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Abstract Characterising ultra-high-speed dynamic events in the bulk of the material requires high-frame-rate imaging, combined with X-rays capable of penetrating the material. Megahertz radiography with synchrotron radiation was explored, showing strong potential for capturing dynamic damage events. In situ tensile tests were performed on fibre-reinforced polymer composites to image transverse crack dynamics. Challenges of this […]

Abstract Hypothesis: Mechanical interlocking (anchoring) of ice within surface roughness features is a primary contributor to ice adhesion, yet the interfacial region in which it occurs remains concealed between the bulk ice and the solid surface. Previous efforts to explore this hidden region have relied on 2D side-view or top-view optical and electron microscopy, or

Abstract We compared accuracy of hand and motorized reaming for trapezial cavity preparation in thumb trapeziometacarpal ball-and-socket arthroplasty. A cannulated 9 mm conical reamer (Touch, KeriMedical, Geneva, Switzerland) was used to create cavities in synthetic polyurethane foam blocks of normal and osteoporotic density across six operators (three experienced trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty surgeons and three novices). In this

Abstract Shear band thickness is a critical parameter governing strain localisation and post-peak strength degradation in granular soils. However, its relationship with fines content and the consistency between surface- and volume-based measurement techniques remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the evolution and residual thickness of shear bands in gap-graded sands with fines contents ranging from

Abstract Carbon fibre sheet-moulding compounds (CFRTP-SMCs) offer an attractive balance of mechanical performance, manufacturability and cost, yet their highly heterogeneous mesostructure makes damage initiation difficult to predict. This study investigates how tape configuration influences the onset of damage using a combined in situ digital volume correlation (DVC) and principal component analysis (PCA) framework. Four tape architectures,

Abstract Accurately characterising deformation in fibre-reinforced composites requires specimen geometries that both promote failure within the gauge zone and enable high-quality full-field strain measurements. These demands become even more critical under biaxial loading, where interacting stress states make it challenging to maintain stable and interpretable deformation in the specimen centre. This study systematically evaluates five

Abstract – Building envelopes commonly comprise porous building materials, with their functional performance governed by their microstructure, including the underlying pore structure. In recent years, pore network (PN) modeling has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate flow and transport properties of such porous materials. However, reliable predictions require PNs that capture the complete pore

Abstract In this study, digital volume correlation (DVC) is applied to high-resolution synchrotron tomograms of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites, in both single- and multi-fibre configurations, subjected to longitudinal tension. The investigated single-fibre composites experience fibre fracture, longitudinal debonding, and matrix cracking, with their combined effects on strain recovery captured. In contrast, multi-fibre composites, consisting of

Abstract The state of the art for characterizing the wettability of silica aerogel granules and powders heavily relies on the use of static contact angle measurements obtained through goniometer experiments. However, measuring contact angles of (super)hydrophobic silica aerogel granules and powders might give inaccurate results and are prone to user errors due to the high

Abstract In this research, the design and implementation of a novel chopped fiber deposition system for the laser sintering (LS) process is discussed. The system allows deposition of chopped fibers with different lengths and of multiple fiber types in a commercial LS machine. A weight percentage of 5% (2 vol%) glass fibers can be implemented