A Closer Look at Fatigue Surfaces

We’ve previously talked about fracture surfaces created as a result of material fatigue. Through fatigue tests, we are able to create a typical loading cycle on a test specimen to see how the number and magnitude of cycles affects the growth of cracks on the surface. After the test, we can perform fatigue analysis to see how the crack grew over time using a microscope. Continue reading A Closer Look at Fatigue Surfaces

Mike Prime: a history of the contour method

Hill Engineering has proudly named the primary conference room in our new facility the Prime Room, a tribute to special Hill Engineering collaborator and inventor of the contour method, Mike Prime. We were recently honored to have Mike stop by for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Prime Room. In addition to the ceremony, Mike also gave a presentation about the history of the contour method and how it almost didn’t happen. Click on the video below to view Mike’s presentation and see how the contour method grew from one man’s curiosity to what it is today. Continue reading Mike Prime: a history of the contour method

Fracture surfaces evaluation

Aircraft undergo complex loading during their operation and lifecycle. For example, take off, landing, turbulence, and flight/ground maneuvers are all instances where significant loading occurs. The cyclic loading and unloading activates a failure mechanism called fatigue, which is most prevalent at the highest stressed regions. Continue reading Fracture surfaces evaluation

Hill Engineering visits Sugar Pine Point State Park

To me, nothing says “summer” more than camping by the lake, going for a hike, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and fatigue analysis at bedtime. On the west side of Lake Tahoe, the Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park hosted some of Hill Engineering and their families for a fun, nature-filled weekend. Continue reading Hill Engineering visits Sugar Pine Point State Park