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Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition)

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A special issue of Applied Mechanics (ISSN 2673-3161).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2024) | Viewed by 12795

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Prof. Dr. Magd Abdel Wahab

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Laboratory Soete, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 903, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Interests: computational mechanics; fracture mechanics; damage mechanics; finite element analysis; fatigue of materials; fretting fatigue; fretting wear; durability; dynamics and vibration of structures
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue follows on from the first Special Issue, entitled “Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applmech/special_issues/647RB138V7). This Special Issue of Applied Mechanics aims to provide an opportunity for early career scientists to share their valuable results with the scientific community. Manuscripts on all topics related to applied mechanics can be submitted. The subjects that could be addressed include, but are not limited to:

Mechanics of solids;
Static and dynamic of structures;
Materials engineering;
Mathematical modelling of structures and solids;
Computer methods in engineering;
Applications to civil engineering structures;
Mechanical and aerospace structures;
Fluid mechanics;
Thermodynamics of materials;
Biomechanics.

This Special Issue accepts manuscripts in the form of original research articles or reviews where the first author is an ECS (a student, a PhD candidate, or a post-doctoral researcher who received their PhD within the past 5 years).

We will provide additional discounts on the APC (article processing charge) upon request, as well as additional guidance on how to address reviewers’ comments, while the publication process will be as transparent and efficient as possible. The submissions will be assessed by at least two referees, as rigorously as any other paper submitted to Applied Mechanics.

Prof. Dr. Magd Abdel Wahab
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Mechanics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mechanics of materials
solid and structural mechanics
interface mechanics
marine engineering
civil engineering
mechanical and aerospace engineering
computational mechanics
stress analysis
fluid mechanics
vibration analysis
thermodynamics analysis
biomechanics

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Impact Force and Impact Duration with Regard to Radiosondes: Is a PUR Foam Shell an Effective Solution?

by Norbert Hegyi, János Jósvai and Gusztáv Fekete

Appl. Mech. 2025, 6(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech6010019 - 5 Mar 2025

Viewed by 193

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of a polyurethane (PUR) foam layer on impact force, impact duration, and deformation with regard to radiosondes during drop tests. Numerical (Finite Element Method) and experimental approaches were used to model collisions with and without protective PUR layers. The numerical results demonstrated that adding a soft PUR foam layer reduced peak impact force by 10% while it increased impact duration up to 71%. Experimental drop tests confirmed the numerical outcomes as peak impact force difference was 7% between simulations and experiments, while impact duration differed only by 11%. Besides force and duration, impact deformation was also investigated by an FEM model and high-speed camera footage on radiosondes with a PUR foam layer. The FEM model was able to approximate well the deformation magnitude since the numerical deformation was only 2% lower compared to the experimental data. In summary, a reliable and validated FEM model was created. On the one hand, this model allows the analysis of different protective layers around a radiosonde. On the other hand, it can adequately predict the impact behavior of radiosondes by incorporating multiple important factors. In addition, it has been confirmed that incorporating a soft PUR foam layer significantly improves safety by reducing impact force and extending impact duration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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14 pages, 6620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Newly Developed Compressed Air Cannon Test Bench Designed for Multi-Impact Analysis of Composite Structures

by Ayoub Soufri, Ameur Chettah, Benoît Piezel and Christophe Bouvet

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 997-1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040055 - 16 Dec 2024

