L. Pellone, M. Ciminello, U. Mercurio, G. Apuleo, A. Concilio
{"title":"A Structural Health Monitoring System for Bond Line Flaws Detection on a Full-Scale Wingbox Section Demonstrator","authors":"L. Pellone, M. Ciminello, U. Mercurio, G. Apuleo, A. Concilio","doi":"10.3390/applmech5010003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5010003","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies as systems for monitoring the integrity of aircraft’s structures. The use of compact and embeddable sensor networks, like the ones based on fibre optics (FO), is particularly attractive from the perspective of releasing an integrated structural system with intrinsic sensing capacity. Usually, an SHM system architecture is completed by a dedicated algorithm that processes the data gathered from the sensors to elaborate on the level of damage currently suffered by the structure, with the further possibility of providing information to the relevant specialists involved with its supervision. One of the main SHM applications that is attracting major interest is related to the inspection and detection of anomalies in bonded joints, which is extremely relevant in many composite realizations. Aeronautical regulations allow the use of bonded joints on an aircraft’s primary structure but require the implementation of a means to ensure their absolute safety, such as the introduction of further mechanical links aimed at stopping the propagation of a possible flaw or the availability of Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) systems to prove the absence of relevant damaged areas. Generally, the main typical defects occurring during the manufacturing of bonded joints include adhesive curing, kissing bonds, poor porosity, and poor surface preparation. The current NDI systems more widely used and available to detect defects are still inaccurate due to the lack of standard procedures for the creation of representative defects in a controlled manner, which would allow for the development of reliable methodologies and tools able to ensure the safety of a bonded joint, as required by safety regulations. This paper shows the results relative to the implementation of an SHM system developed by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) aimed at monitoring the bonding lines between spar caps and panels of a typical composite wingbox section and detecting faults in location and length. The work was performed during typical ground static tests by using a fibre optical sensing network embedded within relevant adhesive paste layers during the manufacturing process of the structure. In the reported investigation, the SHM system assumed the function of an NDI system tool. The results show that the developed SHM system has good reliability for the detection of both the position and size of damage areas that were artificially inserted within the test article during the bonding phase, showing its potential as a candidate to be used as a tool to verify the conditions of a bonded joint, as required by aviation authorities’ regulations.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"87 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139606504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Tzotzis, A. Manavis, N. Efkolidis, C. García-Hernández, P. Kyratsis
{"title":"Analysis of the Influence of Structural Characteristics on the Tensile Properties of Fused Filament Fabricated ABS Polymer Using Central Composite Design","authors":"A. Tzotzis, A. Manavis, N. Efkolidis, C. García-Hernández, P. Kyratsis","doi":"10.3390/applmech5010002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5010002","url":null,"abstract":"This study presents an investigation of the effects of structural characteristics, such as the layer height, infill density, top/bottom layer line directions and infill pattern, on the structural efficiency of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)-based specimens. The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique was utilized for the specimen fabrication, and the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Strength-to-Mass (S/M) ratio were examined. The tests were planned according to the Central Composite Design (CCD), and an empirical model for each response was developed, with respect to the applied factors and their interactions. The analysis revealed that the characteristics with the strongest influence on the UTS and the S/M ratio were the infill and the layer height, respectively. Moreover, it was observed that the honeycomb structure contributed to the highest UTS compared to the other patterns. Finally, an optimization analysis based on the desirability function was performed, highlighting the combination of a 0.3 mm layer, 21.81% and 76.36% infill, 0° direction and the honeycomb pattern as the optimal for maximizing both UTS and S/M ratio under different desirability.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"42 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139151222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. A. Shamsuri, S. N. A. Md. Jamil, Mohd Zuhri Mohamed Yusoff, K. Abdan
