Micromechanical analysis of fuzzy fiber reinforced composites

A novel fuzzy fiber reinforced composite (FFRC) reinforced with zig-zag single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon fibers is proposed. The distinct constructional feature of this composite is that the uniformly aligned CNTs are radially grown on the surface of carbon fibers. Analytical models based on the mechanics of materials approach and the Mori–Tanaka method are derived to estimate the effective elastic constants of this proposed FFRC. The values of the effective elastic properties of this composite are estimated with and without considering an interphase between the CNT and the polymer matrix. It has been found that the transverse effective properties of this composite are significantly improved due to the radial growing of CNTs on the surface of carbon fiber. The effective properties are also found to be sensitive to the CNT diameter.     

Strength analysis for three-dimensional fiber reinforced composites

Three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite materials produced by impregnating resin into woven fabric have superior interlaminar and impact strength and are capable of being formed into complex shapes. Consequently it is expected in the future that they will be used for various structural members which have to date been difficult to make with conventional composite materials. With the growth in their fabrication technoloy, the development of a strength analysis method is being demanded. This paper describes a strength analysis method for three-dimensional composite materials on the basis of a micro-mechanical analysis of a unit cell. The unit cell is a small geometrical unit of fiber architecture. A feature of the present analysis method is to represent a unit cell as a rigid frame structure constructed of fiber-beam elements and matrix-beam and matrix-rod elements. Strength analyses are made for orthogonal weave and 5-axial weave three-dimensional carben/epoxy composite materials; the tensile, compressive, and shear moduli and strengths, and Poisson's ratio are calculated. The analytical results show fairly good agreement with experimental results; 11%, 21%, and 20% differences between them on the average for elastic moduli, strengths, and Poisson's ratios, respectively. It is also understood that the present idealized analysis model cannot accurately predict the characteristics of undulated fiber composites, especially in respect to the compressive strength.     

Hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (HyFRC): fiber synergy in high strength matrices

In most cases, fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) contains only one type of fiber. The use of two or more types of fibers in a suitable combination may potentially not only improve the overall properties of concrete, but may also result in performance synergy. The combining of fibers, often called hybridization, is investigated in this paper for a very high strength matrix of an average compressive strength of 85 MPa. Control, single, two-fiber and three-fiber hybrid composites were cast using different fiber types such as macro and micro-fibers of steel, polypropylene and carbon. Flexural toughness tests were performed and results were extensively analyzed to identify synergy, if any, associated with various fiber combinations. Based on various analysis schemes, the paper identifies fiber combinations that demonstrate maximum synergy in terms of flexural toughness.     

碳纤维截面特性对碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料压缩强度的影响

基于压拉平衡为特征的新一代先进复合材料的需求,开展了碳纤维截面形状和尺寸对碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料压缩强度的影响研究。有限元模拟和试验结果均表明,增大碳纤维直径可以提高复合材料压缩强度。另外碳纤维截面形状也对复合材料压缩强度有影响,圆形截面优于椭圆形截面。      

钢纤维混凝土遮弹层抗弹丸侵彻效应试验研究与分析

钢纤维混凝土遮弹层抗常规武器侵彻效应问题,是防护工程界亟待解决的一个崭新课题。为研究这种新型防护材料的抗侵彻性能,利用Φ12.7mm弹道炮-测速靶系统对混凝土及钢纤维混凝土进行了弹道冲击对比试验,获得了弹丸着靶速度及对应的最大侵彻深度、弹坑直径、靶体破坏形态等试验参数,并利用高速摄影系统记录了靶体的动态破坏过程。针对现有经验公式均不能反映钢纤维混凝土材料高韧性影响的不足,引入钢纤维混凝土材料韧度R,对试验数据进行了回归分析,导出了侵彻深度工程计算公式。计算结果与试验数据对比表明,预估公式计算精度较高,公式中相关参数简单易于确定,且能反映钢纤维混凝土的高强高韧性特点,在实际工程应用中具有重要的参考价值。     

