Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Automated Fiber Placement On High Strain Rate Compressive Response Of Advanced Composites, Alexander Trochez

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology shows great promise in manufacturing carbon fiber composite structures. However, intermittent defects occur in the process that can affect the overall mechanical performance of the structure. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of deliberately placed principal defects (Gap, Overlap, and Fold) on the compressive response under quasistatic (strain rate ~10^-3 s^-1) and dynamic (strain rate ~10³ s-1) loading conditions. The controlled defects were placed at the laminate level in different orientations and depths. High strain rate compression experiments were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) …

A Scientific Approach To Understanding The Head Trauma Endured By A Mixed Martial Arts Fighter, John William Michael Sorbello

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to gain some insight on the type of head trauma an athlete may encounter during mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. These athletes endure continuous blows to the head throughout their training and fighting career. The knowledge obtained from this research may assist MMA athletes and trainers in assessing the way they train, how they compete and, more importantly, how long they choose to compete in their amateur or professional MMA career.

The analysis is performed by first creating a three-dimensional solid model of the human head based on geometric coordinates originally obtained from a …