Robin Olsson

Using digital image correlation to determine bone surface strains during loading and after adaptation of the mouse tibia

Previous models of cortical bone adaptation, in which loading is imposed on the bone, have estimated the strains in the tissue using strain gauges, analytical beam theory, or finite element analysis. We used digital image correlation (DIC), tracing a speckle pattern on the surface of the bone during loading, to determine surface strains in a murine tibia during compressive loading through the knee joint. We examined whether these surface strains in the mouse tibia are modified following two weeks of load-induced adaptation by comparison with contralateral controls. Results indicated non-uniform strain patterns with isolated areas of high strain (0.5%), particularly on the medial side. Strain measurements were reproducible (standard deviation of the error 0.03%), similar between specimens, and in agreement with strain gauge measurements (between 0.1 and 0.2% strain). After structural adaptation, strains were more uniform across the tibial surface, particularly on the medial side where peak strains were reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%. Because DIC determines local strains over the entire surface, it will provide a better understanding of how strain stimulus influences the bone response during adaptation.

Modeling the Lofting of Runway Debris by Aircraft Tires

Runway debris lofting by aircraft tires can lead to considerable damage to aircraft structures, yet there is limited understanding of the lofting mechanisms. The aim of this study is to develop accurate physically based models to understand and predict the stone lofting processes. The research entailed both experimental work and finite element modeling of a tire partially rolling over a stone. Parametric studies were conducted to characterize the influence of factors such as stone geometry and tire conditions in the lofting processes. To validate the finite element models, experimental studies were conducted using a modified drop weight impactor covered with rubber to simulate a tire vertically approaching aluminum balls and real stones. A high-speed video camera was used to observe the loft mechanisms and calculate the loft velocities, angles, and spin rates. A finite element model of the impactor demonstrated good agreement with the experimentally observed loft mechanisms.In general, lofting occurred either at high speed and low angles or vice versa, depending on the degree of interaction between the stone and the ground.

Improved models for runway debris lofting simulations

Numerical models used to simulate the lofting mechanisms of runwary stones were developed to assess the threat to aircraft structures from runway debris impacts. An inflated aircraft tyre model, which was validated by comparison with experimental indentation tests, showed that over-rolling of stones under typical take-off conditions led to only modest vertical loft velocities of less than 5 m/s. Experiments using a drop weight impactor simulated a section of aircraft tyre descending upon stones. These tests demonstrated that ofting was achieved for impacts with low rubber thickness. However, for impacts with greater rubber thickness, lofting was suppressed. Using more realistic tyre geometries resulted in launches with backspin, but only horizontally along the ground in the direction of the tyre axis. The speed at which launches occurred was proportional to the rate of descent of the tyre section and would consequently determine the loft speeds due to potential asperity ofting.

Development of a test method for evaluating the crushing behaviour of unidirectional laminates

More fundamental test methods are needed to assist the development of physically based and truly predictive simulation tools for composite materials under crash conditions. In this paper, a unidirectional flat specimen that can be used to validate the predicted behaviour from a simulation to the physical behaviour in the experiment is developed. A systematic experimental investigation is conducted to evaluate the influence of the trigger geometry on the crushing response by selecting two trigger types and different trigger angles. For longitudinal crushing, the traditional bevel trigger leads to out-of-plane failure by splaying with a limited amount of in-plane fracture, while the proposed trigger achieves a high amount of compressive fragmentation failure. For transverse crushing, the symmetry of the proposed new trigger improves the specimen stability during the crushing process. It is also observed that the weft threads of the unidirectional fabric reinforcement used for the tests have a strong influence on the longitudinal crushing response. The boundary conditions of the test and the information on the specimen failure gleaned from video recordings and microscopic inspections are discussed in order to facilitate a future correlation with modelling results.

Improvement and validation of a physically based model for the shear and transverse crushing of orthotropic composites

This paper details a complete crush model for composite materials with focus on shear dominated crushing under a three-dimensional stress state. The damage evolution laws and final failure strain conditions are based on data extracted from shear experiments. The main advantages of the current model include the following: no need to measure the fracture toughness in shear and transverse compression, mesh objectivity without the need for a regular mesh and finite element characteristic length, a pressure dependency of the nonlinear shear response, accounting for load reversal and some orthotropic effects (making the model suitable for noncrimp fabric composites). The model is validated against a range of relevant experiments, namely a through-the-thickness compression specimen and a flat crush coupon with the fibres oriented at 45° and 90° to the load. Damage growth mechanisms, orientation of the fracture plane, nonlinear evolution of Poissons ratio and energy absorption are accurately predicted.

Methodology for predicting the threat of runway debris impact to large transport aircraft

Large transport aircraft are particularly susceptible to impact damage from runway debris thrown up by the landing gear. A methodology was developed to predict the trajectories of stones lofted by ...

Analytical Modeling of Runway Stone Lofting

DOI: 10.2514/1.C031306 This investigation aims to develop a closed-form analytical model to understand and predict runway stone lofting processes by considering the rigid-body interaction of a tire partially rolling over a stone. Any leading-edge aircraft structures impinging into the path of such stones could experience impacts at speeds up to the aircraft takeoff velocity, despite being some distance from the sides of the wheels. The results of the analytical model provide upperbound envelopes of the vertical loft speeds obtained in previous numerical simulations and modified drop-weight experiments. Parametric studies conclude that the vertical loft speeds rise with increasing stone–tire overlap, stone size, and aircraft speed and with deceasing tire diameter. The outcomes of this model form a basis for vehicle designers to assess the runway stone impact threat by better understanding the physics of lofting.

Improved Aircraft Tire and Stone Models for Runway Debris Lofting Simulations

Numerical models used to simulate the lofting mechanisms of runway stones were developed to assess the threat to aircraft structures from runway debris impacts. An inflated aircraft tire model, which was validated by comparison with experimental indentation tests, showed that over-rolling of stones under typical takeoff conditions led to only modest vertical loft velocities of less than 5 m/s. Experiments using a drop weight impactor to simulate a section of aircraft tire descending upon stones, demonstrated that lofting was achieved with impacts with low rubber thicknesses, but with greater rubber thickness lofting was suppressed. Using more realistic tire geometries resulted in launches with backspin, but only horizontally along the ground in the direction of the tire axis. The speed at which launches occurred was proportional to the rate of descent of the tire section and would consequently determine the loft speeds due to potential asperity lofting.