Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure sensor is shown, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a port element with a sealing structure and a membrane. Four strain gages will be attached to the membrane. The gages are used in a Wheatstone bridge to sense the fluid pressure. A first finite element action determines a first contour around the membrane central axis with equal compressive strain and a second contour around the membrane central axis with equal tensile strain wherein when fluid pressure is applied to the membrane strain on the first contour is opposite strain on the second contour. A second finite element action determines the four positions of the strain gages on the first and second contour such that the difference between the highest error signal and the lowest error signal at the output of the Wheatstone bridge is minimal under influence of parasitic forces.

Abstract: A pressure sensor able to value touch pressures at oblique angles includes a substrate base, a deformable substrate disposed on the substrate base, and a carbon nanometer layer disposed on the deformable substrate. A cover plate is disposed on the carbon nanometer layer, and two flexible power circuit boards electrically connect the carbon nanometer layer to the substrate base. The device includes a processor. The substrate base includes a substrate and a pad. The pad is located between the substrate and the deformable substrate. The deformable substrate and the cover plate are made of elastic materials. The processor calculates lateral pressures based on the resistance variation value due to the vertical deformation of the carbon nanometer layer and the capacitance variation value between the carbon nanometer layer and the pads when an external physical resistance is experienced as a force applied to the cover plate.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for exposing an associated specimen(s) to motions along multiple axes is provided. The testing apparatus includes a test chamber and first, second, third, and fourth devices that impose different kinematic motions or forces on the specimen. A drive mechanism is connected to the first, second, third, and fourth devices so that motion from a single axis is conveyed by the first, second, third and fourth devices to deliver the desired kinematic motions and/or forces to the test chamber(s). At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth devices includes an adjustment mechanism to modify at least one of the devices.

Abstract: A CPU pressure testing device includes a mounting bracket, a CPU simulating member, a heat sink, and a pressure display. The mounting bracket includes a base portion and an engaging member connected to the base portion. The CPU simulating member includes a CPU simulating body and a pressure sensor placed on the CPU simulating body. The CPU simulating member is placed on the base portion. The heat sink is placed on the CPU simulating member to contact the pressure sensor. The pressure display is connected to the pressure sensor. The engaging member engages the base portion to press the heat sink onto the pressure sensor, and the pressure display displays a pressure value.

Abstract: An educational force application and force measurement apparatus is with a plurality of interchangeable workpiece mounting components is disclosed. The apparatus securely accepts a model structure (workpiece), secures a force measurement component between the model structure and a force application component, and applies an incrementally increasing force until the workpiece fails. A series of interchangeable upper workpiece mounting components allow the apparatus to measure the failure load on several different types of model structures.

Abstract: An educational force application and force measurement apparatus is with a plurality of interchangeable workpiece mounting components is disclosed. The apparatus securely accepts a model structure (workpiece), secures a force measurement component between the model structure and a force application component, and applies an incrementally increasing force until the workpiece fails. A series of interchangeable upper workpiece mounting components allow the apparatus to measure the failure load on several different types of model structures.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a laminated glazing, in which a lamination interlayer is interposed between two substrates having a glass function, including: making a measurement of Young's modulus E on a sample of the interlayer, using a viscoanalyzer, by varying temperature and frequency while imposing a constant dynamic displacement; making a numerical treatment of curves obtained, using WLF (Williams-Landel-Ferry) equations, to establish a law E(f) governing behavior of a material constituting the interlayer sample at a given temperature; producing a numerical model based on a finite-element method in bending of a laminated glazing panel, wherein mechanical properties of the sample result from the preceding operations; comparing results of the numerical calculation with those obtained with analytical formulae in which participation of the interlayer in transferring shear in the laminated glazing is represented by a transfer coefficient ?; varying the transfer coefficient ? in the analytical formulae until re

Abstract: Provided herein is a test equipment for evaluating safety of a piping for use in nuclear power plants, the test equipment having a test specimen made of a same material as the piping, and having a notch cut from a first surface which is an end portion of the test specimen, with a crack formed at an end portion of the notch; and a load applier connected to the test specimen to apply a load in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the notch is cut, wherein a pair of pin holes are connected to the load applier such that they are arranged to be distanced from each other along the direction of the load applied to the test specimen, and a central point is provided in a space between a second surface opposing the first surface and an end portion of the crack.