Viewed by 932

Abstract

Understanding the response and damage evolution of structures subjected to multiple impact events is essential for designing resilient structures capable of withstanding complex loading scenarios, such as impacts from hail, gravel or foreign object debris. This article presents the development and characterization of a novel test bench, the “Compressed air multi-cannon”, designed specifically for studying the multi-impact behavior of composite materials. This test bench offers advantages over traditional impact testing methods by enabling controlled and adjustable impact parameters, including number of impacts, spatial and temporal lag, energy, angle and impactor dimensions. The primary objective of this work is to provide a detailed description of the test bench design, construction, and validation procedures. Key components such as the pressurized air system, projectile launch mechanism, target mounting arrangement, and data acquisition system are discussed. Experimental methodologies for assessing multi-impact response, specimen preparation, instrumentation, and data analysis techniques are outlined. Through a series of single-impact and multi-impact tests, distinctive damage mechanisms and energy absorption characteristics were observed in composite structures, revealing significant differences in how composites respond under single- and multi-impact conditions. It was found that the single-impact configuration remains particularly critical compared to multi-impact configurations with a high number of impacts. However, further testing is required to determine whether this result holds true under varying impact parameters, highlighting the unique value of this machine for exploring new, realistic questions in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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19 pages, 15008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transversal Vortex-Induced Vibration of a Circular Cylinder in Tandem with a Stationary Square Structure

by Henry Francis Annapeh and Victoria Kurushina

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 978-996; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040054 - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 991

Abstract

This paper considers a system with two offshore structures in tandem, where the upstream square structure is fixed and the downstream circular structure has one degree of freedom. Cylinders are subject to uniform and linearly sheared flow conditions. The dynamics of the downstream structure are investigated by using a computational fluid dynamics approach for a Reynolds number range of 1000–6500 at the centerline. The spacing ratio for the tandem structures is L/D = 6 in this work, corresponding to the wake interference regime. The effect of the shear parameter on the development of vortex-induced vibrations in the lock-in state within the downstream structure is studied, in comparison with the lock-in of an isolated circular structure. The results of this research include statistics on the displacement amplitude, drag and lift coefficients, frequency ratio, time histories and contours of vorticity. The results obtained show the maximum displacement amplitude of the isolated structure in a uniform flow at the level of 0.8 diameters during the upper branch. The investigation also shows a later development in the maximum displacement during the upper branch of the downstream structure under shear flow conditions, with the highest maximum displacement of 1.18 diameters seen for the shear parameter of 0.05. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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14 pages, 3350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-Based Evaluation of the 3D-Printed Recycled-PETG Tensile Strength

by Lazaros Firtikiadis, Anastasios Tzotzis, Panagiotis Kyratsis and Nikolaos Efkolidis

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 924-937; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040051 - 4 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 909

Abstract

In this research, an investigation related to the tensile testing of 3D-printed specimens, under different fabrication parameters, is presented. The control samples were fabricated using Recycled-PETG: EVO (NEEMA3D™, Athens, Greece). It consists of recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) raw material, already used in industry, modified so that it becomes filament and can be printed again. More specifically, the parameters set to be studied are the percentage of infill, the speed and the type of infill. Both infill density and printing speed have three value levels, whereas for the infill pattern, two types were selected. Two sets of 18 specimens each were fabricated, with respect to the different parameter combinations. Through the results of the tests, the maximum tension of each specimen was obtained separately. Of the three parameters defined, it was found that the most important are the type of infill (44.77%) and the percentage of infill (24.67%). Speed (13.22%) did not strongly affect the strength of the specimens. In conclusion, the empirical model developed was considered reliable in terms of the value of the squared error, R-sq(pred) (97.72%), but also of the rest of the resulting analysis residual graphs (through the full factorial design). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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16 pages, 6457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Damage Value of Aluminum Alloys—Application of a Continuum Damage Mechanics Model

by Vishavbandhu Kanwar, Vishwanath Managuli and Y. S. Upadhyaya

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 908-923; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040050 - 1 Dec 2024

Viewed by 829

Abstract

Damage refers to the degradation of a material subjected to an external condition such as loading, temperature, and environment. Several investigations have been undertaken to understand the damage of materials like steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, and other materials. However, a comprehensive study on the range of damage values for various materials is scarce. Therefore, an attempt has been made in the current study to investigate the range of damage values of 32 aluminum alloys because of their widespread applications in the aerospace, railway, automotive, and marine industries. The damage value of materials is determined by incorporating the Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM)-based Bhattacharya and Ellingwood model. This model demands the monotonic properties of materials as inputs, and these are obtained from the literature. The critical damage values of the alloys were determined, and their values vary in the range of 0.1 to 0.9. It was observed that damage value is primarily influenced by plastic strain. The variation in the damage value of aluminum alloys is also analyzed under different plastic strain conditions. The comprehensive results of critical damage value and the variation in the damage value of the aluminum alloys obtained helps in selecting an appropriate aluminum alloy for applications where damage criteria play a significant role. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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31 pages, 5965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Silico Benchmarking of Fatigue Life Estimation Models for Passive SMD Solder Joints Under Thermal Cycling

