The propagation of cracks in graded materials under monotonic and cyclic loading was investigated via experiment and simulation. Graded alumina/epoxy composite specimens exhibiting a variation in composition from 5% to 65% epoxy, representing a twenty-fold variation in Young’s modulus, across a region of width between 6 and 20 mm, were produced by a multistep infiltration technique. Crack initi...

Abstract The paper presents an experimental study on the effect of plastic fines content undrained behavior and liquefaction susceptibility sand–fines mixtures under monotonic loading. results triaxial compression tests conducted Hostun sand with varying amount (0–20%) type (kaolin calcigel bentonite) are presented. specimens were prepared different initial densities using moist tamping method ...

The present work describes the experimental mechanical characterisation of a natural flax fibre reinforced epoxy polymer composite. A commercial plain woven quasi-unidirectional flax fabric with spun-twisted yarns is employed in particular, as well as unidirectional composite panels manufactured with three techniques: hand-lay-up, vacuum bagging and resin infusion. The stiffness and strength be...

Microdamage occurs in bone through repeated and excessive loading. Accumulation of microdamage weakens bone, leading to a loss of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation in the tissue. Imaging techniques used to examine microdamage have typically been limited to the microscale. In the current study microdamage was examined at the nanoscale using transmission x-ray microscopy with an x-ray ne...

Abstract The effect of temperature on the monotonic and cyclic shearing response a soil–structure interface is critical importance for application thermal-active geo-structures. To investigate this, soils soil–concrete interfaces were comprehensively tested with temperature-controlled direct shear device under both fixed temperatures thermal/mechanical cycles within range 2–38 °C. Monotonic var...

Many civil applications use square hollow sections (SHSs) as members in beam-column connections which can be vulnerable under cyclic loading. Cyclic loadings from earthquakes, wind, waves and currents affect onshore offshore infrastructure. In addition, these become structurally inadequate through incremental service loads, design/fabrication errors material property degradation over time. Due ...

Welded beam-column connections may be vulnerable to failure under cyclic loading conditions. These might require strengthening resist static and loads as they exhibit inadequate capacity due the design errors or material properties degradation because of severe environmental effects an increase in service loads. With this mind, a series full-scale experiments have been conducted investigate beh...