Modelling Delamination in an Equivalent Single Layer Model in Explicit Finite Element Analysis

Delamination is one of the failure modes of composites prone to happen in the case of a car crash. In the early stages of car design, finite element analysis is used as a tool to analyze structural concepts. In order to model delamination in a newly developed material model, it is analyzed in two parts: detection and effects of delamination. To...

Structural consolidation of historic monuments by interlocking cast glass components: A computational analysis of interlocking cast glass brickwork

The search for a transparent, reversible, and reusable consolidation system for monuments led to the ambition to test possible cast glass interlocking brick designs using numerical calculations. The focus of this research is hence the design, simulation and evaluation of a possible cast glass interlocking geometry using Finite Element Analysis ...

Critical Proof Load for Proof Load Testing of Concrete Bridges based on Scripted FEM Analysis

Bridges with different geometrical configurations have been searched with linear finite element analysis. The aim is to find the position and value of critical proof load. Four different parameters, namely span length, width, skewness and thickness ratio, their influence on proof load are found. In total, 166 sets of data are obtained by...

Investigation on Stress Increase of Sand Inside Immersed Tunnel Joint Gap

Watertightness and leakage prevention is crucial in every tunnel joint design. Immersed tunnels have been utilizing the Gina-Omega gasket solution since the 1960s to prevent leakage from occurring. However, after almost 50 years of service life, leakages were detected in the immersion joints, which leads to an investigation into the source of...

Structural integrity assessment of self-elevating units with fatigue and corrosion damage based on actual load history

Seafox owns and operates a fleet of 12 Jack-ups. The design life of these Jack-ups is typically around 30 years. However, some have remained operational after exceeding their design life. It is therefore critical to gain an understanding how long and under what conditions these jacks-ups are still able to operate safely. There are two main...

Flexural Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Beams With a Layer of SHCC In The Tension Zone: Numerical Study By ATENA Model

Strain hardening cementitious composite is a new generation material with increased ductility and improved cracking behaviour as compared to traditionally used Normal Strength Concrete (NSC). An important charactersitic of SHCC is the ability of the fibers (2% PVA) in the composite mixture to bridge the cracks and there by preventing...

A Potential New Structural Design for Flexible Pavement

Throughout the history of pavement structure, the parallel layer structure has dominated the structural design of pavements. In other words, the entire road pavement share a uniform thickness design regardless how many lanes there are. However, due to traffic regulations and driving habits, the traffic flow most probably does not distribute...

A continuum damage mechanics model for woven composites

A novel continuum damage mechanics model for 2D woven fabrics has been developed and implemented in a VUMAT subroutine for Abaqus/Explicit. The model takes into account the shear non-linearity, the toughening mechanisms associated to tensile failure, and the influence of shear stresses in the initiation and propagation of tensile damage. <br/>...

Structural modelling and numerical analysis of dynamic passive flow control mechanisms in flight feathers

Within 100 years of the Wright Brother's first flight, we are already approaching the top of aviation’s technological S-curve. Breakthrough technical improvements have resulted in an undeniable increase in efficiency and range, but today’s aircrafts are still relatively inefficient resulting in a large amount of air and noise pollution. In order...

Finite element analysis to asses the protective capabilities of helmets against mild blast loads: a combined numerical experimental approach using a head surrogate

Development of a Finite Element based Strength Calculation method for Curved Composite Laminates

An accurate corner strength modelling method is required at Fokker Aerostructures to design canisters (missile launch tubes) with rounded corners for an internal pressure load case. To this end a combination of experiments and calculation methods has been developed that enable to predict the corner strength more accurately. Internal pressure...

Stress analysis in atherosclerotic arteries: The influence of heterogeneity

Atherosclerosis is a progressive arterial disease in which fatty tissue accumulates in the arterial wall. Due to this lipid uptake, the artery thickens and can eventually rupture, causing the lipids to flow into the bloodstream and form blood clots. If this happens in the carotid arteries, which supply the head with oxygenated blood, a stroke...

New Ways of Representing Finite Element Results of Shell Structures

The Finite Element Method is used in many computer programs to analyse the mechanical behaviour of shell structures. Although this method provides good quantitative insight into the mechanical behaviour of shell structures, it provides little qualitative insight. This master graduation thesis is aimed at expanding Finite Element Analysis (FEA)...

Design of a Fully Compliant Under-Actuated Finger with a Monolithic Structure and Distributed Compliance

The majority of existing problems within conventional prosthetic fingers are related to the use of conventional rigid links and kinematic joints and to the lack of adaptability of the finger. In this paper these problems are solved by the design of a fully compliant under-actuated prosthetic finger. At first a basic structure was defined....