by Antal Bakonyi, Gusztáv Fekete and Ambrus Zelei

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 877-907; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040049 - 25 Nov 2024

Viewed by 872

Abstract

Related to microelectronics’ reliability, lifetime estimation methods have gained importance, especially for surface-mounted devices. The virtual testing of electronic assemblies necessitates the geometry modeling and finite element analysis of the solder joint. The effect of the simplification of the solder geometry on the predicted lifetime is an open question. Furthermore, there is still not yet straightforward guidance for the choice of the material model and fatigue lifetime model. In this study, the impact of the geometry input method, the material model and the lifetime model choice is investigated on two different surface-mounted capacitors in a simulation-based benchmark analysis under thermal cyclic loading. Four different types of solder geometry modeling approaches are compared, among which one is a physics-based approach. Ten different fatigue models founded on plastic and viscoplastic material models are benchmarked. The results show that the component standoff height and the solder volume have a positive effect on the lifetime, while the capacitor size has a slightly negative effect on the lifetime. The results also suggest that approximate geometries can be used to replace the physics-based model with a restriction for the minimum standoff height. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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17 pages, 3959 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the 3D Printing Fabrication Parameters on the Tensile Properties of Carbon-Based Composite Filament

by Prodromos Minaoglou, Anastasios Tzotzis, Nikolaos Efkolidis and Panagiotis Kyratsis

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(4), 745-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5040041 - 24 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1705

Abstract

In this study, the effect of certain 3D printing conditions on the tensile strength of 3D-printed specimens was investigated. The printing material was CARBON: PLUS (NEEMA3D™, Athens, Greece), which consists of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PET-G) reinforced with 20% carbon fiber. All samples were printed with a closed-type, large-format Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. Before printing the samples, three parameters related to the 3D printing settings were selected in order to vary their values (flow = the flow of the material, wall = the total thickness of the wall, and layer = the thickness of the print layer). Each parameter was given three different values for experimentation. In this study, all 27 possible combinations of variable parameters were fabricated. Each experiment was repeated twice, and from the test results, the maximum tensile strength was obtained for each specimen separately. From the results of the measurements, the most critical parameter appeared to be the height of the layer. The other two variable parameters, the flow and wall, locally affected the strength of the specimens. Later, an empirical model was developed according to the full factorial design for each combination of values. Finally, the R-sq (pred) value achieved was equal to 97.02%, and together with the residual analysis performed, the accuracy of the proposed maximum tensile strength mathematical model was proven. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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20 pages, 8762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Moment-Resisting Glulam Beam-End Connection Utilizing Mechanically Fastened Steel Rods—An Experimental Study

by Cory Hubbard and Osama (Sam) Salem

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(2), 260-279; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5020016 - 29 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1457

Abstract

A new moment-resisting mass timber connection was designed based on the principles of force equilibrium in applied mechanics. The connection configuration utilizing two mechanically fastened threaded steel rods embedded into the end of a glulam beam section was experimentally investigated in this study. A gradually increasing transverse load was applied to the free end of a cantilevered beam, causing a bending moment on the beam-end connection until failure. Four different connection configurations were examined, each replicated twice to verify results. The beam connection parameters investigated were rod anchorage length (200 and 250 mm) and square washer size (38.1 and 50.8 mm). Test results show that increasing the washer size increased the connection bending strength by increments more significantly than those due to increasing the rod anchorage length. However, the connection configurations with the smaller-size washer, which failed mainly due to wood crushing under the washer, had higher ductility ratios than those with the larger-size washer, which failed due to steel rod yielding. In a real-life scenario, a structural element such as a glulam beam is usually loaded to approximately 50% to 70% of its design capacity, considering a reasonable margin of safety. The study estimates a maximum possible bending moment utilization factor for the strongest connection configuration that ranged between 34% and 48% compared to the maximum moment resistance of a supported glulam beam spanning an average length of 4.0 m to 6.0 m (a common span length in framed timber buildings) and has a cross-section size same as the one utilized in this study. This utilization factor is quite large for a timber connection, and thus, confirms a considerable moment-resisting capability of the new configuration developed in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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Review