Abstract: An aircraft model for testing in a wind tunnel of width W including a fuselage, a truncated wing whose length L1 is less than the length L of a full scaled wing and additional components in the rear of the aircraft as, in particular, a horizontal tail plane, that produces the same downwash that arrives to the additional components as in a full scaled model. The shape of the truncated wing may be designed for having a similar lift distribution to the lift distribution of a full scaled wing along at least the maximum length L2 in the Y-axis of any component in the rear of the aircraft. The invention also relates to a method for designing the truncated wing.

Abstract: The technology includes methods, a system, and a computer readable medium for predicting the time to failure of an electronic component, by generating a finite element model of the component, developing a microstructure-based failure model for each representative volume element associated with each node in the finite element model, and calculating a time to failure of the component from the shortest predicted time to failure of any node when a value of a stress variable is applied to the microstructure-based failure model of each node. The technology further includes methods, system, and a medium programmed to predict failure of a system that includes an electronic component, based on predicting time to failure of the component.

Abstract: The technology includes methods, a system, and a computer readable medium for predicting the failure of an electronic device during design of the device, by receiving data associated with the device, the data including data indicative of a device response to a specific load on the system while the device is in operation, and predicting potential failure of the device using a probabilistic model and the data, wherein the probabilistic model utilizes at least one of fast probability methods and simulation techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer-implemented method for modeling a mounting assembly having a mounting strap configured to couple a component to a bracket. The method includes modeling a loosened configuration of the mounting strap, wherein the loosened configuration provides a first substantially continuous curvature of portions of the mounting strap engaged with the bracket and the component. The method also includes applying simulated stresses to the mounting strap in the loosened configuration and outputting failure mode information of the mounting strap based on the simulated stresses on the mounting strap.

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: Structural health monitoring systems can be limited to a minimum number of sensors due to cost, complexity, and weight restrictions. Some embodiments described herein pertain to a load and damage identification techniques that utilize one sensor. Several passive force estimation techniques are presented. Some techniques use either the shape or the amplitude of the magnitude of the applied force in the frequency domain. Several techniques iteratively reduce an underdetermined set of equations of motion into many overdetermined systems of equations to solve for the force estimates. The techniques are shown to locate and quantify impulsive impacts with over 97% accuracy and non-impulsive impacts with at least 87% accuracy. Impacts not acting at a specific input degree of freedom are also accurately located depending on the distance away from the modeled input degrees of freedom, and damaging impact forces are quantified by making assumptions about the impulsive nature of the applied force.

Abstract: A virtual soft tissue control system that provides enhanced motion control to a prosthetic simulator machine. The control system advantageously adds a “virtual soft tissue” control scheme to a conventional control system, such as a digital proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, to algorithmically model the soft tissue constraints that would be encountered by the prosthesis within the human body, and account for these forces in driving the simulator. In another aspect, a prosthetic simulator comprises a prosthetic drive mechanism; a feedback control system that drives the prosthetic drive mechanism; and an iterative learning control system that determines an error from a previous iteration of motion of the drive mechanism and uses the error to determine a drive signal for a subsequent iteration of motion. In certain embodiments, the prosthetic simulator uses both a soft tissue model and an iterative learning control system.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the condition of a rolling burnishing element includes moving a burnishing element having an unknown condition against a surface in a preselected test pattern; while moving the burnishing element, recording at least one test force profile representative of a force acting on the burnishing element in at least one dimension; and comparing the at least one test force profile to at least one baseline force profile to determine a deviation of the condition of the second burnishing element from a baseline condition.

