Engineering topics

Chulya, Abhisak

Publications and source records attributed to Chulya, Abhisak.

14 records

NASA NTRS1993

Acousto-Ultrasonic analysis of failure in ceramic matrix composite tensile specimens

Three types of acousto-ultrasonic (AU) measurements, stress-wave factor (SWF), lowest antisymmetric plate mode group velocity (VS), and lowest symmetric plate mode group velocity (VL), were performed on specimens before and after tensile failure. Three different Nicalon fiber architectures with ceramic matrices were tested. These composites were categorized as 1D (unidirectional fiber orientation) SiC/CAS glass ceramic, and 2D and 3D woven SiC/SiC ceramic matrix materials. SWF was found to be degraded after tensile failure in all three material categories. VS was found to be degraded only in the 1D SiC/CAS. VL was difficult to determine on the irregular specimen surfaces but appeared unchanged on all failed specimens. 3D woven specimens with heat-treatment at high temperature exhibited degradation only in SWF.

Kautz, Harold E.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Failure mechanisms of 3-D woven SiC/SiC composites under tensile and flexural loading at room and elevated temperatures

Nicalon silicon carbide 3D yarn with silicon carbide matrix composites made through a chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process were investigated under tensile and flexural loading at 23, 1200 and 1550 C in air. The effectiveness of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) SiC surface coating was also evaluated in severe oxidizing environment. Acoustic emission sensors and in situ optical microscopy were used at room temperature to monitor the failure mechanisms. It is shown that the level of tensile stress at which nonlinear behavior begins is not drastically reduced at 1200 and 1550 C when composites were protected by a SiC surface coating. Extensive fiber pull-out was observed only in the 1550 C specimen. Similar behaviors were also found in flexural specimens.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of precracking parameters and fracture toughness for ceramic single-edge-precracked-beam specimens

The single-edge-precracked-beam (SEPB) method involves creation of a straight-through crack from an indentation crack. The straight-through crack is developed by applying a controlled bending load to a specimen via a precracking fixture. The fixture induces the following sequence: (1) stable growth of the indentation crack; (2) pop-in; and finally, (3) arrest-thereby forming a straight-through precrack. The effects of indentation load on precracking load as well as precrack size were studied for experimental variables such as specimen width, fixture span, and material. Finite element analysis was used to obtain the stress distribution and stress intensity factor, thus providing a quantitative prediction of the precracking load and precrack size for silicon nitride, alumina, silicon cabide, and two SiC whisker-reinforced silicon nitrides. Fracture toughness values obtained from the SEPB method were compared with those obtained from other methods.

Choi, Sung R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Damage mechanisms in three-dimensional woven reinforced ceramic matrix composites under tensile and flexural loading at room and elevated temperatures

Three-dimensional Nicalon SiC/SiC matrix composites made through a chemical vapor infiltration process were studied under tensile and flexural loading at 23, 1200, and 1550 C in air. In situ damage accumulation monitoring NDE techniques were utilized to identify failure mechanisms in these materials. The effectiveness and durability of a chemical vapor deposition SiC surface coating were also evaluated in severe oxidizing environment. Results show that the failure response was very similar for the 23 and 1200 C specimens, while at 1550 C there were significant changes in both the composite mechanical behavior and the matrix microstructure. Extensive fiber pull-out was observed only in the 1550 C specimen. It is also found that the SiC surface coating can protect the composite up to the critical matrix cracking strength.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1992

Structural design methodologies for ceramic-based material systems

One of the primary pacing items for realizing the full potential of ceramic-based structural components is the development of new design methods and protocols. The focus here is on low temperature, fast-fracture analysis of monolithic, whisker-toughened, laminated, and woven ceramic composites. A number of design models and criteria are highlighted. Public domain computer algorithms, which aid engineers in predicting the fast-fracture reliability of structural components, are mentioned. Emphasis is not placed on evaluating the models, but instead is focused on the issues relevant to the current state of the art.

Duffy, Stephen F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of precracking parameters for ceramic single-edge-precracked-beam specimens

The single-edge-precracked-beam (SEPB) method involves creation of a straight-through crack from an indentation crack. The straight-through crack is developed by applying a controlled bending load to a specimen via a precracking fixture. The fixture induces the following sequence: (1) stable growth of the indentation crack; (2) pop-in; and finally, (3) arrest - thereby forming a straight-through precrack. The effects of indentation load on precracking load as well as precrack size were studied for experimental variables such as specimen width, fixture span, and material. Finite element analysis was used to obtain the stress distribution and stress intensity factor, thus providing a quantitative prediction of the precracking load and precrack size for silicon nitride, alumina, silicon carbide, and two SiC whisker-reinforced silicon nitrides. Fracture toughness values obtained from the SEPB method were compared with those obtained from other methods.

