In this dissertation, four distinct but in some ways related topics, mostly related to experimental and theoretical investigations of friction and adhesion of elastomeric materials, are presented. First, an experimental and theoretical study of the interaction between elastic beams and granular media under compressive loading is performed. Buckling loads of beams with different dimensions and boundary conditions within granular media of different depths and grain sizes are measured, and theoretically approximated using the Ritz energy approach, based on the concept of beam on an elastic foundation. Several nondimensional parameters and a scaling law are derived to characterize different interaction regimes between the beams and granular support. The findings from this work is believed to be helpful for improved understanding of interactions between elastic beams and surrounding elastic foundation with applications to piles, oil pipelines, and robotic needle insertion into soft tissues. Second, the role of axial compliance on the friction of extensible strips is investigated. Significant changes were observed in the static and kinetic friction of strips, when the effective axial compliance was changed. The underlying causes of the changes in the frictional response are explained and quantitatively predicted using an extended shear lag model. We believe that this study provides insights into the effect of axial compliance on the frictional response of materials, paving the way for design and optimization of systems where the static and kinetic friction forces play an important role. Third, the effect of normal force and rate on the kinetic friction of two different elastomers, namely acrylic and silicone-based elastomers is evaluated. A custom-built pendulum test setup was used to perform the friction test in dynamic conditions. Two substantially different responses with respect to the change in normal force were observed and the role of different contributions to the frictional response of viscoelastic materials, i.e. bulk hysteresis friction, adhesion friction, and cohesion friction, are discussed. Different scenarios such as modifying the surface by using graphite powder, reducing test velocity, and also performing drop tests to characterize the surface hysteresis of the elastomers, were considered to further explore the origin of frictional responses of the elastomers. This study could improve insights gained from Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) data when obtaining and interpreting the effect of normal force on kinetic COF of elastomers with potential applications to tires, shoes, etc. where friction plays an important role. Last, a generalized scaling law, based on the classical fracture mechanics approach, is developed to predict the bond strength of adhesive systems. The proposed scaling law, which depends on the rate of change of bond area with compliance, is in apparent discrepancy with the previously reported scaling relationship that depends on the ratio of area to compliance. This distinction can have a profound impact on the expected bond strength of systems, particularly when failure mechanism changes or the compliance of the load train is increased. Furthermore, the shear lag model is implemented to derive a closed-form relation for the system compliance and the conditions where the two models deviate from each other are discussed and demonstrated. The results obtained from this approach could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the bond strength and the geometry and mechanical properties of adhesive systems, with applications to different types of adhesive joints such as bio-inspired adhesive, biomedical adhesive tapes, and structural adhesive joints. / Ph. D.

Three series of tests were conducted on a sandwich plate bridge deck, which consisted of two steel plates and an elastomer core. The first series of testing was conducted by applying a static load on a full scale sandwich plate bridge deck panel. Local strains and deflections were measured to determine the panel's behavior under two loading conditions. Next, fatigue tests were performed on the longitudinal weld between two sandwich plate panels. Two connections were tested to 10 million cycles, one connection was tested to 5 million cycles, and one connection was tested to 100,000 cycles. The fatigue class of the weld was determined and an S-N curve was created for the longitudinal