Search Results (23)

This study explores the low-cycle fatigue characteristics of three structural components fabricated from Ti₂AlNb-based alloys utilizing Seeger’s fatigue life theory and an improved Lemaitre damage evolution model. The validity and accuracy of the simulations based on these theoretical methods are verified by experimental fatigue life tests conducted at high temperatures. Additionally, the potential of employing long short-term memory (LSTM), extreme learning machine (ELM), and partial least squares (PLS) algorithms to predict the high-temperature, low-cycle fatigue life of Ti₂AlNb alloy components is examined. Comparative analyses of the training effectiveness and practical applicability of these machine learning approaches are conducted, demonstrating that ELM exhibits superior predictive capability. This investigation thus provides a practical and efficient predictive methodology for assessing the low-cycle fatigue life of structural components composed of Ti₂AlNb-based alloys. Full article

Steel structures subjected to earthquakes or extreme cyclic loadings may undergo extensive damage and fractures due to ultra-low-cycle fatigue (ULCF). Although assessments of damage initiation and evolution parameters have been carried out for some steels exposed to low-cycle fatigue, so far, these parameters for structural steels exposed to ULCF have neither been sufficiently studied nor quantified. Accordingly, this paper provides the results of finite element analysis (FEA) concerning the ULCF behaviors of S355 and S690 steel specimens. Calibration of the damage parameters is performed in SIMULIA Abaqus 6.11 FEA software using a direct cyclic algorithm and available experimental data. Kliman’s model for the hysteresis energy of cyclic loading is used to analytically verify the damage parameters. In addition, available experimental data were obtained from cyclic axial strain tests on S355 and S690 steel specimens according to the ASTM International standard E606/E606M-21. Finally, the non-linear Chaboche–Lemaitre (C–L) combined isotropic–kinematic hardening model is used for the characterization of the ULCF behavior of S355 steel in a simple cylindrical bar. It is found that the two damage initiation parameters are 5.0 and −0.8, the first damage initiation parameter is dominant when modeling the number of cycles to failure, and the second damage initiation parameter is a material constant. Full article

In cold regions, the extensive distribution of silt exhibits limited applicability in engineering under freeze–thaw cycles. To address this issue, this study employed rice husk carbon and calcium lignosulfonate to stabilize silt from cold areas. The mechanical properties of the stabilized silt under freeze–thaw conditions were evaluated through unconfined compressive strength tests and triaxial shear tests. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was utilized to analyze the mechanisms behind the stabilization. Ultimately, a damage model for rice husk carbon–calcium lignosulfonate stabilized silt was constructed based on the Weibull distribution function and Lemaitre’s principle of equivalent strain. The findings indicate that as the content of rice husk carbon and calcium lignosulfonate increases, the rate of improvement in the compressive strength of the stabilized silt progressively accelerates. With an increase in the number of freeze–thaw cycles, the deviatoric stress of the stabilized soil gradually diminishes; the decline in peak deviatoric stress becomes more gradual, while the reduction in cohesion intensifies. The decrease in the angle of internal friction is relatively minor. Microscopic examinations reveal that as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, the soil pores tend to enlarge and multiply. The established damage model for stabilized silt under freeze–thaw cycles and applied loads demonstrates a similar pattern between the experimental and theoretical curves under four different confining pressures, reflecting an initial rapid increase followed by a steady trend. Thus, it is evident that the damage model for stabilized silt under freeze–thaw conditions outperforms traditional constitutive models, offering a more accurate depiction of the experimental variations observed. Full article

The effect of triaxiality on the evolution of damage in Al-2024 aluminum cylindrical specimens is studied in this work. Uncoupled and coupled damage models, all of them explicitly dependent on triaxiality, are assessed and compared. These models are characterized by tensile tests on cylindrical specimens without notches, to obtain the material parameters for each model. The capability of each model to predict fracture when different positive triaxial conditions evolve is then evaluated through tensile tests on notched cylindrical specimens. In particular, the damage index, evaluated at the fracture strain level, is compared with the experimental results validating the models. Moreover, the triaxiality evolution in the different specimens is studied in order to assess its effect on damage, demonstrating that the fracture strain decreases at greater triaxiality values. Observations through scanning electron microscopy confirm this pattern; i.e., an increase in triaxiality reveals a shift in the fracture mechanism from a more ductile condition in the original specimens to a more brittle one as the notch radius decreases. In addition, bilinear damage evolution is proposed to describe the physical behavior of the material when the Lemaitre coupled model is considered. In such a case, special attention must be devoted to the material characterization since coupling between hardening material parameters and damage affects the results. Full article

