Statistical Investigation of Parameters Influence on Fracture Toughness of the Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites
The objective of the work was to investigate statistical analysis of fracture toughness of the glass fiber reinforced composites at different stacking sequences, strain rate and crack length. The glass reinforced vinylester composites prepared by hand layup technique with stacking sequences of 0/90, 45/-45 and chopped strand orientations. 3- point bending for fracture toughness test for various notch depth ratio's as per linear elastic fracture mechanics concept was conducted. Further the initial notch depth method was adopted to find the critical stress intensity factor KIC for the given notch depth ratio. Design of experiment using Taguchi L9 array was formulated to understand the influence of parameters on fracture toughness. The result of surface methodology showed the stacking sequence of (45/- 45/0/90/Chopped)3s, with strain rate of 0.5 mm/min and without notch having the highest fracture toughness of 81.36 Mpa
Fracture mechanisms and failure processes at stiffener run-outs in polymer matrix composite stiffened elements
Abstract This paper describes the fractographic analyses of three stringer run-out designs which had been loaded to failure in tension. The main aims of the investigation were to deduce the failure processes in the elements, and to characterise the effect of local geometry of the stringer run-out on the failure process. The analysis showed that the critical failure mechanism in the elements was the development of +45° ply splitting at the skin surface, initially under mode I dominated intralaminar fracture. However, as these splits grew beneath the stringer foot, the mode II component increased. This led to mixed-mode delamination growth, extending parallel to the +45° ply, at the skin/adhesive interface. Subsequently, the delamination migrated through the skin via ply splits, ultimately reaching the interface between the second and third (−45°/0°) plies, in which it remained until catastrophic failure. Extending and tapering the stringer foot led to shifting of the site of the +45° ply splitting; this was attributed to in-plane tensile stresses in the skin being inhibited in the modified designs. The reduced out-of-plane support on the stiffener foot in the modified designs led to an increase in the mode I component at the delamination from the stringer tip. It also led to an increase in the degree of multi-plane delamination growth. Based on the fractographic observations, recommendations for modelling the elements were suggested.
Experimental investigation of the geotechnical properties and microstructure of lime-stabilized saline soils under freeze-thaw cycling
Abstract The Song-Nen Plain in northeastern China holds one of the three largest expanses of soda saline-alkali soil in the world. Due to its disadvantageous geotechnical properties, the saline soil in this area is unable to meet the needs of construction projects. This study evaluates the stabilizing effect of adding lime to such soils. Specifically, it investigates how the physicochemical and mechanical properties and microstructure of soda saline-alkali soil are altered by lime and how these changes are affected by both freeze-thaw cycling and the duration of curing. The results reveal that adding lime to saline soil transforms clay particles into sand and silt particles and causes the pore size distribution (PSD) to become bimodal, with small-pore and macropore populations. An increase in lime content leads to an increase in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) but a gradual decrease in both the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and plastic index. Freeze-thaw cycles break up coarse particles and aggregate finer particles, increasing the diameter of macropores and decreasing the USC; however, the effect on specimens with >9% lime is negligible. It is further shown that the geotechnical properties of the soil change immediately after the addition of lime, indicating that the cation exchange reaction takes place very quickly. Furthermore, the pozzolanic reaction leads to an increase in the percentage of sand-sized particles and a decrease in porosity after 28 days of curing. Overall, these results indicate that it is feasible to use lime to improve the engineering properties of soda saline-alkali soil in this area.