A FGM layer sandwiched between two isotropic layers weakened by several interface cracks under antiplane loading is studied. This paper examines the modelling of cracks by distribution of strain nuclei along crack lines. In this investigation, the Volterra-type screw dislocation employed between FGM and an elastic layer. To solve the dislocation problem, the complex Fourier transform is applied...

The paper concerns the mechanical performance of continuous fibre/thermosetting polymer matrix composites reinforced in the through-thickness direction with fibrous or metallic rods or threads in order to mitigate against low delamination resistance. Specific illustrations of the effects of microfasteners in reducing delamination crack growth are made for Z-pinned and tufted composites. Respons...

SiC/SiC composites are studied for their potential use in the next generation of nuclear reactors. A multiscale approach is under development to construct a predictive modelling of their complex damageable mechanical behaviour due to their heterogeneous microstructure. This paper focuses on the damage characterisation of the composite at the scale of the tow at room temperature, both in terms o...

In this licentiate thesis the work done in the TURBO POWER project Influence of high temperature hold times on the fatigue life of nickel-based superalloys will be presented. The overall objective of this project is to develop and evaluate tools for designing against fatigue in gas turbine applications, with special focus on the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718. Firstly, the constitutive beh...

Modelling quasi-static crack growth with interface elements is a widely accepted technique [1-2]. Interface elements are inserted into the finite element mesh along possible crack paths. The interface elements are characterised by a traction-displacement curve. When a specific maximum stress is reached, the interface element undergoes a softening process until the critical fracture energy has b...

Various theories in the past have addressed the correlation of material properties and the respective acoustic emission release during fracture. Whilst these theories yield good predictions for fundamental relationships, they neglect the dynamic displacements during crack formation. This paper presents first results for a new acoustic emission crack source model based on a finite element modell...

We study experimentally the slow growth of a single crack in a glassy film of polycarbonate submitted to uniaxial and constant imposed load. Flame-shaped macroscopic zones of plastic deformation appear at the tips of the crack and the formation of these plastic zones involves a necking instability. In order to understand the crack growth dynamics, we study first the growth dynamics of the plast...

Peridynamics (PD) represents a new approach for modelling fracture mechanics, where a continuum domain is modelled through particles connected via physical bonds. This formulation allows us to model crack initiation, propagation, branching and coalescence without special assumptions. Up to date, anisotropic materials were modelled in the PD framework as different isotropic materials (for instan...

There are many ways that women support their use of crack cocaine, including sex-for-crack bartering and other forms of prostitution. Empirical studies conducted in the mid-1970s and in the mid-1980s in New York City, and in Chicago in the late 1980s to early 1990s are compared, analyzing similarities and differences between the contemporary crack-prostitution scene and previous prostitution sc...

Fatigue failure of strucutres is normally caused by cracks that extend beyond a safe size. Flaws are present to some extend in all structural parts, either as a result of manufacturing fabrication defects or damage in service. Crack growth is a complex phenomenon to model and simplifications are assumed. In recent years, there has been an increasing realisation that advanced computational metho...