A coupled thermomechanical non-ordinary state-based peridynamics (NOSB-PD) model is developed to simulate the dynamic response arising from temperature and to predict the crack propagation with thermal shocks in brittle and ductile solids. A unified multiaxial constitutive model with damage growth is proposed to simultaneously describe the ductile and brittle fracture mechanisms. The main idea is the use of Lemaitre’s model to describe ductile damage behavior and the use of tensile strength instead of yield stress in Lemaitre’s model to describe brittle damage behavior. A damage-related fracture criterion is presented in the PD framework to predict crack propagation, which avoids numerical oscillations when using the traditional bond stretch criterion. To capture the dynamic plastic response induced by thermal shocks, the time and stress integration are achieved by an alternating solving strategy and implicit return-mapping algorithm. Several numerical examples are presented to show the performance of the proposed model. Firstly, a thermomechanical problem simulation based on both the proposed model and the FEM illustrate the accuracy of the proposed model in studying the thermal deformation. Moreover, a benchmark brittle fracture example of the Kalthoff–Winkler impact test is simulated, and the crack path and angle are similar to the experimental observations. In addition, the simulation of ductile fracture under different loads illustrates the effect of temperature on crack propagation. Finally, the simulation of the 2D quenching test shows the ability of the proposed model in predicting crack propagation under thermal shocks. Full article

To study the influence of water–rock interactions on the deterioration of rock, particularly the problems of the complex dissolution mechanism of dolomite and the difficulty in establishing chemical damage, dolomite obtained from a tunnel in Yuxi City was utilized. The macroscopic and microscopic dissolution characteristics of dolomite were analyzed using an indoor dissolution test combined with the hydrochemical characteristics of the study area, which were found to be favorable for dissolution. The dissolution of dolomite indicates the chemical decomposition of dolomite crystals, and the crystal failure mode is divided into intergranular dissolved pores and intracrystalline micropore development. Under various pH conditions, as H + is immersed in the rock sample, the failure mode of the rock sample develops from longitudinal cracks to transverse and longitudinal staggered cracks. Based on the aforementioned conclusions, in addition to the principle of chemical kinetics and the generalized Lemaitre strain equivalence principle, a damage model suitable for dolomite chemical erosion was defined. The fitting degree between the calculated value of uniaxial compressive strength and the experimental value reaches 98%, which is of excellent prediction accuracy and reliability. The model for dolomite chemical damage proposed herein provides a theoretical basis for dolomite dissolution damage; the theory of rock chemical damage is thereby enhanced. Full article

Incorporating masks into building materials offers a potential solution to the environmental threat of disposable masks with promising material performance. However, research on their dynamic properties is lacking to further determine the application range of the new composite. This study addresses this gap by shredding face masks into strips and incorporating them into mortars at varying volume ratios. The integrity and compactness of the mortar was measured and characterized by P-wave velocity, while dynamic compression properties were explored using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system. Subsequently, sieve analysis was conducted on the fractured specimens. The results indicate that incorporating masks generally improves the mortar integrity and the fragmentation after impacting. The dynamic uniaxial compression strength (DUCS) decreased for all mixing designs compared to plain ones under a constant loading rate. Meanwhile, the dissipated energy density showed a similar trend to the P-wave velocity, exhibiting less pronounced enhancement at higher loading rates. According to the dynamic characteristics, a dynamic constitutive model based on the Lemaitre principle and Weibull distribution of damage is developed and validated. The test results are further understood through the perspective of the mechanism of mask inclusion. Full article

