test results of the sandstones with different damage degrees. The new nonlinear creep damage model is improved based on the Nishihara model. The influences of the initial damage and the damage evolution on the components in the Nishihara model are considered. The creep damage model can not only describe the changes in three creep stages, namely, the primary creep, the secondary creep, and the tertiary creep, but also reflect the influence of the initial damage and the damage evolution on creep failure. The nonlinear least squares method is used to determine the parameters in the nonlinear creep damage model. The consistency between the experimental data and the predicted results indicates the applicability of the nonlinear damage model to accurately predict the creep deformation of the rocks with initial damage.

A Modified Model for Nonlinear Fatigue Damage Accumulation of Turbine Disc Considering the Load Interaction Effect

Fatigue damage accumulation theory is one of the core contents in structure fatigue strength design and life prediction. Among them, the nonlinear damage model can overcome the shortcomings of the linear damage model, which takes the loading sequence effect into account. Besides, the loading interaction cannot be ignored for its profound influence in damage accumulation behavior. In the paper, some commonly-used methods of the linear and nonlinear fatigue damage accumulation theory are investigated. In particular, a modified nonlinear fatigue damage accumulation model which considers the effects of loading sequences as well as loading interactions on fatigue life is developed, and a load interaction parameter is obtained by analyzing damage models which assumes that the load logarithm ratio between adjacent stress levels can characterize this phenomenon. Finally, the modified model is employed to predict the fatigue life of high pressure turbine disc. Moreover, comparison is made between the experimental data as well as the predicted lives using the Miner’s rule, the Ye’s model, and the modified model.

Cumulative Damage Evaluation under Fatigue Loading

The goal of this paper is to present the results obtained from damage evaluation in automotive axles, which are under torsion fatigue. For this purpose, a Nonlinear Damage Model is used. The mentioned shafts have to satisfy geometry requirements and their material has to be heat treated in order to improve their performance. One has to keep in mind that fatigue strength depends on material properties and geometry. In order to make a precise evaluation of the accumulated damage, the manufactured shafts were tested. In the first instance, the mechanical properties of the material were evaluated with static torsion tests. In the next step, the S-N curves were obtained with torsion fatigue tests. In all these cases, temperature was controlled. Experimental data at different load levels was gathered with strain gages in conjunction with a data acquisition system. The life cycle history of each tested shaft was stored and with this experimental evidence, damage curves were obtained and the cumulative damage of the axle was established. With these damage curves, it is possible to define the relation between damage rate and life for different stress levels.

Optimized Constant-Life Diagram for the Analysis of Fiberglass Composites Used in Wind Turbine Blades

Mandell et al. have recently presented an updated constant-life diagram (CLD) for a fiberglass composite that is a typical wind turbine blade material. Their formulation uses the MSU/DOE fatigue data base to develop a CLD with detailed S-N information at 13 R-values. This diagram is the most detailed to date, and it includes several loading conditions that have been poorly represented in earlier studies. Sutherland and Mandell have used this formulation to analyze typical loads data from operating wind farms and the failure of coupons subjected to spectral loading. The detailed CLD used in these analyses requires a significant investment in materials testing that is usually outside the bounds of typical design standards for wind turbine blades. Thus, the question has become: How many S-N curves are required for the construction of a CLD that is sufficient for an “accurate” prediction of equivalent fatigue loads and service lifetimes? To answer this question, the load data from two operating wind turbines and the failure of coupons tested using the WISPERX spectra are analyzed using a nonlinear damage model. For the analysis, the predicted service lifetimes that are based on the CLD constructed from 13 R-values are compared to the predictions for CLDs constructed with fewer R-values. The results illustrate the optimum number of R-values is 5 with them concentrated between R-values of −2 and 0.5, or −2 and 0.7.