Abstract: Structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined and analyzed by using: i) the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or ii) equilibrium equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. Of course, it is contemplated that combinations, equivalents, or variations of the recited bases may alternatively be employed.

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: A substrate detection system is disclosed to include a conveyer that delivers the substrates, a sensor that detects the length of each substrate being delivered by the conveyer over the top side of the sensor, and a processor that compares the detection length value of each substrate detected by the sensor with a predetermined length value stored therein so as to immediately stops the conveyer when the detection length value of one substrate is unequal to the predetermined length value. In an alternate form, the time value in which each substrate passed over the sensor is used as a parameter for judgment.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

Abstract: A sensor module is provided having a compact housing containing a sensor. A low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate is located on the housing. The sensor and signal processing circuitry are located on the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. The sensor module further includes a metal shield substantially encapsulating the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining remaining fatigue life of a component experiencing stress/strain cycles. In one embodiment the fractional life expended per clock cycle of the component is determined and multiplied by a data type value indicating whether a full cycle, half cycle or no stress/strain amplitude information was present during a given clock cycle. The product is then summed with the result of the previously clock cycle, to produce a running total of the fractional life expended. The running total is then subtracted, at each clock cycle, from an initial fatigue life value, and the output represents the residual fatigue life remaining for the component.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing components of a joint replacement device in desired articulation relative to one another under a load, include: a first unit or step operable to impart undulating orientations of a first member of the joint replacement device; and a second unit or step operable to locate a second member of the joint replacement device proximate to the first member of the joint replacement device such that an articulation surface of the second member engages an articulation surface of the first member for movement in response to the undulating orientations of the first member, wherein at least one of: (i) the second unit is operable to automatically adjust the location of the second member of the joint replacement device in response to lateral forces exerted by the first member on the second member, and (ii) the apparatus and method include a third unit or step operable to impart rotational displacement to the first member of the joint replacement device such that the articulation surface of

Abstract: A method and system for designing a part with improved fatigue life and resistance to stress corrosion cracking in which residual stresses existing in the part are accounted for. The performance criteria and operating conditions of the part are assessed and a total stress state is determined from the sum of the residual stresses and applied stresses acting on the part. Unified Fatigue Performance Model or Smith-Topper-Neuber parameters are used to determine fatigue life functions which, in turn, are used in conjunction with a fatigue design diagram to determine the appropriate residual stress to introduce in order to optimize the part's resistance to stress induced failure mechanisms. A residual stress distribution is then designed to avoid distortion of the part while still imparting the beneficial effects of compressive residual stress.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for testing attachment features (26,28,30,32) of components (12,14) comprises a first member (16) having a first end (18), a second end (20), a first edge (22) and a second edge (24). The first edge (22) has a first firtree slot (26) to receive a first component (12) and the second edge (24) has a second firtree slot (28) to receive a second component (14). The first component (12) has a firtree attachment feature (30) to fit the first slot (26) and the second component (14) has a firtree attachment feature (32) to fit the second slot (28). The first end (18) of the first member (16) has flanges (34,36) extending laterally and the second end (20) of the first member (16) has flanges (38,40) extending laterally such that the first member (16) is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: A method of simulating life of a rotor blade mounting feature mounted in a complementary rotor disc mounting feature comprises the steps of providing two specimen mounting features (37) each having portions defining pressure faces matching in profile respective faces of the rotor blade mounting feature; providing a fixture (38) having two opposed mounting features (39) each having portions defining pressure faces (78) matching in profile respective faces of the rotor disc mounting feature; mounting the specimen mounting features (37) in the fixture mounting features (39); applying a first load to the specimen mounting features (37); measuring a strain in a region (86) of the fixture (38) between the fixture mounting features (39); applying a second load to the fixture (38), the second load being substantially perpendicular to the first load; and controlling the second load in response to the measured strain. A high cycle load may simultaneously be applied to the specimen mounting features (37).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an articulating implant includes a support structure in contact with a first part of the implant, an adapter coupled to a second part of the implant, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter, and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the implant relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an implant having first and second components coupled together by an articulating ball and socket joint includes a support structure in contact with the first component of the implant for supporting said implant, an adapter coupled to the second component of the implant, and a load assembly in contact with the adapter for applying a load onto a semispherical surface of the adapter. The apparatus includes a drive assembly coupled with the adapter having a first drive shaft having a first end connected with a center of a rotatable wheel and a second drive shaft having a first end connected with an outer region of the wheel and a second end connected to the adapter. The second drive shaft has a longitudinal axis that is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first drive shaft.

