Enhancement of basalt FRP by hybridization for long-span cable-stayed bridge

This paper presents an enhancement method for basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) and the corresponding design optimization for application in long-span cable-stayed bridge. Based on previous studies of long-span cable-stayed bridge with FRP cables, the limitations of BFRP cables were first clarified and potential enhancement methods were proposed from both material and structural design perspectives. The basic mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of BFRP and the related hybrid FRP were experimentally studied and the hybrid effect on enhancing both types of properties was assessed. To address the improvement of utilization efficiency of FRP cables, design optimization of various FRP cables were proposed in terms of material enhancement and structural design requirement of long-span cable-stayed bridges. The results show that hybridization of basalt and carbon fibers not only increase the overall potential strength and the modulus but also enhance the fatigue behavior in comparison to basalt FRP. Meanwhile, hybrid basalt fiber and steel-wire FRP exhibits higher initial modulus and maintain high failure strain. Furthermore, design recommendation of FRP cables proposed in terms of lower limit, upper limit of safety factors and practical consideration result in FRP cables achieving higher integrated performance compared to those by conventional design.     

Static and fatigue characterisation of new basalt fibre reinforced composites

Basalt reinforced composites are recently developed materials. These mineral amorphous fibres are a valid alternative to carbon fibres for their lower cost, and to glass fibres for their strength. In order to use basalt reinforced composites for structural applications, it is necessary to perform a mechanical characterisation. With this aim in the present work experimental results of several static and fatigue tests are described. Two polymeric matrices are taken into account, vinylester and epoxy, to assess their influence on the evaluated parameters. In parallel to these mechanical tests, also the thermal answer of the specimens to mechanical loads is evaluated by means of thermography. This experimental technique allows defining the composite local heating during the application of mechanical loads and its behaviour in details. Final discussion on obtained results is proposed focussing the attention on basalt fibre composite behaviour, and comparing mechanical properties of BFRP with other composite materials in glass and carbon fibres.     

The effect of fibre dispersion on initial failure strain and cluster development in unidirectional carbon/glass hybrid composites

By adding glass fibres to carbon fibre composites, the apparent failure strain of the carbon fibres can be increased. A strength model for unidirectional hybrid composites was developed under very local load sharing assumptions to study this hybrid effect. Firstly, it was shown that adding more glass fibres leads to higher hybrid effects. The hybrid effect was up to 32% for a hybrid composite with a 10/90 ratio of carbon/glass fibres. The development of clusters of broken fibres helped to explain differences in the performance of these hybrid composites. For 50/50 carbon/glass hybrids, a fine bundle-by-bundle dispersion led to a slightly smaller hybrid effect than for randomly dispersed hybrids. The highest hybrid effect for a 50/50 ratio, however, was 16% and was achieved in a composite with alternating single fibre layers. The results demonstrate that thin ply hybrids may have more potential for improved mechanical properties than comingled hybrids.     

Performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by hybrid FRP laminates

In the last two decades, the use of advanced composite materials such as Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structural elements has been increasing. Research and design guidelines concluded that externally bonded FRP could increase the capacity of RC elements efficiently. However, the linear stress–strain characteristics of FRP up to failure and lack of yield plateau have a negative impact on the overall ductility of the strengthened RC elements. Use of hybrid FRP laminates, which consist of a combination of either carbon and glass fibers, or glass and aramid fibers, changes the behaviour of the material to a non-linear behaviour. This paper aims to study the performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by hybrid FRP laminates.

This paper presents an experimental program conducted to study the behaviour of RC beams strengthened with hybrid fiber reinforced polymer (HFRP) laminates. The program consists of a total of twelve T-beams with overall dimensions equal to 460 × 300 × 3250 mm. The beams were tested under cyclic loading up to failure to examine its flexural behaviour. Different reinforcement ratios, fiber directions, locations and combinations of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates were attached to the beams to determine the best strengthening scheme. Different percentages of steel reinforcement were also used. An analytical model based on the stress–strain characteristics of concrete, steel and FRP was adopted. Recommendations and design guidelines of RC beams strengthened by FRP and HFRP laminates are introduced.     