weld group. Finally, a series of experiments was performed on a half scale continuous bridge deck specimen. The maximum positive and negative flexural bending moments were calculated and the torsional properties were examined. Finite element models were created for every load case in a given test series to predict local strains and deflections. All finite element analyses were preformed by Intelligent Engineering, Ltd. A comparison of measured values and analytical values was preformed for each test series. Most measured values were within five to ten percent of the predicted values. Shear lag in the half scale bridge was studied, and an effective width to be used for design purposes was determined. The effective width of the half scale simple span sandwich plate bridge deck was determined to be the physical width. Finally, supplemental research is recommended and conclusions are drawn. / Master of Science

Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites are being considered for structural members in bridge construction as lighter, more durable alternatives to steel and concrete. Extensive testing and analysis of a pultruded, hybrid double web beam (DWB) developed for use in bridge construction has been conducted at Virginia Tech. A primary purpose of this testing is the development of a structural design guide for the DWB, which includes stiffness and strength data. The design manual also includes design allowables determined through a statistical analysis of test data. Static testing of the beams, including failure tests, has been conducted in order to determine such beam properties as bending modulus, shear stiffness, failure mode, and ultimate capacity. Measuring and calculating the shear stiffness has proven to be an area of particular interest and difficulty. Shear stiffness is calculated using Timoshenko beam theory which combines the shear stiffness and shear area together along with a shear correction factor, k, which accounts for the nonuniform distribution of shear stress/strain through the cross-section of a structure. There are several methods for determining shear stiffness, kGA, in the laboratory, including a direct method and a multi-span slope method. Herein lays the difficulty as it has been found that varying methods produces significantly different results. One of the objectives of current research is to determine reasons for the differences in results, to identify which method is most accurate in determining kGA, and also to examine other parameters affecting the determination of kGA that may further aid the understanding of this property. This document will outline the development of the design guide, the philosophy for the selection of allowables and review and discuss the challenges of interpreting laboratory data to develop a complete understanding of shear effects in large FRP structural members. / Master of Science

Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να μελετήσει τη μηχανική απόκριση α) απλά τοποθετημένων γραφενίων, 1LG, και β) πρότυπων πολυμερικών πολυστρωματικών νανοσυνθέτων, n-LG, κατά την εφαρμογή μονοαξονικών παραμορφώσεων μέσω της Φασματοσκοπίας Raman. Τα εξεταζόμενα n-LG παρασκευάστηκαν με την μέθοδο της μηχανικής αποφλοίωσης και τοποθετήθηκαν πάνω σε πολυμερικό υπόστρωμα χρησιμοποιώντας κολλητική ταινία. Η διατριβή χωρίζεται σε τρία μέρη α) στη φασματοσκοπία Raman των n-LG, β) στην απόκριση των n-LG υπό μονοαξονικές εφελκυστικές και θλιπτικές παραμορφώσεις, κάμπτοντας το πολυμερικό υπόστρωμα και γ) στην μεταφορά τάσης από το υπόστρωμα σε ένα ακάλυπτο 1LG. Αποτέλεσμα της φασματοσκοπίας Raman είναι ο προσδιορισμός των συχνοτήτων και των ευρών των χαρακτηριστικών κορυφών G και 2D και πώς αυτά μεταβάλλονται καθώς ο αριθμός των στρώσεων, n, αυξάνεται. Επίσης, παρατηρήθηκε η ύπαρξη παραμένουσας παραμόρφωσης, λόγω της μεθόδου μεταφοράς των n-LG πάνω στο πολυμερικό υπόστρωμα και της μορφολογίας του υποστρώματος. Επιπλέον, η παραμένουσα παραμόρφωση αυξάνεται μετα την επικάλυψη των n-LG από ένα λεπτό πολυμερικό υμένιο, με σκοπό την παρασκευή πρότυπων πολυμερικών νανοσυνθέτων υλικών. Κατά την επιβολή εφελκυστικών παραμορφώσεων τα απλά τοποθετημένα 1LG φαίνεται ότι «γλιστράνε» πάνω στο πολυμερικό υπόστρωμα, σε αντίθεση με τα επικαλυμμένα. Επίσης ο διαχωρισμός της κορυφής G στις συνιστώσες G- και G+, παρατηρείται σε όλα τα 1-, 2- και 3LG πρότυπα πολυμερικά σύνθετα υλικά. Αντιθέτως, ο διαχωρισμός της 2D παρατηρείται μόνο στη περίπτωση