Modeling of Inelastic Behavior of Structures Using Plastic and Metal Laminates

摘要

A review of past research concerning the determination of structural ultimate strength and/or inelastic behavior in isotropic metallic structures revealed that (1) most investigations of this type are carried out on full-size or nearly full-size models requiring large test loads and facilities, (2) small-scale modeling of this structural behavior using the parent metal requires a high degree of skill in the fabrication of the model and a subsequent high cost, and (3) no useful and cost effective method of extending small-scale structural modeling into the inelastic range currently exists. The basic criteria to be satisfied when modeling an isotropic metallic structure elastoplastically using another material are: duplication of stress/modulus versus strain behavior for both model and prototype materials and equality of Poisson's ratio for model and prototype material. Additionally, a structural model using another material must possess the same bending, axial, torsional, and buckling properties as the prototype structure using the parent material. A composite material made up of stainless steel and rigid vinyl was developed to model a mild steel parent material. This composite material was then shown to satisfy the basic criteria needed to elastoplastically model a structure through tests which defined the elastic and inelastic material properties in tension and bending. A deep plate girder structure, for which ultimate strength data exists, was modeled using the composite material and tested. Both the failure mode and ultimate strength of the mild steel girder were accurately reproduced using the composite material.