喷射FRP加固震损钢筋混凝土柱抗震性能试验

通过12组72件喷射纤维/树脂复合材料(FRP)试样的拉伸强度试验,研究了纤维种类、树脂基体材料、纤维体积分数、纤维混杂比及纤维长度等因素对喷射FRP拉伸强度、弹性模量和断裂伸长率等性能的影响。通过8根钢筋混凝土(RC)柱试件的拟静力试验,研究了喷射玄武岩纤维/树脂复合材料(BFRP)和混杂玄武岩-碳纤维/树脂复合材料(BF-CFRP)加固震损RC柱的抗震性能,分析了喷射FRP层厚度、纤维混杂比、柱预损程度和柱轴压比等对加固试件的极限承载力、抗侧变形能力、刚度退化特征和滞回特性的影响。结果表明:玻璃纤维与乙烯基酯树脂基体的协同工作性能最优,而玄武岩纤维具有耐久性高、延性好、与乙烯基酯树脂基体协同工作性能好等优良性能,可以作为玻璃纤维的良好替代品;玄武岩纤维混杂少量比例的碳纤维作为树脂基体增强材料,可以有效提高喷射FRP的拉伸强度和变形性能;震损RC柱经喷射FRP加固后,可以基本恢复其震损前设计极限承载力,并有效提高其延性和耗能能力。该加固方法可以对地震区已震损RC柱进行快速加固,有效防止整体结构在余震中发生倒塌等严重破坏。      

Integrated high-performance thousand-metre scale cable-stayed bridge with hybrid FRP cables

To overcome the limitations of conventional steel stay cables in a thousand-meter scale cable-stayed bridge, hybrid basalt and carbon (B/C) FRP cables were investigated to achieve integrated high performances in the bridge of this scale as a replacement for steel cables. First, the material properties of different cables were discussed, and static and dynamic analyses on the entire bridges with different cables were conducted by means of finite element method. Moreover, the aerodynamic stability of different cables was studied in terms of the Scruton number. Results show that (1) hybrid B/CFRP with a 28% volume proportion of carbon fibres exhibits relatively high stiffness, economical cost, a small sag effect and sufficient fatigue resistance, which was proven suitable for stay cables; (2) based on the stiffness principle, the cable-stayed bridge with hybrid B/CFRP cables exhibits linear L–D behaviour and higher stiffness compared to the bridge with steel cables under the static load, and this advantage would become more apparent with the elongation of span; (3) the hybrid B/CFRP cable processes much higher natural frequencies than steel cables, which could lower the possibility of resonance between stay cables and the bridge deck. Furthermore, the aerodynamic stability of hybrid B/CFRP cables is superior to other cables due to its designable inherent damping.     

Fracture behaviour of fly-ash filled FRP composites

The major objective of this study was to determine the fracture toughness and fracture surface energy of epoxy, epoxy/fly-ash, epoxy/carbon fibre, epoxy/carbon fibre/fly-ash, epoxy/glass fibre and epoxy/glass fibre/fly-ash composites. The quality of composite specimens was evaluated by the ultrasonic method. The results show that a fly-ash particle can arrest the crack path and thus improve the fracture properties of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites. The results of this study have further significance in view of the fact that fly-ash powder is far cheaper than carbon fibre, glass fibre and epoxy resin.     

