Technical Papers
Apr 28, 2020

Evolution of Localization Length during Postpeak Response of Steel in Tension: Experimental Study

Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146, Issue 7

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study into the influence of localization length (Lc) and its evolution during the postpeak response of cylindrical low-carbon steel bars. A novel longitudinal strain method for the determination of the localization length is compared to the average strain method. Four specimen lengths [38.1 mm (1.5 in.), 76.2 mm (3 in.), 152.4 mm (6 in.), and 304.8 mm (12 in.)] with a diameter of 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) were tested according to ASTM A370 standards. A three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D DIC) measurement system was used to record the longitudinal and transverse deformations along the specimen length. The results indicate that the engineering stress-strain relation up to the peak load is almost identical for all tested specimens. However, the postpeak response shows a steeper softening response for longer specimens. Two methods were used to extract the localization length from the longitudinal engineering strain profile. The average strain method shows a length dependence for different specimen lengths, while the longitudinal strain method eliminates the length dependence. The consistency of the localization length obtained through the longitudinal strain method enables improved generalized analytical relationships. Linear and exponential curve fitting formulae are given to predict the localization length for a generic specimen.

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Data Availability Statement

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Items available include the data from the experimental tests (load, displacement, longitudinal strain, and transverse strain).

Acknowledgments

Student support for Saif Altai was provided by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), Iraq. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor.

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Go to Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146Issue 7July 2020

History

Received: Mar 1, 2019
Accepted: Feb 18, 2020
Published online: Apr 28, 2020
Published in print: Jul 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 28, 2020

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Authors

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Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Missouri, E2503 Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0122-0999. Email: [email protected]
Sarah Orton, Ph.D., M.ASCE [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Missouri, E2503 Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]
Zhen Chen, Ph.D., M.ASCE [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Missouri, E2504 Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Email: [email protected]

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