του 1LG και εξαρτάται από το μήκος κύματος, την πόλωση της προσπίπτουσας μονοχρωματικής ακτινοβολίας και τον κρυσταλλογραφικό προσανατολισμό του δείγματος με τον άξονα της παραμόρφωσης. Η συμπεριφορά των συχνοτήτων G-, G+ και 2D σε όλα τα πρότυπα πολυμερικά n-LG δείγματα είναι γραμμική με την παραμόρφωση και οι κλίσεις των ευθειών είναι σχεδόν παρόμοιες ~ -50 cm-1/%. Κατά την επιβολή θλιπτικών μονοαξονικών παραμορφώσεων η απόκριση των G και 2D κορυφών είναι μη γραμμικές για όλα τα n-LG. Η συμπεριφορά περιγράφεται από την θεωρία λυγισμού του Euler και η τιμή της κρίσιμης θλιπτική παραμόρφωση που επέρχεται λυγισμός, εc, εξαρτάται από το μέγεθος των εξεταζόμενων πρότυπων πολυμερικών νανοσύνθετών 1-LG. Τέλος, καταγράφηκε η διασπορά της τάσης για μονοαξονική εφελκυστική παραμόρφωση, συλλέγοντας λεπτομερώς φάσματα Raman κοντά στα άκρα ενός απλά τοποθετημένου 1LG. Για μηδενική παραμόρφωση, είναι εμφανές ότι η αποφλοίωση του γραφίτη ή η μορφολογία του υποστρώματος εισαγάγουν θλιπτικές διατμητικές παραμένουσες παραμορφώσεις στο 1LG. Επίσης, σημαντικοί παράμετροι όπως το μήκος που απαιτείται για την μεταφορά τάσης, 1/β, και το μέγιστο της διεπιφανειακής διατμητικής τάσης, ISSmax, που αναπτύσσεται σε κάθε επίπεδο παραμόρφωσης , προσδιορίστηκαν. Το μήκος μεταφοράς τάσης για το 1LG βρέθηκε να είναι μικρότερο του 1μm, και επιπλέον, κατά την επιβολή εφελκυστικής παραμόρφωσης στο υπόστρωμα, η τάση δεν μεταφέρεται 1LG μέσω διεπιφανειακής διάτμησης, αλλά απευθείας μέσω κύριων δυνάμεων. / The purpose of this thesis is to study the mechanical behaviour of a) simple supported graphene flakes, 1LG, and b) model polymeric multilayer graphene nanocomposites, n-LG, during the application of uniaxial strains, through Raman Spectroscopy. The investigated n-LG samples were prepared by the mechanical exfoliation method and are placed on a polymeric substrate by using a scotch tape. The thesis is divided in three parts, a) the Raman spectroscopy of n-LG, b) the response of the n-LG under uniaxial tensile and compressive strains, by bending the polymeric substrate and c) the stress transfer from the substrate to a simple supported 1LG sample. One result of the Raman spectroscopy is the determination of the frequencies and the widths of the G and 2D peaks and the way they shift, while the number of layers, n, is increased. Also, the presence of initial residual strain is observed due to the method that the n-LG are transferred on the polymeric substrate and also the morphology of the substrate. Moreover, the residual strain increases after the covering of the n-LG flakes by a thin polymeric layer, in order to prepare model polymeric nanocomposites materials. During the application of the tensile strains the simple supported 1LG flakes seem to slip on the polymeric substrate, in the contrary of the covered ones. Also, the splitting of the G peak to the G+ and G- components is observed in all 1-,2- and 3LG model polymeric nanocomposites samples. On the other hand, the splitting of the 2D peak is observed only in the cases of 1LG and depends on the excitation wavelength, the polarization of the incident light and the crystal orientation of the flake with respect to the strain axis. The behaviours of the frequencies G+, G- and 2D peaks in all model polymeric n-LG nanocomposites samples are linear with strain and the slopes are almost the same ~ -50cm-1/%. On applying compressive uniaxial strain the response of G and 2D peaks are not linear in all model polymeric n-LG samples and the behaviour is described by the Euler’s buckling theory and the value of the critical buckling strain, εc, depends on the size of the investigated model polymeric nanocomposites1LG. Finally, the stress distribution for uniaxial tensile strains was recorded, by collecting in detailed Raman spectra near the edges of a simple supported 1LG on a polymeric substrate. For zero strain it is obvious that the mechanical exfoliation technique of graphite or the morphology of the substrate induce compressive shear residual strain on the 1LG. Also, important parameters such as the stress – transfer length, 1/β, and the maximum value of interfacial shear , ISSmax, that is developed in each strain level were determined. The stress – transfer length from the 1LG edges found to be less than 1 μm, and moreover, during the application of tensile strain to the substrate, the stress is not transferred to the 1LG through interfacial shear but by direct normal forces.

