Tomáš Doktor

X-ray and finite element analysis of deformation response of closed-cell metal foam subjected to compressive loading

Time-lapse X-ray computed microtomography was employed to quantify the deformation behaviour of closed-cell aluminium foam. The specimen was incrementally loaded and tomographically scanned using a custom X-ray tomographic device to capture the deforming microstructure. Because of the very small thickness of the cell walls and the high ratio between pore size and cell wall thickness cone-beam reconstruction procedure was applied. A finite element (FE) model was developed based on the reconstructed three-dimensional data. The FE model was used for two purposes: i) the nodal points were used for tracking the displacements of the deforming structure, ii) verification of the material model for description of the foams deformational behaviour. Digital volumetric correlation (DVC) algorithm was used on data obtained from the time-lapse tomography to provide a detailed description of the evolution of deformation in the complex structure of aluminium foam. The results from DVC demonstrate the possibility to use the complex microstructure of the aluminium foam as a random pattern for the correlation algorithm. The underlying FE model enables easy comparison between experimental results and results obtained from numerical simulations used for evaluation of proposed constitutive models.

Real-time X-ray microradiographic imaging and image correlation for local strain mapping in single trabecula under mechanical load

X-ray microradiography was employed to quantify the strains in loaded human trabecula. Samples of isolated trabeculae from human proximal femur were extracted and glued in a loading machine specially designed and manufactured for testing small specimens. The samples were then tested in tension and three-point bending until complete fracture of the specimen occured. To assess the deformation in the very small samples (thickness 100?m, length 1?2mm) a real-time microradiography in conjunction with digital image correlation (DIC) has been employed. Loaded samples were irradiated continuously by X-rays (Hamamatsu L8601-01 with 5?m spot) during the test. Radiographs were acquired using 0.25s exposure time with hybrid single-photon counting silicon pixel detector Medipix2. The distance between the source and detector was kept small to ensure radiographs of good quality for such a short exposure time. Design of the experimental loading device enables for precise control of the applied displacement which is important for the post-yield behavior assessment of trabeculae. Large dynamic range, high sensitivity and high contrast of the Medipix2 enables measuring even very small strains with DIC. Tested experimental setup enables to combine micromechanical testing of the basic building block of trabecular bone with time-lapse X-ray radiography to measure the strains and to assess the mechanical properties of single human trabecula as well as to capture the softening curve with sufficient precision.

Verification of Numerical Model for Trabecular Tissue Using Compression Test and Time-Lapse X-Ray Radiography Based on Material Model Determined from Three-Point Bending Test of Single Trabecula

The aim of this study is to determine constitutive constants for elasto-plastic material model with damage for single trabecula based on the indirect simulation of micromechanical testing and its verification at macro level using compression test of the cylindrical sample of the trabecular tissue. Three-point bending test of isolated trabeculae was performed in a shielding box and deflection of the sample was acquired using X-ray microradiography. Measured values (displacements of markers) were used for indirect identification of the material model for single trabecula using finite element (FE) method. The bending test was simulated and results were fitted to experimentally obtained values and the appropriate set of material constants was determined. To verify the applicability of the identified material model the compression test of the complex sample was carried out. Cylindrical sample was incrementally loaded and each loading state was captured using the micro-computed tomography. Material model identified from three-point bending test was applied to the model of complex sample and the simulation of the compression test was performed.

Numerical modelling of the reinforcing effect of geosynthetic material used in ballasted railway tracks

This article deals with finite-element (FE) modelling of the reinforcing effect of the geosynthetic material used in the construction of a ballasted track. Various different designs of geosynthetic material are studied and their reinforcing effects are evaluated in terms of the total settlement reduction. Three-dimensional FE models of the reinforced railway superstructure are compared to a reference FE model with no reinforcement. Each geosynthetic material is modelled respecting its material properties, and the interaction with the ballast material is simulated according to its primary function. A clear distinction in the modelling of the interaction with the ballast material is made between geogrids and the remaining geosynthetics. A new approach to model the reinforcing effect of a geogrid is proposed and evaluated by FE analysis. The results of numerical modelling are compared to those of experiments conducted using an experimental box instrumented with one half of an instrumented concrete sleeper. Different types of geosynthetics were used to reinforce the ballast material, and the settlement reduction was measured using linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) sensors. The proposed FE models enable quick evaluation of the reinforcing effect of a given geosynthetic and comparison to other possible solutions in terms of the total settlement reduction. Other design possibilities (e.g. the use of reinforcing geosynthetics in several layers) are briefly discussed, too.

