Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L68551/01
Title:	A LARGE-SCALE HYDRAULIC BULGER: LARGE DEFORMATION BIAXIAL FRACTURE OF UNCRACKED SHEET & PLATE
Principal Investigator:	Atkins, Professor AG
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Ricardo Group
Department:	Electronic Engineering
Organisation:	University of Reading
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 November 1997	Ends:	31 October 2000	Value (£):	142,869
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Eng. Dynamics & Tribology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
To construct a large hydraulic bulger capable of fracturing at least 25mm thick plate over a 1 metre diameter span. The design permits various tension-tension and tension-compression load paths. To investigate, in thick plate, plastic flow and fracture behaviour well known in thin sheet (forming limit diagrams, fracture forming limit diagrams) to generate biaxal design data. To initiate cracks in flaw-free materials under controlled conditions and study their stable propagation. To link biaxal damage mechanics with their ductile fracture mechanics parameters, J(C)J(R) COD etc. The rig is versatile and will permit a wide variety of investigations on necking preceding fracture; mismatched welds; ribs/reinforcements etc. No such similar rig exists anywhere.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.rdg.ac.uk