The problem of damage accumulation in laminated composite materials hasreceived much attention due to their widespread application in the aerospace, automotive,civil, and sports industries. In the aerospace industry, composites are usedto make light weight and efficient structural components. In the Boeing 787, forexample, more than 50% of the structure is made of composite materials. Althoughthere have been significant developments in analyzing cross-ply laminates, none ofthe present approaches provides reasonable predictions for multidirectional laminatesin which intralaminar cracks may form in multiple orientations. Nevertheless, theprediction of damage accumulation and its effect on structural performance is a verydifficult problem due to complexity of the cracking processes.This study presents a synergistic damage mechanics (SDM) methodology to analyzedamage behavior in multidirectional composite laminates with intralaminarcracks in plies of multiple orientations. SDM combines the strengths of micro-damagemechanics (MDM) and continuum damage mechanics (CDM) in predicting the stiffness degradation due to these cracks. The micromechanics is performed on a representativeunit cell using a three-dimensional finite element analysis to calculate thecrack opening displacement accounting for the influence of the surrounding plies, theso-called constraint effect. This information is then incorporated in the CDM formulationdealing with laminates containing cracks in different ply orientations through a `constraint parameter'. Following CDM, a separate damage mode is defined for eachtype of crack and the expressions for engineering moduli of the damaged laminateare then derived in terms of crack density and the constraint parameter. The SDMmethodology is implemented for [0m/±θn/0m/2]s laminates containing cracks in ±θplies. It is then extended to [0m/±θn/90r]s and [0m/90r/±θn]s laminates with cracksadditionally in the 90°-plies. The predictions agree well with published experimentaldata as well as independent FE computations. Limited parametric studies areperformed to show usability of SDM for more general laminates.To predict the initiation and growth of intralaminar cracks, an energy basedmodel is proposed in which these cracks initiate and multiply when the work requiredto form new set of cracks exceeds a laminate dependent critical energy release rate.The approach requires determination of average crack opening and sliding displacementsat varying crack spacing. This task is performed through a suitable 3-D FEanalysis. In case of off-axis ply cracking, a mixed mode fracture criterion is utilized,where the critical energy release rates in normal and shear modes are determinedby fitting the damage model with the experimental data for a reference laminate.The predictions from the model for [0/± θ4/01/2]s and [0/90/ ± 45]s laminates showremarkable agreement with the experimental results.The methodology and the results covered in this dissertation will be of interest tomechanics of materials researchers as well as to engineers in industry where compositematerials for structural applications are of interest.

The problem of damage accumulation in laminated composite materials hasreceived much attention due to their widespread application in the aerospace, automotive,civil, and sports industries. In the aerospace industry, composites are usedto make light weight and efficient structural components. In the Boeing 787, forexample, more than 50% of the structure is made of composite materials. Althoughthere have been significant developments in analyzing cross-ply laminates, none ofthe present approaches provides reasonable predictions for multidirectional laminatesin which intralaminar cracks may form in multiple orientations. Nevertheless, theprediction of damage accumulation and its effect on structural performance is a verydifficult problem due to complexity of the cracking processes.This study presents a synergistic damage mechanics (SDM) methodology to analyzedamage behavior in multidirectional composite laminates with intralaminarcracks in plies of multiple orientations. SDM combines the strengths of micro-damagemechanics (MDM) and continuum damage mechanics (CDM) in predicting the stiffness degradation due to these cracks. The micromechanics is performed on a representativeunit cell using a three-dimensional finite element analysis to calculate thecrack opening displacement accounting for the influence of the surrounding plies, theso-called constraint effect. This information is then incorporated in the CDM formulationdealing with laminates containing cracks in different ply orientations through a `constraint parameter'. Following CDM, a separate damage mode is defined for eachtype of crack and the expressions for engineering moduli of the damaged laminateare then derived in terms of crack density and the constraint parameter. The SDMmethodology is implemented for [0m/±θn/0m/2]s laminates containing cracks in ±θplies. It is then extended to [0m/±θn/90r]s and [0m/90r/±θn]s laminates with cracksadditionally in the 90°-plies. The predictions agree well with published experimentaldata as well as independent FE computations. Limited parametric studies areperformed to show usability of SDM for more general laminates.To predict the initiation and growth of intralaminar cracks, an energy basedmodel is proposed in which these cracks initiate and multiply when the work requiredto form new set of cracks exceeds a laminate dependent critical energy release rate.The approach requires determination of average crack opening and sliding displacementsat varying crack spacing. This task is performed through a suitable 3-D FEanalysis. In case of off-axis ply cracking, a mixed mode fracture criterion is utilized,where the critical energy release rates in normal and shear modes are determinedby fitting the damage model with the experimental data for a reference laminate.The predictions from the model for [0/± θ4/01/2]s and [0/90/ ± 45]s laminates showremarkable agreement with the experimental results.The methodology and the results covered in this dissertation will be of interest tomechanics of materials researchers as well as to engineers in industry where compositematerials for structural applications are of interest.

