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Summary of Contents for FTA ADwin-Gold
- Page 1 Fracture Technology Associates Non-Linear Fracture Toughness Testing and Analysis Version 3+.16.01 Users’ Reference Manual January 2016 Keith Donald Amy Blair Fracture Technology Associates 2412 Emrick Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18020 610-868-3054 www.FractureTech.com...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
2.1.2 Digital input and output connections ......12 Connecting the FTA-DCPD Current Supply and Amplifier ..13 PC Setup and Installation of the FTA Software ......15 Installing the ADWin Drivers on the PC ........16 Testing in Simulation ..............18 Tuning .................. - Page 4 4.6.3 J – Delta a..............66 Comments ................67 Help ..................67 Using the FTA Analysis Software ............. 69 How the NLFT Analysis Program Works ........69 Understanding the Files Used by the Analysis Program ... 70 E1820 Analysis Procedure ............71 E399 Analysis Procedure ............
- Page 5 7.1.6 Additional Data ............111 7.1.7 Variables ..............112 7.2. Load-Disp and Linear Report ..........113 7.2.1 Load Disp..............114 7.2.2 Load Time ..............115 7.2.3 User Input ..............116 7.2.4 Cover Page ..............117 7.2.5 K-Plot ................118 7.2.6 K-Plot ................119 7.2.7 Reg Data..............
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Page 7: The Fta Nlft Testing And Analysis System
FTA’s basic NLFT (ASTM E1820, E1921) testing application is designed to run with the ADwin Gold and any closed loop servo-hydraulic mechanical test machine and controller, suitably configured for non-linear fracture toughness testing. - Page 8 PC operating system. Thus, if the computer running the FTA software crashes, the ADwin continues to maintain control and collect data. When the computer is rebooted, it can access the ADwin process and tests continue uninterrupted. The ADwin has a dedicated Analog Devices SHARC DSP processor; local memory; and high-speed 16-bit resolution analog input and output.
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Page 9: Other Hardware Requirements
Manual Layout This manual is intended as a beginning reference for new users of the FTA testing and analysis software. The following section describes setup and installation of the ADwin Gold; FTA-DCPD current supply and amplifier; and FTA software. Section 3.2 provides step-by-step instructions to guide new users through the running of a room temperature E1820 test, including the option of DCPD crack measurement. - Page 10 This manual includes discussion of the E399 and E1820 standards only. Please contact FTA for more details on using the NLFT software for E1921 testing and analysis. Operation and troubleshooting of laboratory controllers and test frames are outside the scope of this document: for guidance, users are encouraged to contact their equipment manufacturers.
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Page 11: Installation Guide
Connecting the ADwin to the Controller and FTA-DCPD The ADwin-Gold is factory-calibrated and configured for differential inputs, although FTA can provide a calibration procedure upon request. The ADwin must be grounded for use in conjunction with a test machine: it should be grounded to the system console or the common ground of the controller (refer to the ADwin hardware manual Start Up section for details). -
Page 12: Digital Input And Output Connections
(pin 5 connects to ‘high’ and pin 13 to ‘low/ground’ of a digital-in logic signal – else, the wires are interchangeable). The nine-pin connector goes to the back of the FTA-DCPD power supply if required. See Section 2.2 for FTA- DCPD hook-up. -
Page 13: Connecting The Fta-Dcpd Current Supply And Amplifier
25-pin CONN 2 connector on the cabling to the ADwin-Gold. Note that pin 25 of CONN 2 goes to pin 1 of DCPD control; pin 1 of CONN 2 goes to pin 3 of DCPD control, and pin 14 of CONN 2 goes to pin 2 of DCPD control. - Page 14 On the FTA DCPD amplifier, gain selection and auto zero are provided using the panel controls on the Ectron modules. The two shielded Input connectors above the toggle switches (left and right) connect to the active and reference probes. The active probe senses the voltage drop across the crack while the reference probe senses the voltage drop at a location not significantly affected by crack growth.
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Page 15: Pc Setup And Installation Of The Fta Software
FTA DCPD testing software must be open and all test parameters entered before the system’s power is turned on. Activation of the FTA software sends a logic signal to the DC power supply enabling the polarity switching relays to start in the forward position. -
Page 16: Installing The Adwin Drivers On The Pc
Windows 98 through Windows XP; for Windows 7 use version 5.00.10.00. Users of older Adwins with ISA-link-to-USB adaptors must use the ADwin driver version 3.00.2332. Adwin drivers for 64-bit systems can be provided by FTA or found on the web at www.adwin-downloads.de. - Page 17 T9; and ‘Device No.’ = 150 Hex. Close the window. 8. Press the red ‘B’ button on the Adbasic screen to boot the ADWin. 9. A flashing green LED on the ADwin-Gold unit means a successful connection has been established. Unless the hardware is changed, booting the system from this point forward will be done automatically when the FTA testing software is opened.
