Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Mechanical Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 17 of 17

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

On Internal Cone Cracks Induced By Conical Indentation In Brittle Materials, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson, X. Chen Nov 2007

On Internal Cone Cracks Induced By Conical Indentation In Brittle Materials, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson, X. Chen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The conditions for cone cracks to develop due to a conical indentation are investigated. Axisymmetric numerical simulations, based on the finite element method, are conducted, assuming a linear-elastic, perfectly plastic material. A superposition scheme is employed to simulate a range of crack geometries, including various lengths and orientations. The results indicate that the class of cracks investigated is prone to develop internally in brittle materials. Based on a reversed analysis, a new technique is proposed for measuring the fracture toughness in bulk material and thick coatings through one simple indentation test when the cone crack appears.


The Effect Of Tibiofemoral Loading On Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Motion, Jacob Scott, Ho Lee, Wael Barsoum, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert Nov 2007

The Effect Of Tibiofemoral Loading On Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Motion, Jacob Scott, Ho Lee, Wael Barsoum, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The human proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and its relationship to overall knee joint mechanics have been largely unexplored. This study describes force/displacement data from experiments done on four human cadaveric knee specimens and general conclusions obtained with the help of a statistical modeling technique. Specimens were rigidly affixed at the tibia to a force plate and the femur was attached to a custom made device allowing for manual load application. Motion of the fibular head was tracked relative to the tibial plateau by means of reflective markers and a high speed digital camera synchronized with the force plate data stream. …


On The Reference Length And Mode Mixity For A Bimaterial Interface, A. Agrawal, Anette M. Karlsson Oct 2007

On The Reference Length And Mode Mixity For A Bimaterial Interface, A. Agrawal, Anette M. Karlsson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

We investigate properties that govern interfacial fracture within the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics, including interfacial fracture toughness, mode mixity,and the associated reference length. The reference length describes the arbitrary location where the mode mixity is evaluated, ahead ofthe crack tip, in a bimaterial system. A method for establishing a reference length that is fixed for a given bimaterial system is proposed. This is referred to as the“characteristic reference length,” with the associated “characteristic mode mixity.” The proposed method is illustrated with an experimental investigation, utilizing a four-point bend test of a bimaterial system.


Multiaxial Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue On Material Systems For Gas Turbines, M. Bartsch, B. Baufeld, M. Henzelmann, Anette M. Karlsson, S. Dalkilic, L. Chernova Sep 2007

Multiaxial Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue On Material Systems For Gas Turbines, M. Bartsch, B. Baufeld, M. Henzelmann, Anette M. Karlsson, S. Dalkilic, L. Chernova

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Material systems made from nickel based superalloys with protective coatings have been tested in thermo-mechanical fatigue with superposed thermal gradients, which generated multiaxial stress states. The testing conditions were selected for simulating the fatigue loading in the wall of an internally cooled gas turbine blade of an aircraft engine. After thermo-mechanical testing the damage behaviour of the materials has been investigated by means of microscopic methods. The laboratory experiments have been accompanied by numerical simulations. Based on the results of the simulations and observed damage features the test parameters in subsequent laboratory tests have been controlled to facilitate the validation …


Mechanical Behavior Of Fuel Cell Membranes Under Humidity Cycles And Effect Of Swelling Anisotropy On The Fatigue Stresses, Ahmet Kusoglu, Anette M. Karlsson, Michael H. Santare, Simon Cleghorn, William B. Johnson Jul 2007

Mechanical Behavior Of Fuel Cell Membranes Under Humidity Cycles And Effect Of Swelling Anisotropy On The Fatigue Stresses, Ahmet Kusoglu, Anette M. Karlsson, Michael H. Santare, Simon Cleghorn, William B. Johnson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The mechanical response of proton exchange membranes in a fuel cell assembly is investigated under humidity cycles at a constant temperature (85°C). The behavior of the membrane under hydration–dehydration cycles is simulated by imposing a humidity gradient from the cathode to the anode. Linear elastic, plastic constitutive behavior with isotropic hardening and temperature and humidity dependent material properties are utilized in the simulations for the membrane. The evolution of the stresses and plastic deformation during the humidity cycles are determined using finite element analysis for two clamping methods and various levels of swelling anisotropy. The membrane response strongly depends on …


Review Of Rotordynamics, Jerzy T. Sawicki Jul 2007

Review Of Rotordynamics, Jerzy T. Sawicki

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Book Review of Rotordynamics, by Agnieszka (Agnes) Muszynska. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, 2005, 1128 pp., ISBN: 0-8247-2399-6


Information Surfing For Model-Driven Radiation Mapping, Andres Cortez, Herbert G. Tanner Jun 2007

Information Surfing For Model-Driven Radiation Mapping, Andres Cortez, Herbert G. Tanner

