Analysis, Design, Simulation and Practice of Aluminum Alloy Structures

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Computation and Simulation on Metals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024 | Viewed by 7701

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Tianjin University
Interests: steel; space structure; modular steel structure; composite structure; timber structure; bamboo structure; aluminum structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China
Interests: aluminum alloy structure; steel structure; cable structure; membrane structure; glass curtain wall system;steel structure residential system; structural stability and nonlinear numerical analysis; simulation of civil engineering

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 518071, China
Interests: aluminum alloy structure; seismic performance and design theory of high-rise and long-span structures; fracture, fatigue and damage of steel structures; design theory and engineering application of curtain wall; application technology of high performance steel structures

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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: aluminum alloy structure; steel structure; cable structure; space structure analysis and design theory; assessment and restoration of existing space structural state; theory and technology of disaster prevention and mitigation for space structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The annual world production of aluminum has been increasing over the past few decades. Aluminum alloy has the advantages of having a light weight, high strength, low temperature resistance, good corrosion resistance, good modulability, high recyclability, and so on. It is widely used in a variety of engineering fields, especially in structures under special environments. As a new type of high-performance engineering structure material, aluminum alloy has a broad prospect in the aspects of multi-modal material performance characterization, diverse component and joint form research and development, and new structural system innovation.

This Special Issue provides an international forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest developments in aluminum alloy research and their applications. The topics of this issue include the analysis, design, simulation, and practice of aluminum alloy structures and aluminum-based composite structures. Original papers of a high standard dealing with all aspects of aluminum alloy structure research including material properties under different temperature and stress conditions, various forms of components, connections, joints, and new structural system behaviors are considered for publication.

Prof. Dr. Zhihua Chen
Prof. Dr. Qilin Zhang
Prof. Dr. Yuanqing Wang
Prof. Dr. Hongbo Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • aluminum alloy structures
  • aluminum-based composite structures
  • material properties
  • component and joint research and development
  • structural analysis
  • design
  • simulation
  • practice