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Page 18: Testing In Simulation
Note that it is possible to disconnect the ADwin from the test machine and operate the NLFT program in simulation mode. Thus, users may familiarize themselves with the FTA software and evaluate operation of the system without endangering the test machine or expensive specimens. See Section 3.2 of this manual for sample test procedures. -
Page 19: Using The Nlft Testing Software
Several are required by the FTA analysis software. Procedures for using these files are detailed throughout this manual, but a summary of the different files is given briefly, for information, below. -
Page 20: Running A Test Using The Fta Nlft Software
Running a Test Using the FTA NLFT Software The following is a general outline illustrating use of the FTA software to conduct a non- linear fracture toughness test (E1820) at room temperature, using both a clip gage and DC potential drop. These steps are meant as guidelines only in order to demonstrate use of the FTA testing software. - Page 21 measurement of crack length and J) DC Potential Drop (for DCPD measurement of crack length and clip gage measurement of J). Select New Test (select Resume only if restarting a test, for example, after a system crash). The Main Menu appears: select Unit Type (English or Metric). From the Input menu, select Data from the dropdown list.
- Page 22 PD gain (if running a DCPD test) should be the same as the gain set on the FTA amplifier x10 (a gain of 500 on the amplifier should be entered as 5000 on the Calibration tab). Initial PD should be set to zero.
- Page 23 Attach the clip gage and use the controller to adjust the signal to read zero (Disp 1 on the FTA testing software’s Status display). If more than 10v will be required for the test, adjust the signal for a negative voltage.
- Page 24 The figure below shows the power supply display if the current wires are not hooked up to the specimen or the FTA software is not running. Note that the left side of the display shows a square symbol next to the letters ‘CV’, indicating the constant voltage mode.
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Page 25: Running The Test
Status screen is between 0.5 and 1.0 volts. Be sure to enter the final gain setting in the FTA software on the Calibration tab, remembering to multiply the selected amplifier gain by 10. (Note that the proper gain setting is also a function of the applied current and must take into account the actual PD calibration and range of crack size. - Page 26 Observe the Load-displacement display and Status screen (Load) to ensure loading stops at the load limit hold. The HOLD indicator on the Ramp Generator will flash when the load limit has been reached. The Load- displacement display may be scaled using the blue buttons. COMPLIANCE ONLY.
- Page 27 Activate DCPD Data on the Ramp Generator (Data Acquisition Status) and press DCPD Acqu. once more. This will be the first active data point in the .in5 file. When the quality of the signal and repeatability of crack length readings is satisfactory, it is time to start the test.
- Page 28 Choose Exit if you wish to quit the program. For a new test, return to the Initialize tab on the Data Input form. Enter a new Test ID and go straight to step 7 of the preceding section, Setup. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 29: Nlft Testing Software: Description Of Menus And Tabs
4.0 NLFT Testing Software: Description of Menus and Tabs The following section of the manual offers a complete description of the menus and tabs comprising both the compliance and potential drop NLFT testing applications. The menus are presented in the order in which they would normally be opened during test setup. -
Page 30: Main Menu
Main Menu The Main Menu is always displayed while the program is running: its default position is in the upper left-corner of the computer screen. The Unit Type (English or Metric) must be selected before other forms may be opened. The Unit Type can be changed while the test is in progress or the program is open, but such a change requires closing and reopening all of the other forms. -
Page 31: Exit
Analysis files contain the header and raw test data that will be processed using the analysis program. In addition to the analysis file (which is not saved automatically), the program produces a .raw file containing load-displacement data and time data in engineering units;... -
Page 32: Hardware Configuration
4.4.1 H ARDWARE ONFIGURATION The Hardware Configuration form is used to assign and configure the ADwin’s analog input channels. All channels are pre-assigned and cannot be changed by the user. Channels one through six are used, as detailed in the following sections. The form consists of two tabs: Calibration and Configuration. -
Page 33: Calibration (Dcpd)
The Calibration tab displays the active ADwin analog input compliance channels IN1 through IN4 and their function under the Channel Designation heading. These assignments may not be changed by the user in the steady state single-monitor application. The two auxiliary channels (IN3 and IN4) are optional and should be set to zero when not in use (in this case, the BNC connectors on the ADwin should be empty). -
Page 34: Configuration (Compliance And Dcpd)
When using the FTA DCPD system, the number entered for IN5 and IN6 must be 10X that selected on the associated Ectron module: that is, if a gain of 500 is selected on the amplifier, then a gain of 5000 should be entered on the Calibration tab). - Page 35 For each of the ADwin input channels, the Configuration tab allows designation of Polarity and programmable Gain. Default selections are appropriate for most applications with the following exceptions: Polarity IN1: increasing voltage with increasing load is the default setting for most geometries with the exception of the compressive loading of bend bars, for which polarity should be reversed.
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Page 36: Test Set-Up
4.4.2 T The Test Set-up form consists of eight tabs: Initialize; Calibration; Coefficients; Dimensions; Compliance; DCPD; Storage; and Limits. When organized in a single row, these tabs appear in the logical order in which parameters would be entered to start a test. Inactive data fields are displayed in gray. NB It is important to remember that entries are not automatically transferred between the PC and the ADwin, but must be sent manually using the Send to ADwin and Receive from ADwin buttons at the bottom of the form. -
Page 37: Initialize
4.4.2.1 Initialize The tabs of the Test Set-up form are organized logically and, when displayed in a single row, addressed from left to right by the user. Initial test setup is accomplished on the Initialize tab. First, the Test ID must be entered, establishing the name of all the test’s associated files (analysis files (.in5), log files (.log), load-displacement files (.raw) and unloading slope files (.unl)). - Page 38 Pmax values, and other specific test information. Use of parameter files can save time and reduce the risk of errors when entering repetitive information. FTA supplied parameter files can be used for either Compliance or DC Potential Drop. However, once these files are saved, they become unique to the crack monitor type.
