Finite element model for linear-elastic mixed mode loading using adaptive mesh strategy

An adaptive mesh finite element model has been developed to predict the crack propagation direction as well as to calculate the stress intensity factors （SIFs）, under linear-elastic assumption for mixed mode loading application. The finite element mesh is generated using the advancing front method. In order to suit the requirements of the fracture analysis, the generation of the background mesh and the construction of singular elements have been added to the developed program. The adaptive remeshing process is carried out based on the posteriori stress error norm scheme to obtain an optimal mesh. Previous works of the authors have proposed techniques for adaptive mesh generation of 2D cracked models. Facilitated by the singular elements, the displacement extrapolation technique is employed to calculate the SIK The fracture is modeled by the splitting node approach and the trajectory follows the successive linear extensions of each crack increment. The SlFs values for two different case studies were estimated and validated by direct comparisons with other researchers work.

High Strength Silicon Carbide Foams and Their Deformation Behavior

Silicon carbide （SIC） foams with a continuously connected open-cell structure were prepared and characterized for their mechanical performance. The apparent densities of SiC foams were controlled between about 0.4 and 2.3 g/cm^3, with corresponding compressive strengths ranging from about 23 to 60 MPa and flexural strengths from about 8 to 30 MPa. Compressive testing of the SiC foams yielded stress-strain curves with only one linear-elastic region, which is different from those reported on ceramic foams in literature. This can possibly be attributed to the existence of filaments with fine, dense and high strength microstructures. The SiC and the filaments respond homogeneously to applied loading.

Exploiting ultra-large linear elasticity over a wide temperature range in nanocrystalline NiTi alloy

Many shape memory alloys can support large recoverable strains of a few percent by reversible stressinduced martensite transformation,yet they behave non-linear within a narrow operating temperature ra nge.Developing the bulk metallic materials with ultra-large linear elasticity over a wide tempe rature range has proven to be difficult.In this work,a material design concept was proposed,that is true elastic deformation and reversible twinning-detwinning deformation run in parallel to overcome this challe nge.By engineering the residual internal stress to realize the concurrency of true elastic deformation and twinning-detwinning deformation,a bulk nanocrystalline NiTi that possesses an ultra-large linear elastic strain up to 5.1 % and a high yield stress of 2.16 GPa over a wide temperature range of 270℃ was developed.This study offers a new avenue for developing the metallic materials with ultra-large linear elasticity over a wide temperature range of 270℃(from 70℃ to-197℃).