Abel Cherouat

Bio: Abel Cherouat is an academic researcher from University of Technology of Troyes. The author has contributed to research in topics: Finite element method & Forming processes. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 104 publications receiving 678 citations. Previous affiliations of Abel Cherouat include French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation & Centre national de la recherche scientifique.

Determination of residual stress in composite laminates using the incremental hole-drilling method

Abstract: The cooling conditions used in the forming process of composite materials play an important role in the creation ofresidual stress. In this study, a new method for measuring residual stress in composite laminates is presented. Three cooling conditions were used to produce different residual stress levels. Residual stresses in [02/902]s and [08] laminate have been measured by the incremental holedrilling method combined with 3-D finite element modelling. A software which quickly calculates all the coefficients for each increment was developed. The automatic procedure can be used to calculate the calibration coefficient for any type oflaminate (ply number, mechanic characteristics,...) and whatever the number of increments and their depths. The different results show that this method provides access to the in-depth distribution and through thickness ofresidual stress in the laminate with a good accuracy and practicality.

Application of Taguchi approach to optimize friction stir welding parameters of polyethylene

Abstract: This paper presents experimental and numerical results of butt friction stir welding of high density polyethylene. The FSW designed tool insulates the welded samples and preserves the heat gained from friction thus avoiding the appearance of blisters and splits after welding. The experimental tests, conducted according to combinations of process factors such as rotation speed, welding speed, pin diameter and hold time at beginning welding, were carried out according the Taguchi orthogonal table L27 in randomized way. Temperatures in the joint during the welding operation and flow stresses from the tensile tests of welded samples were measured and variances were analyzed. Identified models were used to simulate, by finite elements, the tensile tests performed on specimens having a weld cordon in their active area. The results show coherence between the numerical predictions and experimental observations in different cases of weld cordon mechanical behaviour.

Adaptive remeshing in large plastic strain with damage

Abstract: The analysis of mechanical structures using the finite element method in the framework of large elasto-plastic strain, needs frequent remeshing of the deformed domain during the computation. Indeed, the remeshing is due to the large geometrical distortion of finite elements and the adaptation to the physical behaviour of the solution as the plastic strain or the damage fields. This paper gives the necessary steps to remesh a mechanical structure during large elasto-plastic deformations with damage. An important part of this process concerns the geometrical and physical error estimates. The proposed method is integrated in a computational environment using the ABAQUS/Explicit solver and the BL2D-V2 adaptive mesher. After recalling the formulation of the elasto-plastic problem with damage, four types of applications using the proposed adaptive remeshing are given: orthogonal cutting, side-pressing of an infinite cylinder, blanking and backward extrusion with drilling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fabrication and Characterization of Hemp Fibre Based 3D Printed Honeycomb Sandwich Structure by FDM Process

Abstract: Natural fibre composites have been trending in the industries recently due to their better recyclability, renewability, biodegradability. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is one of the widely used additive manufacturing process for the fabrication of simple and complex structures. In this study, hemp/PLA 3D printed honeycomb sandwich structures were fabricated by FDM process and mechanical behaviour was characterized. Initially, the tensile behaviour of hemp fibre/PLA filaments and the 3D printed composite specimens with an infill angle of 0°/90°, -45°/ + 45° were investigated. Honeycomb cores were fabricated and their mechanical behaviour in flatwise, edgewise directions were analysed. Later, honeycomb sandwich structures were fabricated using core and skin parts. Compression and 4-Point bending tests were performed to characterize the mechanical behaviour. Analytical analysis was also performed to predict the mechanical properties of the honeycomb sandwich structure knowing the properties of the cell wall material. Some small-scaled automotive and aerospace prototypes were fabricated to assure the application of this methodology.

Continuum Models of Ductile Fracture: A Review

Abstract: The past 20 years have seen substantial work on the modeling of ductile damage and fracture. Several factors explain this interest. (i) There is a growing demand to provide tools which allow to increase the efficiency of structures (reduce weight, increase service temperature or load, etc.) while keeping or increasing safety. This goal is indeed first achieved by using better materials but also by improving design tools. Better tools have been provided which consist (ii) of material constitutive equations integrating a physically-based description of damage processes and (iii) of better numerical tools which allow to use the improved constitutive equations in structural computations which become more and more realistic. This article reviews the material constitutive equations and computational tools, which have been recently developed to simulate ductile rupture.

A review of natural fiber composites: properties, modification and processing techniques, characterization, applications

Abstract: There has been much effort to provide eco-friendly and biodegradable materials for the next generation of composite products owing to global environmental concerns and increased awareness of renewable green resources. An increase in the use of natural materials in composites has led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint of composites. In addition to the benefits obtained from green materials, there are some challenges in working with them, such as poor compatibility between the reinforcing natural fiber and matrix and the relatively high moisture absorption of natural fibers. Green composites can be a suitable alternative for petroleum-based materials. However, before this can be accomplished, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed, including poor interfacial adhesion between the matrix and natural fibers, moisture absorption, poor fire resistance, low impact strength, and low durability. Several researchers have studied the properties of natural fiber composites. These investigations have resulted in the development of several procedures for modifying natural fibers and resins. To address the increasing demand to use eco-friendly materials in different applications, an up-do-date review on natural fiber and resin types and sources, modification and processing techniques, physical and mechanical behaviors, applications, life-cycle assessment, and other properties of green composites is required to provide a better understanding of the behavior of green composites. This paper presents such a review based on 322 studies published since 1978.

Fiber Bragg grating sensors toward structural health monitoring in composite materials: challenges and solutions.

Abstract: Nowadays, smart composite materials embed miniaturized sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) in order to mitigate the risk of failure due to an overload or to unwanted inhomogeneity resulting from the fabrication process. Optical fiber sensors, and more particularly fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, outperform traditional sensor technologies, as they are lightweight, small in size and offer convenient multiplexing capabilities with remote operation. They have thus been extensively associated to composite materials to study their behavior for further SHM purposes. This paper reviews the main challenges arising from the use of FBGs in composite materials. The focus will be made on issues related to temperature-strain discrimination, demodulation of the amplitude spectrum during and after the curing process as well as connection between the embedded optical fibers and the surroundings. The main strategies developed in each of these three topics will be summarized and compared, demonstrating the large progress that has been made in this field in the past few years.