The high strain rate fiber direction tensile response of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites is of interest in applications where impact damage may occur. This response varies substantially with strain rate. However, physical testing of these composites is difficult at strain rates above 10^-1/s. A Monte Carlo simulation of composite tensile strength is constructed to estimate the tensile behavior of these composites. Load redistribution in the vicinity of fiber breaks varies according to fiber and matrix properties, which are in turn strain rate dependent. The distribution of fiber strengths is obtained from single fiber tests at strain rates ranging from 10^-4/s to 10^-1/s and shifted using the time-Temperature Superposition Principle (tTSP) to strain rates of 10^-4/s to 10^6/s. Other fiber properties are obtained from the same tests, but are assumed to be deterministic. Matrix properties are also assumed to be deterministic and are obtained from mechanical testing of neat matrix material samples. Simulation results are compared to experimental data for unidirectional lamina at strain rates up to 10^-1/s. Above 10^-1/s, simulation results are compared to experimental data shifted using tTSP. Similarly, through-thickness shear response of UHMWPE composites is of interest to support computational modeling of impact damage. In this study, punch shear testing of UHMWPE composites is conducted to determine shear properties. Two test fixtures, one allowing, and one preventing backplane curvature are used in conjunction with finite element modeling to investigate the stress state under punch shear loading and the resulting shear strength of the composite. / Ph. D.

No description available.

No description available.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

The main focus of this research is the transformation induced fatigue behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators undergoing thermally induced martensitic phase transformation. The recent development of aerospace applications employing shape memory alloys (SMAs) has expanded the need for fatigue life characterization and modeling. Lightweight, compact and with a great work output, SMAs are ideal materials for actuated structural components. However, fatigue life becomes a key factor in applications such as commercial airplanes. Therefore, it is necessary to not only perform fatigue testing but also to investigate the causes of fatigue failure. As a new class of materials, SMAs have unique characteristics and require novel test methodologies to conduct repeatable and reliable fatigue testing. For this research, two materials are being investigated: TiNiCu and Ni-rich NiTi. The experiments performed on the first selected alloy, i.e. TiNiCu SMA, explore three major parameters: the applied stress level, the amount of actuation, and the corrosive nature of the environment. Experimental results show that SMAs undergoing transformation induced fatigue exhibit a low-cycle fatigue behavior and the measurement of the accumulated plastic strain at failure is associated to a Manson-Coffin type failure criterion. Investigations conducted on the post-mortem microstructure showed evidence of a multiphysical coupling between corrosion and cyclic phase transformation, from which a novel cyclic damage mechanism is proposed and explained using the micromechanical shear lag model accounting for actuation and accumulated plastic strains. Thereafter, based upon the identified failure mechanism and considering damage accumulation through crack formation, a stress renormalization procedure is proposed in combination with the Miner’s rule to predict the reduction of number of cycles to failure due to cyclic phase transformation and corrosion. A direct method is first presented and the predictions show good agreement with experimental results. However, both corrosion and corrosion-free fatigue data are required. Therefore, a new approach is proposed: the inverse Miner’s rule, which requires corrosion fatigue data only to predict corrosion-free life. The new and attractive properties of the selected second alloy, i.e. Ni-rich NiTi SMA, have revived the motivation of the aerospace industry to design SMA actuators. One particular property is cyclic stability generated by precipitation hardening mechanism using precipitates. However, are also precipitates due to high Nickel content (60 wt.% or 55 at.%). Parameters such as processing, heat treatments, size effects, surface quality and environment are investigated. Thermomechanical response and fatigue life are discussed and the greatest impact is found to come from specimen surface quality. Finally, a detailed fractography presents the different microstructural aspects of the fatigue damage and concludes to a precipitation driven fatigue failure mechanism cause by precipitates.