- Page 39 Clear Data Buffer: clears all previously calculated data stored in memory. This is typically used when starting a new test. Ticking Clear Data Buffer automatically issues a prompt to store the data to an analysis file. Clear Elapse Timer: resets the hour and day-elapse timer on the Status display. After a box is ticked, the Send to ADwin button must be pressed to communicate the change to the ADwin.
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Page 40: Calibration
Enable Cal Type box. Send to ADwin. Do not forget to untick the Enable Cal Type box once all changes are made! See Appendix G of the FCGR manual for the stress intensity solutions used by the FTA software. - Page 41 Polynomial (Type 1): allows the user to enter coefficients of a polynomial expression up to the 5th order. The form of the expression is taken from the ASTM E647 stress intensity (K) solution for the compact tension, C(T), geometry. However, the user can apply other coefficients for different geometries such as the disk-shaped compact tension, DC(T), as long as the K expression is of the same form.
- Page 42 Where: instantaneous active voltage starting active voltage instantaneous reference voltage (equal to 1 when reference probe is not used) starting active voltage (equal to 1 when reference probe is not used) Johnson’s formula: may be selected for most specimen geometries. This is a closed form solution for crack length and can be found in ASTM E647.
- Page 43 The first column is the normalized DCPD reading and the second column is the corresponding crack-length to width ratio (a/W). The Geometry Type is selected automatically when the appropriate test parameter file is loaded. It may be changed, however, when the user is testing a specimen geometry for which a test parameter file does not exist or when creating a new test parameter file from scratch.
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Page 44: Coefficients
4.4.2.3 Coefficients This tab displays the coefficients of fifth-order polynomial expressions used to calculate stress intensity and crack length. When a selection other than Polynomial is made on the Initialize tab, the coefficient fields on this tab are disabled and appear in gray. Compliance coefficients are required in all cases for the compliance method of crack- length determination. - Page 45 When using an FTA-provided parameter file, the Stress Intensity and Compliance ranges displayed at the bottom of the tab are for information only. Consult FTA for more information on user-generated look-up tables. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 46: Dimensions
4.4.2.4 Dimensions The following values must be entered by the user: Specimen Thickness, B (NB When testing surface-crack or corner-crack specimens, width and thickness dimensions are reversed) Net Specimen Thickness, B , for side-grooved samples. If there are no side- grooves, Net Specimen Thickness must equal Specimen Thickness, as in the example above. - Page 47 Pin Spacing. Modulus of Elasticity, E. Yield Stress Tensile Stress Crack Length Limit Load is automatically calculated by the program in reference to the other dimensions entered by the user. The ADC Data Burst Count parameter specifies the number of analog-to-digital conversions that are averaged for each data point.
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Page 48: Compliance
4.4.2.5 Compliance The Compliance tab defines the parameters related to crack measurement using unloading slopes. The following values must be entered by the user: Comp[liance] Gage Length. Comp[liance] Alpha Ratio: the ratio between the gage location to back edge distance divided by the specimen width. - Page 49 Load Drop for Unloading Slopes: the load drop value, expressed in pounds, should not exceed 20% of the limit load. If no unloading slopes are required during the test, enter zero. Upper Window for Slope: specifies the upper cutoff for unloading compliance slope measurement based upon percentage of load drop.
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Page 50: Dcpd
4.4.2.6 DCPD The DCPD tab defines the parameters related to crack measurement using DC potential drop. The following values must be entered by the user: PD Number of PD Cycles: … required to determine crack length. A large number gives greater crack length precision but does not update the crack length as often. - Page 51 Initial Reference PD (if enabled): this value is initially set to zero, then changed after DCPD data acquisition to calculate crack length. Current Delay Factor: the delay in seconds that the program waits after the current is reversed to allow the voltage to stabilize. A value of 0.5 seconds is recommended for most applications when using a solid-state current source.
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Page 52: Storage
4.4.2.7 Storage The Storage tab is used to determine the intervals at unloading slopes or DC potential drop measurements are to be taken. Three text boxes specify conditions at which unloading will occur. Unloading is triggered by whichever condition is met first: ... - Page 53 Four additional check boxes determine which channels, in addition to elapse time, are saved in the .raw file. Only active channels should be selected. Store Load: must always be selected! Store Disp: select if a displacement signal is fed into BNC IN2 on the ADwin. ...