Effect of fiber morphology on rheological properties of plant fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites

Sisal fibers (SFs), steam exploded sisal fibers (SESFs) and steam exploded bagasse fibers (SEBFs) which have different fiber morphologies, were mixed with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) using a torque rheometer. The rheological properties of these plant fiber-reinforced PBS composites were evaluated. Results show that the fiber morphology has a large effect on rheological behavior. At the same fiber content (e.g., 10 wt% and 30 wt%), the non-Newtonian index n of composites reinforced by flexible fibers with a higher aspect ratio and larger contact area with the matrix is smaller. In general, n decreases with increasing fiber content but when the fiber content is too high (e.g., 50 wt%), the aggregation of fibers is too extensive so that the actual contact area between fibers and matrix becomes much lower, n increase instead. At the same fiber content (e.g., 10 wt% and 30 wt%), the consistency indices of fibrous filler-reinforced composites are larger than those of powder-filled composites; the larger the actual contact area between the matrix and the fibers, the greater the consistency index of the composite.     

Micro-mechanical analysis of splitting failure in concrete reinforced with fiber reinforced plastic rods

The present investigation provides a micro-mechanical model for the splitting failure analysis of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) reinforced concrete members subjected to longitudinal tensile stresses. The model consists of three co-axial cylinders: (a) the inner elastic FRP rod; (b) the mid cracked part of concrete; and (c) the outer elastic part of concrete. The anisotropic properties of reinforcement, the compatibility of longitudinal strain at interface and the effect of Poisson's ratio of concrete are taken into account in the analysis. The method can be used to predict the stress distributions in the hybrid structure and the relations between the growth of cracks and the applied end forces. It is found that the number of splitting cracks and the material properties of the anisotropic FRP rods are not the dominant factors in splitting failure. It is also observed that neglecting Poisson's ratio of cracked concrete may under-estimate stresses in the hybrid structure.     

体外预应力纤维增强树脂基复合材料筋混凝土结构研究进展

本文从纤维增强树脂基复合材料(FRP)筋、关键技术和构件三个主要方面综述了体外预应力FRP筋混凝土结构的研究成果.首先,介绍了预应力FRP筋拉伸性能和长期性能,给出了面向设计的FRP筋蠕变断裂应力值、松弛率及疲劳最大应力和应力幅限值.阐述了预应力FRP筋三种主要锚固技术的优缺点和减小锚固端应力集中的方法,重点介绍了近年...     

Time dependent behavior of elements combining ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concretes (UHPFRC) and reinforced concrete

Structural elements combining Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRC) and concrete offer a high potential in view of rehabilitation and modification of existing structures. The investigation of the time-dependent behavior of composite “UHPFRC-concrete” elements is a fundamental step in the determination of durability and serviceability. For this, an experimental program was conducted on large composite “UHPFRC-concrete” beams and a numerical model was validated with the test results. The experimental results and a parametric study performed with the numerical model showed that UHPFRC and normal strength reinforced concrete are compatible in the long-term and that the critical period of composite “UHPFRC-concrete” elements are the first 90 days after the casting of the UHPFRC layer. Thus, the high potential of such composite elements can be exploited also in the long term.     

Microscopic, physical and mechanical analysis of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete

This investigation examined the reinforcing effects and mechanisms of polypropylene fiber (PF) on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the crystal structures and that at the aggregate-cement interfacial transition zone. Physical and mechanical tests were performed to measure the effects of PF on improving concrete's engineering properties. Results indicate that PF significantly alters the microstructure of concrete, reduces the crystallization and orientation of Ca(OH)₂, and decreases micro-voids. Specifically, PF forms a network that restricts the growth of Ca(OH)₂, bridges cracking, and reallocates stresses. PF has reduced the amount and size of crystalline, and the micro-cracking at the aggregate-cement interfacial transition zone. As a result, PF has effectively improved concrete's compressive strength, flexural strength, bonding strength, dynamic performance, and fatigue life, while reduced the water penetration and abrasion mass loss. Results also indicate that a PF content of 0.9 kg/m³ has the optimum concrete performance output for the materials used in this study.     

