Low Velocity Impact Behavior of Glass Filled Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Engine Components
This paper concerns automotive parts located underneath the engine and in particular the engine oil pan. Classically made of stamped steel or cast aluminum, new developments have allowed the manufacture oil pans with polyamide 66 reinforced by 35% weight of short glass fiber. However, polyamides have some limitations and the most significant is their response to localized impact loading. The nature of the impact considered here is of a typical stone collected from the road and projected into the oil pan. Low velocity impact investigations were carried out using a gas gun and drop weight tower. The study shows that the design of the oil pan has a significant contribution in the shock absorption. In addition to the material properties, the geometry and the ribbing both cleverly combined, increase the impact resistance of the component significantly. Areas of oil pan design improvement have been identified and conclusions drawn.
Damage initiation and propagation in composite shells subjected to impact
Abstract The paper investigates the impact-induced damage initiation and propagation for laminated composite shells under low-velocity impact. A three-dimensional eight-node non-conforming element is described to analyze interlaminar stress distribution, and progressive failure. The damage analysis is performed by using Tsai–Wu quadratic failure criterion, Tsai’s damage modes and an additional delamination formula at all Gaussian points. The damage modes considered are matrix cracking, fiber breakage and delamination. The progressive failure is expressed by reducing stiffness of the material at all failed Gaussian points. Special attention is centered on curved laminates. Impact energy threshold for the onset of damage and transient damage size are predicted for composite shells. The analyses of the flat and curved laminates are compared for discussing their different damage mechanism. In addition, the influence of the stacking sequence, the thickness and the radius of curvature on damage behavior of composite shells are studied.
Complex thoracic vascular injury repair using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest.
A 61-year-old man with a penetrating injury to the innominate artery, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery at their origins from the aortic arch with associated injuries to both innominate veins and an innominate artery to vein fistula after a single stab wound is described. The patient was managed successfully using cardiopulmonary bypass together with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Presentation and management are discussed.