The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has developed guidelines for the design of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced concrete structures. Current guidelines require the application of environmental and flexural strength reduction factors, which have minimal experimental validation. Our goal in this research is the development of a Monte Carlo simulation to assess the durability of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete designed for flexure. The results of this simulation can be used to determine appropriate flexural strength reduction factors. Prior to conducting the simulation, long-term GFRP tensile strength values needed to be ascertained. Existing FRP tensile strength models are limited to short-term predictions. This study successfully developed a power law based-FRP tensile strength retention model using currently available tensile strength data for GFRP exposed to variable temperatures and relative humidity. GFRP tensile strength retention results are projected at 0, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 60-year intervals. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is then used to assess the influence beam geometry, concrete strength, fractions of balanced reinforcement ratio, reinforcing bar tensile strength, and environmental reduction factors on the flexural capacity of GFRP reinforced concrete beams. Reliability analysis was successfully used to determine an environmental reduction factor of 0.5 for concrete exposed to earth and weather. For simulations with higher GFRP bar tensile strength as well as larger beam geometry and fractions of the balanced reinforcement ratio, larger moment capacities were produced. A strength reduction factor of approximately 0.8 is calculated for all fractions of balanced reinforcement ratio. The inclusion of more long-term moisture data for GFRP is necessary to develop a more cohesive tensile strength retention model. It is also recommended that longer life cycles of the GFRP reinforced concrete beams be simulated. This research was conducted thanks to support from the National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education's Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Research and Traineeship (Award # DGE-0114342) Note: The opinions expressed herein are the views of the authors and should not be interpreted as the views of the National Science Foundation. / Master of Science

An enhanced demand for lightweight materials in automotive applications has resulted in the growth of the use of injection molded discontinuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. During the intensive injection molding process, severe fiber breakage arises in the plasticating stage leading to a broad fiber length distribution. Fiber orientation distribution (FOD) is another highly anisotropic feature of the final injection molded parts induced by the mold filling process. The mechanical and other properties can be highly dependent on the fiber length distribution and fiber orientation distribution. The residual fiber length in the final part is of great significance determining the mechanical performances of injection molded discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites. One goal of this research is to develop a fiber length characterization method with reproducible sampling procedure in a timely manner is described. In this work is also proposed an automatic fiber length measurement algorithm supported by Matlab®. The accuracy of this automatic algorithm is evaluated by comparing the measured results using this in-house developed tool with the manual measurement and good agreement between the two methods is observed. Accurate predictions of fiber orientation are also important for the improvement of mold design and processing parameters to optimize mechanical performances of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. In various fiber orientation models, a strain reduction factor is usually applied to match the slower fiber orientation evolution observed experimentally. In this research, a variable strain reduction factor is determined locally by the corresponding local flow-type and used in fiber orientation simulation. The application of the variable strain reduction factor in fiber orientation simulations for both non-lubricated squeeze flow and injection molded center-gated disk, allows the simulated fiber re-orient rate to be dependent on the local flow-type. This empirical variable strain reduction factor might help to improve the fiber orientation predictions especially in complex flow, because it can reflect the different rates at which fibers orient during different flow conditions. Finally, the stiffness of injection-molded long-fiber thermoplastics is investigated by micro-mechanical methods: the Halpin-Tsai (HT) model and the Mori-Tanaka model based on Eshelby's equivalent inclusion (EMT). We proposed an empirical model to evaluate the effective fibers aspect ratio in the computation for the fiber bundles under high fiber content in the as-formed fiber composites. After the correction, the analytical predictions had good agreement with the experimental stiffness values from tensile tests on the composites. Our analysis shows that it is essential to incorporate the effect of the presence of fiber bundles to accurately predict the composite properties. / PHD / An enhanced demand for lightweight materials in automotive applications has resulted in the growth of the use of injection molded discontinuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. The injection molding process results in fiber length and fiber orientation distributions in the final parts. The mechanical and other properties can be highly dependent on the fiber length distribution and fiber orientation distribution. This work focuses on the process-structure-property relationship of fiber-thermoplastic composites. A novel fiber length measurement procedure and an automatic fiber length measurement tool were developed to improve the accuracy of fiber length measurement. The existing fiber orientation models have been improved by integration of the flow-type dependent fiber orientation kinetics. To improve the stiffness predictions, an empirical model has been developed to include the effects of fiber clumping on the elastic properties of injection molded fiber composites.

