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Summary This paper presents an improved crack model incorporating non‐linearity of flexural damage in concrete to reproduce changes in vibration properties of cracked reinforced concrete beams. A reinforced concrete beam model with multiple‐distributed flexural cracks is developed, in which the cracked regions are modelled using the fictitious crack approach and the undamaged parts are treated in a linear‐elastic manner. The model is subject to incremental static four‐point bending, and its dynamic behaviour is examined using different sinusoidal excitations including swept sine and harmonic signals. From the swept sine excitations, the model simulates changes in resonant frequency with increasing damage. The harmonic excitations are utilised to investigate changes in modal stiffness extracted from the restoring force surfaces, and changes in the level of non‐linearity are deduced from the appearance of super‐harmonics in the frequency domain. The simulation results are compared with experimental data of reinforced concrete beams subject to incremental static four‐point bending. The comparisons revealed that the proposed crack model is able to quantitatively predict changes in vibration characteristics of cracked reinforced concrete beams. Changes are sensitive to support stiffness, where the sensitivity increases with stiffer support conditions. Changes in the level of non‐linearity with damage are not suitable for damage detection in reinforced concrete structures because they do not follow a monotonic trend. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is characterized by numerous modeling options and input parameters. To accurately model the nonlinear RC behavior involving concrete cracking in tension and crushing in compression, practitioners make different choices regarding the critical modeling issues, e.g., defining the concrete constitutive relations, assigning the bond between the concrete and the steel reinforcement, and solving problems related to convergence difficulties and mesh sensitivities. Thus, it is imperative to review the common modeling choices critically and develop a robust modeling strategy with consistency, reliability, and comparability. This paper proposes a modeling strategy and practical recommendations for the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures based on parametric studies of critical modeling choices. The proposed modeling strategy aims at providing reliable predictions of flexural responses of RC members with a focus on concrete cracking behavior and crushing failure, which serve as the foundation for more complex modeling cases, e.g., RC beams bonded with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates. Additionally, herein, the implementation procedure for the proposed modeling strategy is comprehensively described with a focus on the critical modeling issues for RC structures. The proposed strategy is demonstrated through FE analyses of RC beams tested in four-point bending—one RC beam as reference and one beam externally bonded with a carbon-FRP (CFRP) laminate in its soffit. The simulated results agree well with experimental measurements regarding load-deformation relationship, cracking, flexural failure due to concrete crushing, and CFRP debonding initiated by intermediate cracks. The modeling strategy and recommendations presented herein are applicable to the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures in general.

This paper aims to analyse the mechanical properties response of polylactic acid (PLA) parts manufactured through fused filament fabrication. The influence of six manufacturing factors (layer height, filament width, fill density, layer orientation, printing velocity, and infill pattern) on the flexural resistance of PLA specimens is studied through an L27 Taguchi experimental array. Different geometries were tested on a four-point bending machine and on a rotating bending machine. From the first experimental phase, an optimal set of parameters deriving in the highest flexural resistance was determined. The results show that layer orientation is the most influential parameter, followed by layer height, filament width, and printing velocity, whereas the fill density and infill pattern show no significant influence. Finally, the fatigue fracture behaviour is evaluated and compared with that of previous studies’ results, in order to present a comprehensive study of the mechanical properties of the material under different kind of solicitations.