Abstract: A simulation method of estimating performance of a product made of a viscoelastic material, comprising the steps of measuring a value of a strain, a strain speed, and a stress generated in viscoelastic material momently in a measuring condition equivalent to a state in which the product is actually used; deriving time history data of a viscosity resistance of the viscoelastic material separately in each of a strain increase state and a strain decrease state from time history data of the strain, the strain speed, and the stress and a viscoelastic model set in consideration of a viscosity of the viscoelastic material; setting the product as a product model whose performance is analyzed and inputting a relationship among the strain, the strain speed, and the viscosity resistance to the product model to conduct a simulation in consideration of a phenomenon that the viscosity resistance changes in dependence on a variation of the strain and the strain speed and in consideration of a difference in the viscosity res

Abstract: A machine for testing components of a joint in relative articulation under a load includes an adapter fixed to a movable joint component and having a semispherical upper surface concentric with a semispherical articulation surface of the movable component, a load assembly configured in load applying relation to the semispherical upper surface and having a load adapter providing a lower semispherical surface against which the adapter can articulate under the load, and a drive assembly configured in articulating driving relation with the adapter and having a rotatable wheel and a drive shaft mechanically coupled thereto in angular offset relation to the wheel's rotation axis. Rotating the wheel effects an articulation of the adapter under the load and in turn an articulation of the movable component under the load against a semispherical pocket of a stationary joint component, in an articulation pattern determined by the angular offset relationship.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a critical plane. The critical plane can then be used to leverage off of uniaxial fatigue theory to predict the fatigue life of an object experiencing multiple stress inducing events. The fatigue life is based on calculating a single critical plane that encompasses all the stress inducing events.

Abstract: A machine for testing components of a joint in relative articulation under a load includes an adapter fixed to a movable joint component and having a semispherical upper surface concentric with a semispherical articulation surface of the movable component, a load assembly configured in load applying relation to the semispherical upper surface and having a load adapter providing a lower semispherical surface against which the adapter can articulate under the load, and a drive assembly configured in articulating driving relation with the adapter and having a rotatable wheel and a drive shaft mechanically coupled thereto in angular offset relation to the wheel's rotation axis. Rotating the wheel effects an articulation of the adapter under the load and in turn an articulation of the movable component under the load against a semispherical pocket of a stationary joint component, in an articulation pattern determined by the angular offset relationship.

Abstract: A method for the finishing treatment of work pieces, uses a processing device including a tool spindle for a processing tool and a numerically controlled (NC) feeding device. The force of the contact pressure applied to the work piece on the side of the work piece is measured and the measured force values are supplied to the numerical control (NC), which determines and fixes the feed rate at which the processing tool is advanced against the work piece. The finishing treatment is carried out in a force-controlled operating mode, in which the feed rate is controlled depending on the force of the contact pressure acting on the processing tool. A processing device is employed whose tool spindle is movably supported in the direction of the feeding movement on leaf springs on the feeding device. The processing device includes a force-measuring device effective between the tool spindle and the feeding device and operating substantially free of deformation.

