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Based on the random aggregate model of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), this paper aims to focus on the effect of loading rate on the failure pattern and the macroscopic mechanical properties.

RAC is regarded as a five-phase inhomogeneous composite material at the mesoscopic level. The number and position of the aggregates are modeled by the Walraven formula and Monte–Carlo stochastic method, respectively. The RAC specimen is divided by the finite-element mesh to establish the dynamic base force element model. In this model, the element mechanical parameters of each material phase satisfy Weibull distribution. To simulate and analyze the dynamic mechanical behavior of RAC under axial tension, flexural tension and shear tension, the dynamic tensile modes of the double-notched specimens, the simply supported beam and the L specimens are modeled, respectively. In addition, the different concrete samples are numerically investigated under different loading rates.

The failure strength and failure pattern of RAC have strong rate-dependent characteristics because of the inhomogeneity and the inertial effect of the material.

The dynamic base force element method has been successfully applied to the study of recycled concrete.

A mesoscopic phase field (PF) model is proposed to simulate the meso-failure process of lightweight concrete.

The PF damage model is applied to the meso-failure process of lightweight concrete through the ABAQUS subroutine user-defined element (UEL). And the improved staggered iteration scheme with a one-pass procedure is used to alternately solve the coupling equations.

These examples clearly show that the crack initiation of the lightweight concrete specimens mainly occurs in the ceramsite aggregates with weak strength, especially in the larger aggregates. The crack propagation paths of the specimens with the same volume fraction of light aggregates are completely different, but the crack propagation paths all pass through the ceramsite aggregates near the cracks. The results also showed that with the increase in the volume fractions of the aggregates, the slope and the peak loads of the force-deflection (F-d) curves gradually decrease, the load-bearing capacity of the lightweight concrete specimens decreases, and crack branching and coalescence are less likely during crack propagation.

The mesostructures with a mortar matrix, aggregates and an interfacial transition zone (ITZ) are generated by an automatic generation and placement program, thus incorporating the typical three-phase characteristics of lightweight concrete into the PF model.

This paper aims to propose the five-phase sphere equivalent model of recycled concrete, which can be used to deduce the theoretical formulas for the Poisson’s ratio and effective elastic modulus.

At a mesoscopic level, the equivalent model converts the interfacial layer, which consists of the new interfacial transition zone (ITZ), the old mortar and the old (ITZ), into a uniform equivalent medium. This paper deduces a strength expression for the interfacial transition zone at the microscopic level using the equivalent model and elastic theory. In addition, a new finite element method called the base force element method was used in this research.

Through numerical simulation, it was found that the mechanical property results from the five-phase sphere equivalent model were in good agreement with those of the random aggregate model. Furthermore, the proposed model agree on quite well with the available experimental data.

The equivalent model can eliminate the influence of the interfacial layer on the macroscopic mechanical properties, thereby improving the calculation accuracy and computational efficiency. The proposed model can also provide a suitable model for multi-scale calculations.

The purpose of this study is to simulate the tensile and shear types of fractures using the mixed fracture criteria considering the energy evolution based on the dual bilinear cohesive zone model and investigate the dynamic propagation of tensile and shear fractures induced by an impact load in rock. The propagation of tension and shear at different scales induced by the impact load is also an important aspect of this study.

In this study, based on the well-developed dual bilinear cohesive zone model and combined finite element-discrete element method, the dynamic propagation of tensile and shear fractures induced by the impact load in rock is investigated. Some key technologies, such as the governing partial differential equations, fracture criteria, numerical discretisation and detection and separation, are introduced to form the global algorithm and procedure. By comparing with the tensile and shear fractures induced by the impact load in rock disc in typical experiments, the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method are well verified.

The dynamic propagation of tensile and shear fractures in the laboratory- and engineering-scale rock disc and rock strata are derived. The influence of mesh sensitivity, impact load velocities and load positions are investigated. The larger load velocities may induce larger fracture width and entire failure. When the impact load is applied near the left support constraint boundary, concentrated shear fractures appear around the loading region, as well as induced shear fracture band, which may induce local instability. The proposed method shows good applicability in studying the propagation of tensile and shear fractures under impact loads.

The proposed method can identify fracture propagation via the stress and energy evolution of rock masses under the impact load, which has potential to be extended into the investigation of the mixed fractures and disturbance of in-situ stresses during dynamic strata mining in deep energy development.

Tensile property is one basic mechanics performance of the fabric. In general, not only the tensile values of the fabric are needed, but also the dynamic changing process under the tension is also needed. However, the dynamic tensile process cannot be included in the common testing methods by using the instruments after fabric weaving.

