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In this work, the cohesive zone model (CZM) developed by some of the authors to simulate the propagation of fatigue defects in two dimensions is extended in order to simulate the propagation of defects in 3D. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

The procedure has been implemented in the finite element (FE) solver (Abaqus) by programming the appropriate software-embedded subroutines. Part of the procedure is devoted to the calculation of the rate of energy release per unit, G, necessary to know the growth of the defect.

The model was tested on different joint geometries, with different load conditions (pure mode I, mode II pure, mixed mode I/II) and the results of the analysis were compared with analytical solutions or virtual crack closure technique (VCCT).

The possibility to simulate the growth of a crack without any re-meshing requirements and the relatively easy possibility to manipulate the constitutive law of the cohesive elements makes the CZM attractive also for the fatigue crack growth simulation. However, differently from VCCT, three-dimensional fatigue de-bonding/delamination with CZM is not yet state-of-art in FE softwares.

This paper outlines a new technology for creating adhesive bonds that can be broken at end‐of‐life. Also describes its potential application in the automotive industry, particularly for glazing application.

This study aims to use carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates to strengthen the compression flange of structural I-beam so as to avoid local failure of compression flange and to take a load to its full capacity. Light weight beam (LB) 100 at 5.1 kg/m and LB 115 at 8.1 kg/m are used for this purpose. The compression flange of a beam is well prepared to ensure a rust-free surface so as to achieve proper bonding between the flange and fiber sheet to avoid de-bonding at the time of testing. A flange of the beam is strengthened using CFRP sheets applied to it with the help of adhesive. The beam with CFRP is cured in air for 48 h before testing. Experiments are performed in a loading frame of 100 T capacity. Results show that the load carrying capacity of the strengthened beam increased by 25-30 per cent compared to the control beam (non-strengthened), and the local failure of the compression flange due to the applied load is totally avoided. The elastic behavior of the strengthened beam is also increased compared to the non-strengthened beam, which gives a higher yield point.

Different methods exist for strengthening various structures. Use of CFRP appears to be an excellent solution. Vast research has been conducted on the use of CFRP for strengthening and retrofitting of steel structures. The load carrying capacities of steel beams can be increased by strengthening their compression flange by using CFRP and avoiding the local failure of beams at early stages.

The load carrying capacity of a beam strengthened with CFRP increased by 25-30 per cent compared to the non-strengthened beam. In addition, the elastic behavior of the strengthened beam is also improved.

The compression flange of the steel beam is strengthened using different layers of CFRP strips to avoid the local failure, and its deflection is observed using linear variable deformation transducer.

Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites are being widely used in industry, but the fundamental understanding of their properties is still limited. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively study the effects of carbon fiber content on the tensile strength of continuous carbon fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (CCFRPLA) fabricated through additive manufacturing using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process.

The strength of these materials is highly dependent on the interface that forms between the continuous fiber and the plastic. A cohesive zone model is proposed as a theoretical means to understand the effect of carbon fiber on the tensile strength properties of CCFRPLA. The interface formation mechanism is explored, and the single fiber pulling-out experiment is implemented to investigate the interface properties of CCFRPLA. The fracture mechanism is also explored by using the cohesive zone model.

The interface between carbon fiber and PLA plays the main role in transferring external load to other fibers within CCFRPLA. The proposed model established in this paper quantitatively reveals the effects of continuous carbon fiber on the mechanical properties of CCFRPLA. The experimental results using additively manufacturing CCFRPLA provide validation and explanation of the observations based on the quantitative model that is established based on the micro-interface mechanics.

The predict model is established imagining that all the fibers and PLA form a perfect interface. While in a practical situation, only the peripheral carbon fibers of the carbon fiber bundle can fully infiltrate with PLA and form a transmission interface. These internal fibers that cannot contract with PLA fully, because of the limit space of the nozzle, will not form an effective interface.

This paper theoretically reveals the fracture mechanism of CCFRPLA and provides a prediction model to estimate the tensile strength of CCFRPLA with different carbon fiber contents.

A popular façade treatment for buildings in Hong Kong is tile cladding. It is used for the majority of low and high‐rise residential buildings and the less expensive office developments in lower grade business districts. Mosaic and ceramic tiles are generally durable, versatile, waterproof and need little maintenance. However, tile defects such as dislodgement and water penetration can affect buildings that are only a few years old. The paper examines the typical causes of tiling defects and the range of repair methods that are being adopted in Hong Kong.

Nano‐imprint forming (NIF) is a manufacturing technology capable of achieving high resolution, low‐cost and high‐throughput fabrication of fine nano‐scale structures and patterns. The purpose of this paper is to use modelling technologies to simulate key process steps associated with the formation of patterns with sub‐micrometer dimensions and use the results to define design rules for optimal imprint forming process.

The effect of a number of process and pattern‐related parameters on the quality of the fabricated nano‐structures is studied using non‐linear finite element analysis. The deformation process of the formable material during the mould pressing step is modelled using contact analysis with large deformations and temperature dependent hyperelastic material behaviour. Finite element analysis with contact interfaces between the mould and the formable material is utilised to study the formation of mechanical, thermal and friction stresses in the pattern.

The imprint pressure, temperature and the aspect ratio of grooves which define the pattern have significant effect on the quality of the formed structures. The optimal imprint pressure for the studied PMMA is identified. It is found that the degree of the mould pattern fulfilment as function of the imprint pressure is non‐linear. Critical values for thermal mismatch difference in the CTE between the mould and the substrate causing thermally induced stresses during cooling stage are evaluated. Regions of high stresses in the pattern are also identified.

Design rules for minimising the risk of defects such as cracks and shape imperfections commonly observed in NIF‐fabricated nano‐structures are presented. The modelling approach can be used to provide insights into the optimal imprint process control. This can help to establish further the technology as a viable route for fabrication of nano‐scale structures and patterns.