Evaluation of FRP and hybrid FRP cables for super long-span cable-stayed bridges

This paper evaluates the safety factors, the applicable lengths, and relative cost of FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) and hybrid FRP cables that are potentially suitable for cable-stayed bridges with a super long-span of between 1000 m and 10,000 m. Following previous studies on 1000-m scale cable-stayed bridges with FRP cables, two kinds of hybrid FRP cables – the previously discussed hybrid basalt and carbon FRP (B/CFRP) cable and the newly-developed basalt and steel-wire FRP (B/SFRP) cable – as well as conventional steel cable, CFRP cable, and BFRP cable are further investigated focusing on their promise in meeting potential requirements for super long-span bridges. Some major results are as follows: (1) a three-stage model for determining safety factors of cables with different kinds and lengths is proposed; (2) a threshold of λ² is suggested to achieve both high material and stiffness utilization efficiency, based on which the applicable lengths for different kinds of cables were evaluated; and (3) hybrid B/SFRP cables and BFRP cables are comparable in cost to steel cables within a 3000 m span, while hybrid B/CFRP cables and CFRP cables demonstrate a superior performance/cost ratio over a longer span.     

FRP复合材料剩余刚度退化复合模型

为建立剩余刚度与材料损伤量及剩余寿命的关系, 将纤维增强树脂复合材料(FRP)层合板在拉-拉疲劳载荷作用下的失效模式划分为纤维间破坏、纤维随机断裂与分层3种类型, 分析不同失效模式与剩余刚度退化量的定量关系, 提出一个集成各失效模式影响的剩余刚度退化复合模型。该模型适用于占寿命绝大多数比例的Ⅰ、Ⅱ阶段, 避免了Ⅲ阶段刚度降不确定性的影响。剩余刚度退化曲线按时间尺度归一化, 消除了试件个体分散性影响, 分散性显著降低。对4种E-glass/Epoxy玻璃纤维复合材料层压板与3种AS-4/聚醚醚酮(PEEK)碳纤维复合材料层压板的疲劳试验结果进行了统计分析, 表明本文模型适于精确描述复合材料的剩余刚度下降规律。      

多壁碳纳米管/聚亚苯基苯并二噁唑复合材料的微结构与性能

以甲基磺酸(MSA)为溶剂通过溶液共混法制备了不同多壁碳纳米管(MWNTs)含量的多壁碳纳米管/聚亚苯基苯并二噁唑(MWNTs/PBO)复合材料, 用扫描电镜(SEM)对热处理前后复合材料的微结构进行了分析, 并对其导电、力学和耐热性能进行了研究。结果表明: MWNTs能均匀地分散在聚合物基体中, 并能形成一定的网络结构, 热处理后的复合材料较热处理前的结构更致密, 导电性能和力学性能都有所改善, 其中MWNTs质量分数为10％的热处理后复合材料与纯PBO聚合物相比, 体积电阻率降低约9个数量级, 而拉伸强度和拉伸模量分别提高了95％和53％, 耐热性能也有一定的提高。      

A neural diagnostic system for measuring strain in FRP composite materials

In this paper a diagnostic system for measuring strain in FRP composite materials by using artificial neural networks is proposed. In particular the strain response of specimens of glass or carbon fibres arranged in epoxy resin matrix subjected to mechanical and thermal loads is analysed. The experimental results are compared with those obtained analytically and the advantages of using this neural diagnostic system, as compared to the use of the traditional system of temperature compensation, are given.     

Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of banana–flax based natural fibre composite

Hybrid materials of any kind are the keynote for today’s demands. This paper deals with one of such hybrid composite made of natural fibres namely, banana and flax fibres. The structural build-up is such that one layer of banana fibre is sandwiched between two layers of flax fibres by hand layup method with a volume fraction of 40% using Epoxy resin and HY951 hardener. Glass fibre reinforcement polymer (GFRP) is used for lamination on both sides. This lamination also increases the overall mechanical properties along with better surface properties. The properties of this hybrid composite are determined by testing its tensile, impact, and flexural loads using a Universal testing machine. Thermal properties are analysed and hybrid composites of flax and banana with GFRP have better thermal stability and flame resistance over flax, banana with GFRP single fibre hybrid composites. Morphological analysis is done using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The result of test shows that hybrid composite has far better properties than single fibre glass reinforced composite under impact and flexural loads. However it is found that the hybrid composite have better strength as compared to single fibre composites.     