Abstract: Focusing on the application of a predetermined relationship between the length of a fatigue damage detection sensor having a width of a specified shape and a required sensitivity or sensing accuracy (crack propagation rate), the present invention provides a fatigue damage detection sensor for structural materials and mounting method thereof, wherein when the length between a pair of fixing portions for fixing to a surface of a structural material M, both ends of a sensor body (2) sandwiching a notched portion (5) is defined as 2H, the length of a crack C that can propagate from a tip (5A) of the notched portion (5) is defined as (a), the number of times that a working load acts on the material is defined as N, and the crack propagation rate is defined as da/dN, the length 2H between said fixing portions is set so as to obtain a required sensitivity with which da/dN is proportional to H0.5m (m is a constant determined by a material).

Abstract: A method for estimating the life of an apparatus under a random stress amplitude variation, involving determining a probability density function of a cumulated damage quantity and estimating the life of the apparatus on the basis of the probability density function, characterized by: approximating a damage coefficient indicative of a damage quantity per unit by a linear expression when the random stress amplitude variation is in a narrow band; and representing the random stress amplitude variation &sgr;(t)(instantaneous) in terms of the sum of a time averaged value &sgr;(t)(mean) and a stochastic variation &sgr;′.

Abstract: Techniques for evaluating curvatures in line features embedded in a different material layer formed on a substrate. A model based a uniform layer formed over a substrate may be used to represent a structure with parallel line features embedded in a layer formed over the substrate. The curvatures of the uniform layer due to an elastic distortion along a first direction substantially parallel to the line features and along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction are determined. Next, the curvatures of the uniform layer may be used as respective curvatures of each of the line features.

Abstract: A method of analyzing mechanical actions on an object comprised of a plurality of components includes the steps of creating a model having a general exterior shape of the object without regard to structural details of the components, obtaining separate elasticity coefficients of the model in respectively different spatial directions based on rigidities of the object, and analyzing mechanical actions on the object based on the model and the elasticity coefficients.

Abstract: In a forging process analyzing method, many trace points are set in a workpiece. Lines connecting the trace points express fiber flow lines. The fiber flow lines may be imaginary ones that are irrelevant to real fiber flow lines. By applying a technique of a finite element method to the fiber flow lines, deformation calculation is performed. A new trace point is added between trace points when the distance therebetween is great. The velocity of each trace point cause by deformation is calculated, and the position of each trace point is updated. When any trace point in an element is left behind in a die, the left-behind phenomenon is prevented by converting the shape of the element while the crossing of fiber flow lines is prevented. A radius is set for each trace point. The radius of each trace point is adjusted so as to eliminate off-boundary extension and overlap of fiber flow lines.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for determining the residual stress within an elastic object. In the method, an elastic object is cut along a path having a known configuration. The cut creates a portion of the object having a new free surface. The free surface then deforms to a contour which is different from the path. Next, the contour is measured to determine how much deformation has occurred across the new free surface. Points defining the contour are collected in an empirical data set. The portion of the object is then modeled in a computer simulator. The points in the empirical data set are entered into the computer simulator. The computer simulator then calculates the residual stress along the path which caused the points within the object to move to the positions measured in the empirical data set. The calculated residual stress is then presented in a useful format to an analyst.

Abstract: A material test specimen design is taught for the determination of critical strain and stress states for multiaxial fracture. The objective of the specimen is to increase the amount of data obtained per specimen while retaining simplicity in testing procedure by using standard tension testing machines to generate the primary deformation of the specimen. The specimen, in conjunction with analytical or computational simulation, uses nonuniform deformation fields produced by secondary and tertiary strain concentrations to generate and track these multiaxial strain states to fracture. Typically, the primary deformation is uniaxial tension of a panel, the secondary strain concentration is a circular hole in the panel and the tertiary strain concentrations are areas of reduced thickness within the deformation field of the circular hole. Multiaxial strain ratios from −0.50 to −0.10 and control over fracture initiation sites may be generated by a test specimen design of the type taught by this invention.

