Flexural strength

About: Flexural strength is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 52123 publications have been published within this topic receiving 846504 citations. The topic is also known as: bending strength & modulus of rupture.

Geometric confinement governs the rupture strength of H-bond assemblies at a critical length scale.

Abstract: The ultrastructure of protein materials such as spider silk, muscle tissue, or amyloid fibers consists primarily of beta-sheets structures, composed of hierarchical assemblies of H-bonds. Despite the weakness of H-bond interactions, which have intermolecular bonds 100 to 1000 times weaker than those in ceramics or metals, these materials combine exceptional strength, robustness, and resilience. We discover that the rupture strength of H-bond assemblies is governed by geometric confinement effects, suggesting that clusters of at most 3-4 H-bonds break concurrently, even under uniform shear loading of a much larger number of H-bonds. This universally valid result leads to an intrinsic strength limitation that suggests that shorter strands with less H-bonds achieve the highest shear strength at a critical length scale. The hypothesis is confirmed by direct large-scale full-atomistic MD simulation studies of beta-sheet structures in explicit solvent. Our finding explains how the intrinsic strength limitation of H-bonds can be overcome by the formation of a nanocomposite structure of H-bond clusters, thereby enabling the formation of larger and much stronger beta-sheet structures. Our results explain recent experimental proteomics data, suggesting a correlation between the shear strength and the prevalence of beta-strand lengths in biology.

Confined concrete columns with stubs

Abstract: The critical sections of columns in a framed structure subjected to earthquake loads are invariably adjacent to the beam-column/slab joints or the footings. External restraint provided by the heavy elements alters the behavior of the adjacent sections and may not always prove conservative. To simulate this behavior, 6 reinforced concrete columns were tested under cyclic flexure and shear while simultaneously subjected to a constant axial load. The variables in the test program were the amount of lateral steel, steel configuration, and level of axial load. From a comparison of the results with those from similar prismatic specimens tested earlier, it was concluded that the stub enhanced the adjacent section's flexural strength by more than 20%. The details of the study are described, and these and other findings are presented and discussed.

Effect of clustering on the mechanical properties of SiC particulate-reinforced aluminum alloy 2024 metal matrix composites

Abstract: Al 2024–SiC metal matrix composite (MMC) powders produced by centrifugal atomization were hot extruded to investigate the effect of clustering on their mechanical properties. Fracture toughness and tension tests were conducted on specimens reinforced with different volume fractions of SiC. A model was proposed to suggest that the strength of the MMCs could be estimated from the load transfer model approach that takes into consideration the extent of clustering. This model has been successful in predicting the experimentally observed strength and fracture toughness values of the Al 2024–SiC MMCs. On the basis of experimental observations, it is suggested that the strength of particulate-reinforced MMCs may be calculated from the relation: σ y = σ m V m + σ r ( V r − V c )− σ r V c , where σ and V represent the yield strength and volume fraction, respectively, and the subscripts m, r, and c represent the matrix, reinforcement, and clusters, respectively.