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this report we develop a control scheme to coordinate a group of mobile sensors for radiation mapping of a given planar polygon region. The control algorithm is based on the concept of information surfing, where navigation is done by means of following information gradients, taking into account sensing performance as well as inter-robot communication range limitations. The control scheme provably steers mobile sensors to locations at which they maximize the information content of their measurement data, and the asymptotic properties of our information metric with respect to time ensures that no local information metric extremum traps the sensors indefinitely. …


Modeling And Performance Evaluation Of Machining Spindle With Active Magnetic Bearings, Jerzy T. Sawicki, Eric H. Maslen, Kenneth R. Bischof Jun 2007

Modeling And Performance Evaluation Of Machining Spindle With Active Magnetic Bearings, Jerzy T. Sawicki, Eric H. Maslen, Kenneth R. Bischof

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Active magnetic bearings (AMBs) are increasingly employed in the machine tool industry to exploit their advantages over classical bearings such as high speed capability, rotation accuracy, high stiffness, and accurate displacement tracking capability. Furthermore, the possibility of on-line monitoring of the machining process (e.g., cutting force measurement, tool wear) makes AMB spindles very appealing to the High-Speed Machining (HSM) industry. Despite significant progress already reached in HSM technology, there remain numerous open challenges in modeling and control of magnetic bearings as applied to machining spindles. These include optimum control given AMB magnetic saturation levels, management of nonlinear effects, reduction of …


Determining Plastic Properties Of A Material With Residual Stress By Using Conical Indentation, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson, X. Chen Jun 2007

Determining Plastic Properties Of A Material With Residual Stress By Using Conical Indentation, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson, X. Chen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Instrumented indentation is a popular method for determining mechanical properties in engineering materials. However, there are several shortcomings and challenges involved with correctly interpreting the test results. We propose here a unified method for evaluating instrumented indentation testing conducted on a material that exhibits both strain hardening under yielding and which is subjected to uniform, equi-biaxial residual stresses. The proposed method is based on extensive finite element simulations that relate the parameter-space spanned by Young’s modulus, yield strength, strain hardening and residual stress, to the response from the indentation test. Based on reverse analysis, the proposed method can be used …


Determining Equi-Biaxial Residual Stress And Mechanical Properties From The Force-Displacement Curves Of Conical Microindentation, J. Yan, X. Chen, Anette M. Karlsson Apr 2007

Determining Equi-Biaxial Residual Stress And Mechanical Properties From The Force-Displacement Curves Of Conical Microindentation, J. Yan, X. Chen, Anette M. Karlsson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

An alternative, improved method to determine mechanical properties from indentation testing is presented. This method can determine the elastic modulus, yield strength and equi-biaxial residual stress from one simple test. Furthermore,the technique does not require the knowledge of the contact area during indentation, a parameter that is hard to determine for highly elastic material. The evaluation technique is based on finite element analyses, where explicit formulations are established to correlate the parameter groups governing indentation on stressed specimens.


Model-Based Estimation Of Muscle Forces Exerted During Movements, Ahmet Erdemir, Scott Mclean, Walter Herzog, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert Feb 2007

Model-Based Estimation Of Muscle Forces Exerted During Movements, Ahmet Erdemir, Scott Mclean, Walter Herzog, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Estimation of individual muscle forces during human movement can provide insight into neural control and tissue loading and can thus contribute to improved diagnosis and management of both neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Direct measurement of muscle forces is generally not feasible in a clinical setting, and non-invasive methods based on musculoskeletal modeling should therefore be considered. The current state of the art in clinical movement analysis is that resultant joint torques can be reliably estimated from motion data and external forces (inverse dynamic analysis). Static optimization methods to transform joint torques into estimates of individual muscle forces using musculoskeletal models, …


A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator For Enhancing Reliability And Performance Of Stirling Engines: Phase Ii Final Report For The Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Nra Contract Nas3-03124, Mounir B. Ibrahim, Daniel Danila, Terrence Simon, Susan Mantell, Liyong Sun, David Gedeon, Songgang Qiu, Gary Wood, Kevin Kelly, Jeffrey Mclean Jan 2007

A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator For Enhancing Reliability And Performance Of Stirling Engines: Phase Ii Final Report For The Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Nra Contract Nas3-03124, Mounir B. Ibrahim, Daniel Danila, Terrence Simon, Susan Mantell, Liyong Sun, David Gedeon, Songgang Qiu, Gary Wood, Kevin Kelly, Jeffrey Mclean