Thermal stability and flammability of coconut fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

This study examined the mechanical and thermophysical behavior of green composites. In the preparation procedure of the composite, a plasma treatment was applied to the surface of the coconut fibers to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and matrix. The coconut fiber-reinforced PLA composites were prepared using the commingled yarn method. The mechanical properties of the composites, such as tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break were examined, and the shrinkage and flame retardant properties of the specimens were measured. From these experiments, the effect of the plasma treatment on the mechanical and thermophysical behavior of the coconut fibers/PLA composites was identified. In addition, morphological analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy.     

Characterization of fatigue behavior of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) composites

Fatigue behavior of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (polypropylene/20 vol.% E-glass fiber) is presented in terms of stress – number of cycles to failure curves. Samples tested along longitudinal direction showed a higher fatigue life than the transverse samples which can be explained by the preferential orientation of the fibers along the longitudinal direction developed during the processing. Fatigue life decreased with increase in frequency. Hysteretic loss and temperature rise were measured; they depended on the stress amplitude as well as the cyclic frequency. Long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite showed a lower temperature rise compared to unreinforced PP because long fiber reinforced thermoplastic has higher thermal conductivity than unreinforced PP and thus faster heat dissipation to the surroundings occur. The hysteretic heating also led to decrease in the modulus of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic as a function of number of cycles due to the softening of the matrix during fatigue cycling and depended on stress amplitude and frequency of the test.     

长玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料的研究

选用无碱玻璃纤维 ,采用特殊方法使长纤维与基体聚丙烯树脂有序复合 ,制备了一系列不同纤维长度、含量以及采用不同表面处理的玻纤 /PP复合材料 ,并测定了材料的力学性能 ,通过SEM观察了复合体系的界面 ,从微观上验证了材料力学性能的变化规律。实验表明 ,所采用的复合材料制备方法可使纤维的排布更加有序 ,并可改进材料的力学性能。     

Frequency analysis and characterization in orthogonal cutting of glass fiber reinforced composites

This study discusses frequency analysis based on frequency spectrum and autoregressive (AR) time series model, and process characterization in orthogonal cutting of fiber–matrix composite materials. A sparsely distributed idealized composite material, namely a glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) was used as the workpiece. The analysis method employs a force sensor and the signals from the sensor are processed using either the fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique or AR time series model. Signal distortion measure based on discrimination information is also introduced. The experimental correlations between the different chip formation mechanisms and power spectrum or AR model coefficients are then established. In particular, only those features that are most sensitive to different types of cutting mechanisms are selected by feature extraction method in AR modeling. Selected features are used to characterize the chip formation. Discrimination information measure proves to be useful in signal analysis when any characteristic of the cutting process is apparent in the form of spectral peaks. Effects of fiber orientation, cutting parameters and tool geometry on the cutting mechanisms and surface quality are also discussed.     

Fatigue behavior of externally bonded steel fiber reinforced polymer (SFRP) for retrofit of reinforced concrete

Steel fiber reinforced polymer (SFRP) strips comprised of multiple high-strength wires have been introduced into the repertoire of the structural engineer in recent years. The deleterious effects of fatigue loading on FRP-to-concrete bond have been identified in previous studies by the author; therefore the effect of fatigue loading on the bond behavior of SFRP is investigated. Four large-scale beam specimens (4.9 m long) having externally bonded SFRP retrofits are tested. These specimens are paired with unretrofit and CFRP-retrofit companion specimens allowing a number of direct comparisons to be made. Of the SFRP specimens, one is tested in monotonic loading to failure while the remaining three are tested at various fatigue load levels ranging from service load level to an extreme load level. Service load fatigue is cycled for 2 million cycles and the specimen is then tested monotonically to failure to assess the effects of fatigue conditioning on the ultimate performance of the beam. Extreme loading is selected to result in fatigue-induced failure of the internal reinforcing steel.     