In order to improve the utilization rate of coal gangue and expand the application range of coal gangue concrete (CGC), a certain proportion of steel fiber was added to the concrete, and the freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) and flexural tests were used to explore the effects of different mass replacement rates of coal gangue (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and different proportions of the volumetric blending of the steel fiber (0%, 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2%) on the frost resistance of steel fiber-reinforced CGC (SCGC). The governing laws of mass loss rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus and load–midspan deflection curve were obtained on the base of the analysis of testing results. The damage mechanisms of the SCGC under the FTCs were analyzed using the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the Lemaitre’s strain equivalence principle and Krajcinovic’s vector damage theory, a damage evolution model of the SCGC under the FTCs was established by introducing the damage variable of the SCGC satisfying Weibull distribution. The results show an increasing mass loss rate of the SCGC and a decreasing relative dynamic elastic modulus with an increasing mass replacement rate of coal gangue. The proper content of the steel fiber can reduce the mass loss rate of concrete by 10~40% and the relative loss rate of dynamic elastic modulus of concrete by 2~8%, thus significantly improving the ductility and toughness of the concrete. The established damage evolution model is well validated by the experimental results, which further help to improve the modelling accuracy. This study provides key experimental data and a theoretical basis for a wider range of proper utilization of coal gangue in cold regions. Full article

Aiming at the problem of chemical-mechanics-hydro (C-M-H) action encountered by rocks in underground engineering, chemical damage variables, water damage variables, and force damage variables are introduced to define the degree of degradation of rock materials. Stone is selected as the sample for acid corrosion treatment at pH 3, 4, and 7, and a chemical damage factor is defined that coupled the pH value and duration of exposure. Then based on the spatial mobilized plane (SMP) criterion and the Lemaitre strain equivalence hypothesis, this research develops a constitutive model considering rock chemical corrosion-water-confining pressure damage. The proposed damage constitutive model employs the extremum method to ascertain the two Weibull distribution parameters (m and F₀) by theoretical derivation and exhibits satisfactory conformity between the theoretical and experimental curves. The damage constitutive model can be consistent in the stress–strain characteristics of the rock triaxial compression process, which verifies the rationality and reliability of the model parameters. The model effectively represents the mechanical properties and damage characteristics of rocks when subjected to the combined influence of water chemistry and confinement. The presented model contributes to a better understanding of tangible rock-engineered structures subjected to chemical corrosion in underwater environments. Full article

The fatigue damage of a local joint is the key factor accounting for the structural failure of a jacket-type offshore wind turbine. Meanwhile, the structure experiences a complex multiaxial stress state under wind and wave random loading. This paper aims to develop a multi-scale modeling method for a jacket-type offshore wind turbine, in which local joints of the jacket are modeled in a detail by using solid elements, and other components are modeled via the common beam element. Considering the multiaxial stress state of the local joint, multi-axial fatigue damage analysis based on the multiaxial S–N curve is performed using equivalent Mises and Lemaitre methods. The uniaxial fatigue damage data of the jacket model calculated using the multi-scale finite element model are compared with those of the conventional beam model. The results show that the tubular joint of jacket leg and brace connections can be modeled using the multi-scale method, since the uniaxial fatigue damage degree can reach a 15% difference. The comparison of uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue results obtained using the multi-scale finite element model shows that the difference can be about 15% larger. It is suggested that the multi-scale finite element model should be used for better accuracy in the multiaxial fatigue analysis of the jacket-type offshore wind turbine under wind and wave random loading. Full article

The present paper proposes a mathematical development of the plasticity and damage approaches to simulate sheet metal forming processes. It focuses on the numerical prediction of the deformation of the sheet metal during the deep drawing process when a crack appears. Anisotropic plasticity constitutive equations are proposed. A fully implicit integration of the coupling constitutive equations is used and leads to two nonlinear local scalar equations that are solved by Newton’s method. The developed model allows predicting the onset of cracks in sheet metals during cold forming operations. The numerical model is implemented in ABAQUS software using user-defined subroutines, which are VUMAT and UMAT. The accuracy of the anisotropic elastoplastic model fully coupled with ductile damage is evaluated using numerical examples. Full article

