Abstract: Due to geometric discontinuities introduced by welding and joining processes, stresses or strain cannot be calculated reliably calculated using modern analytical and computer methods as result of stress or strain singularity at joint locations, which leads to severe mesh sensitivity. Design and fatigue evaluation of these structures remain empirical. This disclosure addresses mesh insensitivity of stress/strain calculations for welded structures through a cut-plane traction stress method through a novel post processing of conventional finite element computation results, as well as provides a unified fatigue evaluation procedure for fatigue design and structural life evaluation for both low-cycle and high cycle fatigue regime subjected to either proportional or non-proportional multiaxial fatigue loading, as well as a simple and reliable method for treating spot welds.

Abstract: A method of measuring a stress-strain curve in a cell-cell adhesion interface, the method including: providing a structure including a first movable island supported by a first beam, a second movable island supported by a second beam, and a gap therebetween connected by a pair of cells forming a junction, the pair of cells comprising a cell-cell adhesion interface having an initial length defined by a distance between nuclei of the pair of cells; moving the second movable island with a defined displacement; determining a displacement of the first movable island based on moving the second movable island; calculating a difference between the displacement of the first movable island and the defined displacement of the second movable island based on moving the second movable island; determining an applied strain in the cell-cell adhesion interface between the pair of cells based on the difference divided by the initial length of the cell-cell adhesion interface; calculating a force between the cell-cell adhesion

Abstract: A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

Abstract: Due to geometric discontinuities introduced by welding and joining processes, stresses or strain cannot be calculated reliably calculated using modern analytical and computer methods as result of stress or strain singularity at joint locations, which leads to severe mesh sensitivity. Design and fatigue evaluation of these structures remain empirical. This disclosure addresses mesh insensitivity of stress/strain calculations for welded structures through a cut-plane traction stress method through a novel post processing of conventional finite element computation results, as well as provides a unified fatigue evaluation procedure for fatigue design and structural life evaluation for both low-cycle and high cycle fatigue regime subjected to either proportional or non-proportional multiaxial fatigue loading, as well as a simple and reliable method for treating spot welds.

Abstract: A method for detecting and protecting against abnormal user behavior is described. The method may include generating a tensor model based on a set of user information within a temporal period. The tensor model may include a behavioral profile associated with a user of a set of users. In some examples, the method may include determining that a behavior associated with the user of the set of users is abnormal based on the tensor model, adapting the tensor model based on feedback from an additional user of a set of additional users different from the set of users, and performing a security action on at least one computing device to protect against the abnormal user behavior based on the adapting.

Abstract: A method for defining a threshold stress curve utilized in fatigue and/or damage tolerance analysis, the method including conducting a direct test method on a plurality of specimens with a notch to generate raw data, the notch in each of the specimens having a notch dimension; determining a plurality of analyzed data points based upon the raw data; determining a regression line based upon the plurality of data points, the regression line including an exponential portion and a power law portion; and connecting the exponential portion and the power law portion of the regression line to form a threshold stress curve based on the regression line.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for testing mechanical materials, including, but not limited to, plates, welded pipes, metal shells, and the like. The apparatus may include an outer module; an inner module, wherein the inner module is affixed to a target mechanical material to be tested; and at least one main bolt, wherein the at least one main bolt physically contacts the outer module and the inner module. In some embodiments, the inner module may include a plurality of clasps for holding the target material. A mechanical force can be applied to the main bolt, which results in application of mechanical force to the target mechanical material for testing. Additionally, the apparatus does not require any hydraulic elements or electrical elements.

Abstract: A golf grip comprising an elastomeric material that has a change in the storage modulus of less than about 0.01 MPa in a range of 1% to 4% strain in a subsequent test cycle after an initial test cycle in a dynamic strain test, or alternatively, a change in storage modulus of less than about 0.007 MPa at 2.5% strain between the initial test cycle and the subsequent test cycle. The elastomeric material has less than about 2.5% change in modulus when strained to 300% under a uniaxial static strain in a subsequent test cycle comparing to an initial test cycle under a static strain cycle test. The elastomeric material may have a storage modulus of less than about 1.5 MPa at 2.5% strain and hardness of less than approximately 35 durometer on shore A scale. The golf grip may be a single or multiple layered, and preferably, a rubber vulcanizate.