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

An actual-size microfabricated regenerator comprised of a stack of 42 disks, 19 mm diameter and 0.25 mm thick, with layers of microscopic, segmented, involute-shaped flow channels was fabricated and tested. The geometry resembles layers of uniformly-spaced segmented-parallel-plates, except the plates are curved. Each disk was made from electro-plated nickel using the LiGA process. This regenerator had feature sizes close to those required for an actual Stirling engine but the overall regenerator dimensions were sized for the NASA/Sunpower oscillating-flow regenerator test rig. Testing in the oscillating-flow test rig showed the regenerator performed extremely well, significantly better than currently used random-fiber material, …


A Microfabricated Involute-Foil Regenerator For Stirling Engines, Roy C. Tew, Mounir B. Ibrahim, Daniel Danila, Terrence W. Simon, Susan Mantell, Liyong Sun, David Gedeon, Kevin Kelly, Jeffrey Mclean, Gary Wood, Songgang Qiu Jan 2007

A Microfabricated Involute-Foil Regenerator For Stirling Engines, Roy C. Tew, Mounir B. Ibrahim, Daniel Danila, Terrence W. Simon, Susan Mantell, Liyong Sun, David Gedeon, Kevin Kelly, Jeffrey Mclean, Gary Wood, Songgang Qiu

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

A segmented involute-foil regenerator has been designed, microfabricated and tested in an oscillating-flow rig with excellent results. During the Phase I effort, several approximations of parallel-plate regenerator geometry were chosen as potential candidates for a new microfabrication concept. Potential manufacturers and processes were surveyed. The selected concept consisted of stacked segmentedinvolute- foil disks (or annular portions of disks), originally to be microfabricated from stainless-steel via the LiGA (lithography, electroplating, and molding) process and EDM. During Phase II, re-planning of the effort led to test plans based on nickel disks, microfabricated via the LiGA process, only. A stack of nickel segmented-involute-foil …


Robust Positively Invariant Cylinders In Constrained Variable Structure Control, Hanz Richter, Brian D. O'Dell, Eduardo A. Misawa Jan 2007

Robust Positively Invariant Cylinders In Constrained Variable Structure Control, Hanz Richter, Brian D. O'Dell, Eduardo A. Misawa

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper proposes the use of cylinders as primary invariant sets to be used in certain state-constrained control designs. Following the idea originally introduced by O'Dell, the primary invariant set is intersected with the state constraints to yield sets which retain the invariance under some conditions. Although several results presented here apply to fairly general nonlinear systems and primary invariant sets of any shape, the focus is on constrained sliding-mode control (SMC) using infinite cylinders as the primary invariant set. Their use is motivated by a coordinate transformation where the sliding motion is decoupled from the overall convergence to the …


Modeling Failures Of Thermal Barrier Coatings, Anette M. Karlsson Jan 2007

Modeling Failures Of Thermal Barrier Coatings, Anette M. Karlsson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Thermal barrier coatings are commonly used in high temperature parts of gas turbines, to protect the underlying metal substrate from deterioration during high temperature exposure. Unfortunately, the coatings fail prematurely, preventing the design engineers to fully utilize their implementation. Due to the complexity of the coatings, there are many challenges involved with developing failure hypotheses for the failures. This paper reviews some aspects of the current stateof- the-art on modeling failures of thermal barrier coatings, focusing on mechanics based models (such as finite element simulations) where the material physics is incorporated (such as oxidation and diffusion).


Time-Economic Lifetime Assessment For High Performance Thermal Barrier Coating Systems, Marion Bartsch, Bernd Baufeld, S. Dalkilic, Iulian Mircea, K. Lambrinou, T. Leist, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson Jan 2007

Time-Economic Lifetime Assessment For High Performance Thermal Barrier Coating Systems, Marion Bartsch, Bernd Baufeld, S. Dalkilic, Iulian Mircea, K. Lambrinou, T. Leist, J. Yan, Anette M. Karlsson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Strategies for time-economic lifetime assessment of thermal barrier coatings (TBC) in service are described and discussed on the basis of experimental results, achieved on material systems with coatings applied by electron beam physical vapour deposition. Service cycles for gas turbine blades have been simulated on specimens in thermo-mechanical fatigue tests, accelerating the fatigue processes by an increase of load frequency. Time dependent changes in the material system were imposed by a separate ageing, where the samples were pre-oxidized prior to the fatigue test. Results of thermo-mechanical fatigue tests on pre-aged and as-coated specimens gave evidence of interaction between fatigue and …


Acl Injuries: Do We Know The Mechanisms?, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert, Scott G. Mclean Jan 2007

Acl Injuries: Do We Know The Mechanisms?, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert, Scott G. Mclean

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remain a frequent occurrence in many sports activities. Recent research has identified risk factors, and prevention strategies are being developed based on these findings. There is, however, still a limited understanding of the actual injury mechanisms. In this presentation we will review the current knowledge on ACL injury mechanisms, and identify needs and opportunities for further research.