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Page 54: Limits
4.4.2.8 Limits The Limits tab allows the user to specify conditions outside which the program goes into HOLD mode or ends the test. Additionally, the tab is used to automate certain actions that occur at the beginning of a test or when the test is finished. When Transducer Limits are exceeded, the program goes into HOLD mode: ... -
Page 55: General Information
Load Limit Hold: the load at which the command goes to hold. A useful feature at the beginning of tests for applying low loads and evaluating signal quality and repeatability of crack length readings. Load Drop Limit: the drop in load that triggers the HOLD mode. ... -
Page 56: General
4.4.3.1 General Load General Info: this button calls up a dialogue box requesting selection of a .gn2. Selecting the appropriate file populates the two tabs of the General Information screen. This .gn2 file is created through the Save General Info button. Save General Info: after the fields of the General Information tabs have been populated, the input values may be saved as a .gn2 file and loaded during subsequent tests. -
Page 57: Precrack
4.4.3.2 Precrack Precrack parameters may also be provided by the user: Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 58: Control
Unlike the Data Input and Options forms, changes on this form are sent immediately to the ADwin-Gold. Text boxes with white backgrounds are both for display and entry purposes; text boxes with gray backgrounds are used for display only. - Page 59 Ramp and Data Acquisition rates are displayed in/determined by seven text boxes at the top of the form. They may be changed on the fly as the test progresses. The values shown in the example above are typical for a steel 1T C(T) specimen. Changes in material or specimen geometry will require adjustments to these rates.
- Page 60 relatively low load (DCPD data can also be included or excluded at analysis time). Enable Auto DPCD (if enabled): when selected, then automatic DCPD data acquisition is enabled according to the specifications determined on the Data Acquisition tab of the Data Input form. Auto-acquisition should not be enabled until initial DCPD readings have been taken to verify set up and crack length (see above).
- Page 61 machine goes into Hold mode - for example, after completion of a manually- applied unloading slope or when limits have been reached. Unload Slope: pressing Unload Slope applies a manual unloading slope to the specimen. Use this for initial unloading slopes, before enabling Auto-Unloading and commencing the test proper.
- Page 62 When an error or limit condition occurs, the error is displayed in blinking red letters in place of the No FNG shutdown conditions label shown. A list of possible self- explanatory error messages follows: ‘Command output exceeded full scale’ ...
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Page 63: Display
Display The Display drop down list on the Main Menu allows the user to open the Status, Load-Displacement, and J-a displays. These displays may not be accessed until a test has been initialized and the Ramp Generator is open. 4.6.1 STATUS The Status screen displays both the maximum and current signals for FNG Out, Load, Displacement, Auxiliary and Potential Drop in either volts or engineering units. -
Page 64: Load-Displacement
4.6.2 L ISPLACEMENT When Load-displacement has been activated under Data Acquisition on the Ramp Generator, real-time traces of load-displacement (blue) and unloading slopes (green and red) are plotted on this display. The green portion of the active unloading slopes indicates the data that are used for slope determination: this ‘window’ is determined on the Data Acquisition tab of the Data Input form (these data may be edited during analysis using the Testing Playback software). - Page 65 Decrease Y – Decrease the full scale of the unloading slopes in the Y direction. Shift Left shifts the unloading slopes to the left. Shift Right shifts the unloading slopes to the right. Increase X increases the full scale of the load-displacement trace in the X direction.
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Page 66: J - Delta A
4.6.3 J – D ELTA A The J-delta a display plots a new point after every unload slope or DCPD data acquisition cycle. Either J or K may be displayed The three parallel and slanted vertical lines represent the crack tip blunting line and the minimum and maximum data exclusion limits. -
Page 67: Comments
Comments This form allows comments to be entered during the test. These comments are stored in the .in5 analysis file and can be changed during analysis, although they do not appear in the final Excel workbook. Help A PDF file of this manual is available under the Help menu. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... - Page 68 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 69: Using The Fta Analysis Software
USING THE FTA ANALYSIS SOFTWARE The analysis software is a Visual Basic/Excel editing and analysis package that uses the raw data from testing and visual crack length observations to perform three fracture toughness analyses with both tabular and graphical output: ... -
Page 70: Understanding The Files Used By The Analysis Program
to seven worksheets, depending upon the analysis type (E1820 or E1921). The user may view all the worksheets by opening the nlft.xls file. The nlft.xls file should never be overwritten by the user but always saved under a new name (usually the TEST ID). -
Page 71: E1820 Analysis Procedure
E1820 and E1921 analyses. The following sample analysis files are included with FTA’s analysis software so users may practice when no actual test data are present: TEST1.IN5: an unedited data file based on an E1820 compliance test ... - Page 72 8. Go to the General tab. Check general information (labeled in blue) and edit as required. Note that values in red will affect the analysis results and should only be changed with caution. Some general information (such as precrack load, for example) is required for the Excel utility to generate validity statements.
- Page 73 (determined from compliance or DCPD measurements during testing). This check helps ensure no typos occurred during data entry. 19. The contents of the .dat file produced during pre-processing may be viewed in the Output window. 20. Further editing may be required after the pre-processing results have been inspected.
