Mathias Flansbjer

Using Digital Image Correlation Techniques and Finite Element Models for Strain-Field Analysis of a Welded Aluminium Structure

The use of aluminium in lightweight structures and corrosive environments is continuously increasing. Welding is often used to assemble different aluminium components and it is of great importance to take into account the deteriorating effect the welding operation on the aluminium’s strength when designing these structures. In the present study, the strain-fields of welded aluminium tensile specimens have been analysed by digital image correlation (DIC) techniques, micro hardness measurements and finite element (FE) modelling. The stress-strain curve of the weld material, the heat affected zone (HAZ) and the base material have been determined by tensile tests. The material properties and the extension of the HAZ were also correlated to the micro hardness. The experimental data has been used as an input to the material models of the FE analysis. The study shows that using FE-analysis in combination with strain-field determination by DIC is very powerful. The resulting strain-fields are easily compared and the FE-analysis is verified in a straightforward way. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that micro hardness measurements could be used to derive the strength of the material affected by the welding operation.

Structural performance of GFRP connectors in composite sandwich facade elements

To take structural aspects into consideration in the SESBE research project, focusing on the development of “smart” facade elements a systematic testing and modelling program has been developed for the verification of the structural performance of the facade sandwich elements. The present paper mainly focuses on the verification of the mechanical performance of the glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) connectors of the novel type of facade element composed of reactive powder concrete (RPC) panels with foam concrete insulation between them. Because of the reduced thickness of the large facade elements, the performance of the connectors is critical for the entire structural concept. The first series of the testing programme concerning connector performance are presented here. The results suggest that sufficient strength and ductility of the connectors can be ensured using GFRP in the proposed thin light-weight facade elements.

Synthesis and Characterization of Reactive Powder Concrete for its Application on Thermal Insulation Panels

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a set of textile reinforced reactive powder concrete (RPC) mixes that have been prepared in the framework of the SESBE project which aims ...