By choosing the weft yarn and warp yarn in the fabric as the minimum modeling unit, 1:1 finite element model of the whole woven fabrics was built by using AutoCAD software according to the measured geometric parameters of the fabrics and mechanical parameters of yarns. Then, the fabric dynamic tensile process was simulated by using the ANSYS software. The stress–strain curve along the warp direction and shrinkage rate curve along the weft direction of the fabrics were simulated. Meanwhile, simulation results were verified by comparing to the testing results.

It is shown that there are four stages during the fabric tensile fracture process along the warp direction under the tension. The first stage is fabric elastic deformation. The second stage is fabric yield deformation, and the change rate of stress begins to slow down. The third stage is fiber breaking, and the change of stress fluctuates since the breaking time of the fibers is different. The fourth stage is fabric breaking.

In this paper, the dynamic tensile process of blended woven fabrics was studied by using finite element method. Although there are differences between the simulation results and experimental testing results, the overall tendency of simulation results is the same as the experimental testing results.

Hydrofracturing technology has been widely used in tight oil and gas reservoir exploitation, and the fracture network formed by fracturing is crucial to determining the resources recovery rate. Due to the complexity of fracture network induced by the random morphology and type of fluid-driven fractures, controlling and optimising its mechanisms is challenging. This paper aims to study the types of multiscale mode I/II fractures, the fluid-driven propagation of multiscale tensile and shear fractures need to be studied.

A dual bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM) based on energy evolution was introduced to detect the initiation and propagation of fluid-driven tensile and shear fractures. The model overcomes the limitations of classical linear fracture mechanics, such as the stress singularity at the fracture tip, and considers the important role of fracture surface behaviour in the shear activation. The bilinear cohesive criterion based on the energy evolution criterion can reflect the formation mechanism of complex fracture networks objectively and accurately. Considering the hydro-mechanical (HM) coupling and leak-off effects, the combined finite element-discrete element-finite volume approach was introduced and implemented successfully, and the results showed that the models considering HM coupling and leak-off effects could form a more complex fracture network. The multiscale (laboratory- and engineering-scale) Mode I/II fractures can be simulated in hydrofracturing process.

Based on the proposed method, the accuracy and applicability of the algorithm were verified by comparing the analytical solution of KGD and PKN models. The effects of different in situ stresses and flow rates on the dynamic propagation of hydraulic fractures at laboratory and engineering scales were investigated. when the ratio of in situ stress is small, the fracture propagation direction is not affected, and the fracture morphology is a cross-type fracture. When the ratio of in situ stress is relatively large, the propagation direction of the fracture is affected by the maximum in situ stress, and it is more inclined to propagate along the direction of the maximum in situ stress, forming double wing-type fractures. Hydrofracturing tensile and shear fractures were identified, and the distribution and number of each type were obtained. There are fewer hydraulic shear fractures than tensile fractures, and shear fractures appear in the initial stage of fracture propagation and then propagate and distribute around the perforation.

The proposed dual bilinear CZM is effective for simulating the types of Mode I/II fractures and seizing the fluid-driven propagation of multiscale tensile and shear fractures. Practical fracturing process involves the multi-type and multiscale fluid-driven fracture propagation. This study introduces general fluid-driven fracture propagation, which can be extended to the fracture propagation analysis of potential fluid fracturing, such as other liquids or supercritical gases.

The purpose of this paper is to present experimental investigations on the structural behaviour of composite sandwich panels for civil engineering applications. The performance of two different core materials – rigid plastic polyurethane (PU) foam and polypropylene (PP) honeycomb – combined with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) skins, and the effect of using GFRP ribs along the longitudinal edges of the panels were investigated.

The experimental campaign first included flatwise tensile tests on the GFRP skins; edgewise and flatwise compressive tests; flatwise tensile tests on small‐scale sandwich specimens; and shear tests on the core materials. Subsequently, flexural static and dynamic tests were carried out in full‐scale sandwich panels (2.50×0.50×0.10 m³) in order to evaluate their service and failure behaviour. Linear elastic analytical and numerical models of the tested sandwich panels were developed in order to confirm the effects of varying the core material and of introducing GFRP ribs.