La conception de réservoirs composites sans liner pour les lanceurs spatiaux nécessite d’étudier la relation entre endommagement et perméabilité dans les matériaux composites stratifiés pour proposer des solutions répondant à la fois aux critères fonctionnels de résistance et de taux de fuite. L’objectif de cette étude est de fournir une description pertinente de l’évolution de l’endommagement à l’échelle mésoscopique (i.e. à l’échelle du pli) et des réseaux de fissures en résultant afin de prédire l’apparition de fuites à travers les composites stratifiés. Pour ce faire, la démarche mise en œuvre combine modélisation de l’évolution de l’endommagement et essais mécaniques et de perméabilité. Dans un premier temps, des procédures expérimentales spécifiques s’appuyant sur des observations par microscopie optique et par microtomographie sous chargement de traction sont proposées pour caractériser les interactions et l’agencement entre les endommagements des différents plis en termes de seuil de fissuration, de longueur et de position relative des fissures mésoscopiques. Ensuite, pour caractériser la percolation des fissures qui transforme des réseaux de fissures en chemins de fuite, une méthode de mesure de la perméabilité et deux dispositifs expérimentaux sont proposés pour réaliser des mesures de perméabilité sur des tubes sous chargement mono-axial d’une part et bi-axial proportionnel ou non d’autre part. Pour les deux chapitres expérimentaux, des résultats obtenus pour différents stratifiés carbone époxy mis en œuvre par placement de fibres automatisé sont présentés. Enfin, un modèle d’endommagement multi-échelles basé sur les énergies de fissurations est introduit pour décrire les cinétiques des endommagements mésoscopiques, et des pistes de réflexion pour le développement d’un méso-modèle de prédiction des densités de points de fuite sont données. / The design of liner-less composite pressure vessels for spatial launchers requires studying the relation between damage and permeability in laminates in order to offer solutions which fulfill strength and leak rate requirements. This study aims at providing a relevant description of damage growth and the resultant network at the meso-scale for leakage prediction. To do so, damage growth modelling is coupled with mechanical and permeability characterization. Two mains issues are addressed: crack network formation, by characterizing and modeling the growth and organization of cracks, and percolation and its effects on permeability, which is addressed by permeability measurement and leak path quantification. Several experimental methods based on optical microscopy and micro-tomography observations under tensile loading are proposed. These methods aim at evaluating the damage interaction and pattern of different plies in terms of cracking threshold, cracks length and relative location. Besides, two experimental setups are proposed to assess permeability evolution and percolation of cracks in pipes submitted to mono-axial or bi-axial loading. The results obtained for several carbon epoxy laminates manufactured by Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) are presented. At last, a multi-scale damage model based on energy release rates and finite fracture mechanics is introduced and key issues for developing a damage meso-model dedicated to the prediction of leak path density are established.

Continuous casting represents 96% of all steel products made worldwide. To cast new alloys, optimal process parameters must be determined that reduce quality issues. Traditionally, this is a time-consuming and expensive process due to the need to run multiple casting trials. Alternatively, numerical models can be used to help guide development of optimal process parameters. In this thesis, a 3D thermal-solute-mechanical finite element model has been created using the THERCAST software to simulate the casting process of a new advanced high strength steel grade at Stelco’s Lake Erie Works facility. The model represents the caster from mould to exit, and takes into account heat transfer from the mould, sprays, rolls, and ambient air. The model has been extensively validated using plant measurements from steel shim trials and pyrometer data. The model is used to investigate the evolution of temperature and shell thickness along the cast length, and the effect of spray cooling and casting speed on the surface temperature at unbending to predict transverse cracking during secondary cooling. It was found that the susceptibility to cracking increased with lower casting speed and increased water spray cooling. Increasing the casting speed had a negligible effect, and it was found to decrease with decreasing water spray cooling. This decreased water spray cooling is also accompanied by an increase in metallurgical length, so further work is required to determine appropriate safety factors to ensure the steel is completely solidified. However, preliminary results of solute and mechanical models are also presented. Further work is required to improve the predictions made by these simulations. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

No description available.

