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In this paper, the effect of normal load on the failure mechanism of echelon joint has been studied using PFC2D. In the first step, calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to the data obtained from experimental laboratory tests. Then, six different models consisting various echelon joint were prepared and tested under two low and high normal loads. Furthermore, validation of the simulated models were cross checked with the results of direct shear tests performed on non-persistent jointed physical models. The simulations demonstrated that failure patterns were mostly influenced by normal loading, while the shear strength was linked to failure mechanism. When ligament angle is less than 90°, the stable crack growth length is increased by increasing the normal loading. In this condition, fish eyes failure pattern occur in rock bridge. With higher ligament angles, the rock bridge was broken under high normal loading. Applying higher normal loading increases the number of fracture sets while dilation angle and mean orientations of fracture sets with respect to ligament direction will be decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, friction coefficients of composite materials such as gear fiber reinforced plastic (gear fiber) and glass fiber reinforced plastic (glass fiber) are investigated and compared. In the experiments, gear fiber and glass fiber slide against different austenitic stainless steels such as stainless steel 201 (SS 201) and stainless steel 301 (SS 301). Experiments are carried out at low loads 2, 4 and 6 N, low sliding velocities 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 m/s and relative humidity 70%. The obtained results reveal that in general, friction coefficient of gear fiber and glass fiber increases with the increase in normal load and sliding velocity. Results show that friction coefficient of glass fiber-SS 201 pair is the highest and gear fiber-SS 301 pair is the lowest within the observed range of normal load and sliding velocity. On the other hand, it is found that friction coefficient of glass fiber-SS 301 pair is slightly higher than that of gear fiber-SS 201 pair. During the running-in process, friction coefficient of gear fiber and glass fiber steadily increases with the increase in rubbing time and after certain duration of rubbing, it remains constant regardless of the counterface material. The obtained results reveal that for the observed range, the influence of normal load on the frictional properties of gear fibe and glass fiber is greater than that of sliding velocity. At identical operating conditions, the magnitudes of friction coefficient of gear fiber and glass fiber are different depending on normal load, sliding velocity and counterface material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the scratch behaviour of the composite materials is of primary importance. The scratch behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polyester composite was investigated. A new scratch device is designed and developed. Scratch tests at room temperature were carried out, using conical indenter and constant scratching velocity. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tribological parameters on wear mechanisms and friction coefficient. Particularly, the effects of the normal load and the attack angle were presented. The different wear scenario of the composite material during the scratch test was deduced, then supported by an analysis of the glass fibre reinforced polyester composite wear modes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations was performed. The correlation between tribological parameters and wear mechanisms was highlighted through the composite scratch map. Results were compared with those previously published associated with the metallic and the polymeric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vegetable oil is one of the bio-oils that have been promoted to replace petroleum-based products due to its eco- friendly characteristics. Palm oil has high productivity rate, and so it could fulfil the demand for a bio-lubricant. In this paper, the influence of the normal load on friction and wear performance were investigated for a RBD palm olein and compared with paraffinic mineral oil using four-ball tribotester. The normal load was varied from 30 kg to 60 kg. All experimental works were conforming to ASTM D 4172. The results exhibited that the RBD palm olein has lower coefficient of friction compared to paraffinic mineral oil. However, the wear scar of ball bearings lubricated with RBD palm olein showed larger diameter compared to paraffinic mineral oil. As a conclusion, RBD palm olein has better performance compared to paraffinic mineral oil in terms of capability to reduce friction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper deals with modelling and design of a friction damper. This has been done in four phases. In the first phase, modal analysis is performed to determine the modal parameters of turbine blade. In the second phase, a mathematical model for the contact region of damper and rigid surface has been developed using microslip approach. This model has the ability to account for microslip in the contact region. In the third phase, a mathematical model for the combined blade with damper is developed and in the fourth phase the damper is designed. The results of the combined blade with damper model are confirmed by experimental test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]