{"title":"Methods and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Hybrid Composites and Hybrid Polymer Composites: Influence of Ionic Liquid Addition","authors":"A. A. Shamsuri, S. N. A. Md. Jamil, Mohd Zuhri Mohamed Yusoff, K. Abdan","doi":"10.3390/applmech5010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5010001","url":null,"abstract":"Polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites are distinct but interconnected composite classes, each with unique compositions and design philosophies. The mechanical properties of these composites are vital in advanced materials due to their impacts on performance, durability, and suitability for various applications. The addition of ionic liquids into these composites is a promising innovation in advanced materials. In this short review, various polymer matrices (e.g., thermosets, thermoplastics, and biopolymers), fillers (e.g., inorganic, carbon, organic, and metal), and ionic liquids (e.g., imidazolium- and phosphonium-based) used to fabricate polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites with added ionic liquids are identified. Furthermore, the addition of ionic liquids into these composites through different methods (e.g., magnetic stirring, mechanical stirring, solid grinding, etc.) is discussed. The influence of ionic liquid addition on the mechanical properties, specifically the tensile properties of these composites, is also shortly reviewed. The changes in the tensile properties, such as the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break, of these composites are explained as well. The information presented in this review enhances the understanding of the methods applied to add ionic liquids into polymer hybrid composites and hybrid polymer composites, along with their tensile properties. In short, some ionic liquids have the capacity to enhance the tensile properties of hybrid polymer composites, and several ionic liquids can reduce the tensile properties of polymer hybrid composites.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"7 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139167977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aly Rachid Korbeogo, Bernard Kaka Bonzi, Richard Kouitat Njiwa
{"title":"On Solving Nonlinear Elasticity Problems Using a Boundary-Elements-Based Solution Method","authors":"Aly Rachid Korbeogo, Bernard Kaka Bonzi, Richard Kouitat Njiwa","doi":"10.3390/applmech4040064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech4040064","url":null,"abstract":"The attractiveness of the boundary element method—the reduction in the problem dimension by one—is lost when solving nonlinear solid mechanics problems. The point collocation method applied to strong-form differential equations is appealing because it is easy to implement. The method becomes inaccurate in the presence of traction boundary conditions, which are inevitable in solid mechanics. A judicious combination of the point collocation and the boundary integral formulation of Navier’s equation allows a pure boundary element method to be obtained for the solution of nonlinear elasticity problems. The potential of the approach is investigated in some simple examples considering isotropic and anisotropic material models in the total Lagrangian framework.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"57 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139182959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fatigue Damage of Short Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics in Crashworthiness Simulation","authors":"Christian Witzgall, Sandro Wartzack","doi":"10.3390/applmech4040061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech4040061","url":null,"abstract":"Service loads repeatedly stress components on a regular basis and lead to fatigue damage in the material. In the case of components made of short fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, which are also crash-relevant in addition to only bearing service loads, however, a significant deterioration in mechanical properties can be observed after fatigue damage has been introduced. This is where the approach presented in this paper comes in: in order to enable a realistic simulation of such components in their used conditions, the material data are assigned depending on previously determined damage. The approach, which combines the domains of highly dynamic and cyclic experiments as well as different types of numerical simulations, is tested for its performance in the present paper. For this purpose, component tests are carried out on cross-rib beams, which serve to validate the method. The novelty and uniqueness of this paper lies in the linking of fatigue life and crashworthiness considerations for short fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, which, in this case, is raised to a new level by considering the component level for the first time.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"296 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139202006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"On the Use of Drilling Degrees of Freedom to Stabilise the Augmented Finite Element Method","authors":"Simon Essongue, G. Couégnat, Eric Martin","doi":"10.3390/applmech4040059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech4040059","url":null,"abstract":"The augmented finite element method (AFEM) embeds cracks within solid elements. These cracks are modelled without additional degrees of freedom thanks to a dedicated static condensation process. However, static condensation can induce a lack of constraint problem, resulting in singular stiffness matrices. To address this issue, we propose a new method called the stabilised augmented finite element method (SAFEM), which produces non-singular stiffness matrices. We conducted 2D experiments involving stationary traction-free cracks and propagating cohesive discontinuities to compare the performance of the SAFEM with the AFEM. The SAFEM outperforms the AFEM in modelling traction-free cracks.","PeriodicalId":503399,"journal":{"name":"Applied Mechanics","volume":"59 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139276903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}