The primary objective of this research was to examine the strength degradation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars at high temperature and alkalinity and determine if an Arrhenius type relationship can be used as a means of projecting life. The work done includes a thorough literature review, experiments and development of strength prediction models. The experimental work involves exposure of GFRP bars incased in cement mortar to lime-water solution at 30, 45 and 57°C. Overall 100 specimens were included in the experimental program. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity retention after 180 days of exposure at 57°C was 57% and 82% respectively. The secondary objective was to determine the moisture absorption properties of GFRP bars. The moisture absorption data available is till 80 days from the immersion of the specimens in the tank. The collected data was used in the development of strength retention models. Two strength prediction models, Time Shift Method and Fickian Model for moisture absorption are formulated. Using the Fickian Model, strength is predicted for GFRP bars, if used in bridge decks in Roanoke, Virginia. The strength loss predicted was 45% after 50 years of exposure in real life environment. A linear relationship was observed when the moisture content and strength retention were plotted. The study estimates a strength loss higher than the ACI-440H recommended environmental degradation factor of 0.7 to calculate the design ultimate tensile strength. / Master of Science

A necessidade de recuperação e reforço em estruturas de madeira, concreto e aço exigiu da construção civil uma procura por métodos mais eficientes que pudessem cumprir esse papel. Com este objetivo vários estudos estão sendo realizados utilizando fibras reforçadas com polímeros (FRP). Dentre estas fibras, as que vêm apresentando melhores resultados como reforço para peças estruturais de madeiras são as fibras de carbono e as fibras de vidro. Dentro deste escopo, este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar o comportamento estrutural de vigas de madeira de espécies nacionais reforçadas com fibras de carbono e com fibras de vidro, verificando a eficiência deste reforço e adequando modelos de cálculo para avaliação da resistência e da rigidez das vigas reforçadas, e também verificar a eficiência de uma formulação de adesivos à base de mamona e do adesivo Cascophen, para fixação das respectivas fibras na madeira, em substituição ao adesivo epóxi, normalmente utilizado. Foram efetuados ensaios de vigas de madeira reforçadas com polímeros, em modelo reduzido, e em protótipos, para diversas configurações de geometria e quantidade de fibras utilizadas. Os resultados obtidos indicam uma boa concordância entre os modelos teóricos para avaliar a resistência e a rigidez das vigas reforçadas, e os resultados experimentais, e a eficiência do reforço. Também foram conduzidos ensaios de tração em corpos-de-prova de fibras laminado com os adesivos, caracterizando a sua resistência e elasticidade e comparando o comportamento dos adesivos estudados. Os resultados indicaram o melhor comportamento do adesivo epóxi. / The necessity of rehabilitation and reinforcement in wood structures, concrete and steel demanded a search for more efficient methods that could to carry this paper. With this objectives several studies are using fibers reinforced polymers (FRP). These fibers which presenting better results in structural reinforcement for structural pieces of wood are the fibers of carbon and the glass fibers. This work has as objective studies the structural behavior of wood beams of national species reinforced with carbon fibers and with glass fibers, verifying the efficiency of this reinforcement and adapting calculation models for evaluation of the strength and stiffness of the reinforced beams, and also to verify the efficiency of a formulation of adhesives to the castor oil and of the adhesive Cascophen, for fixation of the respective fibers in the wood, in substitution the adhesive epoxy, usually used. Experimental work was made with wood beams reinforced with polymeric, in reduced model, and in prototypes, for several geometry configurations and amount of used fibers. The obtained results indicate a good agreement among the theoretical models to evaluate the strength and stiffness of the reinforced beams, and the experimental results, and the efficiency of the reinforcement. Traction rehearsals were also led in body-of-proof of fibers laminated with the adhesives, characterizing your strength and elasticity and comparing the behavior of the studied adhesives. The results indicated the best behavior of the adhesive epoxy.