Abstract: A device for implementing a high-temperature plane strain compression test on a thermal simulation tester is provided. High-hardness and special-shaped pressure heads are located at the upper and lower ends of a sample; side shim plates and end shim plates with insulation and high pressure resistance are respectively located in grooves in the end faces and the inner sides of high-strength fixed plates, and the combined fixed plates are respectively located on the left and right sides of the sample; and the combined fixed plates are fixed via four through holes of the fixed plates by high-strength bolts, washers and nuts to limit the plane strain problem caused by the deformation of the sample in the normal direction of the fixed plates.

Abstract: The present invention includes a load frame test device using a plurality of levers about a common pivot point for applying combinations of tensile loading and bending on test articles at magnitudes seen in offshore applications.

Abstract: A device for performing a mechanical four-point bending test on a test piece and to a method for using one such device. The device comprises: a) structure for holding a first end of the test piece (27; 127; 28; 128) and structure for holding a second end of the test piece (30, 31); b) traction wire (25) and converting structure (16, 116) for converting a translational movement of said traction means into a rotational movement; c) conversion structure (26; 27; 126; 127) for converting said rotational movement into bending deformation of the test piece. Said conversion structure comprises at least one first Cardan joint (26; 126), connected to the structure for holding the first end of the test piece.

Abstract: A method for producing a force-measuring element (10) having at least one articulation point (20) which separates one region of the force-measuring element (10) into two connected subregions (11, 12) which can be deflected in relation to one another. The method includes: providing a force-measuring element blank (10), removing material from the force-measuring element blank (10) in order to produce the articulation point (20), checking whether the deflection behavior of the subregions (11, 12) which is produced by the articulation point corresponds to a predefined specification, defining a correction form (30) which can be produced through material removal and compensates for an ascertained deviation from the predefined specification, correcting the articulation point geometry using a laser and the previously defined correction form (30), through material removal at the articulation point.

Abstract: A modular assembly for measuring forces on a structure. The structure may contain a strain gage module that is insertable in a cavity or hole in the structure. There may be numerous structures that can contain a strain gage module. These structures may have various configurations, sizes, and shapes. Despite the various configurations, sizes and shapes, the structures may have cavities or holes of the same size that accept strain gage modules of the same size. Modules of the same size may be easier and less expensive by being produced in multiple quantities, than modules of various sizes. An electronics module may be attached to or separate from the structure. Electronics modules may also be the same items for various structures and be produced in multiple quantities. One example application of the structure may be a strain gage instrumented load pin replacing a standard connecting pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the fatigue capital of a cable supporting a civil engineering structure, the method including: a measuring step (S1, S2) during which the normal tensile stress in the cable and the bending stress in the cable are measured in a synchronized manner so as to obtain the compound stress in the cable; a counting step (S3) during which a count of the number of stress cycles, depending on the amplitude of the stress, is carried out from the measured compound stresses; and a step (S4) of assessing the fatigue capital of the cable during which the fatigue capital of the cable is determined by comparing the count, carried out in the counting step, with a pre-set Wohler curve for the cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method monitoring the health of structural joints by monitoring the strain developed near the joint due to perturbation applied away from that joint and comparing the monitored ratio between near field and far field strain to strain ratio which develops in a healthy joint due to comparable perturbation. The system for monitoring joints comprises: at least one near field strain measuring device installed near a monitored joint for monitoring the induced strain; at least one far field strain measuring device installed away from monitored joint indicating, measuring or producing the perturbation; and a data processor connected to said near field strain measuring device and to said near field strain measuring device for analyzing the response of the structure to the perturbation and determining the integrity of said joint.