Abstract: A method for designing load cells of articles, such as for example vehicle components. A computer model utilizes vehicle components as flexible members that are built and loaded mathematically such that the output can be used to determine the best location to lay the strain gages on the article based upon their corresponding Wheatstone bridge output. A suitable Finite Element Model (FEM) of the component to be instrumented is provided. This model is then loaded with the same loads the component will see in practice. Each load is independently applied to the model and the results from each load are saved. The Finite Element Analysis results needed by the present invention are the maximum and minimum principal strains and principal strain angle for each valid finite element in the model. These results along with the strain gage properties and some user preferences provide input data for assessing every usable combination of elements in the FEM for sensitivity to primary loads and cross-talk of off-axis loads.

Abstract: A method of predicting fatigue failure in a filled polymeric material is provided. The method involves the calculation of stress at the region of highest stress using an equation which includes as parameters, regression coefficients of the stress vs. modulus obtained from a finite element analysis. Once the regression coefficients are obtained, there is no further need to perform a finite element analysis. The calculated stresses are numerically integrated in a damage equation using a Monte Carlo method, using a cumulative model to estimate when failure will occur. The method has been tested in the case of temperature stress loading of a solid propellant rocket motor.

Abstract: A method of selective corrosion rate analysis is shown for generating an inspection and replacement schedule for a fluid processing plant. The method includes the steps of identifying a system from a division of the plant into one or more systems wherein each system has mechanical components that are expected to experience a common corrosion environment, and wherein each system has at least one thickness measurement location for performing thickness inspections. The next steps are establishing system corrosion data for each thickness measurement location and running the data through a plurality of corrosion engineering models. Running the corrosion engineering models includes coordinating the system corrosion data of the thickness measurement locations into a plurality of physical relationship data groups, and applying a plurality of statistical distribution/goodness-of-fit tests to each physical relationship data group.

Abstract: An strain measuring apparatus for analyzing the stability of a steel structure and a method thereof employs a controller for receiving a variation difference amount from the strain gauge input unit measured using a strain gauge between a strain degree obtained by applying a weight to a steel structure and a strain degree obtained by applying a weight to a steel structure having a hole formed at a predetermined portion and measuring a strain existing in the steel structure based on the variation amount using particular equations. A control command input unit inputs an initialization command for initialing the existing strain measuring apparatus, a radius of the hole formed in the steel structure, a distance between the center of the hole and the center of the strain gauge attached to the steel structurc and an external operating signal including a proceeding command which represents a testing procedure into the controller.

Abstract: A material test specimen design is taught for the determination of critical train and stress states for multiaxial fracture. The objective of the specimen is to increase the amount of data obtained per specimen while retaining simplicity in testing procedure by using standard tension testing machines to generate the primary deformation of the specimen. The specimen, in conjunction with analytical or computational simulation, uses nonuniform deformation fields produced by secondary and tertiary strain concentrations to generate and track these multiaxial strain states to fracture. Typically, the primary deformation is uniaxial tension of a panel, the secondary strain concentration is a circular hole in the panel and the tertiary strain concentrations are areas of reduced thickness within the deformation field of the circular hole. Multiaxial strain ratios from -0.50 to -0.10 and control over fracture initiation sites may be generated by a test specimen design of the type taught by this invention.

Abstract: A premanufactured building tie down system testing rig useful in testing the effectiveness of a selected tie down system in resisting high wind forces that could be imposed upon a premanufactured building. The testing rig generally comprises a frame that simulates a cross-section of the premanufactured building, a jack mechanism that imposes a vertical uplift force which simulates the uplift wind forces imposed upon the building, and a winch mechanism that imposes a horizontal force which simulates the horizontal wind forces imposed upon the building.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a force, displacement, or both to specimens, components, or systems by using a remote variable load/deflection device. The method enables testing of materials under actual in-service conditions. A displaceable container with a heating or heating and cooling element inside is provided. As heat is applied to the element, it expands thermally and causes the container to displace and apply force to specimens, components, or systems. The load/displacement of the container is modified by heating or cooling the element material. The container may be attached to in-service specimens, components, or systems and used to study the material behavior during in-service operation.