This research project on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an extension to the inquiry into the feasibility and reliability of the technology known as Digital Laser Speckle Image Correlation (DiLSIC). This is a hybrid approach of combining two existing technologies. The first being Digital Image Correlation (DIC) which is a nondestructive evaluation commonly used to find displacement, in-plane strain, as well as deformation. The second being the of laser speckle patterns. This hybrid has achieved level of resolution measured to be 3.4μ. DiLSIC increases the application ability of the DIC technique to situations that generally would not be an option to use. DiLSIC needs no artifact speckle patterns to be applied to the specimen as a preparation for nondestructive testing. In DIC testing, the surface of a specimen must artifact speckles applied to the subject surface. Often the application of artifact speckles is not desirable or possible. DiLSIC is an acceptable alternative to the previously discussed industry-wide practice. This method broadens the usage of the DIC technique to situations which previously were not possible. This technology can identify, quantify, and detect the distribution of strain and stress concentrations in composite structures. For this study, a honeycomb-backed glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) panel from a Cessna aircraft exterior luggage door was obtained and a defect panel is created. The panel is constructed with one area containing a repair compliant with manufacturer standardized methods and a repair area is not compliant and consists of multiple incorrect repair steps. An area with no repair is also tested to act as a control for comparison and quantification. The results for the inspected areas showed a linear strain increase in the noncompliant repair. The data plot for the compliant repair showed a trend of following the same basic curve as the no repair area. A verification process follows the DiLSIC testing consisting of using Infrared Thermography, Air-coupled ultrasonic, and white light artifact speckle DIC. These tests show DiLSIC is a viable alternative to the testing that is available in the industry. DiLSIC can detect defect location, size, geometry and map strain to determine the difference between compliant and noncompliant repairs when compared to a base level non-repair area

Polipropileno (PP) é um termoplástico com ótimo balanço de propriedades, baixo custo e largo espectro de aplicações. Seu uso como material de engenharia é limitado pelos seus valores relativamente baixos de propriedades mecânicas. A adição de reforço ao PP melhora suas propriedades termomecânicas, tornando-o adequado para fabricação de peças de engenharia como composto termoplástico. Fibra de vidro (FV) é o reforço mais empregado em compostos de PP devido a maior resistência mecânica específica gerada no PP e por atuar como agente nucleante. Devido à diferença entre as naturezas das ligações secundárias, há pouca afinidade química entre PP-FV, sendo necessária a modificação interfacial através de agentes de acoplamento poliméricos (AA) para melhorar o desempenho termomecânico deste composto. Averiguou-se neste trabalho a influência de dois AA, um à base de PP e outro à base de EPDM, ambos graftizados com anidrido maleico (PAM e EAM, respectivamente), no comportamento térmico do composto PP∕FV. Os compostos PP30FV-AA foram preparados em extrusora dupla rosca ZSK 26, e posteriormente injetados em uma injetora Airburg para obtenção de corpos de prova utilizando teor fixo de 30% FV e teores de 0,5∕1,0∕2,0% AA. O PP e seus compostos foram caracterizados via microscopia óptica acoplada à placa Hot Stage, cristalização isotérmica e não isotérmica por calorimetria (DSC), resistência à deflexão térmica (HDT), morfologia da fratura (MEV) e comportamento viscoelástico (DMA) para analisar a influência do AA e da FV. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados estatisticamente via metodologia ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). O efeito sinérgico FV-AA na cristalização isotérmica do PP foi dependente da combinação temperatura-natureza-teor de AA, sendo a temperatura o fator preponderante. A interação interfacial entre a matriz- reforço foi substancialmente favorecida pelo PAM. O uso de EAM retardou a cristalização do PP, enquanto que o PAM favoreceu este processo. Constatou-se que o AA teve pouca influência no tempo de meia-vida de cristalização nas menores isotermas e, para isotermas mais próximas à fusão do PP, o PAM apresentou menores valores deste parâmetro. Os valores de deflexão térmica foram semelhantes para todas as formulações contendo PAM, enquanto que a adição de EAM decresceu esta propriedade. Em temperaturas inferiores à transição vítrea (Tg) do PP, todos os compostos com AA apresentaram menor módulo elástico em relação ao composto puro; em temperaturas superiores à Tg, o PAM favoreceu aumentou esta propriedade na faixa de temperatura em que o composto usualmente é utilizado. / Polypropylene (PP) features by its properties balance, price and large array of applications. However, its use as engineering component is limited by relative low mechanical properties. PP reinforcement improves its thermomechanical properties, turning it into suitable to produce engineering components as a reinforced thermoplastic composite. Glass fiber (GF) is the most usual reinforce utilized in PP due to its great specific mechanical strength elastic modulus and nucleation capability. In reason of different secondary bonds between PP and GF, it is mandatory to modify the interface between these domains through polymeric coupling agents (CA) to improve thermomechanical performance. It was evaluated the influence of two CA based on PP and EPDM grafted with maleic anhydride (PAM and EAM) on thermal behavior of PP∕GF composite. PP30GF-CA composites were prepared in a twin screw extrusor ZSK 26 and injected in an injector Airburg with fixed GF content (30%) and different CA contents (0.5∕1.0∕2.0%). PP and PP composites were analyzed by optical microscopy with Hot Stage, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization (DSC), as well as viscoelastic behavior. The results were statistically evaluated by ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) methodology. The synergic role between GF∕CA in PP crystallization was dependent on temperature-nature-CA content, mainly influenced by temperature. Interfacial adhesion was mainly favored by PAM. The results pointed a possible PP isotherm crystallization retardant by EAM, whereas PAM significantly favored this same process. CA presence in PP30GF composite did not influence crystallization half-life time values in lower isotherms, while in isotherms near PP melting temperature, PAM considerably decreased this parameter. Deflection thermal values were not affected by PAM, while EAM decreased this property in whole formulations. CA did not improved PP∕GF elastic modulus below PP glass transition (Tg), while in temperatures above Tg, PAM improved PP-GF this same parameter.

Com o intuito de elevar os valores de resistência à fratura dos dentes que sofreram tratamento endodôntico, várias técnicas restauradoras têm sido desenvolvidas. Atualmente os sistemas de pinos de fibras de carbono e de vidro são os dispositivos mais utilizados, devido às suas vantagens de possuírem módulo de elasticidade próximo ao da dentina, o que causa menor estresse e conseqüentemente menor quantidade de fraturas radiculares, além de não necessitarem da fase laboratorial. A escolha do cimento utilizado para a cimentação desses pinos, tem grande importância e o advento dos cimentos resinosos e dos sistemas adesivos que com eles podem ser empregados, representam uma grande evolução em razão das possibilidades de se obter retenções micromecânicas no interior dos condutos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência à extrusão de pinos de fibras de vidro cimentados com cimento resinoso Rely X ARC com a aplicação de três diferentes sistemas adesivos: Scotchbond, Single bond e Adper Prompt LPop. Após a cimentação os espécimes foram seccionados em duas regiões, apical e cervical, que constituía cada uma um corpo de prova. Para possibilitar a realização do teste de extrusão, utilizou-se um dispositivo de aço inoxidável que estabilizava o corpo de prova. Este dispositivo tinha um orifício central que permitia o deslocamento do pino ou do cimento, durante o teste de extrusão. Para o teste de extrusão o corpo de prova foi adaptado no dispositivo com a face cervical voltada para baixo e uma ponta ativa com extremidade plana (1mm de diâmetro) foi adaptada à máquina de ensaios universal que exercia uma força de extrusão o mais próximo possível do centro do pino. O teste foi realizado com um deslocamento de 0,5mm por minuto, onde a carga máxima de falha foi registrada em kgf. No que diz respeito ao cimento resinoso Rely X