Tetsu Hiroshima

Three-Dimensional Elastoplastic Finite-Element Analysis and Strength Evaluation of Link Chains in Chain Hoists Subjected to Combined Loads of Tensile Loads and Bending Moments

Link chains used in chain hoists are usually subjected to combined loads of tensile loads and bending moments when the chains pass through sheaves. It is known empirically that tensile strength of link chains when chains pass through the sheave is smaller than that when chains subjected to tensile loads alone. Up to now, a few investigations(1)-(2) have been performed on the stress distribution of link chains and the chain strength. The objectives of this paper are to know the stress distribution in link chains, to optimize the chain geometry by which the chain strength is improved when the link chains are subjected to combined loads of tensile loads and bending moments. The stress distributions in link chains are analyzed by using finite element method as elastoplastic problems. For verification of the F.E.M. results, measurement of strains in link chains which pass through sheaves by using strain gauges is conducted.

A two-dimensional stress analysis of butt adhesive joints filled with rigid circular fillers in an adhesive subjected to tensile loads

With recent wide use of adhesively bonded structures in many engineering fields, establishments of an estimation method of joint strength and an optimal strength design method for the joints are required. A lot of experimental and analytical investigations have been done concerning the joint strength and some of them have conducted more practical cases, i.e., the joints have some imperfections such as hole defects in an adhesive or debonds at an interface of the joint [1],[2]. Furthermore, modified adhesives by adding fillers such as alumina, silica and rubber are now commonly used in order to improve the static and dynamic joint strength. So far, only a few studies have conducted analytically to the joints which contain fillers in an adhesive and it is needed to examine the mechanical characteristics of such joints under various kinds of loadings for practical use.