Abstract: A method for testing the mechanical properties of a specimen. The specimen is generally characterized by a first contact surface and a second contact surface spaced apart from and opposing the first contact surface. The method involves applying forces to the contact surfaces of the specimen to deform the specimen over a period of time. The response of the specimen to the forces is then measured over time. A spatial distance between the contact surfaces is defined such that the equivalent gauge length of the specimen is greater than the distance between the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A surface shape measuring device includes a substrate, an electrode portion including at least one electrode pattern, the electrode pattern extending on the substrate, a coating layer on the substrate to cover the electrode pattern, and a detector electrically connected to the electrode pattern and detecting a change in a physical quantity of the electrode pattern generated by the deformation of the substrate or the coating layer by an external load applied thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides a stress micro mechanical system for measuring stress and strain in micro- and nano-fibers tubes, and wires as well as for measuring the interface adhesion force and stress in nanofibers and nanotubes embedded in a polymer matrix. A preferred system of the invention has a substrate for supporting a MEMS fabrication. The MEMS fabrication includes freestanding sample attachment points that are movable in a translation direction relative to one another when the substrate is moved and a sample is attached between the sample attachment points. An optical microscope images surfaces of the MEMS fabrication. Software conducts digital image correlation on obtained images to determine the movement of the surfaces at a resolution much greater than the hardware resolution of the optical microscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even if there exist another mechanical sources and uncontrollable mechanical sources in the object. The elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus is equipped with storage of deformation data measured in the ROI, a calculation of elastic and visco elastic constants by calculating the shear modulus etc. at arbitrary point in the ROI from measured strain tensor data etc., wherein the calculation of the elastic and visco elastic constants numerically determines elastic constants etc. from the first order partial differential equations relating elastic constants etc. and strain tensor etc.

Abstract: Method for evaluating an asymmetric residual stress for a material by the indentation test comprises applying the residual stresses with an uniaxial and an symmetrical biaxial tensions on the material and then performing an instrumented indentation test indenting an asymmetric indenter on the material; and comparing a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is perpendicular to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, and then a slope of indentation load-depth curve when the long diagonal direction of the asymmetric indenter is parallel to the direction of the largest residual stress with that in stress-free state, so as to evaluate the asymmetric residual stress for the material.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and computer systems for estimating a stress of a toughened structural adhesive polymer are provided. One method comprises selecting a strain, a strain rate, a temperature, or a combination thereof at which the stress is to be estimated. A value of a strain-hardening stress of the toughened structural adhesive polymer is determined, wherein the value of the strain-hardening stress is dependent on the temperature and the strain. A value of a non-strain-hardening stress of the toughened structural adhesive polymer is determined, wherein the value of the non-strain-hardening stress is dependent on the strain, the strain rate, and the temperature. The value of the strain-hardening stress is added to the value of the non-strain-hardening stress to obtain an estimated total stress.

Abstract: Force data is monitored by a strain gauge during a preparatory setup operation of an insertion process during which a sample fastener is installed into a host material by a fastener press. Mathematical algorithms are utilized to determine an optimal insertion force, while a predetermined insertion velocity is maintained throughout the installation process regardless of the force required. With the ram velocity held constant, the insertion force is measured during the installation process and compared to the elapsed time to obtain a force slope. A data point on the force slope which corresponds to the point at which the force slope abruptly increases is captured and recorded as the optimal insertion force. This optimal force is then used by the press for all fasteners/host-material installations of the sample type.

Abstract: A method for testing the mechanical properties of a specimen having a first contact surface and a second contact surface spaced apart and opposing the first contact surface, the method comprising: applying forces to the contact surfaces of the specimen to deform the specimen over a period of time and determining the response of the specimen to the forces over time; and defining a spatial distance between the contact surfaces such that the equivalent gauge length of the specimen is greater than the distance between the contact surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even if there exist another mechanical sources and uncontrollable mechanical sources in the object. The elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus is equipped with means of data storing 2 (storage of deformation data measured in the ROI 7 etc.) and means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants 1 (calculator of shear modulus etc. at arbitrary point in the ROI from measured strain tensor data etc.), the means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants numerically determines elastic constants etc. from the first order partial differential equations relating elastic constants etc. and strain tensor etc.

Abstract: A strain measuring device according to the present invention includes a bridged circuit comprising a p-type impurity diffused resistor as a strain detective portion and a bridged circuit comprising an n-type impurity diffused resistor as a strain detective portion in a semiconductor single crystalline substrate, and sheet resistance of the p-type impurity diffused resistor is 1.67 to 5 times higher than that of the n-type impurity diffused resistor. Furthermore, it is preferable that the impurity diffused resistor be configured to be a meander shape comprising strip lines and connecting portions. Moreover, it is preferable that the number of strip lines in the p-type impurity diffused resistor be smaller than that in the n-type impurity diffused resistor.