Tests confirmed the considerable influence of the core, namely of its stiffness and strength, on the performance of the unstrengthened panels; in addition, tests showed that the introduction of lateral reinforcements significantly increases the stiffness and strength of the panels, with the shear behaviour of strengthened panels being governed by the ribs. The unstrengthened panels collapsed due to core shear failure, while the strengthened panels failed due to face skin delamination followed by crushing of the skins. The models, validated with the experimental results, allowed simulating the serviceability behaviour of the sandwich panels with a good accuracy.

The present study confirmed that composite sandwich panels made of GFRP skins and PU rigid foam or PP honeycomb cores have significant potential for a wide range of structural applications, presenting significant stiffness and strength, particularly when strengthened with lateral GFRP ribs.

This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied to the analysis of ceramics and glass materials. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations on the subject that were published between 1977‐1998. The following topics are included: ceramics – material and mechanical properties in general, ceramic coatings and joining problems, ceramic composites, ferrites, piezoceramics, ceramic tools and machining, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, applications of ceramic/composites in engineering; glass – material and mechanical properties in general, glass fiber composites, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, and applications of glasses in engineering.

This study aims to evaluate the failure behavior of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) laminate subjected to cyclic loading conditions. It involves experimental investigation and statistical analysis using Weibull distribution to characterize the failure behavior of the GFRE composite laminate.

Fatigue tests were conducted using a tension–tension loading scheme at a frequency of 2 Hz and a loading ratio (R) of 0.1. The tests were performed at five different stress levels, corresponding to 50%–90% of the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Failure behavior was assessed through cyclic stress-strain hysteresis plots, dynamic modulus behavior and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fracture surfaces.

The study identified common modes of failure, including fiber pullouts, fiber breakage and matrix cracking. At low stress levels, fiber breakage, matrix cracking and fiber pullouts occurred due to high shear stresses at the fiber–matrix interface. Conversely, at high stress levels, fiber breakage and matrix cracking predominated. Higher stress levels led to larger stress-strain hysteresis loops, indicating increased energy dissipation during cyclic loading. High stress levels were associated with a more significant decrease in stiffness over time, implying a shorter fatigue life, while lower stress levels resulted in a gradual decline in stiffness, leading to extended fatigue life.

This study makes a valuable contribution to understanding fatigue behavior under tension–tension loading conditions, coupled with an in-depth analysis of the failure mechanism in GFRE composite laminate at different stress levels. The fatigue behavior is scrutinized through stress-strain hysteresis plots and dynamic modulus versus normalized cycles plots. Furthermore, the characterization of the failure mechanism is enhanced by using SEM imaging of fractured specimens. The Weibull distribution approach is used to obtain a reliable estimate of fatigue life.

This paper aims to characterise the hardness, tensile properties, corrosion behaviour and fatigue properties (in air and in a 3.5 per cent NaCl solution) of aluminium 6061-T651 in the as-received and as-welded conditions.

Aluminium 6061-T651 plate material, prepared with double-V or square butt joint preparations was welded using semi-mechanised or mechanised pulsed gas metal arc welding. Magnesium-alloyed ER5356 or ER5183 filler material or silicon-alloyed ER4043 filler wire was used. The material was characterised in the as-supplied and as-welded conditions, and fatigue tests were performed in air and in a 3.5 per cent NaCl solution. The fatigue results were compared to the reference fatigue design curves for aluminium published in Eurocode 9 – Part 1-3.

Significant softening, attributed to the partial dissolution and coarsening of precipitates, grain growth and recrystallisation during welding, was observed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the 6061-T651 welds. During tensile testing, failure occurred in the HAZ of all 6061 welds tested. Welding reduced the room temperature fatigue life of all specimens evaluated. In 6061 welds, failure occurred preferentially in the softened HAZ of the welds. The presence of a corrosive environment (a 3.5 per cent NaCl solution in this investigation) during fatigue testing reduced the fatigue properties of all the samples tested. Corrosion pits formed preferentially at second phase particles and reduced the overall fatigue life by accelerating fatigue crack initiation.

The fatigue properties of welded aluminium structures under dynamic loading conditions have been studied extensively. Welding is known to create tensile residual stresses, to promote grain growth, recrystallisation and softening in the HAZ, and to introduce weld defects that act as stress concentrations and preferential fatigue crack initiation sites. Several fatigue studies of aluminium welds emphasised the role of precipitates, second phase particles and inclusions in initiating fatigue cracks. When simultaneously subjected to a corrosive environment and dynamic loading, the fatigue properties are often adversely affected and even alloys with good corrosion resistance may fail prematurely under conditions promoting fatigue failure. The corrosion-fatigue performance of aluminium welds has not been systematically examined to date.