Choi, Sung R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A new uniformly valid asymptotic integration algorithm for elasto-plastic creep and unified viscoplastic theories including continuum damage

A new scheme to integrate a system of stiff differential equations for both the elasto-plastic creep and the unified viscoplastic theories is presented. The method has high stability, allows large time increments, and is implicit and iterative. It is suitable for use with continuum damage theories. The scheme was incorporated into MARC, a commercial finite element code through a user subroutine called HYPELA. Results from numerical problems under complex loading histories are presented for both small and large scale analysis. To demonstrate the scheme's accuracy and efficiency, comparisons to a self-adaptive forward Euler method are made.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN ceramic matrix composites - Theory and experiment

The mechanical behavior of continuous fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN (Reaction Bonded Silicon Nitride) composites with various fiber contents is evaluated. Both catastrophic and noncatastrophic failures are observed in tensile specimens. Damage and failure mechanisms are identified via in-situ monitoring using NDE (nondestructive evaluation) techniques throughout the loading history. Effects of fiber/matrix interface debonding (splitting) parallel to fibers are discussed. Statistical failure behavior of fibers is also observed, especially when the interface is weak. Micromechanical models incorproating residual stresses to calculate the critical matrix cracking strength, ultimate strength, and work of pull-out are reviewed and used to predict composite response. For selected test problems, experimental measurements are compared to analytical predictions.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1991

Structural design methodologies for ceramic-based material systems

Duffy, Stephen F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN ceramic matrix composites: Theory and experiment

The mechanical behavior of continuous fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN (Reaction Bonded Silicon Nitride) composites with various fiber contents is evaluated. Both catastrophic and noncatastrophic failures are observed in tensile specimens. Damage and failure mechanisms are identified via in-situ monitoring using NDE (nondestructive evaluation) techniques through the loading history. Effects of fiber/matrix interface debonding (splitting) parallel to fibers are discussed. Statistical failure behavior of fibers is also observed, especially when the interface is weak. Micromechanical models incorporating residual stresses to calculate the critical matrix cracking strength, ultimate strength, and work of pull-out are reviewed and used to predict composite response. For selected test problems, experimental measurements are compared to analytical predictions.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mechanics of interfaces in fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN ceramic matrix composites

The mechanical behavior of continuous fiber reinforced SiC/RBSN composites with strong and weak interface characteristics is evaluated. Both catastrophic and noncatastrophic failures are observed in tensile specimens. Effects of fiber/matrix interface debonding (splitting) parallel to the fibers are discussed. Micromechanical models incorporating residual stresses to calculate the critical matrix cracking strength, ultimate strength and work of pull-out are reviewed and used to predict composite response. Experimental results are compared to analytical predictions.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1989

Assumed strain distributions for a finite strip plate bending element using Mindlin-Reissner plate theory

A linear finite strip plate element based on Mindlin-Reissner plate theory is developed. The analysis is suitable for both thin and thick plates. In the formulation, new transverse shear strains are introduced and assumed constant in each two-node linear strip. The element stiffness matrix is explicitly formulated for efficient computation and computer implementation. Numerical results showing the efficiency and predictive capability of the element for the analysis of plates are presented for different support and loading conditions and a wide range of thicknesses. No sign of shear locking is observed with the newly developed element.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1988

Improved finite strip Mindlin plate bending element using assumed shear strain distributions

A linear finite strip plate element based on Mindlin/Reissner plate theory is developed. The analysis is suitable for both thin and thick plates. In the formulation new transverse shear strains are introduced and assumed constant in each two-code linear strip. The element stiffness matrix is explicitly formulated for efficient computation and computer implementation. Numerical results showing the efficiency and predictive capability of the element for the analysis of plates are presented for different support and loading conditions and a wide range of thicknesses. No sign of shear locking phenomenon was observed with the newly developed element.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

NASA NTRS1988

An efficient Mindlin finite strip plate element based on assumed strain distribution

A simple two node, linear, finite strip plate bending element based on Mindlin-Reissner plate theory for the analysis of very thin to thick bridges, plates, and axisymmetric shells is presented. The new transverse shear strains are assumed for constant distribution in the two node linear strip. The important aspect is the choice of the points that relate the nodal displacements and rotations through the locking transverse shear strains. The element stiffness matrix is explicitly formulated for efficient computation and ease in computer implementation. Numerical results showing the efficiency and predictive capability of the element for analyzing plates with different supports, loading conditions, and a wide range of thicknesses are given. The results show no sign of the shear locking phenomenon.

Chulya, Abhisak↗