Dans un contexte de vulnérabilité militaire des sous-marins, les ingénieurs et chercheurs doivent être capables de prédire le comportement des structures fissurées. Ainsi, la modélisation de la transition des changements de modes de propagation de fissure (cisaillement-traction et inversement) des métaux sous sollicitations extrêmes devient un outil incontournable ou essentiel. Des critères tridimensionnels de direction de propagation de fissure développés pour une rupture par cisaillement ou par ouverture sont exposés. Des formules de direction de propagation semi-analytiques et analytiques, fonctions des facteurs d’intensité des contraintes et du coefficient de Poisson, sont ainsi proposées. L’interprétation de ces formules laisse envisager la prise en compte des effets tridimensionnels dans de futures simulations 3D de propagation de fissure. Une étude du problème en deux dimensions est également développée, proposant une formule analytique du critère en cisaillement. De plus un algorithme automatique de transition cisaillement-traction a été implémenté dans le code de calcul de dynamique explicite Europlexus, développé par le CEA. Une méthodologie d’identification des paramètres du modèle pour un matériau donné et pour un cas quasi-statique a été proposée. Confronté à l’interprétation de deux expériences connues de propagation dynamique (expériences de Kalthoff et de Ravichandran), le modèle proposé a montré sa pertinence. De plus, afin de mieux connaître le comportement à rupture de l’acier à Haute Limite Élastique Soudable, deux études expérimentales dédiées au suivi de la propagation dynamique d’un front de fissure ont été développées et validées sur des essais de rupture sous chargement quasi-statique et dynamique de type choc. Cette étude expérimentale a permis d’observer que les branchements de fissures, relevés sur les essais sous chargement quasi-statique, n’apparaissent plus sous chargement dynamique et pour des sollicitations en mode I pur. Les méthodes théoriques et numériques développées dans ces travaux de thèse permettent donc de simuler, automatiquement et avec un unique modèle, les changements de modes de rupture au cours d’une propagation dynamique de fissure. De plus, les protocoles expérimentaux exposés dans ce manuscrit permettent d’appréhender les phénomènes de transition cisaillement-traction en soulevant l’importance de la vitesse de sollicitation et du mode de sollicitation de l’essai. / We propose an approach to the simulation of the shear-tensile transition in dynamic crack growth based on two points: a new crack propagation criterion which is suitable for shear, and an algorithm which is capable of handling the transition from shear mode to tensile mode and back in the same simulation. The new crack propagation criterion for brittle crack growth is based on the maximum shear stress rather than the maximum hoop stress. The shear stress direction becomes the new crack’s direction in which propagation is initiated for shear-type failure. The stress state at the crack’s tip is obtained through a local approach which can be used even in the case of extensive plasticity. Additionally, we propose to control the transition from shear mode to tensile mode during the simulation of crack propagation using an equivalent strain estimated at the crack’s tip. Depending on a threshold strain, the propagation direction is predicted using the maximum shear stress (in the shear case) or the maximum hoop stress (in the tensile case).

The aim of the Diploma Thesis is to discuss the creation of material models for the forming technology in quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions and to practically propose a methodology of modeling the mechanical behavior of the selected material for dynamic load conditions using the Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar Test. The presented work contains an overview and analysis of individual experimental methods with the influence of the strain rate in terms of the extent of their suitability, the analysis of the plastic deformation mechanism, an overview of the mathematical mechanical behavior models for the materials used for technological practice and the evaluation of the mechanical behavior of stainless steel according to ČSN 41 7348 in terms of flat formability incl. evaluation of microstructure, fractographic analysis and evaluation of results from ferromagnetism measurement of steel after dynamic loading.

The PhD thesis deals with the influence of temperature and strain rate on the mechanical behaviour of the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy. After verification tests under static loading conditions, the samples were deformed at high strain rates and elevated temperatures, using device for Hopkinson pressure bar test. The result is dependence of stress and strain rate on strain in the temperature range of 20 to 500°C. The deformed shape of specimen from the Taylor anvil test is compared with the results of the simulation in the Ansys – LS Dyna software. The parameters of Johnson-Cook equation were determined from these experiments. Also, the influence of loading conditions on the microstructure was studied. Both optical and scanning electron microscopes were used for the observations. During the research, some adjustments to the experimental devices were made in order to suppress the high-frequency components and noise in the recorded pulses. A functional tensile test adapter for the Hopkinson test was developed; it is registered under No. 2007/008 at the Technology Transfer Office of BUT.

Structure-property quantification of an A36 steel alloy was the focus of this study in order to calibrate and validate a plasticity-damage model. The microstructural parameters included grain size, particle size, particle number density, particle nearest neighbor distances, and percent of ferrite and pearlite. The mechanical property data focused on stress-strain behavior under different applied strain rates (0.001/s, 0.1/s, and 1000/s), different temperatures (293 K and 573 K), and different stress states (compression, tension, and torsion). Notch tension tests were also conducted to validate the plasticity-damage model. Also, failure of an A36 I-beam was examined in cyclic loads, and the crack growth rates were quantified in terms of fatigue striation data. Dynamic strain aging was observed in the stress-strain behavior giving rise to an important point that there exists a critical temperature for such behavior.

Dynamic testing provides valuable insight into the behavior of materials undergoing fast deformation. During Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar testing, stress waves are measured using strain gauges as voltage variations that are usually very small. Therefore, an amplifier is required to amplify the data and analyze it. One of the few available amplifiers designed for this purpose is provided by Vishay Micro-Measurements which limits the user’s options when it comes to research or industry. Among the challenges of implementing the Hopkinson technology in the industry are the size and cost of the amplifier. In this work, we propose a novel design of a signal conditioning amplifier that provides the following functionalities: voltage excitation for strain gauges, wide gain range (1-1000), signal balancing, shunting, and filtering. The main objective is to make a smaller and cheaper amplifier that provides equivalent or better performance allowing larger application of the Hopkinson technology in the industry.

