Laminated composite structures are being used in many applications, including aerospace, automobiles, and civil engineering applications, due to their high stiffness to weight ratio. However, composite structures suffer from low ductility and sufficient flexibility to resist against dynamic, particularly impact loadings. Recently, a new generation of laminated composite structures has been developed in which some layers have been filled fully or partially with magnetorheological (MR) fluids; hereafter we call them MR-laminated structures. The present article investigates the effects of MR fluid layers on vibration characteristics and specifically on impact loadings of the laminated composite beams. Experimental works have been conducted to study the dynamic performance of the MR-laminated beams.
Part of the book: Emerging Trends in Mechatronics
A tension-leg platform (TLP), as an offshore structure, is a vertically moored floating structure, connecting to tendon groups, fixed to subsea by foundations, to eliminate its vertical movements. TLPs are subjected to various non-deterministic loadings, including winds, currents, and ground motions, keeping the tendons under ongoing cyclic tensions. The powerful loads can affect the characteristics of tendons and cause permanent deformation. As a result of exceeding the strain beyond the elastic phase of the tendons, it makes unbalancing on the floated TLPs. Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based tendons due to their superelasticity properties may potentially resolve such problem in TLP structures. In the present work, performance and functionality of SMA wire, as the main component of SMA-based tendon under cyclic loading, have been experimentally investigated. It shows a significant enhancement in recovering large deformation and reduces the amount of permanent deformation.
Part of the book: Emerging Trends in Mechatronics