The design and planning of structural components, such as columns, to resist blast loads is a complex task. Often standard free-field blast loads, specified in design codes or other literature, are used for the analysis of the object. These loads are then further increased or decreased depending on the topology of the surrounding geometry (Mach-Stem), the shape of the impacted object itself, and blast wave reflection. However, most of these research works focus purely on the assessment of the structural components itself, ignoring a complex fluid mechanics phenomenon such as diffraction, which is of particular interest when circular columns are standing next to each other or placed in front of a façade. The article addresses three main topics. First, the article answers the question whether the area behind the column is protected, meaning constituting a shadowed area. We present findings that the close area behind a column is subjected to higher pressure and impulse values as there would be without the column. Hence, the incident pressure sees significant pressure buildup due to diffraction. This pressure buildup is quantified using pressure increase factors and presented together with the accompanying impulse. Second, this pressure buildup is of relevance for realistic design of a façade behind the column, which is not covered in current design codes at all. We discuss relevant parameters in the design process. Third, directly coupled with the assessment of the pressure buildup behind the column due to diffraction is the assessment of pressure and impulse in the area behind the column due to multi-wave reflection at a façade, leading to a significant pressure and impulse scale-up, which might be relevant for design of a column and/or a façade. This article identifies gaps in understanding diffraction and subsequent multi-reflection of blast wave within a structural design framework and provides insights on how to establish safe design accounting for these effects.

No abstract

Nonlinear modulation is a promising technique for ultrasonic non-destructive damage identification. A wireless sensor network is ideally suited to monitor large structures using nonlinear modulation in a cost-efficient manner. However, existing approaches rely on high sampling rates and resource-demanding computations that are not feasible on low-cost and low-power sensor network devices. We present a new damage indicator that uses the short-time Fourier transform to derive amplitude and phase modulation with less computational effort and memory usage. Evaluation of the proposed method using real experiment data exhibits performance and reliability similar to the conventionally used modulation index. Undersampling is demonstrated, which reduces the memory demand in a test scenario by more than 100 times, and the required energy for sampling and processing more than four times. The loss of accuracy introduced by undersampling is shown to be negligible.

Laminated metal composites are a promising design since the hybrid design enables superior and tailorable material properties compared with bulk material. The article introduces for the first time, laminated metal composites consisting of multiple bilayers of alternating layers of ductile and high-strength steel processed by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The layup of the laminated metal composites is built up by alternating deposits made of ductile steel and high-strength steel type wires. Governing parameters in the fabrication process affecting the material properties, such as dilution, are discussed. Enhanced material properties of the laminated metal composites fabricated by WAAM are investigated under static tensile, impact and tension-tension high-cycle-fatigue loading and compared to the relating homogenous weld metal. Potential reasons for the retardation of crack propagation in laminated metal composites fabricated by WAAM compared to findings in roll-bonded laminated metal composites are discussed. WAAM is conducted by a collaborative robot providing a high level of flexibility in respect to geometry and scalability. Tailorability of material properties through WAAM-fabricated laminated metal composites adds an important layer of flexibility which has not been explored yet.

No abstract