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Page 74: E399 Analysis Procedure
E399 Analysis Procedure NB The sample data files included in the NLFT Analysis program directory (Test1.in6 and Test1.raw) are drawn from the same test provided for the E1820 sample analysis session and will not produce a valid K result. 1. Start the program NLFT Analysis and press Continue on the Splash Screen. Note the Main Form with its eight tabs of information (see Section 6 of this manual for a full discussion of the menus and forms associated with the analysis software). - Page 75 10. From the Display menu select Load-Displacement, where the pre-processing result may be viewed. Select the Filter option on the plot to see what effect changing the Data Filter Options or changing the Data Reduction Factor has on the display, pressing the Process Load-Disp Data button after each change. 11.
- Page 76 13. Other worksheets such as the Cover Page appear much as the E1820 worksheets. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
- Page 77 14. If the linear fit of the K-plot is improper, return to the User Input sheet and select different regression limits. Press Calculate KIC again . 15. The finished file must be saved with a new file name, typically the TEST ID. The original template nlft_timed data.xls must be preserved.
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Page 79: Nlft Analysis Software: Description Of Menus And Tabs
6.0 NLFT Analysis Software: Description of Menus and Tabs Splash Screen The Splash Screen is displayed upon start-up. The application and version number are displayed on this screen. Click Continue to proceed to the Main Menu. Main Form: Menu Items Data are edited, preprocessed, and prepared for export into the Excel utility using the File options and eight tabs of the Main Form. -
Page 80: File
6.2.1 F The File drop down list allows the opening and saving of Input (.in5) files as well as the saving of .dat files in English or metric units. One may also Exit the analysis program from the File menu. Both input and output files are standard ASCII files that may be examined and modified with a Windows-based text editor such as NotePad. -
Page 81: Open
6.2.1.1 Open This menu option allows both opening of Analysis Input (.in5 or .in6) files and Load- displacement Data (.raw files). Before opening a file, the user must select the Unit Type. This selection is independent of how the test was run. ... -
Page 82: Main Form: Tabs
Main Form: Tabs Analysis (.in5 and .in6) files are examined and edited on the eight Main Form tabs. In some cases, editing will be necessary after the first pre-processing routine and examination of results. For example, if some early data pairs are shown not to be appropriate, they may be excluded from subsequent analysis. - Page 83 The Control tab is foremost on the Main Form and is the first to be addressed when the form is opened. The selection of Unit Type is mandatory before loading a file and is independent of the units selected during the test. An Analysis Option must be selected before running an analysis, as it determines the equations that will be applied to the data set.
- Page 84 For DCPD tests that used a reference probe, the user may run the DCPD Analysis with or without including the reference probe data. The Disp[lacement] for J Analysis option allows the user to select data collected from either displacement channel (IN2 or IN3 on the ADwin, identified as Disp 1 and Disp 2 in the testing software).
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Page 85: Coeff[Icient]S
6.3.2 C OEFF ICIENT The Coefficients tab of the Main Form allows examination of K, Stress Intensity; a/W, Compliance; and, if applicable, a/W, DCPD coefficients. None of these values should be changed unless an incorrect coefficient is detected. Although errors may be remedied here, the user should perform a cause-and-effect analysis of any such alteration to the data. -
Page 86: General
6.3.3 G ENERAL The General tab contains information that will appear on the cover page of the Excel analysis spreadsheet. Blue labels indicate information that may need to be entered by the user if it was not entered at test time. These fields can be automatically populated by reading in an existing .gn2 file. - Page 87 Precrack Load, Precrack Stress Ratio, and Precrack Length are used to determine the final K level attained during precracking. These are also used for validity checks. K will be calculated based on B Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 88: Dimensions
6.3.4 D IMENSIONS Most of the information on the Dimensions tab was entered at test time and may not be changed. An exception is specimen notch length, which is part of the .gn2 file. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 89: Visuals, Etc
6.3.5 V ISUALS Visual measurements of precrack and final crack length (after heat tinting or specimen failure) are added manually by the user on the Visuals tab. Up to eighteen measurements for E 1820 and E1921 analysis may be entered (nine Precrack and nine Final crack), but the user must be sure to enter the total Number of Measurements for each column, as above. - Page 90 adjusting the starting crack length, a . The value of a is found by solving the equation: a = a + J/(2 + BJ + CJ Calculate effective modulus calculates an effective modulus that corrects the crack lengths measured at test time with the visually-measured post-test values. This effective modulus is displayed in the Excel Report after post-processing.
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Page 91: Comments
6.3.6 C OMMENTS Comments may be added to the analysis file on the Comments tab, although the comments will not appear in the final Excel workbook or cover page of the test. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 92: Data
6.3.7 D The Data tab is used for viewing and editing the data points in the analysis file. Characteristics of each point are displayed in the white text boxes with its assigned index at the top. It is usually necessary to pre-process the data to determine whether editing is appropriate: after pressing the Run Non-Linear Analysis button, the points may be viewed on the J - Δa Display. - Page 93 than the file itself) by using the Exclude Data feature: this way, points are easily re- introduced into the analysis by deactivating the Exclude feature. Ticking the Carry checkbox allows actions such as Delete or Exclude to be carried across data points by pressing Back One/Ten or Forward One/Ten.
