ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 6

Finite-Element Analysis of Stress Concentration in ASTM D 638 Tension Specimens

Garrell, MG
North Carolina State University,NC,

Shih, AJ
University of Michigan,MI,

Lara-Curzio, E
High Temperature Materials Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory,TN,

Scattergood, RO
North Carolina State University,NC,

(Received 2 May 2002; accepted 13 September 2002)

Abstract

Experimental results showed that ASTM D 638 Type IV flat tension specimens, made of a Nylon-11 matrix containing a large volume concentration of Nd-Fe-B particulates, failed at a location where the straight gage section of the specimen ends and the curved transition region begins. The stress distribution in this specimen was analyzed using the finite-element method, and it was found that there is a stress concentration at this location. The stress distributions in tension specimens with both single- and double-arc transition regions were analyzed and stress concentration factors were calculated. A linear relationship between the magnitude of the stress concentration factor and the ratio of the width in the gage section and the arc radius of the transition region is identified. This study shows that it is possible to reduce the magnitude of the stress concentration factor for the ASTM D 638 Type IV flat tension specimen by redesigning the specimen geometry without changing its overall size.

Keywords:
stress concentration factor, finite-element analysis, tensile strength

Paper ID: JTE12359J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12359J
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