Polymer matrix composites are widely used as structural components in the aerospace industry and wind turbine industry etc. to take advantage of their unique mechanical properties and weight saving ability. Although there have been considerable developments in analyzing delamination growth and effects of voids on certain mechanical properties of composites, none of the present literatures investigates the effects of voids on delamination growth under compression. In this research, a parametric study is performed to investigate the effects of voids on delamination growth in composite laminates under compression. In composite structures, delamination would be created by eccentricities in structural load path, structural discontinuities, and during manufacturing and maintenance processes. Also, the service damage such as the impact of foreign objects may also result in delamination. In the Finite Element model developed, a through-width surface delamination is assumed, and void is placed in critical locations ahead of crack tip. Strain Energy Release Rate (SERR) is calculated by the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) in order to study the delamination growth. It is found that the delamination front experiences a mixed-mode delamination behavior when local out-of-plane buckling occurs. During the loading, Mode II SERR increases monotonically while Mode I SERR increases first and then decreases as the delamination front starts to close. Meanwhile, Mode II SERR is found to be much larger than the Mode I component. The presence of void does not significantly alter the transverse displacement of the delaminated part. However, the presence of void increases the Mode II SERR, as well as the total SERR, and this increase depends on the size and location of void. For Mode I SERR, the effect of void is not that prominent.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The fracture of ductile materials is currently regarded as a complex and challenging phenomenon to characterise and predict. Recently, a bond-based, non-local theory was formulated called the peridynamic theory, which is able to directly solve solid mechanics problems that include fracture. The failure criterion is governed by a critical stretch relation between bonds. It was found in literature that the critical stretch relates to the popular fracture mechanics parameter called the critical energy release rate for predicting brittle linear-elastic failure. It was also proposed that the non-linear critical energy release rate or J-integral can be used to model ductile failure using peridynamics. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the validity of using the J-integral to determine the critical stretch for predicting ductile failure. Standard ASTM fracture mechanics tests on Compact Tension specimens of Polymethyl methacrylate, stainless steel 304L and aluminium 1200H4 were performed to determine the critical energy release rates and non-linear Resistance-curves. Furthermore, a novel peridynamic-based algorithm was developed that implements a critical energy release rate based failure criterion and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measured full surface displacement fields of cracked materials. The algorithm is capable of estimating and mapping both the peridynamic damage caused by brittle cracking and damage caused by plastic deformation. This approach was used to validate the use of an energy release rate based failure criterion for predicting linear-elastic brittle failure using peridynamics. Also, it showed a good correlation among the test results for detecting plastic damage in the alloys when incorporating the respective J-integral derived critical stretch values. Additionally, Modified Arcan tests were performed to obtain Mode I, Mode II and mixed Mode fracture load results of brittle materials. Mode I peridynamic models compared closely to test results when using the Mode I critical energy release rate, derived critical stretch and served as validation for the approach. Moreover, it was argued that Mode I failure criteria cannot in principle be used to model shear failure. Therefore, it was proposed to rather use the appropriate Mode II and mixed Mode critical energy release rates to predict the respective failures in peridynamics. Also, for predicting ductile failure loads it was found that using a threshold energy release rate derived from the R-curve yielded considerably more accurate failure load results compared to the usage of the critical energy release rate, i.e. J-integral. In this thesis it was shown that there exists great potential for detecting and characterising cracking and failure by using a peridynamic-based approach through coupling DIC full displacement field measurements and the critical energy release rate of a particular structural material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Duktiele breeking van materiale word tans beskou as 'n kompleks- en uitdagende fenomeen om te voorspel en te karakteriseer. 'n Binding-gebaseerde, nie-lokale teorie is onlangs geformuleer, genaamd die peridinamika teorie. Die laasgenoemde stel ons in staat om soliede meganiese probleme met krake direk op te los. Die falings kriterium word bemagtig deur die kritiese strekfaktor tussen verbindings. Daar was bewys dat die kritiese strekfaktor in verband staan met die popul^ere breek meganika parameter, genaamd die kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers vir die voorspelling van bros line^ere-elastiese faling. 'n Onlangse verklaring meen dat die kritiese strekfaktor vir duktiele falingsgedrag, bereken kan word met die nie-line^ere kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers, beter bekend as die J- integraal. Die doel van hierdie tesis was om te meet hoe geldig die gebruik van die J-integraal is om die kritiese strekfaktor te bereken, om sodoende duktiele breking te ondersoek. Standaard ASTM breukmeganika toetse op Polimetilmetakrilat, vlekvrye staal 304L en aluminium 1200H4 is uitgevoer om die kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers en Weerstandskurwes te bepaal. Verder was 'n nuwe peridinamies-gebaseerde algoritme ontwikkel. Die laasgenoemde implementeer die berekening van 'n kritiese strekfaktor, gebaseer op die kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers, sowel as Digitale Beeld Korrelasie (BDK) vol oppervlaks-verplasings veld metings van gebreekte materiale. Dit is in staat om die peridinamiese skade te bereken, tesame met die beeld wat veroorsaak was van bros krake en plastiese vervorming in duktiele materiale. Hierdie benadering is aangewend om die gebruik van 'n vrylatings-energie-koers gebaseerde falings kriterium vir bros line^ere-elastiese falings in peridinamika te bekragtig. 'n Goeie korrelasie tussen toets resultate is ook gevind vir die opsporing van skade wat veroorsaak is deur plastiese deformasie in die legerings waar die onderskeilike J-integrale gebruik was as falings kriteria. Daarbenewens, was Verandere Arcan toetse uitgevoer om die Modes I, Modes II en gemenge Modes falingsresultate te verkry. Die Modes I peridinamiese model het goed vergelyk met die toetsresultate en het gedien as bekragtiging vir die falingsbenaderings. Verder was dit aangevoer dat Modes I falings kriterium in beginsel nie gebruik kan word om skuiffaling te modelleer nie. Dus was dit voorgestel om eerder die toepaslike Modes II en gemengde Modes kritieke vrylatings-energie-koerse te gebruik om onderskeie falings te voorspel in peridinamiese modelle. Dit was ook gevind dat vir die voorspelling van duktiele falingslaste die drumpel vrylatings-energie-koers, wat verkrygbaar is vanaf die Weerstands-kurwe, aansienlik meer akkurate resultate gee, in vergelyking met die gebruik van die kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers, m.a.w. die J-integraal. In hierdie tesis was dit gewys dat daar groot potensiaal bestaan vir die opsporing en karakterisering van krake en falings met 'n peridinamies-gebaseerde benadering, deur dit te skakel met BDK vol verplasings veld metings en die kritiese vrylatings-energie-koers van 'n bepaalde strukturele materiaal.