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 5342 KiB  
Communication
Metallurgical Method of Determining Heat Transfer Coefficient in Simulations of Twin-Roll Casting
by Min-Seok Kim and Jiwon Kim
Metals 2024, 14(3), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14030358 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 642
Abstract
We herein suggest a metallurgical method using pure aluminum with no freezing temperature range to derive appropriate roll/melt interfacial heat transfer coefficients in simulation of twin-roll casting process. This method is inspired by the concept that the position of the kiss points where [...] Read more.
We herein suggest a metallurgical method using pure aluminum with no freezing temperature range to derive appropriate roll/melt interfacial heat transfer coefficients in simulation of twin-roll casting process. This method is inspired by the concept that the position of the kiss points where two solidifying shells encounter and the roll nip coincides under the condition where the roll load becomes zero as the roll rotation speed decreases. The conditions where the roll load becomes zero under various melt supply temperature conditions in the actual TRC process are found experimentally. These conditions are then applied to simulation models to derive heat transfer coefficient values. When comparing these values with those derived previously from the empirical relation for roll rotation speed and heat transfer coefficient, the conclusion is drawn that the deviation was reasonably low, around 10%. Full article
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15 pages, 5637 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study of Elastic Properties and Electronic Properties of Al-Ni-Ce Ternary Intermetallic Compounds
by Ying Ling, Wenjie Hu, Jiabin Wang and Hong Yan
Metals 2023, 13(12), 1921; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13121921 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 773
Abstract
The materials of the Al-Ni-Ce ternary system have promising application potential in additive manufacturing, and the systematic study of Al-Ni-Ce IMCs is an important part of the design and performance development of Al-Ni-Ce alloys. In this paper, the mechanical properties and electronic properties [...] Read more.
The materials of the Al-Ni-Ce ternary system have promising application potential in additive manufacturing, and the systematic study of Al-Ni-Ce IMCs is an important part of the design and performance development of Al-Ni-Ce alloys. In this paper, the mechanical properties and electronic properties of seven major Al-Ni-Ce IMCs are studied using first-principles calculations, and the differences in their mechanical properties are discussed. The enthalpy of formation and cohesion energy of the Al-Ni-Ce IMCs showed that Ce4Al23Ni6 had the highest enthalpy of formation and cohesion energy, which were −49.57 kJ/mol and −4.47 kJ/mol, respectively. This demonstrated that all Al-Ni-Ce IMCs had excellent thermodynamic stability. The elastic modulus calculation of the Al-Ni-Ce IMCs showed that the Young’s modulus of CeAl3Ni2 was the largest at 178.15 GPa, the bulk modulus of CeAlNi4 was the largest at 125.78 GPa, and the shear modulus of CeAlNi2 was the largest at 62.53 GPa. This proved that among the Al-Ni-Ce IMCs, CeAl3Ni2 had the greatest stiffness, CeAlNi4 had the strongest resistance to uniform deformation, and CeAl3Ni2 had the strongest resistance to plastic deformation. The electronic density of states of Al-Ni-Ce IMCs was analyzed, and the results showed that the main bonding types of Al-Ni-Ce IMCs were metallic and covalent bonds. This work can provide a theoretical basis for the material design and development of the Al-Ni-Ce ternary system. Full article
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18 pages, 12438 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Aluminum Alloy with Open-Channel and Columnar Structures through a Ceramic Fiber Template Method
by Hideo Nakajima
Metals 2023, 13(12), 1914; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13121914 - 21 Nov 2023
Viewed by 938
Abstract
Aluminum alloys with open-channel and columnar structures were fabricated by casting the melt of aluminum alloys using a ceramic fiber template method. Stainless steel plates or wires coated with ceramic fibers impregnated by polyvinyl alcohol were used as cores. The cores were embedded [...] Read more.
Aluminum alloys with open-channel and columnar structures were fabricated by casting the melt of aluminum alloys using a ceramic fiber template method. Stainless steel plates or wires coated with ceramic fibers impregnated by polyvinyl alcohol were used as cores. The cores were embedded in a melt of an aluminum alloy. After solidification, the ceramic fibers were macerated and became sodden by immersing the aluminum alloy ingots in water so that the plates or wires were easily removed by extraction forces as large as 5N, in other words, by pulling out them manually. Thus, an open-channel aluminum alloy was fabricated by a simple method. On the other hand, ceramic fiber blocks composed of ceramic fibers impregnated by polyvinyl alcohol were perforated by microdrills. Melts of aluminum alloy were cast in the holes by a vacuum suction method. The ceramic fibers were removed by immersing the ingots in water. Thus, a columnar-structured aluminum alloy was produced. Previous methods for the fabrication of open-channel metals necessitates a process to extract the metallic wires embedded in the solidified metals. However, the ceramic fiber template method does not require such an extraction process and thus is a very simple technique for the fabrication of open-channel metals, such as porous metals with rectangular holes and circular holes and columnar structures metals. Full article
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13 pages, 1385 KiB  
Article
Influence of Inner Roller Geometric Parameters on Counter-Roller Spinning with 6061 Aluminum Alloy Tube
by Xiaokai Zhao, Zheyuan Mu, Haopeng Zhao, Pengyi Wang, Wenjie Song and Guang Yang
Metals 2023, 13(10), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13101720 - 09 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 754
Abstract
The inner roller exerts a supportive and thinning effect on the inner side of the tube during counter-roller spinning. In this paper, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of counter-roller spinning for a 6061 aluminum alloy tube was established based on the ABAQUS/Explicit [...] Read more.
