The bonding between two different materials or between same materials is a quite popular method. Unlike fastener joints, it avoids undesirable stress concentrations and doesn't demand an intrusive application to ensure the good performance of the joint. However, depending on the configuration of the adhesively bonded joint, its performance responds differently and the choice (if possible to make) on the best configuration, i.e. the configuration that originates the highest strength and/or stiffness, may be hard to make. Within this context, several configurationsof aluminium-to-aluminium bonded joints unstrengthened and strengthened with fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) were modelled using a commercial finite element code. The linearity and nonlinearity of the FRP composite and the aluminium were considered, respectively, and the adhesively bonded joints were subjected to a regular displacement that intended to simulate a tensioning load. Also, the nonlinearities of the interfaces were considered in the form of nonlinear cohesive adhesive laws. The fracture Modes I and II were defined trough a bond-slip relation with abi-linear shape and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is used for the coupling of the cohesive adhesive laws of the interface when the debonding process of the bonded joint configuration implies the interaction between both fracture modes, i.e. the joint is under a mixed-mode (Mode I+II) situation. The results are presented and discussed and the configurations of the bonded joints are all compared through bond stress distributions and load-slip responses. The study herein presented is, therefore, a contribution to the analysis of the structural integrity of bonded joints between FRP composites and aluminium substrates, helping also on the choice of the most adequatebonded joint configuration and corresponding reinforcement to be used and applied in practice.

A set of three old suspended timber floors were flexurally strengthened with carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips in order to investigate the effectiveness of externally bonding FRP to their soffits. The specimens were from an old building and 740-mm-wide bands were transferred to the laboratory in order to be tested in a four-point bending test. One specimen was tested with no strengthening system and the results obtained were used as reference values for comparison with the specimens that were externally bonded and reinforced (EBR) with CFRP strips. Two similar EBR systems were studied: (1) keeping both ends of the CFRP strips free of any restriction (traditional technique), and (2) embedding both ends of the CFRP strips into the timber, thus providing a bonding anchorage of the strips (new technique). The installation of the new strengthening system comprises the opening of holes in the timber and the creation of a transition curve between the holes and the timber surface. This transition curve allows a smooth transition of the CFRP laminate between the hole and the timber surface, thus avoiding stress concentrations in this area. After the opening of the holes, the resin is applied inside the hole and on the beam surface, and then the CFRP laminate is mounted. The load-carrying capacity of the specimens, the rupture modes, and the strains and bond stress distributions within the CFRP-to-timber interface are presented. A nonlinear numerical simulation of the specimens based on the midspan cross-sectional equilibrium is also presented. The results showed that the use of the new strengthening system enhances the performance of the specimens when compared with the traditional strengthening system.

Fracture characterization of human cortical bone under mode II loading was analyzed using a miniaturized version of the end-notched flexure test. A data reduction scheme based on crack equivalent concept was employed to overcome uncertainties on crack length monitoring during the test. The crack tip shear displacement was experimentally measured using digital image correlation technique to determine the cohesive law that mimics bone fracture behavior under mode II loading. The developed procedure was validated by finite element analysis using cohesive zone modeling considering a trapezoidal with bilinear softening relationship. Experimental load-displacement curves, resistance curves and crack tip shear displacement versus applied displacement were used to validate the numerical procedure. The excellent agreement observed between the numerical and experimental results reveals the appropriateness of the proposed test and procedure to characterize human cortical bone fracture under mode II loading. The proposed methodology can be viewed as a novel valuable tool to be used in parametric and methodical clinical studies regarding features (e.g., age, diseases, drugs) influencing bone shear fracture under mode II loading.

Abstract This work presents an experimental method to measure the compressive crack resistance curve of fiber-reinforced polymer composites when subjected to dynamic loading. The data reduction couples the concepts of energy release rate, size effect law and R-curve. Double-edge notched specimens of four different sizes are used. Both split-Hopkinson pressure bar and quasi-static reference tests are performed. The full crack resistance curves at both investigated strain rate regimes are obtained on the basis of quasi-static fracture analysis theory. The results show that the steady state fracture toughness of the fiber compressive failure mode of the unidirectional carbon-epoxy composite material IM7-8552 is 165.6kJ/m2 and 101.6kJ/m2 under dynamic and quasi-static loading, respectively. Therefore the intralaminar fracture toughness in compression is found to increase with increasing strain rate.

Purpose: The purpose of this research work is to propose an assessment framework to evaluate businesses in terms of the implementation of a green and lean organization’s supply chain. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework was developed for the assessment of green and lean implementation. The framework was designed using key criteria to identify green and lean initiatives. This led to the development of guidelines for each criterion, and the development of a scoring method. A multiple case study of five different organizations in the automotive industry was conducted to validate the conceptual framework. Findings: The study reveals that high scores are derived from a good interaction between green and lean implementation in these companies. The results confirm that the initiatives considered in the conceptual framework were appropriate to represent the green and lean assessment framework. Research limitations/implications: The case study was developed in five organizations. Validation of the model is not based on quantitative techniques. The sample size is too small. More study is need in different industry sectors. Practical implications: The proposed model can be the basis for further research on green and lean concepts, contributing to the understanding of green and lean implementation. With this assessment method, managers can evaluate their business in relation to the implementation of green and lean supply chain initiatives. Originality/value: To the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to provide an assessment framework to evaluate an organization’s supply chain in terms of green and lean implementation.

Understanding how efficiently we use the role of resources in the organization namely natural resources in use, water, materials and energy consumption is a vital step for designing business strategies to tackle inefficiencies. Green and lean model for business sustainability will be presented and indicators for a resource efficient and green business will be discussed. Organizations must understand how resources are use and how can be used, making better decision about the use of those environmental, social, and economic resources. However the resources are not only a business concern. All organizations in a specific region should be evaluated for the knowledge of the progress on the road to sustainability. This study aims to be a preliminary study of how to use green and lean management concept as a step towards to sustainability. To the authors this is the first attempt to understand and develop a model through green and lean concepts to improve critical sustainability issues, enhancing the efficiency of the resources.

Hybrid materials have been widely studied for structural applications. Polysaccharide-based fibers, especially cellulosic fibers, have been explored in the last two decades as substitutes of the traditional reinforcements made of glass or carbon fibers due to their mechanical properties. However, their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and chemistry have attracted the researchers and new developments in the field of smart and functional materials arise in diverse applications. This chapter will focus on the biomedical applications of polysaccharide-based smart and functional materials, namely those concerning biosensors and actuators, theranostic systems, and tissue-engineering applications. Special attention will be given to cellulose- and chitin/chitosan-based hybrid materials because these are the two most abundant polysaccharides and probably the most promising for the development of hybrid materials for biomedical applications. Biomimetic strategies for the development of smart and functional hybrid materials will also be highlighted. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Industry 4.0 is the new paradigm of the fourth industrial revolution; it embodies a smart industry by applying advanced information and communication systems, and high technology. These advancements evolved and assisted the supply chain to become a more adaptive network creating new opportunities for supply chain competitiveness. Management paradigms as lean and green can develop improvements in the supply chain. The integrative lean and green approach eliminates non-value added activities and at the same time reduces environment impacts and risks throughout the supply chain operations. This study is motivated by the lack of evidence how the lean and green supply chain should evolve to work efficiently in Industry 4.0 environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Industry 4.0 can support the implementation of the lean and green supply chain. Based on literature review, a conceptualization of the relations between Industry 4.0, supply chain management and lean and green paradigms is presented. This paper provides an understanding of how this new industrial revolution incorporated lean and green supply chain paradigms.