Validation of a steady BEM-FEM coupled simulation with experiments on flexible small scale propellers

This paper presents numerical and experimental results for the validation of a coupled Boundary Element Method (BEM)-Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation for uniform flows. In the first part of the paper the numerical models and the BEM-FEM coupling are presented. A large part of the paper is dedicated to the validation procedure which has...

In-situ fatigue damage assessment of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer structures using advanced experimental techniques

This study focused on the in-situ fatigue damage assessment of open-hole carbon/epoxy coupons using Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques. Constant amplitude fatigue tests were performed and the main objective was to investigate the damage process, the degradation process of the fatigue modules and to identify...

Deformation Analysis of a Hummingbird Inspired MAV Flapping Wing using Digital Image Correlation

Flapping wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) have the advantage of being able to fly at slow speeds and have high maneuverability. The design of a flapping wing MAV inspired by birds presents many technical challenges because birds as natural fliers exhibit higher efficiency than any man made flapping wing structure. Thus, the structure and motion of...

Investigation of the fracture cracking behavior of self-healing systems by use of optical and acoustic experimental methods

Nowadays the self-healing process efficiency in loaded structural materials is evaluated by studying the damage mechanisms. Based on fracture mechanics theories, the resistance to damage and the cracking recovery can be an indication of healing performance. Experimentally, the cracking behavior is quantified by measuring the fracture energy of...