Influence of neuromuscular fatigue on co-contraction between vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during isometric contractions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Measurement of LSP-induced residual stresses and fatigue life on thin-walled aluminium alloys specimens

This thesis work encloses activities carried out in the Laser Center of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the laboratories of the University of Bologna in Forlì. This thesis focuses on the superficial mechanical treatment for metallic materials called Laser Shock Peening (LSP). This process is a surface enhancement treatment which induces a significant layer of beneficial compressive residual stresses underneath the surface of metal components in order to improve the detrimental effects of the crack growth behavior rate in it. The innovation aspect of this work is the LSP application to specimens with extremely low thickness. In particular, after a bibliographic study and comparison with the main treatments used for the same purposes, this work analyzes the physics of the operation of a laser, its interaction with the surface of the material and the generation of the surface residual stresses which are fundamentals to obtain the LSP benefits. In particular this thesis work regards the application of this treatment to some Al2024-T351 specimens with low thickness. Among the improvements that can be obtained performing this operation, the most important in the aeronautic field is the fatigue life improvement of the treated components. As demonstrated in this work, a well-done LSP treatment can slow down the progress of the defects in the material that could lead to sudden failure of the structure. A part of this thesis is the simulation of this phenomenon using the program AFGROW, with which have been analyzed different geometric configurations of the treatment, verifying which was better for large panels of typical aeronautical interest. The core of the LSP process are the residual stresses that are induced on the material by the interaction with the laser light, these can be simulated with the finite elements but it is essential to verify and measure them experimentally. In the thesis are introduced the main methods for the detection of those stresses, they can be mechanical or by diffraction. In particular, will be described the principles and the detailed realization method of the Hole Drilling measure and an introduction of the X-ray Diffraction; then will be presented the results I obtained with both techniques. In addition to these two measurement techniques will also be introduced Neutron Diffraction method. The last part refers to the experimental tests of the fatigue life of the specimens, with a detailed description of the apparatus and the procedure used from the initial specimen preparation to the fatigue test with the press. Then the obtained results are exposed and discussed.

A study of fatigue failure in vulcanized rubber

Some aspects of fatigue failure in rubbers have been examined. Scanning electron micrographs of the surface exposed by the failure confirm the incremental, crack-propagation nature, of the fatigue process. Many other features of the failure surface have been identified and related to this process. The complicating effect of a reinforcing filler has also been investigated. The fatigue resistance of rubber test-pieces deformed in simple tension was measured as a function of frequency and temperature. This showed that an increase in frequency was equivalent to a decrease in temperature; for an amorphous unfilled rubber the time and temperature effects of crystallisation and fillers on the validity of this transformation is considered. This transformation indicates that hysteresis plays an important part in the fatigue process. Torsional pendulum measurements were used to demonstrate the dependence of the fatigue life on the mechanical damping. An apparatus was developed to measure the hysteresial energy loss directly at deformations, rates of deformation and temperatures consistent with a typical fatigue test. Measurements made with this apparatus are compared with fatigue values and a quantitative relationship is suggested describing fatigue, in terms of the energy lost per unit energy input in a cycle of a fatigue test.

A Linear S-N Curve with Load Dependent Variance and Explicit Failure Probability

We reconsider standard uniaxial fatigue test data obtained from handbooks. Many S-N curve fits to such data represent the median life and exclude load-dependent variance in life. Presently available approaches for incorporating probabilistic aspects explicitly within the S-N curves have some shortcomings, which we discuss. We propose a new linear S-N fit with a prespecified failure probability, load-dependent variance, and reasonable behavior at extreme loads. We fit our parameters using maximum likelihood, show the reasonableness of the fit using Q-Q plots, and obtain standard error estimates via Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed fitting method may be used for obtaining S-N curves from the same data as already available, with the same mathematical form, but in cases in which the failure probability is smaller, say, 10 % instead of 50 %, and in which the fitted line is not parallel to the 50 % (median) line.