The effect of low cycle fatigue (LCF) predamage with no precracks on very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) properties, and crack initiation characteristics for TC21 titanium alloy, was investigated. The results showed that LCF predamage with less than 5% of fatigue life had little influence on fatigue limit, but reduced its fatigue life. Fatigue cracks were initiated on the surface of the specimen at high stress amplitude, whereas fatigue cracks were initiated on the subsurface of the specimens at low stress amplitude. Based on Lemaitre damage theory, a very high/low cycle combined fatigue damage model was established to analyze the fatigue damage process, which was consistent with the experimental data. It was indicated that 5% LCF predamage value was the equivalent damage value, which was close to the critical value of VHCF crack initiation. The fatigue crack initiation of the specimens with LCF predamage less than 5% took up the major components of fatigue life. Full article

Low cycle fatigue (LCF) crack initiation, propagation and damage behaviors of TC21 alloy with basketweave microstructure were investigated. The process of LCF damage was observed by a long-focus optical microscopic imaging system, and fatigue crack propagation was analyzed through in-situ SEM fatigue. The results indicated that LCF crack damage displayed different sensitivity to cyclic stress. LCF microcracks initiated from slip bands and propagated through the microcrack coalescences at high stress, while LCF cracks tended to initiate at the α_L/β interface and connect with these interface microcracks. Furthermore, the LCF damage model was established on the basis of Lemaitre damage theory. When the maximum stress exceeded yield stress, LCF damage increased sharply and fatigue life decreased significantly, which agreed with experiment data. Full article

The nonlinear mechanical behavior of rock significantly influences the design and construction of underground structures. Due to the complexity and diversity of the damage mechanisms of rock, the damage variable directly defined by partial-damage mechanisms is insufficient in reflecting the progressive-failure process of rock comprehensively. So, in this paper, a novel damage variable is introduced into the plastic-strain rate based on the theoretical framework of irreversible thermodynamics to overcome this defect. The general expression is derived according to the least energy dissipation rate principle. The proposed damage variable can represent the irreversible energy dissipation process and has a strictly theoretical basis in mechanics. Moreover, the granite and marble stress-strain curves are simulated and compared with the Lemaitre damage model, Mazars damage model, and statistical damage model. The results show that the form of the proposed damage variable is practical and straightforward and can better reflect the entire stress-strain relationship of rock. Furthermore, the initial value of the inelastic response strain can be given directly through the proposed damage variable. The model presented here can overcome the issue that the current models need to select the damage threshold indirectly or assume it in advance and ensures that the damage evolution characteristics follow the first principle entirely. Full article

To effectively control and predict crack defects in the high-temperature forming process of Cr5 alloy steel, based on the traditional Lemaitre damage model, a new high-temperature damage model of Cr5 alloy steel was proposed which considered the change of material elastic modulus with temperature, the influence of material hydrostatic pressure as well as temperature and strain rate on material damage. Because Cr5 alloy steels are usually forged at high temperatures, tensile testing is an important method to study the damage behaviour of materials. Through the high-temperature tensile test and elastic modulus measurement test of the Cr5 alloy steel, the stress–strain curves and the relationship curves of the elastic modulus value with the temperature of Cr5 alloy steel under different temperatures and strain rates were obtained. A new high-temperature damage model of Cr5 alloy steel was built by introducing the Zener–Hollomon coefficient considering the influence of temperature and strain rate. The established high-temperature damage model was embedded in Forge^® finite element software through the program’s secondary development method to numerically simulate the experimental process of Cr5 alloy steel. Comparing the difference between the displacement–load curves of the numerical simulation and the actual test of the tensile process of the experimental samples, the correlation coefficient R² is 0.987 and the difference between the experimental value and the simulated value of the tensile sample elongation at break is 1.28%. The accuracy of the high-temperature damage model of Cr5 alloy steel established in this paper was verified. Finally, the high-temperature damage map of Cr5 alloy steel was constructed to analyse the variation law of various damage parameters with the temperature and strain rate of the high-temperature damage model of Cr5 alloy steel. Full article