Abstract: In a method for use of x-ray diffraction to measure the strain on the top silicon germanium layer of an SOI substrate, the location of the peak diffraction area of an upper silicon layer of the SOI substrate is determined by first determining the peak diffraction area of the upper silicon layer on a reference pad (where the SOI thickness is about 700-900 Angstroms) within a die formed on a semiconductor wafer. The x-ray beam then moves to that location on the pad of interest to be measured and begins the XRD scan on the pad of interest to ultimately determine the strain of the top silicon germanium layer of the pad of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing a microscale or nanoscale sample. A testing stage comprises a frame having first and second laterally opposing ends and first and second side beams. At least one deformable force sensor beam is disposed near the first opposing end and extends laterally between the first and second side beams. A first longitudinal beam, having a free end, bisects the at least one force sensor beam, and a second longitudinal beam has a free end facing the free end of the first longitudinal beam to define a gap therebetween. A support structure comprises a plurality of laterally extending beams disposed such that the second longitudinal beam bisects the plurality of laterally extending beams. Each of a pair of slots disposed at each of the free ends of the first and second longitudinal beams comprises a tapered portion leading to a generally longitudinal portion aligned with the central longitudinal beam. The slots provide a seat for a dogbone-shaped sample.

Abstract: A method of testing a tubular member and selecting tubular members for suitability for expansion by subjecting a representative sample the tubular member to axial loading, stretching at least a portion of the tubular member through elastic deformation, plastic yield and to ultimate yield, and based upon changes in length and area calculating an expandability coefficient indicative of expandability of the tubular members and selecting tubular members with relatively high coefficients indicative of good expandability.

Abstract: A forming speed determination method for determining a forming speed of a press-processing device with a plurality of measurement points on a sheet material to conduct press-forming of the sheet material with a press-processing device at a predetermined forming speed. Strain states at respective points on the press-formed sheet material are plotted on a forming limit diagram including the forming limit curve of a sheet material to produce a strain distribution chart. Subsequently, the closest point to the forming limit curve among the points is defined as a specific measurement point. When this specific measurement point is located in the bulge region, the forming speed of a press-processing device is decreased to be slower than the above-mentioned predetermined forming speed. Meanwhile, when this specific measurement point is located in the draw region, the forming speed of a press-processing device is increased to be faster than the above-mentioned predetermined forming speed.

Abstract: A method of evaluating material properties of polymeric materials includes making one or more material samples or slabs, with each of the samples or slabs having a pair of material layers in contact with one another. The layers are layers of organic matrix polymer material that have different characteristics from each other, for example having a difference in composition and/or cure characteristics. Characteristics of the test slabs and the interface between the layers can be determined by examining curvatures of the test slabs. A number of samples may be made up having the same material in a first layer, and range of different materials in the respective second layers. The range may cover a range of various material compositions and/or cure characteristics.

