Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different loading conditions on the mechanical behavior and stress distribution of a leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic. Plate-shaped ceramic specimens were obtained from leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic (1.5 × 8.4 × 8.3 mm) and adhesively cemented to a dentin analog substrate. Monotonic and cyclic contact fatigue tests were performed to simulate sphere-to-flat contact, using a 6 mm diameter spherical piston; and flat-to-flat contact, using a 3 mm diameter flat piston. For the monotonic test (n=20), a gradual compressive load (0.5 mm/min) was applied to the specimen using a universal testing machine. Failure load data were analyzed with Weibull statistics. The cyclic contact fatigue test was performed using protocols (load and a number of cycles) defined by the boundary technique (n=30). Fatigue data were analyzed using an inverse power law relationship and Weibull-lifetime distribution. The stress distribution was investigated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The monotonic and the fatigue Weibull modulus were similar among the two contact conditions. In fatigue, the slow crack growth exponent was greater for sphere-to-flat contact, which indicates that the load level had a greater effect on the specimen’s probability of failure. In conclusion, FEA showed different stress distribution for the tested loading conditions. The stress distribution and probability of fatigue failure of specimens tested in sphere-to-flat contact showed greater dependency to load level.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o efeito de diferentes condições de carregamento no comportamento mecânico e na distribuição de tensões de uma vitrocerâmica reforçada com leucita. Amostras cerâmicas em forma de lâminas foram obtidas a partir de vitrocerâmica reforçada com leucita (1,5 × 8,4 × 8,3 mm) e cimentadas adesivamente a um substrato análogo de dentina. Ensaios de carga de compressão monotônica e fadiga foram realizados para simular o contato esfera-plano, usando um pistão esférico de 6 mm de diâmetro; e contato plano com plano, usando um pistão plano de 3 mm de diâmetro. Para o ensaio de carga de compressão monotônica (n=20), foi aplicada uma carga compressiva gradual (0,5 mm/min) ao corpo-de-prova usando uma máquina de ensaio universal. Os dados de carga de fratura foram analisados de acordo com a distribuição de Weibull. O teste de fadiga foi realizado com os protocolos (carga e número de ciclos) definidos pela técnica de boundary (n=30). Os dados de fadiga foram analisados usando uma relação de tempo de vida - tensão de lei da potência inversa (IPL- inverse power law). A distribuição de tensões foi investigada usando análise de elementos finitos (AEF). O módulo de Weibull para teste de compressão monotônico e de fadiga foram semelhantes entre as duas condições de contato. Em fadiga, o expoente de crescimento sub-crítico da trinca foi maior para o contato esfera-plano, o que indica que o nível de carga teve um efeito maior na probabilidade de falha do corpo-de-prova. Em conclusão, AEF apresentou distribuição de tensões diferente para as condições de carregamento testadas. A distribuição de tensões e a probabilidade de falha em fadiga dos corpos-de-prova testados utilizando o contato esfera-plano apresentaram maior dependência do nível de carga.

Abstract This paper introduces a hybrid approach for obtaining S-N curves with reduced number of tests associated to statistically simulated data. In order to validate the proposal, two validation process were developed. One using a methodology to generate S-N curves based on Monte Carlo simulations and other using actual data according Zhao et al. (1998), allowing to compare the hybrid approach with the experimental curve S-N obtained with high replication. In both validation process, a good accuracy was verified. Subsequently, the fatigue analysis of a fillet welded joint was carried out using finite element analysis to evaluate the cumulative damage and fatigue life, enabling comparison between the proposed method and standard NBR 8800 (2008). The results obtained with the proposed methodology allowed more accuracy results and less conservative than standard for the same weld detail class, both for fatigue life and for cumulative fatigue damage evaluations.

Abstract To improve the safety of the intercity bus structure against impact scenarios and to reduce the injuries and death in traffic accidents it is crucial in a country with continental dimensions like Brazil, where the road transport matrix is fundamental in the traffic of people and goods. In this context in the present article, a numerical model of an intercity bus was built with elastoplastic beam implemented in a commercial software Ls-Dyna. This model was submitted to different frontal and semi frontal impact crash scenarios. With this model were analyzed different accidents which happened in the Brazilian highways, it was also simulated a frontal impact test and the results obtained were compared with the experimental results. Finally two numerical approaches were compared, they are: a simple model made with lumped masses and non-linear springs series connected, and the elastoplastic beam model. The different comparisons carried out let us validate the intercity bus model created using elastoplastic beam elements and propose to use this model as an effective tool to search for more efficient bus structural configurations against impact scenarios.