Performance of a biomimetically inspired notch design

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Department

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Steven L. Donaldson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of a biomimetically inspired notch design. There were four designs fabricated from 6061-T6 Aluminum and ABS-M30 thermoplastic. The specimens were tested in quasi-static tension. The four notch designs included a square radius, a circular radius, the biomimetic notch, and the notch described in the American Standard Test Methods (ASTM) D638 and E8 [1 and 2]. The aluminum specimens were fabricated using a computerized numerically controlled (CNC) machine. The ABS specimens were fabricated in a 3D printer. An Instron load frame was used to perform a tensile test per ASTM D638 and E8 [1 and 2]. The biomimetic shoulder notch performed (performance was based on stress and strain) better or at least on par with the shoulder notch described in the ASTM standards, while requiring less specimen length. This means that the biomimetic notch design should be explored in future stress concentration research.

Keywords

Surface roughness Elastic properties, Surfaces (Physics) Design, Stress concentration, Aerospace Materials, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Stress Concentrations

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2016, author

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