Abstract: A system for applying a controlled stress on a joint in a structure includes means for applying a plurality of thermal bursts in a designated timing sequence and trajectory pattern to produce a combined shock wavefront directed toward the joint. This system can provide increased accuracy in measuring the strength and quality of composite bonds and laminations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining material properties of elastomers for the Mullins effect are described. In one aspect of the present invention, material properties of an elastomer membrane specimen are obtained using a system comprising a bi-axial test device, a pump, a fluid reservoir, a linear variable differential transformer, a pressure transducer and a computer. The bi-axial test device comprises a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has an elliptical shape hole configured to allow the specimen to be expanded up by pressures of the inflating fluids. The hole is so dimensioned that the specimen can be expanded with a relatively low pressure. The bottom plate is a solid plate configured with a fluid intake at one side and a fluid outlet at the other end. The fluid intake is connected to the fluid reservoir. Fluids stored in the fluid reservoir are pumped into the bi-axial test device by the pump. The fluid outlet is connected to the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A method of evaluating material properties of polymeric materials includes making one or more material samples or slabs, with each of the samples or slabs having a pair of material layers in contact with one another. The layers are layers of organic matrix polymer material that have different characteristics from each other, for example having a difference in composition and/or cure characteristics. Characteristics of the test slabs and the interface between the layers can be determined by examining curvatures of the test slabs. A number of samples may be made up having the same material in a first layer, and range of different materials in the respective second layers. The range may cover a range of various material compositions and/or cure characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring residual stress and, more particularly, to a residual stress measuring method using a continuous indentation tester. Due to pile-up and sink-in of a material or a blunted tip, a conventional residual stress measuring method cannot compensate for error of a real contact (indentation) depth or directly remove stress through a thermal or mechanical technique in the conventional method of measuring residual stress of a weldment, so that it is very difficult to estimate a stress-free reference curve or to quantitatively measure residual stress. However, the present invention can precisely estimate a stress-free curve of a weldment using an indentation strength ratio (OIT ratio) of a stress-free base metal to the weldment, and compensates for error, occurring in the measurement of a material having a weldment or an anisotropic stress structure, based on the indentation strength ratio, thereby more precisely measuring residual stress.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining material properties of elastomers for the Mullins effect are described. In one aspect of the present invention, material properties of an elastomer membrane specimen are obtained using a system comprising a bi-axial test device, a pump, a fluid reservoir, a linear variable differential transformer, a pressure transducer and a computer. The bi-axial test device comprises a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has a circular hole configured to allow the specimen to be expanded up by pressures of the inflating fluids. The circular hole is so dimensioned that the specimen can be expanded with a substantially low pressure. The bottom plate is a solid plate configured with a fluid intake at one side and a fluid outlet at the other end. The fluid intake is connected to the fluid reservoir. Fluids stored in the fluid reservoir are pumped into the bi-axial test device by the pump. The fluid outlet is connected to the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A sensor network is attached to a structure and employed to detect and analyze load changes. The sensor network has transducers, capable of acting as both passive sensors and active actuators, integrated within it. In a passive mode, the transducers detect load changes upon the structure, such as impacts. Upon detection of a load change, the transducers are engaged in an active mode to actively scan the impact area to determine the location and size of any resulting damage region. In this manner, passive and active systems are integrated within a single, convenient layer that possesses the best features of both active systems and passive systems.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for obtaining force-displacement responses for a specimen or sample of material. The sample is supported with a spanning portion spanning in an environment between at least three points not in a line, wherein the points are fixed relative to each other, and wherein the spanning portion is capable of displacement relative to the points. An oscillating mechanical excitation at at least one frequency and at at least one known amplitude is applied to the spanning portion. In addition, at least one other mechanical excitation is also applied to the spanning portion independently of the oscillating mechanical excitation.

Abstract: A method for determining the stresses in a film applied to a substrate from measured substrate shape. The substrate is first analyzed using finite element techniques to obtain nodal forces at the surface of the substrate to which the film is applied, based on measured distortion data of the substrate surface. The film is then analyzed to calculate the film stresses from the applied nodal forces using finite element techniques. The invention may be applied to determine stresses in thin films applied to a variety of substrates, including those used for micro-electronic (e.g., integrated circuit) and micro-mechanical devices and/or for the lithography masks or other optical/projection systems used to fabricate such devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films using substantially flat, parallel test surfaces with minimal width. This invention is further directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films at controlled temperatures and at high strain rates above 100% per second.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method and a program product of the invention has steps of selecting a model from a plurality of models in a model library, with at least one of the models being a constitutive model. Load data and load path data are input to the model to generate model output. The output is then displayed in a graphical format.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the service life of a machine-technical installation includes a sensor module and at least a measuring sensor for detecting stresses and expansions from a structural component of the machine-technical installation, a microcontroller, an antenna arrangement and a current source; the sensor module being in bi-directional connection with a data processing unit and having an antenna arrangement integrated therein, the antenna arrangement including a low-frequency antenna by means of which the sensor module is turned on and off and a high-frequency antenna for sending and receiving high frequency signals and wherein the sensor module can transition from an operating mode into a stand-by mode for energy efficiency and is reactivated through a signal from a detector element.