In Kenntnis der beschriebenen verfahrenstechnischen Einflussfaktoren auf die Struktur und die Eigenschaften der faserverstärkten MMC geht es darum, ein prepregtechnologisches Verfahren für das Herstellen lang- bzw. endlosfaserverstärkter MMC mit Aluminiummatrix zu erarbeiten und die Machbarkeit im Hinblick auf die Reproduzierbarkeit und das Erreichen der prinzipiell möglichen mechanischen Eigenschaftskennwerte nachzuweisen. Es geht darum, den Einfluss der Prozessparameter auf die Struktur der Prepregs und der verdichteten MMC`s zu erfassen und zu bewerten. In Kenntnis dieser Zusammenhänge sind die qualitätsrelevanten Kennwerte der Werkstoffstruktur denen der mechanischen Eigenschaften gegenüberzustellen. In Weiterführung der o.g. Darstellungen zwischen Struktur- und Eigenschaften der Verbundwerkstoffe geht es darum, die experimentell bestimmten Kennwerte der Festigkeit und des E-Moduls auf Übereinstimmung mit den entsprechenden Korrelationsmodellen (Shear Lag Modell, Grenzwert- und Modellkonzept, EIAS-Methode) zu überprüfen. Ferner geht es darum, die Zusammenhänge zwischen den im Modell definierten idealen Gefügebedingungen mit den realen im Hinblick auf deren Einfluss auf die Eigenschaftskennwerte kritisch zu diskutieren. Aufbauend auf den definierten Zielstellungen kann nach der erfolgten Bewertung aller Untersuchungsergebnisse gezeigt werden, dass die entworfene Technologie zur Herstellung langfaserverstärkter Metallmatrix-Verbundwerkstoffe dazu geeignet ist, Fasern mit geringem Durchmesser und hoher Flexibilität (am Beispiel der hochfesten Kohlenstofffasern vom Typ HTA 5131) mit dem ausgewählten Matrixmetall (am Beispiel der AlSi5-Legierung) zunächst zu Prepregs und weiterhin in verdichtete Verbundstrukturen zusammenzuführen. Das vergleichende Gegenüberstellen von Simulation und Experiment dienen einerseits dem Verifizieren der Prozessmodelle. Die Prozessmodelle stellen andererseits die wertvolle versuchstechnische Grundlage zur Definition und auch der Einengung des Arbeitsfensters für die Prozessparameter und der Anzahl erforderlicher Verifikationsexperimente im Hinblick auf die Probebeschichtungen und deren Auswertung dar. Derartige Modelle leisten eine wichtige Hilfestellung zum weiteren Erhöhen der Prozessstabilität und damit auch dem Nachweis der Reproduzierbarkeit. / The aim of this work is a described prepreg-technological method to create aluminium based MMC reinforced with continuous fibres and the verification of reproducibility to achieve relevant mechanical properties. This aim is based on the knowledge of technological influences on structure and properties of fibre reinforced MMC. And so activities are focussed on the evaluation of the influence of process functions on structure and mechanical properties of prepregs and compacted MMC. The comparison between structure and properties is necessary to describe the correlation function of composite material. Furthermore the application of different correlation models (“Shear Lag”, “Grenzwert- Modellkonzept“, “EIAS”) to describe the influence of composite structures on strength and Young`s modulus is necessary to compare theoretical results with those of relevant experiments. The object is a critical quantification of the influence of real structure parameters compared with those of a model defined structure. In view of the described aim it is shown that the described technology to manufacture long fibre reinforced MMC is applicable for preparation of carbon fibres (HTA 5131) with low diameter and high flexibility and metal matrix (AlSi5) to prepregs and compact composites. The comparison of simulated and experimental results is the base for verification of different process models. So it is possible to describe and optimize the process function and moreover to minimize the number of technological experiments. After optimization specified models are a good base to achieve a high level of stability and reproducibility for all steps in prepreg technology.