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Page 94: Load-Disp Data
6.3.8 Load-Disp Data The Load-Disp Data tab displays the pre-processing results of the load-displacement analysis, achieved by pressing the Process Load-Disp Data button at the bottom of the form. These results should be examined and filtered before post-processing the data and producing the Excel Load-Disp Linear Toughness Report. - Page 95 Remove False Starts: when activated, this option filters any restarts from the the load- displacement (.raw) file. For example, if the elapse time in the file shows a decrease, this is an indication that the test was restarted and any previous data are ignored. Remove Unload Slopes: when activated, only increases in displacement are processed, thus removing unloading slopes from the load-displacement curve.
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Page 96: Processing The Data
Processing The Data 6.4.1 R INEAR NALYSIS The Run Non-Linear Analysis button is located at the bottom of the Main Menu and is visible on all the tabs. When this button is pressed, the loaded .in5 or .in6 file is pre- processed and a non-linear fracture toughness analysis performed, producing a .dat file and populating the J-a display. -
Page 97: J - Delta A Display
6.5.1 J – DELTA A ISPLAY The results of the pre-processing analysis are based upon the test standard Analysis Option selected on the Control tab of the Main Form. The axes of the J-delta a plot are auto-scaled, but can be adjusted by using the Increase/Decrease X/Y buttons. -
Page 98: Output Display
6.5.2 O UTPUT ISPLAY The .dat file produced by the pre-processing routine appear on the Output display. This is for information only: the .dat file will be available for printing after post-processing has occurred. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 99: Load-Displacement Display
6.5.3 L DISPLACEMENT ISPLAY After pre-processing a third display, Load-Displacement, may be viewed by selecting Load-displacement from the Display drop down list on the Main Form. The Increase/Decrease X/Y buttons may be used to change the scale. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... - Page 100 If the load-displacement data file (.raw extension) is loaded, this can also be displayed as seen below. When the Filter option on the plot is selected, the Data Filter Options from the K Utility tab are displayed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 101: Post Processing
Post Processing This menu option launches the post processing Microsoft Excel utilities by calling and populating two Excel templates from the Post Processing drop down list on the Main Form: Non-Linear Toughness Report (nlft.exe) for E 1820 or E1921 analyses. Designed for non-linear J-R analyses;... - Page 102 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 103: Analysis Utility
7.0 Analysis Utility After analyzing data in the FTA analysis main program, the post-processing and validation of data are accomplished using the Microsoft Excel utility described herein. Microsoft Excel 2007 or 2010 must be previously loaded on the user’s PC. The intent is to provide an Excel file that contains all necessary output in a convenient location and file format. - Page 104 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 105: User Input
7.1.1 U NPUT The User Input worksheet holds data used for plotting purposes and should not be modified. However, when running an E1820 analysis, the user has the option of changing the value of M (slope of the blunting line). See ASTM E1820 for details and limitations. -
Page 106: Reduced Data
7.1.2 R EDUCED When running an E1820 analysis, the Reduced Data worksheet is populated after the E1820 JIC Analysis button on the Raw Data worksheet was pressed. Data are excluded based on location relative to exclusion lines; J limit; and a Limit lines. If before post-processing, the Override J Limit was activated on the Control Worksheet of the VB program’s Main Form, then J is ignored in the exclusion decision. -
Page 107: J-Plot
7.1.3 J- PLOT In addition to populating the Reduced Data worksheet, pressing E1820 JIC Analysis generates a J plot. Raw data appear as hollow circles while red-filled circles are data from the Reduced Data second iteration. Red circles should only appear between the red exclusion lines. -
Page 108: Cover Page
7.1.4 C OVER PAGE The Cover Page is intended to serve as a hardcopy test report. It is populated through absolute referencing of the Variables and User Input worksheets. The definitions of the qualification and validity checks are available in the relevant ASTM standard. An x appearing below a visually-measured crack length, flags it as invalid in terms of straightness. - Page 109 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 110: Raw Data
7.1.5 R The Raw Data worksheet displays the .dat file. Data excluded in the main program are not transferred to the utility. The button for completing analyses is located in the middle of the sheet for easy access but is not visible when printing. When printed, this page serves as a hardcopy record of the data. -
Page 111: Additional Data
7.1.6 A DDITIONAL FTA has no comment to make on this worksheet. It is possibly non-functional. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 112: Variables
7.1.7 V ARIABLES The Variables worksheet is populated by the main program and the analysis macro. It must not be edited by the user. Cells cannot be moved as this will cause an error in the utility’s operation. Since this sheet is cleared automatically with each new run, it is not necessary to clear it manually. -
Page 113: Load-Disp And Linear Report
7.2. Load-Disp and Linear Report After the load-displacement (.raw) data have been pre-processed using the blue Process Load Disp button at the bottom of the Main Form, the Excel utility is initiated by choosing Load-Disp and Linear Report from the Post Processing drop down menu. -
Page 114: Load Disp
7.2.1 L For non-linear analysis, a typical load-displacement display is shown below. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 115: Load Time