激光诱发活塞的热负荷

活塞的热疲劳性能对柴油发动机的全寿命至关重要。由于能量有限和可控性差等缺点，现有实验系统均不能满意地进行活塞热负荷模拟实验。为此，提出并建立了一套激光诱发活塞热负荷的实验系统。该系统通过对激光束的空间整形，使之投射到活塞表面后诱发的温度场分布满足特定要求。基于PROFIBUS-DP现场总线技术实现了系统集成和实验过程的全反馈控制。针对活塞的典型热负荷条件，即高周热疲劳和热冲击分别进行实验，以模拟正常工作循环和“启动一停车”等热负荷或转速突变工况。通过设置加热一冷却周期或上限下限温度，可以获得相应的热负荷模拟实验效果。研究结果表明，采用经光束整形的激光进行活塞热负荷模拟实验具有周期短、可控性好等优点。 

平台用高强度钢多次补焊及TIG熔修的疲劳分析

海洋石油平台在服役期内，由于受到各种环境载荷的交变作用，其受力的焊接构件不可避免地会出现疲劳裂纹。对出现的疲劳裂纹进行补焊修复，可以延长平台的使用期，带来巨大的经济和社会效益。本文通过实验研究，考察了多次补焊对海洋平台用高强度钢焊接接头疲劳性能的影响，以及是否可以通过TIG熔修工艺的采用提高补焊构件的疲劳寿命，达到延长补焊后平台的使用寿命，减少补焊次数的目的。本文涉及的主要研究内容如下：1、考察了多次补焊对焊接接头疲劳寿命的影响。通过对平台用高强度钢焊接接头初焊试样，以及重复三次补焊试样的疲劳实验，得到了各次补焊试样在对数正态分布和威布尔分布下的寿命估算式和考虑了存活率的R-S-N曲线。对实验结果进行了比较和分析，从而考察了多次补焊对焊接接头疲劳性能的影响。2、在每次补焊后，由于焊趾外移造成了焊趾角的变化，使得焊趾处的应力集中系数发生了变化。本文采用有限元方法计算了试样的应力场分布，得到了焊趾处的应力集中系数与焊趾角的关系。考虑到应力集中系数的变化后，对多次补焊试样疲劳实验的实验数据进行了重新处理。3、考察了多次补焊熔修对焊接接头疲劳寿命的影响。本文通过对平台用高强度钢焊接接头补焊及补焊熔修试样的疲劳实验，得到了多次补焊和补焊熔修试样对数正态分布和威布尔分布下的寿命估算式和考虑了存活率的R-S-N曲线。对实验结果进行了比较和分析，从而考察了补焊后采用TIG熔修工艺对焊接接头疲劳性能的影响。4、一次补焊后进行熔修处理可以极大的改善试样的疲劳性能，提高试样的疲劳寿命。但这一结果是在平焊位条件下得出了。为了将这一结果用于实际，还要考察实际操作中大量采用的立焊位条件下熔修的效果。本文完成了立焊位条件下补焊及补焊熔修试样的疲劳实验，得到了相应的S-N曲线。5、疲劳实验数据的处理中，大量采用威布尔分布作为数据统计的分布类型。但由于威布尔分布具有三个参数，给求解带来一定的困难。本文提出一种以在威布尔坐标纸上，数据分布的线形相关系数作为判据的求解威布尔参数的方法，并通过程序加以实现。为了对疲劳实验数据的处理更加方便和直观，编制了“疲劳实验数据处理程序“，将对疲劳实验数据的编辑、分布参数的求解、不同存活率下的疲劳寿命估算和各种分布类型图以及R-S-N曲线的绘制工作包括在该程序中。

Effects of replication on measured S-N curves of metals

Replication, or repeated tests at the same stress amplitude, is used to provide statistical confidence in life data during the development of S-N curves. This paper discusses the effects of replication on the measurement of S-N curves and presents an alternative to traditional replication methods for the determination of S-N curves, particularly for the development of preliminary S-N curves. Using specimens made out of the extruded bars of a magnesium alloy, it is demonstrated that the S-N curve estimated using the data from non-replication tests is almost same as that from replication tests. The advantage of using non-replication fatigue tests is that it uses fewer specimens, in this instance, only half of that required for 50% replication fatigue test, to achieve the same estimation as that of the replication fatigue tests. Another advantage of using non-replication fatigue tests is that it can detect the non-linearity using limited specimens.

Effects of replication on measured S-N curves of metals

Replication, or repeated tests at the same stress amplitude, is used to provide statistical confidence in life data during the development of S-N curves. This paper discusses the effects of replication on the measurement of S-N curves and presents an alternative to traditional replication methods for the determination of S-N curves, particularly for the development of preliminary S-N curves. Using specimens made out of the extruded bars of a magnesium alloy, it is demonstrated that the S-N curve estimated using the data from non-replication tests is almost same as that from replication tests. The advantage of using non-replication fatigue tests is that it uses fewer specimens, in this instance, only half of that required for 50% replication fatigue test, to achieve the same estimation as that of the replication fatigue tests. Another advantage of using non-replication fatigue tests is that it can detect the non-linearity using limited specimens.