No description available.

Significant energy savings can be achieved by improving efficiency of water removal in the press section of a paper machine, rather than energy-intensive evaporative dryer cans. Impulse drying is a novel technology to remove water from the sheet in the press section by using a heated press roll. Delamination is a major challenge to be overcome before impulse drying can be implemented successfully. Delamination is caused by a region of high temperature liquid water under high pressure in the press. Upon exiting the nip, the pressure drops and the high temperature water flashes to steam. If the expansion of the steam is too strong, the bonds between the fibers will fail and a blister will form. The formation of this blister is characteristic of delamination. The goal of this project was to understand the internal mechanics of a wet web as it exits the nip of an impulse dryer. In this way, the components of the sheet can be tailored to open the operating window of impulse drying. A mathematical model, developed to describe the deflection and delamination of an elastic membrane, was utilized in this work. Three failure criteria were employed to represent delamination of this pliable membrane from the more rigid sub layers in the sheet. The experimental portion of this effort was devoted to showing the validity of these models and which was the best fit. A series of experiments were employed to validate the model. A peel test was used to determine the amount of work needed to pull a membrane from a rigid substrate. Pressurized blister experiments were conducted to find the relationship between critical pressure and initial defect size. The predictions from the mathematical model were then compared to these experimental values. Finally, work was done to understand the physics of the delamination of a porous membrane.

Abstract The interface crack of an IC package is easily existed under vibration, high temperature or collision. Its reliability will be reduced significantly for the existence of the crack. This study, therefore, is to investigate the fracture mechanism of the underfill/substrate interface with different crack length. In this study, mixed mode fracture of the underfill/substrate interface, was investigated by single lap tension test. Based on the load-displacement curve, J integral, energy release rate and stress intensity factor were calculated. Moreover, the relationships among the stress intensity facto KI, KII and phase angle were also derived.

No description available.

No description available.

The matrix cracking transverse to loading direction is usually one of the most common observations of damages in composite laminates. The initiation and propagation of transverse cracks have been a longstanding issue in the last few decades. In this paper, a three-dimensional stress analysis method based on the state space approach is used to compute the stresses, including the inter-laminar stresses near transverse cracks in laminated composites. The stress field is then used to estimate the energy release rate, from which the initiation and propagation of transverse cracking are predicted. The proposed method is illustrated by numerical solutions and is validated by available experimental results. To the best knowledge of the authors, the predictions of crack behaviour for non-symmetrical laminates and laminates subject to in-plane shearing are presented for the first time in the literature.