The main novelty of this study is producing Ultra High-Performance Self Compacting Mortar (UHPSCM) incorporated Recycled Steel Fibre (RSF) from waste tires. For this purpose, different mix compositions including 0%, 1%, and 3% RSF content in terms of volume were proposed. Self-compacting ability was assessed using mini-cone tests, while nondestructive testing has been used to evaluate the effect of RSF inclusion on the compaction of UHPSCM constituent materials. Mechanical performances were investigated using compression and unnotched flexural tests. Residual flexural strength in both service limit state (SLS), ultimate limit state (ULS), and two equivalent flexural strengths were evaluated under notched flexural tests and analysed using statistical approaches. Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) has been employed for the analysis behaviour of developed mortars under different loadings. Additionally, an element deletion approach was used to evaluate the fracture of UHPSCM under compression and flexural loadings. The experimental results showed that adding 1% and 3% of RSF resulted in decreasing workability by 3% and 22%, respectively. Improving compressive strength by 16% and 22% and flexural by 7% and 8% were noticed in the case of samples with 1% and 3% fiber, respectively, in 28 days. In spite of the significant improvement of post-cracking behaviour of samples with 3% of RSF, this behaviour was insignificant for the samples with 1% of RSF. However, with less amount of fibre inclusion, brittle failure can be altered to ductile failure. Moreover, the behaviour of the tested specimens under different loadings was successfully predicted using Finite Element (FE) simulations. Graphical abstract

This study compared experimental biaxial flexural strength results from piston-on-three-balls (P-3B) tests with finite element method (FEM) predictions in advanced CAD/CAM dental ceramics. Samples of ZrO 2 -3 mol.%Y 2 O 3 (3Y-TZP), ZrO 2 -5 mol.%Y 2 O 3 (5Y-PSZ), and Li 2 Si 2 O 5 lithium disilicate (LD) were processed and characterized through measurements of relative density, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The study also assessed hardness, fracture toughness, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and flexural strength. Using only elastic properties, simulations were conducted with ABAQUS FEM software, employing a simplified 3D finite element model with 95,580 to 103,440 reduced integration hexahedral solid elements. The measured Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and biaxial flexural strength yielded average values of 195.3 ± 4.2 GPa, 0.31 ± 0.05, and 1203.4 ± 110.2 MPa for 3Y-TZP; 192.2 ± 4.8 GPa, 0.31 ± 0.05, and 607.1 ± 52.9 MPa for 5Y-PSZ; and 100.3 ± 4.7 GPa, 0.21 ± 0.04, and 431.3 ± 47.6 MPa for LD. The 3D FE models of the P-3B test were established using the measured critical piston load representing the minimum, intermediate, and maximum values for each ceramic group. The predictions of biaxial flexural strength were within 9% for 3Y-TZP and between 9% and 11% for 5Y-PSZ, demonstrating that continuum 3D finite element modeling based on the experimental elastic properties is effective for designing and evaluating dental prostheses made from these zirconia ceramics. Conversely, significant discrepancies between experimental and numerical biaxial flexural strength predictions ranged from 26% to 34% for the LD group. This limitation can be attributed to the substantial intergranular glass phase (~ 27%) in the LD matrix, which critically influences its overall mechanical behavior. Therefore, more advanced constitutive modeling and numerical approaches are needed to accurately capture these microstructural effects in LD glass-ceramics for dental applications.

Three-dimensional finite-element (FE) simulations were developed to assess the flexural response of ultra-high-strength concrete (UHSC) beams reinforced with basalt-FRP (BFRP) bars and with BFRP–steel hybrids. The models were calibrated against published tests and reproduced midspan force–deflection curves, reinforcement strains, and crack development with good fidelity. A parametric study examined (i) the BFRP reinforcement ratio relative to a balanced level and (ii) the BFRP-to-steel area ratio in hybrid sections. Results show that increasing the BFRP ratio raises ultimate flexural capacity but reduces deformability and energy dissipation. Hybrid reinforcement recovers inelastic reserve while preserving the durability advantages of FRP, yielding a more favorable balance between strength and serviceability. A yield-anchored modified ductility index tailored for hybrid sections is formulated to quantify post-yield rotational capacity. The findings provide design guidance for proportioning UHSC beams in conventional and aggressive environments: BFRP reinforcement ratios of ρ f /ρ fb  ≥ 1.4 are suitable where strength and durability dominate, whereas hybrid layouts are recommended when controlled deflection and ductility are also required.