The inner roller exerts a supportive and thinning effect on the inner side of the tube during counter-roller spinning. In this paper, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of counter-roller spinning for a 6061 aluminum alloy tube was established based on the ABAQUS/Explicit module. The deformation characteristics and the influence of inner roller geometrical parameters on the tube spinning were analyzed. The results showed that the stress–strain on the outer of the tube was greater than that of the inner, and flaring was more prone to occur in the initial stage of counter-roller spinning compared to traditional mandrel spinning. The order of the effects of geometrical parameters of the inner roller on the roundness error and wall thickness deviation was as follows: nose radius > diameter > front angle. The order of factors influencing the inner and outer spinning force was as follows: diameter > nose radius > front angle. Increasing the diameter of the inner roller can improve the spinning stability and forming accuracy of counter-roller spinning. It was beneficial to improve the forming accuracy when the nose radius of the inner roller was slightly larger than that of the outer roller. The front angle of the inner roller has little influence on the spinning forming accuracy. Full article
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27 pages, 13967 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Double-Layer Riveted Aluminum Roofing Panels with Curved Surfaces
by Ye Yuan, Qilin Zhang, Xiaoqun Luo, Lin Yuan, Shaoquan Zhang and Hanbin Ge
Metals 2023, 13(8), 1452; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13081452 - 12 Aug 2023
Viewed by 915
Abstract
In recent years, aluminum alloy has been increasingly used in building structures, becoming an important construction material for metal structures. Currently, aluminum alloy is commonly used in buildings as beam–column components, profiled roof panels, and door and window frames, among other forms. However, [...] Read more.
In recent years, aluminum alloy has been increasingly used in building structures, becoming an important construction material for metal structures. Currently, aluminum alloy is commonly used in buildings as beam–column components, profiled roof panels, and door and window frames, among other forms. However, there is limited research on the mechanical properties of aluminum alloy roof panels with irregular curved surfaces. In this study, a full-scale curved double-layer anisotropic riveted aluminum alloy roof panel was subjected to a load test to analyze its deformation patterns and failure mechanisms. The results indicate that the load-bearing capacity of the roof panel meets the design requirements. During failure, neither the upper nor lower layers of the panel enter the plastic deformation stage, indicating sufficient safety redundancy. The failure mode observed is a ductile failure with noticeable deformation with the weak points of the component being the riveted connections of the stiffeners. A finite element model was established for numerical simulation and the results matched well with the experimental data. Finally, a theoretical calculation for the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the roof panel was derived, providing a reference for design purposes. Full article
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19 pages, 5624 KiB  
Article
Study on the Behavior of Assembled T-Shaped Aluminum Alloy Specimens under Axial Compression
by Yuanwen Ouyang, Hongbo Liu, Jiaojie Ying, Jianxiong Zhao, Xiaowei Liu and Zhenfei Liu
Metals 2023, 13(5), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13050919 - 09 May 2023
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Assembled T-shaped aluminum alloy components represent a new type of structural member in aluminum alloy structures with broad application prospects. In this study, axial compression tests were carried out on 32 aluminum alloy components, considering parameters such as the cross-sectional type and slenderness [...] Read more.
Assembled T-shaped aluminum alloy components represent a new type of structural member in aluminum alloy structures with broad application prospects. In this study, axial compression tests were carried out on 32 aluminum alloy components, considering parameters such as the cross-sectional type and slenderness ratio of the components, to obtain the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mode of the members. The test results show that, for the equilateral assembled T-shaped aluminum alloy components with obvious strong and weak axes, bending instability was most common, and local buckling of the plate occurred when the slenderness ratio of the component was relatively small. For the unequal T-shaped aluminum alloy structures without an obvious strong or weak axis, torsional buckling instability occurred, accompanied by local deformation of the connecting limbs due to mutual compression. A verified finite element model was also established. Based on this model, a parametric analysis was conducted to study the influence of parameters such as initial defects, slenderness ratio, and cross-sectional type on the axial compressive bearing capacity of the assembled T-shaped aluminum alloy components. The experimental and numerical results were then compared with Chinese and European standards, revealing that the standard calculation methods tend to be unsafe. Finally, the calculation parameters for component defects in Chinese and European standards were revised. Full article
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15 pages, 3865 KiB  
Article
Effect of Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment on Torsional Fatigue Properties of a 7075 Aluminum Alloy
by Yizhuo Li, Delphine Retraint, Pengfei Gao, Hongqian Xue, Tao Gao and Zhidan Sun
Metals 2022, 12(5), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/met12050785 - 01 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1705
Abstract
The effect of Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT) on torsional fatigue properties of a 7075 aluminum alloy was investigated. A number of fatigue samples were heat treated to increase the sensitivity of the material to SMAT. Compared with the as-machined (AM) samples, the [...] Read more.
The effect of Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT) on torsional fatigue properties of a 7075 aluminum alloy was investigated. A number of fatigue samples were heat treated to increase the sensitivity of the material to SMAT. Compared with the as-machined (AM) samples, the fatigue lives of their SMATed counterparts (AM-SMAT) tested under torsional loading increased under high stress amplitudes, but decreased under low amplitudes. However, the fatigue lives of heated and SMATed samples (HT-SMAT) increased under all the investigated stress amplitudes, compared with those that were heat treated (HT). It was also revealed that the cracking mechanisms are different for the samples in different states, and they are dependent on the imposed stress levels. The results show that SMAT could have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the fatigue lives depending on the testing conditions. The roles played by various factors, including residual stresses, grain refinement, and surface roughness, were analyzed and discussed to interpret the results. Full article
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