Micromechanical Properties of Biocompatible Materials for Bone Tissue Engineering Produced by Direct 3D Printing

Bone implants in form of artificial scaffolds manufactured from poly-lactic acid (PLA) represent an attractive alternative to traditional surgical treatments of defective bones (i.e. autografts and allografts). In this work factors influencing biocompatibility and primary stability of implants manufactured from PLA using direct 3D printing were assessed using nanoindentation. For this reason bulk sample of the PLA material and a printed object were subjected to nanomechanical measurement. Quasi-static nanoindentation was employed to identify elastic modulus and hardness distribution on surface and within volume of the samples. Moreover mechanical properties along scanning direction and interlayer characteristics were also assessed. Gradients in mechanical properties have been identified within volume of the material, within the printing layers and at contact between individual layers.

Inspection of Post Impact Fatigue Damage in Carbon Fibre Composite Using Modulus Mapping Technique

This study is focused on inspection of damage extent induced into C/PPS composite material by fatigue and impact loading. Initial damage to specimens was induced by drop-weight out-of-plane impact damage. Several levels of damage states (intact specimen, fatigued and impacted specimen, ruptured specimen) were inspected using modulus mapping (MM) technique. Quantification of the damage level was based on comparison of results from MM obtained in distinct locations on the specimens. Regions of interest were selected in order to determine magnitude of damage after impact and to assess remaining loading capabilities of the material. For this purpose, material maps provided information about location where matrix had been inflicted by the damage. Results show that impact loading has no measurable influence on mechanical properties of the matrix. However, gradient in mechanical properties was detected in the vicinity of crack. Results were validated using quasi-static nanoindentation and constant strain rate continuous measurement that showed depth profile of mechanical properties.

Instrumentation for Micromechanics Research in Trabecular Bone

This article deals with description of instrumentation required for micromechanical testing of isolated trabeculae, the basic structural elements of cancellous bone. Process of tensile and bending tests is described in terms of development of the testing devices, challenges connected with the micro-scale testing and precision of the measurements. The paper covers the whole testing procedure from tissue harvesting, sample preparation, experimental procedure and data evaluation. Inverse finite element identification of elasto-plastic material model with damage based on threepoint bending for simulation of deformation behaviour of trabecular bone is shortly discussed as well.

UTILIZATION OF IMAGE AND SIGNAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSMENT OF BUILT HERITAGE CONDITION

Historical buildings represent invaluable heritage from the past and therefore their protection is a very important task. Assessment of their condition must not cause damage accumulation, thus the least possible volume removed from the structure is essential. As many historical buildings in the Czech Republic are built using sandstone that can be considered as a typical heterogeneous system, statistical signal processing is a promising approach for determination of the representative volume element (RVE) dimensions. Such calculations can be carried out on the domain of logical arrays representing binary images of the materials microstructure. This paper deals with processing of image data obtained using SEM-BSE and high resolution flatbed scanner for determination of RVE dimensions. Advanced image processing techniques are employed and results from calculation using grayscale data are presented and compared with results calculated on the basis of color input images.

SEMI–AUTOMATED ASSESSMENT OF MICROMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE METAL FOAMS ON THE CELL-WALL LEVEL

Metal foams are innovative porous material used for wide range of application such as deformation energy or sound absorption, filter material, or microbiological incubation carrier. To predict mechanical properties of the metal foam is necessary to precisely describe elasto–plastic properties of the foam on cell–wall level. Indentation with low load is suitable tool for this purpose. In this paper custom designed instrumented microindentation device was used for measurement of cell-wall characteristics of two different aluminium foams (ALPORAS and ALCORAS). To demonstrate the possibility of automated statistical estimation of measured characteristics the device had been enhanced by semi-automatic indent positioning and evaluation procedures based on user-defined grid. Vickers hardness was measured on two samples made from ALPORAS aluminium foam and one sample from ALCORAS aluminium foam. Average Vickers hardness of ALPORAS foam was 24.465HV1.019 and average Vickers hardness of ALCORAS was 36.585HV1.019.

Deformation Behaviour of Gellan Gum Based Scaffold Subjected to Compression Loading

This work presents deformation behaviour of gellan gum and gellan gum - bioactive glass composites as novel hydrophilic materials for production of scaffolds in the field of bone-tissue engineering. According to recent studies such materials are attractive for personalized design of implants thanks to their biocompatibility and wide range of available fabrication methods. Batch of samples was subjected to uni-axial compression loading in a custom designed loading device to obtain their elastic and plastic characteristics. However the testing procedure was challenging because of very low stiffness of the material acquired results show a significant reinforcement effect of bioactive glass and its influence to the elastic modulus.