Biomecânica e otimização topológica com H-adaptatividade em implantes dentários nitretados a plasma em cátodo oco

In recent years there has been a significant growth in technologies that modify implant surfaces, reducing healing time and allowing their successful use in areas with low bone density. One of the most widely used techniques is plasma nitration, applied with excellent results in titanium and its alloys, with greater frequency in the manufacture of hip, ankle and shoulder implants. However, its use in dental implants is very limited due to high process temperatures (between 700 C o and 800 C o ), resulting in distortions in these geometrically complex and highly precise components. The aim of the present study is to assess osseointegration and mechanical strength of grade II nitrided titanium samples, through configuration of hollow cathode discharge. Moreover, new formulations are proposed to determine the optimum structural topology of the dental implant under study, in order to perfect its shape, make it efficient, competitive and with high definition. In the nitriding process, the samples were treated at a temperature of 450 C o and pressure of 150 Pa , during 1 hour of treatment. This condition was selected because it obtains the best wettability results in previous studies, where different pressure, temperature and time conditions were systematized. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, roughness, microhardness and wettability. Biomechanical fatigue tests were then conducted. Finally, a formulation using the three dimensional structural topology optimization method was proposed, in conjunction with an hadaptive refinement process. The results showed that plasma nitriding, using the hollow cathode discharge technique, caused changes in the surface texture of test specimens, increases surface roughness, wettability and microhardness when compared to the untreated sample. In the biomechanical fatigue test, the treated implant showed no flaws, after five million cycles, at a maximum fatigue load of 84.46 N. The results of the topological optimization process showed well-defined optimized layouts of the dental implant, with a clear distribution of material and a defined edge

Análise da fadiga muscular localizada em atletas e sedentários através de parâmetros de freqüência do sinal eletromiográfico

Embora a análise no domínio da freqüência do sinal eletromiográfico (EMG) seja empregada na caracterização do processo de fadiga muscular localizada, sua aplicação, especificamente a da freqüência mediana (Fmed), é pouco explorada no âmbito esportivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a viabilidade da aplicação do sinal EMG, através de sua análise no domínio da freqüência, como parâmetro para determinação e diferenciação no comportamento da fadiga muscular localizada. Dois grupos de sujeitos, um caracterizado como atletas (n =12) e outro como sedentários (n =12), foram submetidos a análises baseadas em procedimentos executados em três diferentes situações experimentais, todos envolvendo a modalidade de exercício isométrico: i) teste máximo para determinação da contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM); ii) teste de fadiga, sustentado por 35 seg. a 80% da CIVM; iii) teste de recuperação, sustentado por 10 seg. a 80% da CIVM; neste ultimo foi monitorado o comportamento da Fmed nos três primeiros (Fmedi) e três últimos segundos (Fmedf) do sinal EMG no músculo tibial anterior durante o teste de fadiga. Durante os 10 segundos do teste de recuperação foi calculada a Fmed referente a todo o período (Fmedr). parâmetro utilizado no cálculo do índice de recuperação muscular (IRM). Os resultados apontam que a Fmedf apresentou valor menor em relação à Fmedi em ambos os grupos (p < 0,05). Quando comparado com o grupo de sedentários, o grupo de atletas apresentou valores maiores de Fmedi e Fmedf (p < 0,05). O valor médio e desvio-padrão do IRM para o grupo de atletas foram de 62,1% ± 28,7 e, para o grupo de sedentários, de 55,2% ± 27,8 (p > 0,05). Dessa forma, os resultados apresentados neste estudo permitem inferir a viabilidade na aplicação de parâmetros no domínio da freqüência do sinal EMG para a determinação e diferenciação do comportamento da fadiga muscular localizada.