Effective strain of RC beams strengthened in shear with FRP

The failure modes of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams strengthened in shear with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets or strips are not well understood as much as those of RC beams reinforced with steel stirrups. When the beams are strengthened in shear with FRP composites, beams may fail due to crushing of the concrete before the FRP reaches its rupture strain. Therefore, the effective strain of the FRP plays an important role in predicting the shear strength of such beams. This paper presents the results of an analytical and experimental study on the performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened in shear with FRP composites and internally reinforced with conventional steel stirrups. Ten RC beams strengthened with varying FRP reinforcement ratio, the type of fiber material (carbon or glass) and configuration (continuous sheets or strips) were tested. Comparisons between the observed and calculated effective strains of the FRP in the tested beams failing in shear showed reasonable agreement.     

Tensile behavior of epoxy based FRP composites under extreme service conditions

A well established technique for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) members is based on the use of externally bonded (EB) FRP composites. Nevertheless, limited knowledge is available on the mechanical properties of FRP composites at extreme service environments. The performance of structural members strengthened with EB-FRP laminates exposed to extreme service temperatures or freeze–thaw cycles is mainly associated to either the bond between the FRP laminate and concrete substrate, or the mechanical properties of the laminates. This paper focuses on the latter aspects and presents results on a series of tensile tests of glass and carbon FRP (GFRP and CFRP) coupon specimens exposed to temperatures ranging between ?15 and +70 °C, or after freeze–thaw cycles, including FRP specimens with different number of plies. The experimental results for GFRP specimens indicate a low influence of ply number on FRP mechanical properties, and a minor reduction of axial tensile strength and strain with increasing the temperature. Results for CFRP specimens subjected to extreme service temperatures reflect a significant reduction of mechanical properties, while freeze–thaw cycles do not significantly influence the mechanical performance.     

Investigations on the fabrication and the characterization of glass/epoxy,carbon/epoxy and hybrid composites used in the reinforcement and the repair of aeronautic structures

This paper reports the fabrication and the characterization of glass/epoxy, carbon/epoxy and hybrid laminated composites used in the reinforcement and/or the repair of aeronautic structures. These composites were manufactured by the hand lay-up process. Their physical, thermal and mechanical behaviors are discussed in terms of moisture absorption, thermal stability, tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and abrasive wear resistance. The impact of hygrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of each composite group has been also investigated.The main results indicated that after water immersion, all composites showed significant moisture absorption especially for glass/epoxy composite. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the hybrid composite presented the best thermal stability behavior while the glass/epoxy composite the bad behavior. The mechanical properties of the carbon/epoxy composites, in the bulk material, were considerably higher than those of the glass/epoxy; the hybrid structure presented intermediate mechanical properties. The same trend was also observed in terms of wear properties. Finally, a deleterious effect on the strength of all composites due to hygrothermal exposure was established. However, carbon/epoxy composites seem to be less susceptible to aging damage after 90 days at 90 °C.     

On the experimental investigation of crash energy absorption in laminate splaying collapse mode of FRP tubular components

In this experimental work the crash energy absorption of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tubular components that collapse in laminate splaying mode is investigated by means of a new testing method, the “curling test”. This test method was used trying rectangular carbon, aramid and glass FRP strips—in which the reinforcing fibres were in the form of reinforcing woven fabric (carbon and aramid FRP specimens) and multi-axial fibre reinforcements (glass FRP specimens). Apart from the analysis of the system of bending and friction forces acting on the specimens during the curling tests in comparison with the forces acting in the case the laminate splaying collapse mode and the observations related to the deformation and crushing induced on the FRP specimens by this force combination, the analysis of the test results focused on the influence of the most important geometric and laminate material properties—such as thickness, flexural rigidity, number of reinforcing fibre layers, laminate stacking sequence and constituent material mechanical properties—on the specific energy absorption and the peak load.     