7.2.2 L For non-linear analysis, a typical load-time display is shown below. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 116: User Input
7.2.3 U NPUT For linear elastic analysis, the upper and lower limits of linear fit may be modified. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 117: Cover Page
7.2.4 C OVER For linear elastic analysis, the cover page can be displayed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 118: K-Plot
7.2.5 K-P For linear elastic analysis, the plot and K as per secant offset is displayed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 119: K-Plot
7.2.6 T IMED Raw load-displacement with time stamp can also be displayed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 120: Reg Data
7.2.7 R The load-displacement selected for linear fit can also be displayed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 121: Variables
7.2.8 V ARIABLES Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... - Page 122 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 123: The Nlft Testing Playback Software
Data Input and Options. On the Options form, choose only the stored data columns consistent with those in the load-displacement (.raw) file. When experimenting with the practice files provided with the FTA software, for example, choose Store Load and Store Disp 2 only on the Options form. -
Page 124: Description Of Menus And Tabs
13. Use the Compute +/Compute buttons to step forward or back through the slopes, which are reprocessed according to the new window specified above. View the results on the J-da display and adjust the window for each slope as necessary. 14. -
Page 125: Main Menu
8.2.2 Main Menu The Main Menu is always displayed while the program is running: its default position is in the upper left-corner of the computer screen. The Main Menu cannot be minimized or closed, but it can be moved. Select the Unit Type prior to opening other forms. Three text boxes provide information about the data files: ... -
Page 126: Open
8.2.2.2 Open The Open drop down list allows the user to load the three files associated with the Testing Playback program: Open Load-Displacement File: the load-displacement (.raw) file may be opened for viewing or, if necessary, saving in Metric units. The default setting for reading this file is a five column format. -
Page 127: Data
8.2.3.1 Data The Data Input form includes four tabs for viewing data: Initialize, Coefficients, Dimensions, and Calibration. These data may not be changed. 8.2.3.1.1 Initialize When the analysis (.in5) file is loaded the fields will be populated automatically. The initialize frame allows restarting the re-processing with the first slope. The delta a can be set to zero at any slope. -
Page 128: Coefficients
8.2.3.1.2 Coefficients The stress intensity and compliance coefficients are part of the .in5 file and can be examined but not changed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 129: Dimensions
8.2.3.1.3 Dimensions Dimensions and material properties are part of the .in5 file and can be examined but not changed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 130: Calibration
8.2.3.1.4 Calibration The calibration factors must be entered consistent with the ones used to run the test. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 131: Options
8.2.3.2 Options It is critical that the stored data check boxes match those in the .raw file to be re- processed. Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... -
Page 132: Display
8.2.4 D ISPLAY This main menu drop down list is used to open the Load-Displacement display and the J-a display. 8.2.4.1 Load-Displacement Load-displacement and unloading slopes are shown on the Load-displacement display, scaled with red and blue buttons as with the testing program. Disp 1/Disp2 and Refresh also work in the same manner as the testing program. -
Page 133: J - Delta A
J – Delta a 8.2.4.2 The J- delta a plot functions in the same way as the J-delta a plot in the main VB analysis program. 8.2.5 H A PDF file of this manual is available under the Help menu Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01... - Page 134 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 135: Appendix A: Recovery From System Crash
All key variables are stored in the ADwin-Gold system. Reboot the computer if necessary. Be sure the green light on the ADwin-Gold continues blinking. Restart the program from the desktop or the program menu. - Page 136 Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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Page 137: Appendix B: Descriptions Of Analysis Files
Appendix B: Descriptions of Analysis Files B1: Log file Log files are saved automatically by the testing software and contain one line of key test parameters whenever a crack size calculation is made. In addition, all date input parameters are stored to the log file every time Print to Log is pressed on the Data Input form. - Page 138 PDGain (Active) Storage Interval (Active only) Load (lb) Disp. 1 (in) 0.001 Load Drop for Unloading Slopes (lb) 1000 Upper Window for Slope (%) Data Interval Delay (seconds) Transducer Limits (Active only) Load (lb) -100 20000 Disp. 1 (in) -0.01 0.05 Other Limits (Active only) Load Drop Limit (lb)
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Page 139: B1B: Potential Drop
OTENTIAL Test ID test2 Unit Type English K Calibration Type Polynomial PD Calibration Type Johnson's Coeff K0 0.886 Coeff K1 4.64 Coeff K2 -13.32 Coeff K3 14.72 Coeff K4 -5.6 Coeff K5 Coeff C0 1.0002 Coeff C1 -4.0632 Coeff C2 11.242 Coeff C3 -106.04... - Page 140 Load Limit Hold (lb) Delta a Limit (in) 0.08 Ramp Rate Ramp Up (in/min) 0.05 Unloading Slope (in/min) 0.01 Ramp Down (in/min) Data Acquisition Rate Normal (pts/sec) Hold (pts/sec) Unload (pts/sec) Time 2:16:38 PM Date 1/24/2012 Index Time Load Disp1 Disp2 Aux PD PDref PDnorm Load limit hold 1, 139.2, 500.0, 0.01999, 0.00165, 0.05463,249.678,0.000,0.000, 0.0000, 0.0000 2, 168.7, 500.0, 0.01999, 0.00165, 0.05463,249.687,0.000,249.687, 0.5000, 0.0000...
