Stress relaxation

About: Stress relaxation is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 12959 publications have been published within this topic receiving 270815 citations.

In situ observation of stress relaxation in epitaxial graphene

Abstract: Upon cooling, branched line defects develop in epitaxial graphene grown at high temperature on Pt(111) and Ir(111). Using atomically resolved scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate that these defects are wrinkles in the graphene layer, i.e. stripes of partially delaminated graphene. With low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), we investigate the wrinkling phenomenon in situ. Upon temperature cycling, we observe hysteresis in the appearance and disappearance of the wrinkles. Simultaneously with wrinkle formation a change in bright field imaging intensity of adjacent areas and a shift in the moire spot positions for micro diffraction of such areas takes place. The stress relieved by wrinkle formation results from the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients of graphene and the substrate. A simple one-dimensional model taking into account the energies related to strain, delamination and bending of graphene is in qualitative agreement with our observations.

Mechanical Characterization of Brain Tissue in High-Rate Compression

Abstract: Mechanical properties of brain tissue in high strain region are indispensable for the analysis of brain damage during traffic accidents. However, accurate data on the mechanical behavior of brain tissue under impact loading condition are sparse. In this study, mechanical properties of porcine brain tissues were characterized in their cylindrical samples cored out from their surface. The samples were compressed in their axial direction at strain rates ranging from 1 to 50 s-1. Stress relaxation test was also conducted following rapid compression with a rise time of ∼30 ms to different strain levels (20-70%). Brain tissue exhibited stiffer responses under higher impact rates: initial elastic modulus was 5.7±1.6, 11.9±3.3, 23.8±10.5 kPa (mean±SD) for strain rate of 1, 10, 50 s-1, respectively. We found that stress relaxation K(t,e) could be analysed in time and strain domains separately. The relaxation response could be expressed as the product of two mutually independent functions of time and strain as: K(t,e)=G(t)σe(e), where σe(e) is an elastic response, i.e., the peak stress in response to a step input of strain e, and G(t) is a reduced relaxation function: G(t)=0.642e-t/0.0207+0.142e-t/0.482+0.216e-t/18.9, i.e., the time-dependent stress response normalized by the peak stress. The reduced relaxation function obtained here will serve as a useful tool to predict mechanical behavior of brain tissue in compression with strain rate greater than 10 s-1.

Indentation analysis of biphasic articular cartilage : nonlinear phenomena under finite deformation

Abstract: The nonlinear indentation response of hydrated articular cartilage at physiologically relevant rates of mechanical loading is studied using a two-phase continuum model of the tissue based on the theory of mixtures under finite deformation. The matrix equations corresponding to the governing mixture equations for this nonlinear problem are derived using a total Lagrangian penalty finite element method, and solved using a predictor-corrector iteration within a modified Newton-Raphson scheme. The stress relaxation indentation problem is examined using either a porous (free draining) indenter or solid (impermeable) indenter under fast and slow compression rates. The creep indentation problem is studied using a porous indenter. We examine the finite deformation response and compare with the response obtained using the linear infinitesimal response. Differences between the finite deformation response and the linear response are shown to be significant when the compression rate is fast or when the indenter is impermeable. The finite deformation model has a larger ratio of peak-to-equilibrium reaction force, and higher relaxation rate than the linear model during the early relaxation period, but a similar relaxation time. The finite deformation model predicts a slower creep rate than the linear model, as well as a smaller equilibrium creep displacement. The pressure distribution below the indenter, particularly near the loaded surface is also larger with the finite deformation model.

Interfacial misfit array formation for GaSb growth on GaAs

Abstract: The manuscript reports that the initial strain relaxation of highly mismatched GaSb layers grown on GaAs (001) is governed by the two-dimensional (2D), periodic interfacial misfit (IMF) dislocation array growth mode. Under optimized growth conditions, only pure 90° dislocations are generated along both [110] and [11¯0] directions that are located at GaSb/GaAs interface, which leads to very low threading dislocation density propagated along the growth direction. The long-range uniformity and subsequent strain relaxation of the 2D and periodic IMF array are demonstrated via transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy images at GaSb/GaAs interface.

Constitutive framework for biodegradable polymers with applications to biodegradable stents.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric stents must provide mechanical support of the stenotic artery wall up to several months while being subjected to cyclic loading that affects the degradation process. To understand the applicability and efficacy of biodegradable polymers, a two-pronged approach involving experiments and theory is necessary. This article addresses the second aspect, the development of a theoretical framework within which the behavior of such materials can be studied. We present a constitutive model for polymers that undergo deformation induced-degradation. For our purpose, degradation is the scission of chemical bonds of the backbone chain, results in molecular weight reduction, and consequently in the commonly observed softening. A model of a solid capable of degradation, which in its absence responds like an elastic solid, is developed. We assume the existence of a scalar field that reflects the local state of degradation and changes the properties of the material. A rate equation for the measure of degradation that depends on strain is coupled with the balance of linear momentum. Uniaxial extension of a body, which in the absence of degradation behaves as a neo-Hookean elastic solid, exhibits stress relaxation, creep, and hysteresis, due to degradation.