The principal aims of this research have been the development of photogrammetric techniques for the measurement of anisotropic deformation in uniaxially loaded cylindrical specimens. This has been achieved through the use of calibrated cameras and the application of edge detection and multiple view geometry. The techniques have been demonstrated at quasi-static strain rates, 10^-3 s^-1, using a screw-driven loading device and high strain rates, 10^3 s^-1, using Split Hopkinson Bars. The materials that have been measured using the technique are nearlyisotropic steel, anisotropic cross-rolled Ti-6Al-4V and anisotropic clock-rolled commercially pure Zr. These techniques allow the surface shapes of specimens that deform elliptically to be completely tracked and measured in situ during loading. This has allowed the measurement of properties that could not have been recorded before, including true direct stress and the ratio of transverse strains in principal material directions, at quasi-static and elevated strain rates, in tension and compression. The techniques have been validated by measuring elliptical prisms of various aspect ratios and independently measuring interrupted specimens using a coordinate measurement machine. A secondary aim of this research has been to improve the characterisation of the anisotropic mechanical properties of cross-rolled Ti-6Al-4V using the techniques developed. In particular, the uniaxial yield stresses, hardening properties and the associated anisotropic deformation behaviour along the principal material directions, have all been recorded in detail not seen before. Significant findings include: higher yield stresses in-plane than in the through-thickness direction in both tension and compression, and the near transverse-isotropy of the through-thickness direction for loading conditions other than quasi-static tension, where significant anisotropy was observed.

Carbon nanotubes, graphene and nano sized core shell rubber particles have all been extensively researched for their capability to improve mechanical properties of thermoset resins. However, there has been a lack of research on their evaluation for energy absorption in high velocity impact scenarios, and the fundamental mechanics of their failure mechanisms during highly dynamic stress transfer through the matrix. This fundamental research is essential for laying the foundation for improvement in ballistic performance in composite armor. In hard armor applications, energy absorption is largely accomplished through delamination between plies of the composite laminate. This energy absorption is accomplished through two mechanisms. The first being the elongation of the fiber reinforcement contained in the resin matrix, and the second is the propagation of the crack in between the discreet fabric plies. This research aims to fundamentally study the energy absorption characteristics of various nano-particles as reinforcements in thermoset resin for high velocity impact applications. Multiple morphologies will be evaluated through use of platelet, tubular and spherical shaped nano-particles. Evaluations of the effect on stress transfer through the matrix due to the combination of nano sized and micro scale particles of milled fiber is conducted. Three different nano-particles are utilized, specifically, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, and core shell rubber particles. The difference in surface area, aspect ratio and molecular structure between the tube, platelet and spherical nano-particles causes energy absorption through different failure mechanisms. This changes the impact performance of composite panels enhanced with the nanoparticle fillers. Composite panels made through the use of dispersing the various nano-particles iv in a non-contact planetary mixer, are evaluated through various dynamic and static testing, including unnotched cantilever beam impact, mixed mode fracture toughness, split-Hopkinson bar, and ballistic V50 testing. The unnotched cantilever beam testing showed that the addition of milled fiber degraded the impact resistance of the samples. Addition of graphene nano platelets unilaterally degraded impact resistance through the unnotched cantilever beam testing. 1.5% loading of MWCNT showed the greatest increase in impact resistance, with a 43% increase over baseline. Determining the critical load for mixed mode interlaminar shear testing can be difficult for composite panels that bend without breaking. An iterative technique of optimizing the coefficient of determination, R2 , in linear regression is developed for objectively determining the point of non-linearity for critical load. This allows for a mathematical method of determination; thereby eliminating any subjective decision of choosing where the data becomes non-linear. The core shell rubber nano particles showed the greatest strain energy release rate with an exponential improvement over the baseline results. Synergistic effects between nano and micro sized particles in the resin matrix during transfer of the stress wave were created and evaluated. Loadings of 1% milled carbon fiber enhanced the V50 ballistic performance of both carbon nanotube and core shell rubber particles in the resin matrix. However, the addition of milled carbon fiber degrades the impact resistance of all nano-particle enhanced resin matrices. Therefore, benefits gained from the addition of microsized particles in combination with nano-sized particles, are only seen in high energy impact scenarios with micro second durations. v Loadings of 1% core shell rubber particles and 1% milled carbon fiber have an improvement of 8% in V50 ballistic performance over the baseline epoxy sample for 44 mag single wad cutter gas check projectiles. Loadings of 1% multi-walled carbon nanotubes with 1% milled carbon fiber have an improvement of 7.3% in V50 ballistic performance over the baseline epoxy sample. The failure mechanism of the various nano-particle enhanced resin matrices during the ballistic event is discussed through the use of scanning electron microscope images and Raman spectroscopy of the panels after failure. The Raman spectroscopy data shows a Raman shift for the fibers that had an enhancement in the V50 performance through the use of nano-particles. The Raman band for Kevlar® centered at 1,649 cm-1 stemming from the stretching of the C==O bond of the fiber shows to be more sensitive to the residual axial strain, while the Raman band centered at 1,611 cm-1 stemming from the C-C phenyl ring is minimally affected for the CSR enhanced panels due to the failure mechanism of the CSR particles during crack propagation.