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of complex geometries on the burning rate of materials made using additive manufacturing. Controlling heat release rate has applicability in limiting fire hazards as well as for designing fuels for optimal burning rate. The burning rate of a structure is a function of the material properties as well as the airflow through it, which is dictated by the geometry. This burning rate is generally proportional to the porosity for objects in which the flow is limited by the path constriction. The relations between porosity and burning rate are well studied for wood cribs, which are layers of wood sticks. Crib and other objects with various geometric features were constructed of ABS plastic and coal powder using additive manufacturing processes. A cone calorimeter using oxygen calorimetry was used to measure the heat release rate of the crib specimens. Within the flow limited burning regime, the burning rate of an object is proportional to the porosity factor. Porosity factors calculated from a 1-D theoretical burn rate model as well as from two empirical models were found to correlate the heat release rate results for the crib samples. The heat release rate results of the complex geometries generally correlated to the same porosity factor; however, the model was modified to account for differences between regularly shaped cribs and objects with different sized flow areas. Using the empirical models provides good correlation for the crib burning data and gives a clearer delineation between the flow-limited and surface area controlled regimes. / Master of Science

Chronic diseases can often be managed by constantly delivering therapeutic amounts of drug for prolonged periods. A controlled release for extended duration would replace the need for multiple and frequent dosing. Local drug release would provide added benefit as a lower dose of drug at the target site will be needed as opposed to higher doses required by whole body administration. This would provide maximum efficacy with minimum side effects. Nonetheless, a problem with the known implantable drug delivery devices is that the delivery rate cannot be controlled, which leads to drug being released in an unpredictable pattern resulting in poor therapeutic management of patients. This dissertation is the result of development of an implantable drug delivery system that is capable of long-term zero order local release of drugs. The device can be optimized to deliver any pharmaceutical agent for any time period up to several years maintaining a controlled and desired rate. Initially significant efforts were dedicated to the characterization, biocompatibility, and loading capacity of nanoporous metal surfaces for controlled release of drugs. The physical characterization of the nanoporous wafers using Scanning electron microscropy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy techniques (AFM) yielded 3.55 x 10⁴ nm³ of pore volume / μm² of wafer surface. In vitro drug release study using 2 - octyl cyanoacrylate and methyl orange as the polymer-drug matrix was conducted and after 7 days, 88.1 ± 5.0 % drug was released. However, the initial goal to achieve zero order drug release rates for long periods of time was not achieved. The search for a better delivery system led to the design of a perforated microtube. The delivery system was designed and appropriate dimensions for the device size and hole size were estimated. Polyimide microtubes in different sizes (125-1000 μm) were used. Micro holes with dimensions ranging from 20-600 μm were fabricated on these tubes using photolithography, laser drilling, or manual drilling procedures. Small molecules such as crystal violet, prednisolone, and ethinyl estradiol were successfully loaded inside the tubes in powder or solution using manual filling or capillary filling methods. A drug loading of 0.05 – 5.40 mg was achieved depending on the tube size and the drug filling method used. The delivery system in different dimensions was characterized by performing in vitro release studies in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.1-7.4) and in vitreous humor from the rabbit’s eye at 37.0 ± 1.0°C for up to four weeks. The number of holes was varied between 1 and 3. The tubes were loaded with crystal violet (CV) and ethinyl estradiol (EE). Linear release rates with R²>0.9900 were obtained for all groups with CV and EE. Release rates of 7.8±2.5, 16.2±5.5, and 22.5±6.0 ng/day for CV and 30.1±5.8 ng/day for EE were obtained for small tubes (30 μm hole diameter; 125 μm tube diameter). For large tubes (362-542 μm hole diameter; 1000 μm tube diameter), a release rate of 10.8±4.1, 15.8±4.8 and 22.1±6.7 μg/day was observed in vitro in PBS and a release rate of 5.8±1.8 μg/day was observed ex vivo in vitreous humor. The delivery system was also evaluated for its ability to produce a biologically significant amounts in cells stably transfected with an estrogen receptor/luciferase construct (T47D-KBluc cells). These cells are engineered to produce a constant luminescent signal in proportion to drug exposure. The average luminescence of 1144.8±153.8 and 1219.9±127.7 RLU/day, (RLU = Relative Luminescence Units), yet again indicating the capability of the device for long-term zero order release. The polyimide device was characterized for biocompatibility. An automated goniometer was used to determine the contact angle for the device, which was found to be 63.7±3.7degreees indicating that it is hydrophilic and favors cell attachment. In addition, after 72 h incubation with mammalian cells (RAW 267.4), a high cell distribution was observed on the device’s surface. The polyimide tubes were also investigated for any signs of inflammation using inflammatory markers, TNF-α and IL-1β. No significant levels of either TNF-α or IL-1β were detected in polyimide device. The results indicated that polyimide tubes were biocompatible and did not produce an inflammatory response. / text