This paper aims to study the benefits of use of bi-adhesive (combination of two different adhesives) over conventional single adhesive in bonded lap joints. Characterise damage severity due to cohesive and adherent failure as feedback for operating load levels that assist in developing damage tolerance design of the adhesively bonded joints.

Single lap joint where the adherent plate is made up of aluminium alloy joined together with bi-adhesives is analysed. The nature of adhesives ranges from brittle, elastic-plastic, moderately ductile to largely ductile. Numerical analysis is performed considering the material and geometric non-linear behaviour of the joint. The optimum bond ratio of bi-adhesives and the effect of the location of adhesive on the stress distribution are studied. The cohesive zone modelling (CZM) is adopted to account for the cohesive failure of the joint. The adherent plate failure is also addressed by modelling and studying the behaviour of the crack at different locations in the plate using modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI).

The results obtained from the stress analysis show some important characteristic behaviour of the bi-adhesive joint. Although bi-adhesive is expected to result in improved joint strength, the purpose gets defeated if a brittle adhesive is used at the corners and ductile adhesive at the middle. The joint strength based on CZM, evaluated for a single adhesive, is in good comparison with the experimental results from the literature. Also, the location of the crack in the adherent plate plays a significant role in the failure of the joint.

Estimating joint strength for the bi-adhesive model using CZM and evaluating damage severity in the presence of de-bond and crack in the bi-adhesive lap joint model assists in developing robust damage tolerance design models of such joints.

The Lack of Penetration (LoP) defect is one of the flaws that can be generated during the friction stir welding (FSW) process. Depending on the size, the depth and the severity of the LoP defect, it is possible that it is hardly detectable by optical inspection or other NDT methods. Whether detectable or not, this defect may lead to a significant degradation of the fatigue properties of the welded material, as the improperly welded zone can act as a fracture initiation site. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this experimental investigation, an attempt is made to assess and compare the fatigue behavior of FSW aluminum joints with and without the LoP defect.

It was found that the LoP defect affects the fatigue behavior of the welded material at high stress levels whereas the effect diminishes with decreasing stress levels.

Depending on the design stress levels, the LoP defect may dominate fracture and thus, the welding parameters should be carefully selected so as to avoid such defect.

Poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK), a specialty polymer, does not have any tribo‐utility as a bearing material in a virgin form since it exhibits quite a high coefficient of friction (μ) and stick‐slip behavior. The present paper seeks to deal with the adhesive wear behavior of series of PEEK composites based on inclusion of short fibers of glass (GF) and carbon (CF) and solid lubricants such as Polytetrafluoroethylene and graphite. The studies are focused to examine the role of these ingredients on enhancing PV limit, which is an indication of utility of a tribo‐polymer in severe operating conditions.

The Adhesive wear studies were performed on a pin on disc machine fabricated for high speed, load and temperature conditions. A composite pin slid over a disc of mild steel under two selected sliding speeds (2 and 3 m/s) for an hour. The load was varied in each experiment till the pin showed failure. The performance assessment was done based on multiple parameters such as magnitude of μ and its fluctuations with time, specific wear rate, PV limit, compatibility with the counterface, etc. PV limit was judged by observing either sudden increase in μ or wear rate (or both), deformation of the pin or change in the color of the disc.

It was observed that the neat PEEK exhibited very high and fluctuating μ with very low P‐V limit value (150 Nm/s) and high wear rate (2 × 10⁻¹⁴ m³/Nm). Inclusion of 30 percent CF benefited the strength properties but not the tribo‐performance appreciably. Composite D with a combination of GF (25 percent) and solid lubricants (30 percent) excelled in performance with a wide margin. The highest PV limit along with the lowest μ and lowest wear rate and counterface friendliness proved it to be most promising bearing material for the selected harsh operating conditions.

The composite D, which worked better than the commercial composite in almost all the selected operating conditions, indicates its commercial potential as a bearing grade material for high PV conditions.

Synergism between reinforcement and solid lubricants in right amount led to excellent friction and wear performance which was very well analysed based on worn surface topography.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of reinforced fiber length over material‐plastic energy of deformation, clogging, crystallinity, and correlates with the friction and wear behavior of polypropylene (PP) composites under multi‐pass abrasive condition. Also to identify wear mechanisms of glass fiber reinforced PP materials under various abrasive grit sizes and normal loads.

Multi‐pass abrasive wear tests were performed for unreinforced, short, and long glass fiber reinforced PP (LFPP) on a pin on disc machine under three different normal loads and two different abrasive grit sizes for a constant sliding velocity. Measured wear volume was correlated with the plastic energy of deformation by carrying out a constant load indentation test using servo hydraulic fatigue test system. Clogging behavior of test materials was examined with the aid of online wear measurement and wear morphology. Test materials crystallinity was estimated with the aid of X‐ray diffraction investigation and correlated with abrasive wear performance.

Fiber reinforcement in a PP material is found to improve the plastic deformation energy and crystallinity which results in improved abrasive resistance of the material. Increase in reinforced fiber length is found to improve the material cohesive energy and hence the wear resistance. Reinforcement is found to alter the material clogging behavior under multi‐pass condition. Fiber reinforcement is found to reduce the material coefficient of friction, and increase in reinforced fiber length further reduces the frictional coefficient.

Friction wear tests using pin on disc equipment is carried out in the present investigation. However, in practice, part geometry may not be always equivalent to simple pin on disc configuration.

The paper's investigation results could help to improve the utilization of LFPP material in many structural applications.

Influence of reinforced fiber length over multi‐pass abrasive wear performance of thermoplastic material, and online wear measurement to substantiate clogging behavior is unique in the present multi‐pass abrasive investigation.