Abstract: A method of assessing damage of a fibrous substrate comprises the steps of: (a) providing said fibrous substrate having a length, a root end, and a tip end; (b) providing a means for assessing substrate moisture content; (c) using said means for assessing substrate moisture content to obtain at least a first measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a first position along the length of said fibrous substrate and a second measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a second position along the length of said fibrous substrate; (d) comparing said measured moisture content values with each other to obtain a measured moisture content differential; and (e) correlating said measured moisture content differential to a substrate damage value for said fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A method provides early estimation of product life using accelerated stress testing data. In an embodiment, data measured from a product operating in a first, high-stress environment is used to predict how long the product will operate in a second, normal operating environment before failure using a quadratic acceleration model. An additional feature of the present invention provides a quantified indication of how much the product has improved from a redesign.

Abstract: In modeling material constitutive behavior, a methodology determines tool-chip friction and a position of a stagnation point on a cutting tool. The methodology includes measuring a ratio of cutting force to thrust force and measuring a chip thickness, hch, produced by applying the cutting tool to a material. Initial values are estimated for tool chip friction and position of stagnation. The tool chip friction and position of stagnation are calculated to satisfy a specified relationship. Based on tool chip friction and position of stagnation, material strains, material strain-rates, material temperatures, and material stresses are calculated.

Abstract: A nondestructive evaluating method for aged deterioration in austenitic stainless steel comprises an information obtaining step for previously obtaining a relationship between an applied stress ? and the first ratio Ms/?H* between a saturation magnetization Ms and a pseudo susceptibility ?H* based on reference minor hysteresis loops obtained by applying stresses ?, respectively, correspondingly to a result of a tensile test for the same kind of material as an evaluation target. In a measuring step, values of the first ratio Ms/?H* are obtained as measured values from measured minor hysteresis loops obtained by measuring the evaluation target. In an evaluating step, the relationship between the applied stress ? and the first ratio Ms/?H* is compared with the measured values, thereby evaluating aged deterioration of the evaluation target. The minor loops are obtained by stepwise changing a magnetic field amplitude Ha within a range of a magnetic field intensity lower than a saturation magnetization.

Abstract: A process for measuring snarling properties of a yarn is provided. Firstly a first and a second point of the yarn are held in close proximity, and a portion of the yarn between the two points is of a predetermined length. A predetermined tension force is temporarily exerted to the portion of the yarn, and simultaneously the portion of the yarn is temporarily restricted from twisting when the tension force is exerted. Then the portion of the yarn is released from the tension force such that the portion of the yarn is able to twist freely so as to form snarls thereon. Thereafter, the snarling properties of the yarn are measured by detecting an amount of the snarls thereby formed.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting in real time alignment of an alignment specimen within a load frame. In one implementation an instrumented alignment specimen is used to provide information from which the deflection of the specimen at various points along the specimen can be determined. The deflection information is then used to calculate deflection values in X, Y and Z coordinate axes in real time. The deflection values are then scaled by a desired factor and then used to generate a three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen. This produces a slightly exaggerated, three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen illustrating its deformation as a result of concentric and/or angular misalignment of the lower head of the load frame relative to the upper head.

Abstract: A method provides early estimation of product life using accelerated stress testing data. In an embodiment, data measured from a product operating in first, high-stress environment is used to predict how long the product will operate in a second, normal operating environment before failure. An additional feature of the present invention provides a quantified indication of how much the product has improved from a redesign.

Abstract: A simulation method includes the step of momently measuring a value of each of a strain, a strain speed, and a stress generated in the viscoelastic material, deriving time history data of a viscous drag, the strain speed and the stress, thereby deriving a relationship among the strain, the strain speed, and the viscous drag and setting the product as a product model whose performance is analyzed; inputting the relationship to the product model; and computing a stress and strain of a deviation component by using a deviation main strain and a deviation main strain speed converted from an entire coordinate system into a main strain coordinate system and a main strain speed coordinate system respectively to thereby conduct a simulation in consideration of a change of the viscous drag which occurs in dependence of a variation of the strain and the strain speed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a shape memory alloy is configured as a ring shaped sample holder for a transmission electron microscope and imparts uniform biaxial strain on a thin film mounted within. The sample holder responds to a change in temperature by changing the inner diameter, which imparts biaxial strain. In other embodiments, the sample holder is configured to change the inner diameter and change the strain on a thin film reversibly and repeatedly. In further embodiments, the sample holder is non circular. In still further embodiments, the apparatus is configured as a prime mover of a reversible radial actuator. Methods for making and using the apparatus are included in other embodiments.