Le mécanisme d'endommagement le plus facilement observable lors d'un essai de traction est la micro-fissuration des plis. Ces fissures sont parallèles à la direction des fibres et s'étendent sur toute l'épaisseur du pli. L'apparition et la croissance du nombre de ces fissures engendrent une réduction progressive de la rigidité globale du composite. Lorsque le composite est sollicité mécaniquement, les concentrations de contraintes en pointe de fissures peuvent favoriser la création d'une zone où le pli fissuré et le pli adjacent sont décollés (phénomène de délamination). Il est évident que l'apparition de cette nouvelle forme d'endommagement modifiera la dépendance de l'ouverture et du glissement des lèvres des fissures avec le chargement appliqué. Il est donc nécessaire de trouver un moyen de mesure permettant l'estimation expérimentale des valeurs de l'ouverture moyenne et du glissement moyen des lèvres des fissures. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est de caractériser l'endommagement des matériaux composites (Fibre de carbone/époxy et fibre de verre/époxy) utilisés dans le domaine aéronautique. En utilisant l'interférométrie de speckle (ESPI), des mesures de plein champs de déplacements aux bords des échantillons et dans différentes couches du stratifié ainsi que des études par élément finis ont été effectuées dans le but de calculer l'ouverture et le glissement des lèvres des fissures. L'effet des propriétés élastiques des matériaux sur l'endommagement aussi bien que l'effet d'interaction entre les fissures ont été déterminés. Une discussion essais/calculs est enfin réalisée afin de juger la validité des hypothèses retenues / The macroscopic failure of composite laminates subjected to tensile increasing load is preceded by initiation and evolution of several microdamage modes. The most common damage mode and the one examined in this thesis is intralaminar cracking in layers. Due to this kind of microdamage the laminate undergoes stiffness reduction when loaded in tension. The degradation of the elastic properties of these materials is caused by reduced stress in the damaged layer which is mainly due to two parameters: crack opening displacement (COD) and crack sliding displacement (CSD). The first objective of this thesis is to investigate the effect of crack interaction on COD using FEM and to describe the identified dependence on crack density in a simple and accurate form by introducing an interaction function dependent on crack density. The application of this function to more complex laminate lay-ups is demonstrated. All these calculations are performed assuming that cracks are equidistant. Using FEM, we assume linear elastic material with ideal crack geometry. Fiber bridging over the crack surface is possible which can affect COD and CSD. The only correct way to validate these assumptions is through experiments. The second objective is to measure these parameters for different laminate lay-ups in this way providing models with valuable information for validation of used assumptions and for defining limits of their application. In particular, the displacement field on the edge of a [90/0]s and [903/0]s carbon fiber/epoxy laminates specimens with multiple intralaminar cracks in the surface layer is studied

No description available.

The need for modern transportation systems together with the high demand for sustainable pavements under applied loads have led to a great deal of research on concrete pavements worldwide. Development of finite element techniques enabled researchers to analyse the concrete pavement under a combination of axle group loadings and environmental effects. Consequently, mechanistic approaches for designing of concrete pavements were developed based on results of finite element analyses. However, unpredictable failure modes of concrete pavements associated with expensive maintenance and rehabilitation costs have led to the use of empiricalmechanistic approach in concrete pavement design. Despite progressive knowledge of concrete pavement behaviour under applied loads, concrete pavements still suffer from deterioration due to crack initiation and propagation, indicating the need for further research. Cracks can be related to fatigue of the concrete and/or erosion of materials in sub-layers. Although longitudinal, midedge and corner cracks are the most common damage modes in concrete pavements, Austroads method for concrete pavement design was developed based on traditional mid-edge bottom-up transverse cracking introduced by Packard and Tayabji (1985). Research presented in this thesis aims to address the most common fatigue related distresses in concrete pavements. It uses comprehensive finite element models and analyses to determine the structural behaviour of concrete pavements under vehicular loads and environmental effects. Results of this research are supported by laboratory tests and an experimental field test. Results of this research indicate that the induced tensile stresses within the concrete pavement are significantly affected by vehicle speed, differential temperature gradient and loss of moisture content. Subsequently, the interaction between the above mentioned factors and concrete damage modes are discussed. Typical dynamic amplifications of different axle groups are presented. A new fatigue test setup is also developed to take into consideration effects of pavement curvature on fatigue life of the concrete. Ultimately, results of the research presented in this thesis are employed to develop a new guide for designing concrete pavements with zero maintenance of fatigue damage.