On Cyclic-Fatigue Crack Growth in Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy-Polymer Composites.

The growth of cracks between plies, i.e., delamination, in continuous fibre polymer matrix composites under cyclic-fatigue loading in operational aircraft structures has always been a very important factor, which has the potential to significantly decrease the service life of such structures.

A Digital Image Correlation (DIC) prototype system for crack propagation monitoring in aircraft assemblies.

In the Clean Sky 2 project DIMES, the cyclic loading of a section of an A320 wing with pre-existing damage was carried out. We present a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) prototype system to monitor crack propagation in the aircraft wing. This system includes a mount for easy installation and adjustment in a confined space.

Simulated Kick Injury to the Mandible in Horses: Study of Fracture Configurations and Physical Parameters of the Impact.

Objective:  The goal of this study was to generate mandibular fractures in three regions of the diastema using a metal impactor to simulate a kick from a horse and to determine the mean deceleration in the initial phase of the impact event, the maximum contact force, the impact energy necessary to create a fracture and the duration of the impact.

Study Design:  Thirty heads of horses aged between 5 and 20 years and euthanatized for various reasons were used. The heads were attached to a steel bar at the occiput at an axial angle of 45 degrees so that the body of the mandible was positioned horizontally and directly under the trajectory of the impactor.

Sensorized Robotic Skin Based on Piezoresistive Sensor Fiber Composites Produced with Injection Molding of Liquid Silicone.

Soft robotics and flexible electronics are rising in popularity and can be used in many applications. However, there is still a need for processing routes that allow the upscaling in production for functional soft robotic parts in an industrial scale. In this study, injection molding of liquid silicone is suggested as a fabrication method for sensorized robotic skin based on sensor fiber composites.

The influence of aluminium, steel and polyurethane shoeing systems and of the unshod hoof on the injury risk of a horse kick. An ex vivo experimental study.

Objectives: To evaluate the damage inflicted by an unshod hoof and by the various horseshoe materials (steel, aluminium and polyurethane) on the long bones of horses after a simulated kick.

Methods: Sixty-four equine radii and tibiae were evaluated using a drop impact test setup. An impactor with a steel, aluminium, polyurethane, or hoof horn head was dropped onto prepared bones.

Exposure Assessment of a High-energy Tensile Test With Large Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Cables.

This study investigated the particle and fiber release from two carbon fiber reinforced polymer cables that underwent high-energy tensile tests until rupture. The failing event was the source of a large amount of dust whereof a part was suspected to be containing possibly respirable fibers that could cause adverse health effects. The released fibers were suspected to migrate through small openings to the experiment control room and also to an adjacent machine hall where workers were active.