Análise da reprodutibilidade de parâmetros no domínio da frequência do sinal EMG utilizados na caracterização da fadiga muscular localizada

The aim of this study was to analyze the reproducibility of the electromyography signal's parameters (EMG) in the frequency domain used in the characterization of localized muscle fatigue. Fifteen male subjects underwent a fatigue test based on isometric knee extension, being held at three different times at intervals of seven days. To assess the reproducibility of data between the tests we calculated the correlation coefficient (ICC) for the median frequency (MF) in total exercise time (MFT), MF obtained for every 10% of exercise time (MF10%) and the powers of the frequency bands obtained by dividing the power spectrum at windows of 20 Hz. The results showed: (1) excellent reproducibility for MFT, (2) good reproducibility for MF10%, and (3) greater variation in the signal EMG bands from 20 to 120 Hz, especially at the bands of 20-40 Hz and 40-60 Hz, which showed greater sensitivity to the process of muscle fatigue. We conclude that the MF is a variable that shows good reproducibility and that the fragmented analysis of the power spectrum, by means of frequency bands, showed that significant variations occur in the EMG signal during the installation of the fatigue process, having potential to become a new method for the characterization of localized muscle fatigue.

THE SERVICE LIFE of IMPLANT-RETAINED OVERDENTURE ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of mechanical cycling on the bonding of zirconia and fiber posts to human root dentin

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cyclical mechanical loading on the bond strength of a fiber and a zirconia post bonded to root dentin.Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted human teeth (maxillary incisors and canines) were sectioned, and the root canals were prepared at 12 mm. Twenty randomly seleced specimens received a quartz fiber post (FRC) (D.T. Light-Post) and 20 others received a zirconia post (ZR) (Cosmopost). The posts were resin luted (All Bond 2 + resin cement Duo-link) and each specimen was embedded in epoxy resin inside a PVC cylinder. Ten specimens with FRC post and 10 specimens with ZR post were submitted to fatigue testing (2,000,000 cycles; load: 50 N; angle of 45 degrees; frequency: 8 Hz), while the other 20 specimens were not fatigued. Thus, 4 groups were formed: G1: FRC+O cycles; G2: FRC+2,000,000 cycles; G3: ZR+O cycles; G4: ZR+2,000,000 cycles. Later, the specimens were cut perpendicular to their long axis to form 2-mm-thick disk-shaped samples (4 sections/specimen), which were submitted to the push-out test (1 mm/min). The mean bond strength values (MPa) were calculated for each tooth (n = 10) and data were submitted to statistical analysis (alpha = 0.05).Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed that the bond strength was significantly affected by mechanical cycling (p = 0.0014) and root post (p = 0.0325). The interaction was also statistically significant (p = 0.0010). Tukey's test showed that the mechanical cycling did not affect the bonding of FRC to root dentin, while fatigue impaired the bonding of zirconium to root dentin.Conclusion: (1) the bond strength of the FRC post to root dentin was not reduced after fatigue testing, whereas the bonding of the zirconia post was significantly affected by the fatigue. (2) Cyclical mechanical loading appears to damage the bond strength of the rigid post only.

The effect of locked screw angulation on the biomechanical properties of the S.P.S. Free-Block plate

Objectives: Among the locked internal fixators is one denominated S.P.S. (Synthesis Pengo System) Free-Block, which was designed with a locking ring that allows the screw to be locked and positioned obliquely. Due to the paucity of biomechanical studies on this system, the present work aimed to evaluate the influence of locked screw angulation on the resistance of the S.P.S. Free--Block plate. Methods: Forty synthetic bone cylinders with 10 mm fracture gap were used. Forty seven-hole 3.5 mm stainless steel plates (two AO-like dynamic compression holes and five locked holes) were assembled according to the orientation of the locked screws: mono cortical screws were positioned at 90° to the long axis of the cylinder (Group 1), and monocortical screws were positioned at 70° to its cylinder long axis (Group 2). In both groups, AO-like dynamic compression hole screws were positioned bicortically and neutrally. For each group, six specimens were tested until failure, three in bending and three in compression, to determine the loads for fatigue testing. Subsequently, for each group, 14 specimens were tested for failure --seven by bending and seven in compression. Results: No significant failure differences were observed between Groups 1 and 2 under static-loading or fatigue test. Clinical significance: In a fracture gap model the orientation of the locked monocortical screws did not show any influence on the mechanical performance of the S.P.S. Free-Block to tests of axial compression and four-point bending. © Schattauer 2013.

O efeito da orientação do parafuso bloqueado nas propriedades biomecânicas da placa S.P.S. Free-Block em corpos de prova nao osteoporóticos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)