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55 pages, 11197 KiB

Open AccessReview

State-of-the-Art Navigation Systems and Sensors for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)

by Md Mainuddin Sagar, Menaka Konara, Nate Picard and Kihan Park

Appl. Mech. 2025, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech6010010 - 2 Feb 2025

Viewed by 774

Abstract

Researchers are currently conducting several studies in the field of navigation systems and sensors. Even in the past, there was a lot of research regarding the field of velocity sensors for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). UUVs have various services and significance in the military, scientific research, and many commercial applications due to their autonomy mechanism. So, it’s very crucial for the proper maintenance of the navigation system. Reliable navigation of unmanned underwater vehicles depends on the quality of their state determination. There are so many navigation systems available, like position determination, depth information, etc. Among them, velocity determination is now one of the most important navigational criteria for UUVs. The key source of navigational aids for different deep-sea research projects is water currents. These days, many different sensors are available to monitor the UUV’s velocity. In recent times, there have been five primary types of sensors utilized for UUV velocity forecasts. These include Doppler Velocity Logger sensors, paddlewheel sensors, optical sensors, electromagnetic sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. The most popular sensing sensor for estimating velocity at the moment is the Doppler Velocity Logger (DVL) sensor. DVL sensor is the most fully developed sensor for UUVs in recent years. In this work, we offer an overview of the field of navigation systems and sensors (especially velocity) developed for UUVs with respect to their use with tidal current sensing in the UUV setting, including their history, evolution, current research initiatives, and anticipated future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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30 pages, 3072 KiB

Open AccessReview

Residual Stresses in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Products and Their Measurement Techniques: A Systematic Review

by Fakada Dabalo Gurmesa, Hirpa Gelgele Lemu, Yosef Wakjira Adugna and Mesfin Demise Harsibo

Appl. Mech. 2024, 5(3), 420-449; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech5030025 - 10 Jul 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2999

Abstract

This literature review provides an in-depth exploration of the research conducted on residual stresses (RS) in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) products, particularly focusing on how process parameters influence the phenomenon. The motivation of the study is the growing focus on WAAM technology and the observation that RS plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical behavior and structural integrity of WAAM components. Thus, the review is intended to provide a better understanding of the relationship between process parameters and RS to optimize the WAAM process and ensure the durability of the final products. It also summarizes key findings, measurement techniques, challenges, and future directions in this evolving field. The review also analyzes measurement techniques used to characterize RS in products fabricated by WAAM as a function of process parameters. Experimental measuring techniques and numerical analysis of RS to determine the impacts of RS in mechanical responses in products of WAAM were discussed. Experimental measuring techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction (ND), contour and ND, digital image correlation, thermomechanical coupling and contour, and hole-drilling methods, along with numerical simulations like finite element analysis, are discussed to determine the impacts of RS on the mechanical responses of WAAM products. Additionally, it addresses the influence of thermal cycles, cooling rates, and deposition strategies on RS formation. The role of material properties, such as thermal conductivity and expansion coefficients, in RS development is also considered. By offering a comprehensive overview of current research trends and insights, this review serves as a valuable resource to guide future investigations, fostering the advancement of WAAM as a robust and efficient manufacturing technology. The review also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches combining experimental and numerical methods to tackle the complex issues of RS in WAAM, aiming to enhance the performance and reliability of additively manufactured components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Career Scientists’ (ECS) Contributions to Applied Mechanics (2nd Edition))

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