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Page 141: B2: Compliance .In5 File
B2: Compliance .in5 file Analysis files consist of header information and data, which differ according to the type of test that has been run. A compliance analysis file ([.in5] or [.in6]) with field descriptors appears below: 0 , 0 , 9 , 9 , 2 , 0 , 0 , 0 , 0 0.886 4.64 -13.32 14.72 -5.6 0 1.0002 -4.0632 11.242 -106.04 464.33 -650.68 0 0 0 0 0 0... -
Page 142: B2A: Field Descriptors
21,0,0,530.3,1473.51,0.028394,0.592651,0.160828,0.000,1.27854E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 22,0,0,548.6,1447.39,0.02991,0.58075,0.172119,0.000,1.31831E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 23,0,0,567.3,1414.49,0.031387,0.566101,0.1828,0.000,1.35855E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 24,0,0,586.1,1389.10,0.032971,0.559387,0.196533,0.000,1.40248E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 25,0,0,605.5,1359.50,0.034515,0.54718,0.208435,0.000,1.45103E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 26,0,0,625.1,1326.66,0.036032,0.531006,0.219116,0.000,1.49733E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 27,0,0,644.6,1293.34,0.037665,0.521851,0.23407,0.000,1.56159E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 28,0,0,665.0,1259.46,0.039139,0.506897,0.244751,0.000,1.60454E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 29,0,0,685.6,1225.77,0.040771,0.492554,0.256958,0.000,1.66201E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 30,0,0,706.6,1188.66,0.042328,0.479431,0.270081,0.000,1.72580E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 31,0,0,727.6,1134.89,0.043854,0.455322,0.280151,0.000,1.82142E-5,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 -1,0,0,0.0,0.00,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.00000E+0,00.0000,00.0000,00.0000 IELD ESCRIPTORS DCPD& KType&,PDType&,NInitialCrack&,NFinalCrack&,NComments&,JDisp&,GType&,Spare2&,PDRef& KCoeff(1), KCoeff(2), KCoeff(3), KCoeff(4), KCoeff(5), KCoeff(6) CCoeff(1), CCoeff(2), CCoeff(3), CCoeff(4), CCoeff(5), CCoeff(6) PDCoeff(1), PDCoeff(2), PDCoeff(3), PDCoeff(4), PDCoeff(5), PDCoeff(6) TestID$,Contract$,Material$,Temperature,Environment$ RampRate,Geometry$,Orientation$,YieldPre,TensilePre,Yield.Tensile,E,EPre PrecrackP,PrecrackR,PrecrackA B,Bnet,W,H,SOW,Notch LLvP,GL,Alpha,PDGL,PDA0,PD0 a0(1),a0(2),a0(3),a0(4),a0(5),a0(6),a0(7),a0(8),a0(9) aF(1),aF(2),aF(3),aF(4),aF(5),aF(6),aF(7),aF(8),aF(9) Test Date (Comment 1) End of Input indicator (Comment 2) - Page 143 DCPD& '0 = compliance, 1 = DCPD 'Modulus of elasticity (at test temperature) EPre 'Modulus of elasticity (at precrack temperature) Environment$ 'Environment 'Gage length for compliance Geometry$ 'Geometry ‘Geometry type GType& 'Specimen height JDisp& 'Displacement channel (0= IN2, 1 = IN3) Ktype&...
- Page 144 PDfilename$ 'PD look-up table filename PrecrackP 'Precrack load PrecrackR 'Precrack stress ratio PrecrackA 'Precrack crack length ‘Ramp rate RampRate 'Span to width ratio Spare1& 'Dummy variable Spare2& 'Dummy variable TestID$ 'Filename Temperature 'Temperature Tensile 'Tensile strength (at test temperature) TensilePre 'Tensile strength (at precrack temperature) 'Specimen width Yield...
- Page 145 Skip&(5000) 'If 1 then skip next da/dN data point Time&(5000) 'Elapse time Force(5000) 'Force channel (IN 1) ‘Displacement 1 channel (IN 2) Disp1(5000) ‘Displacement 2 channel (IN 3) Disp2(5000) ‘Auxiliary channel (IN 4) Aux(5000) ‘Crack Length CrackLength(5000) VP(5000) 'Compliance slope PDSum(5000) 'Active PD PDRefSum(5000)
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Page 146: B3: Raw File
B3: RAW file RAW files consist of five columns: elapse time (seconds); force channel (IN 1 in lbf); displacement 1 (IN 2 in inches); displacement 2 (IN 3 in inches); and the auxiliary channel (IN 4 in user-defined units). An example of a raw data file ([.RAW]) appears below: 1.7,-0.61,.,0,0 4.7,-0.61,.,0,0 5.2,-0.49,0.000001,0,0... -
Page 147: B4: Unl File
UNL file UNL files contain unloading slope data consisting of two columns (force and displacement) and additional parameters as shown below: 10.00000E+6,10.00000E+6 first line of file and unloading slope terminator 10.00000E-1,20.00000E-1 unload number, .unl data storage count 50.00000E+0,00.00000E+0 .raw data storage count, zero 20.62988E-2,11.96899E-1 FNG Out (volts), Force (volts) 16.57104E-2,34.48486E-3... - Page 148 Acknowledgement Thanks to Pete Blair for the ADwin art Page NLFT Testing - Series 2015 - V3+.16.01...
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