Compression Analysis Tests for Prototypes Made of Different Polymers

Abstract

In this paper, we tested and compared the failure loading conditions for allowed pressure over prototypes of smart toilet seats with custom shapes and materials (Polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) & Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). These tests were conducted to identify the allowable maximum loading condition on these prototypes. The main challenge in designing these tests, was the application of load, specific to the custom shape of the prototype seats. A custom loading platform was designed to facilitate the application of a distributed force, to find the maximum allowable weight to identify any weak/critical sections, and failing point/s for each of the designs. However, because of the deflection of the seats, which causes a nonlinear condition for compression analysis, combined with their complex shapes, simulation of the models in SolidWorks was not very accurate. To circumvent this shortcoming an actual test bed was built and used a high accuracy electromechanical tensile & compression testing machine to subject and compare the maximum allowable loading of the seats. The results showed the seats passed the compression tests but have some differences in the locations for failures and maximum allowable pressure.