Damage growth and failure detection in hybrid fiber composites using experimental in-situ optical strain measurements and smoothing element analysis

In previous study the failure initiation and development in hybrid fiber laminates was successfully monitored and determined. In current investigation a novel damage monitoring approach is proposed for hybrid laminates by combining different optical strain measurement techniques namely digital image correlation (DIC), fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBG) and infrared thermography (IRT) with smoothing element analysis (SEA). This viable experimental procedure eliminates the effects of global/local nature of optical strain measurement systems on heterogeneous damage accumulation and is a two-step approach. First, all optical sensing systems together with conventional strain gauges are utilized concurrently to indicate the differences in the measured strains and monitor damage accumulation under tensile loading. This demonstrates how failure events disturb the measurement capabilities of optical systems, which can cause a miscalculation of hybrid effect in hybrid-fiber laminates. The second step involves the utilization of SEA algorithm for discretely measured DIC displacements to predict a realistic continuous displacement/strain map and rigorously mitigate the inherent noise of the full field optical system. Remarkably, for large deformation states in hybrid composites, the combination of SEA/DIC enables early prediction of susceptible damage zones at stress levels 30% below material strength.

Advanced measurement techniques for braided composite structures: A review of current and upcoming trends

Braiding is an advanced textile manufacturing method that is used to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional components. Unlike laminated structures, braids have interlaced yarns that form a continuity between layers. This structure allows for improved impact resistance, damage tolerance, and improved through-thickness reinforcement. Despite the numerous advantages of braided composites, braids also have shortcomings. Their highly complex fiber architecture presents challenges in the availability and choice of the strain measuring and characterization techniques. Advanced measurement methods such as optical strain measurement, micro-computed tomography, and in situ strain measurement are required. Optical strain measurement methods such as digital image correlation and high-speed imaging are necessary to accurately measure the complex deformation and failure that braided composites exhibit. X-ray-based micro-computed tomography measurements can provide detailed geometric and morphologic information for braided structures, which is necessary for accurately predicting the mechanical properties of braided structures. Finally, in situ strain measurement methods will provide detailed information on the internal deformation and strain that exists within braided structures. In situ sensors will also allow for in-service health monitoring of braided structures. This paper provides a detailed review of the aforementioned sensing technologies and their relation to the measurement of braided composite structures.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Single Point Incremental Forming of Aluminium Alloy Foils

Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) is a flexible process to manufacture sheet metal parts that is well adapted and profitable for prototypes or small batch production. Compared to traditional sheet forming technologies this relatively slow process can be used in different applications in automotive and aircraft industries, in architecture engineering and in medical aids manufacturing. In this paper indirectly obtained axial forming force on SPIF of variable wall angle geometry were studied under different process parameters. The estimation of the forces on AlMn1Mg1 sheets with 0.22 mm initial thickness is performed by continuous monitoring of servo motor currents. The deformation states of the formed parts were analysed using the ARGUS optical strain measurement system of GOM, while the roughness measurements were carried out by a System of Mitutoyo. Some initial Finite Element Analysis simulations and a crack monitoring method together with an interaction plot of forming speed, incremental depth, tool diameter and lubrication were also reported.

Optical strain measurement for the modeling of surgical meshes and their porosity

The porosity of surgical meshes makes them flexible for large elastic deformation and establishes the healing conditions of good tissue in growth. The biomechanic modeling of orthotropic and compressible materials requires new materials models and simulstaneoaus fit of deformation in the load direction as well as trannsversely to to load. This nonlinear modeling can be achieved by an optical deformation measurement. At the same time the full field deformation measurement allows the dermination of the change of porosity with deformation. Also the socalled effective porosity, which has been defined to asses the tisssue interatcion with the mesh implants, can be determined from the global deformation of the surgical meshes.

Comparative Study of As-Built Geometric and Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Ceramics

Additive Manufacturing (AM) encompasses a broad variety of fabrication techniques characterized by successive additions of mass and/or energy to a build domain. AM processes have been developed for a wide variety of feedstock materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics. In the present work we study the AM of ceramics using the Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technique. We performed comparative studies between additively manufactured and conventionally manufactured test articles, in order to quantify the variations in output geometry and mechanical properties induced by the DIW process. Uniaxial tests are conducted using high-performance optical strain measurement techniques. In particular, it is shown that the DIW-produced specimens exhibit anisotropic shrinkage when fired, as well as a marked decrease in stiffness and ultimate strength. We conclude with a discussion of potential mechanisms which may be responsible for these property degradations, and introduce potential adaptations to the DIW AM process that may be effective in combating them.

Free, partial, and fully constrained recovery analysis of cold-programmed shape memory epoxy/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: Experiments and predictions

Thermally activated shape memory polymers are typically programmed by initially heating the material above the glass transition temperature ( Tg), deforming to the desired shape, cooling below Tg, and unloading to fix the temporary shape. This process of deforming at high temperatures becomes a time-, labor-, and energy-expensive process while applying to large structures. Alternatively, materials with reversible plasticity shape memory property can be programmed at temperatures well below the glass transition temperature which offers several advantages over conventional programming. Here, the free, partial, and fully constrained recovery analysis of cold-programmed multi-walled carbon nanotube–reinforced epoxy nanocomposites is presented. The free recovery analysis involves heating the temporary shape above Tg without any constraints (zero stress), and for fully constrained recovery analysis, the temporary shape is held constant while heating. The partially constrained recovery behavior is studied by applying a constant stress of 10%, 25%, and 50% of the maximum recovery stress obtained from the completely constrained recovery analysis. The samples are also characterized for their thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties. A non-contact optical strain measurement method is used to measure the strains during cold-programming and shape recovery. The different recovery behaviors are analyzed by using a thermo-viscoelastic–viscoplastic model, and the predictions are compared with the experimental results.

Optical Investigation of Component Made by FDM Technology

3D printed plastic components are nowadays frequently used parts in all areas of industrial sphere. These components are often made by FDM technology. The main advantage of this technology is quick manufacturing process, price and also possibility of producing complex parts. This paper is aimed to the component made by FDM technology from the view of their strength. Specially designed chair was loaded by different force and the maximum load before destruction was measured. Chair was under inspection of two different optical strain measurement systems working on different principles. System PONTOS working on the principle of digital photogrammetry and system ARAMIS working on the principle of digital image correlation were used. These systems were used in order to investigate and identify weak places of this chair.