Effect of glass hybridization and staking sequence on mechanical behaviour of interply coir–glass hybrid laminate

The interest in fibre-reinforced polymer composites is growing rapidly due to its high performance in terms of mechanical properties, significant processing advantages, excellent chemical resistance, low cost, and low density. The development of composite materials based on the reinforcement of two or more fibre types in a matrix leads to the production of hybrid composites. In the present work, woven coir–glass hybrid polyester composites were developed and their mechanical properties were evaluated for different stacking sequences. Scanning electron micrographs of fractured surfaces were used for a qualitative evaluation of interfacial properties of woven coir–glass hybrid polyester composites. These results indicated that coir–glass hybrid composites offered the merits of both natural and synthetic fibres.     

Early prediction of the failure of textile-reinforced thermoplastic composites using hybrid yarns

In this study, the manufacturing of core-sheath hybrid yarns consisting of steel fibres and glass filament yarn (GFY) using a friction spinning technique and their usability for failure prediction in composites is reported. With the DREF-2000 friction spinning technique, it is possible to manufacture hybrid yarns having a core-sheath structure. Steel fibres are used as the sheath and the GFY is used as the core of the yarns. These hybrid yarns are embedded between two layers of glass/polypropylene (GF/PP)-based knitted fabric composites. By varying the steel fibre content, it is possible to adjust the initial resistance as well as the sensitivity of the hybrid yarns to measure the interphase strain in the thermoplastic-based knit composite during tensile loading. The hybrid yarns with lower steel fibre content are found to be more sensitive in the prediction of the early damage in the composite. By performing a quasi-static and gradual increase of loading during the tensile tests, it is possible to identify the critical load for the composite. The before mentioned hybrid yarns show their suitability for the structural health monitoring and the potential to be integrated into thermoplastic-based composites by textile processing.     

Basalt FRP rods for reinforcement and repair of timber

Limited research has been undertaken into the use of basalt fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials for the strengthening and repair of structural timber elements. This paper describes an experimental test programme in which the flexural performance of low-grade glued laminated timber was reinforced using bonded-in basalt FRP rods. Tension test results show that basalt FRP rods compare extremely well to the mechanical characteristics of glass FRP rods. Strengthened and repaired beams exhibited considerable ductility in contrast to brittle tension behaviour of the unreinforced sections. With the use of a modest reinforcement percentage of 1.4% strategically located in circular routed out grooves at the soffit of the beam, mean stiffness enhancements of 8.4% and 10.3% for the global and local measurements were achieved respectively and a mean improvement in the ultimate moment capacity of 23% was achieved in comparison to the unreinforced glulam beams. The distance of the reinforcement to the neutral axis was shown to be highly influential on the mechanical enhancements. The use of basalt FRP rods is seen to be highly effective as a repair technology for damaged timber elements. Strain profile readings from the beams which included the reinforcement demonstrated improved utilisation of the compression characteristics of the timber. In all testing, a good quality bond is reported between the basalt FRP and wood. There exists significant potential for the development of environmentally friendly engineered structural elements by combining timber based products with other natural materials such as basalt fibre reinforced polymers.     

Fire structural resistance of basalt fibre composite

Basalt fibres are emerging as a replacement to E-glass fibres in polymer matrix composites for selected applications. In this study, the fire structural resistance of a basalt fibre composite is determined experimentally and analytically, and it is compared against an equivalent laminate reinforced with E-glass fibres. When exposed to the same radiant heat flux, the basalt fibre composite heated up more rapidly and reached higher temperatures than the glass fibre laminate due to its higher thermal emissivity. The tensile structural survivability of the basalt fibre composite was inferior to the glass fibre laminate when exposed to the same radiant heat flux. Tensile softening of both materials occurred by thermal softening and decomposition of the polymer matrix and weakening of the fibre reinforcement, which occur at similar rates. The inferior fire resistance of the basalt fibre composite is due mainly to higher emissivity, which causes it to become hotter in fire.