组合载荷下含缺口纤维增强树脂基复合材料的失效分析

为研究含缺口纤维增强复合材料层合板在复杂载荷下的破坏,本文采用改进的Arcan夹具,在30°方向对含缺口碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料层合板（[-45/90/45/0]_s）进行了拉伸-剪切组合加载实验。用数字图像相关方法（DICM）测量了层合板表面层的裂纹发展过程,在缺口尖端观察到了明显的劈裂现象。然后用有限元软件ABAQUS建立了三维层合板模型,为准确模拟裂纹尖端的应力场,模型中每层引入内聚力接触来模拟劈裂。为了比较加载端的转动自由度对层合板失效模式和破坏强度的影响,文中分析了两种不同的边界条件,即约束和放松加载端的转动自由度。研究结果发现,加载端的合力方向主导了层合板的失效模式和破坏强度,放松加载端自由度的模拟结果与实验结果有很好的一致性。     

Failure analysis of woven kevlar fiber reinforced epoxy composites pinned joints

An investigation was performed to determine the failure mode and the failure load of mechanically fastened joints in woven kevlar epoxy composite plates. Two-dimensional finite element code is developed to predict damage initiation, progression and strength of joints. Hashin, Hoffman and Maximum Stress criteria were used in this failure analysis. Experiments were performed to find the failure load and to predict the failure mode. Parametric studies were also carried out to evaluate the effect of joint geometry on this analysis. The obtained results were compared each other and comparison showed good agreement between numerical and experimental methods.     

Multiscale failure analysis of fiber reinforced concrete based on a discrete crack model

In this work the capabilities of an interface model to predict failure behavior of steel fiber reinforced cementitious composites (SFRCCs) are evaluated at both macro and mesoscale levels of observation. The interface model is based on a hyperbolic maximum strength criterion defined in terms of the normal and shear stress components acting on the joint plane. Pre-peak regime is considered linear elastic, while the post-peak behavior is formulated in terms of the fracture energy release under failure mode I and/or II. The well-known ??Mixture Theory?? is adopted for modeling the interactions between fibers and the surrounding cementitious composite. The effects of both the axial forces on the fibers induced by normal relative displacements, as well as the dowel action due to tangential relative displacements in the interfaces are considered in the formulation of the interaction mechanisms between fibers and cementitious composites. After describing the interface model, this work focuses on numerical analyses of SFRCC failure behavior. Firstly, the validation analysis of the interface model is performed at the constitutive level by comparing its numerical predictions against experimental results available in scientific literature. Then, the sensitivity of the interface theory for SFRCC regarding the variation of main parameters of the composite constituents is evaluated. Finally, the attention is focused on Finite Element (FE) analysis of SFRCC failure behavior at meso and macroscopic levels of observation. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the interface theory based on the Mixture Theory to reproduce the main features of failure behavior of SRFCC in terms of fiber content and involved fracture modes.     

Flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with hybrid fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) under sustaining loads

This paper reports experimental studies of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with new hybrid fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) system consisting carbon FRP (CFRP) and glass FRP (GFRP). The objective of this study is to examine effect of hybrid FRPs on structural behavior of retrofitted RC beams and to investigate if different sequences of CFRP and GFRP sheets of the hybrid FRPs have influences on improvement of strengthening RC beams. Toward that goal, 14 RC beams are fabricated and retrofitted with hybrid FRPs having different combinations of CFRP and GFRP sheets. The beams are loaded with different magnitudes prior to retrofitting in order to investigate the effect of initial loading on the flexural behavior of the retrofitted beam. The main test variables are sequences of attaching hybrid FRP layers and magnitudes of preloads. Under loaded condition, beams are retrofitted with two or three layers of hybrid FRPs, then the load increases until the beams reach failure. Test results conclude that strengthening effects of hybrid FRPs on ductility and stiffness of RC beams depend on orders of FRP layers.