Graduation Year

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.M.E.

Degree Granting Department

Mechanical Engineering

Major Professor

Alex A.Volinsky, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Craig Lusk, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Nathan Crane, Ph.D.

Keywords

indentation test, simulation, contact mechanics, fracture, microchannel, thermo-mechanical properties

Abstract

In Chapter 1, a brief introduction of nanoindentation and finite element method is presented. General procedures have been developed based on FEM modeling of nanoindentation data to obtain the mechanical properties of thin films. Selected FEM models are illustrated in detail.

In Chapter 2, nanoindentation test is simulated using finite element method based on contact mechanics approach. The relationship between load and indentation depth is obtained. The numerical results show good agreement with experimental data. It is shown that FEM is an effective tool for simulation of nanoindentation tests of metallic films. However, limitations caused by simplification of models and assumptions should not be neglected.

In Chapter 3, finite element method is used to analyze bonded repair structure of aluminum plates with Multiple Site Damage (MSD). A 2-D 3-layer technique is used to deal with the damage area. A typical aluminum plate with multiple collinear twin cracks is taken as an example. The effects of relative position of two cracks, patch size, and patch thickness on stress intensity factors are studied in detail. The results reveal that the stress intensity factors at the tips of collinear twin cracks can be reduced greatly through bonded composite repair. In order to increase the performance of the patch repair, the adhesive properties, the patch length and thickness must be optimized.

In Chapter 4, finite element method is used for thermo-mechanical analysis of porous coatings in steel micro channels used for catalysis. Thermal stresses in the coating due to temperature changes are obtained. The effects of micro channel geometry on thermal stresses are studied in detail. The results reveal that in order to increase the mechanical performance of the coatings, film thickness and profile geometry must be optimized.

Chapter 5 summarizes major results and outlines future work.

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