Fatigue bending tests, under controlled displacement, were performed on a polymer matrix composite material reinforced with continuous Kevlar fibers. The samples were fabricated using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique in a Markforged Two® 3D printer. The static characterization delivered a flexural modulus of elasticity of 4.73 GPa and flexural strength of 110 MPa. The applied loading corresponded to 92.3, 88.5, 86.2, and 84.7% of the static flexural displacement, giving 15, 248, 460, and 711 cycles for failure. Additionally, two numerical models were created: one using orthotropic properties for static loading conditions; and a second one using isotropic in-bulk properties for fatigue modeling. The second model was able to reproduce the experimental fatigue results. Finally, morphological analysis of the fractured surface revealed fiber breakage, fiber tearing, fiber buckling, matrix cracking, and matrix porosity.

The use of parts made of polymeric materials has occasionally highlighted the need for them to possess the best possible mechanical properties. One of the currently widely used processes for manufacturing parts from polymeric materials is fused deposition modeling. This process allows for variations in the magnitudes defining the mechanical properties of polymeric materials to be obtained through an appropriate selection of the process input factor values. The analysis of the process has highlighted the primary factors capable of affecting the values of parameters corresponding to the mechanical properties of polymeric materials. The opinions formulated by various researchers regarding the influence of fused deposition modeling application conditions on some of the mechanical properties of polymeric materials have been synthetically and systematically presented. In terms of mechanical properties, tensile strength, compression strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, torsional strength, impact strength, fatigue resistance, and hardness were taken into consideration. Some modeling and optimization solutions for the influence exerted by the 3D printing process input factors on the values of the parameters defining the mechanical properties of polymeric materials in parts manufactured via the FDM process were also highlighted.

Bolted spherical joints, due to their prominent merits in installation, have been widely used in modern spatial structures. Despite significant research, there is a lack of understanding of their flexural fracture behaviour, which is important for the catastrophe prevention of the whole structure. Given the recent development to fill this knowledge gap, it is the objective of this paper to experimentally investigate the flexural bending capacity of the overall fracture section featured by a heightened neutral axis and fracture behaviour related to variable crack depth in screw threads. Accordingly, two full-scale bolted spherical joints with different bolt diameters were evaluated under three-point bending. The fracture behaviour of bolted spherical joints is first revealed with respect to typical stress distribution and fracture mode. A new theoretical flexural bending capacity expression for the fracture section with a heightened neutral axis is proposed and validated. A numerical model is then developed to estimate the stress amplification and stress intensity factors related to the crack opening (mode-I) fracture for the screw threads of these joints. The model is validated against the theoretical solutions of the thread-tooth-root model. The maximum stress of the screw thread is shown to take place at the same location as the test bolted sphere, while its magnitude can be greatly reduced with an increased thread root radius and flank angle. Finally, different design variants related to threads that have influences on the SIFs are compared, and the moderate steepness of the flank thread has been found to be efficient in reducing the joint fracture. The research findings could thus be beneficial for further improving the fracture resistance of bolted spherical joints.

Mechanical response of textile-reinforced aerated concrete sandwich panels was investigated using instrumented three-point bending tests under quasi-static and low-velocity impact loads. Two types of core material were compared in the sandwich composite consisting of plain autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and fiber-reinforced aerated concrete (FRAC), and the stress skins were alkali-resistant glass (ARG) and textile reinforced concrete (TRC). The textile-reinforced layer promoted distributed cracking mechanisms and resulted in significant improvement in the flexural strength and ductility. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used to study the distributed cracking mechanism and obtain impact force-crack width response at different drop heights. A constitutive material model was also developed based on a multi-linear tension/compression strain hardening model for the stress-skin and an elastic, perfectly plastic compression model for the core. A detailed parametric study was used to address the effect of model parameters on the flexural response. The model was further applied to simulate the experimental flexural data from the static and impact tests on the plain aerated concrete and sandwich composite beams.