ARC, em combinação com os adesivos utilizados, os melhores resultados na região cervical da raiz foram obtidos com o cimento Rely X com o sistema adesivo Scotchbond, seguido pelos sistemas Adper Prompt e Single bond. Na região apical o Scotchbond foi melhor que o Adper Prompt e o Single bond, mas não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o Adper Prompt e Single bond. / In order to increase strength to fracture of endodontically treated teeth, a number of restorative techniques were developed. Nowadays, carbon and glass fiber post systems are the most used due to their advantages of modulus of lasticity similar to dentin, which lead to lower stress and consequently lower number of root fractures, besides no laboratorial work is needed. The choice of the best cement for luting these posts is an important step and the development of resin cements and adhesive systems that can be use with posts are a great evolution due to the possibility of micromechanical retention in roots. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate extrusion strength of glass fiber posts cemented with resin luting cement Rely X ARC using three different adhesive systems: Scothbond, Single bond and Adper Prompt L Pop. After luting, samples were seccionated in two regions, apical and cervical, each one representing one sample. A stainless steel device was used to perform extrusion test, stabilizing samples. This device had a central orifice that allowed movement of post or cement, during extrusion test. For extrusion test, sample was adapted in the device with cervical face directed to down and a plane surface active point (1 mm diameter) was adapted to the universal test machine which exerted an extrusion force in the center of post. Test was performed with 0.05 mm per minute and the maximum load at failure was registered in kgf. Regarding resin luting cement Rely X ARC combining with adhesive systems, the best results at cervical were obtained with Rely X and Scotchbond adhesive, followed by Adper Prompt and Single bond systems. At apical region Scotchbond was better than Adper Prompt and Single bond, but there was no statistically significant difference between Adper Prompt and Single bond.

No description available.

The objective of this study is to process and characterize the compatibilized blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polyamide-6 (PA6) using olefin based reactive copolymers and subsequently to utilize this blend as a matrix material in short glass fiber (SGF) reinforced composites and organoclay based nanocomposites by applying melt processing technique. In this context, commercially available epoxydized and maleated olefinic copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA) and ethylene-n butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide-maleic anhydride (EnBACO-MAH) were used as compatibilizers at different ratios. Compatibilizing performance of these two olefinic polymers was investigated through blend morphologies, thermal and mechanical properties as a function of blend composition and compatibilizer loading level. Incorporation of compatibilizer resulted in a fine morphology with reduced dispersed particle size. At 5 % EnBACO-MAH, the toughness was observed to be the highest among the blends produced. SGF reinforced ABS and ABS/PA6 blends were prepared with twin screw extrusion. The effects of SGF concentration and extrusion process conditions on the fiber length distribution, mechanical properties and morphologies of the composites were examined. The most compatible organosilane type was designated from interfacial tension and short beam flexural tests, to promote adhesion of SGF to both ABS and PA6. Increasing amount of PA6 in the polymer matrix improved the strength, stiffness and also toughness of the composites. Effects of compatibilizer content and ABS/PA6 ratio on the morphology and mechanical properties of 30% SGF reinforced ABS/PA6 blends were investigated. The most striking result of the study was the improvement in the impact strength of the SGF/ABS/PA6 composite with the additions of compatibilizer. Melt intercalation method was applied to produce ABS/PA6 blends based organoclay nanocomposites. The effects of process conditions and material parameters on the morphology of blends, dispersibility of nanoparticles and mechanical properties were investigated. To improve mixing, the screws of the extruder were modified. Processing with co-rotation yielded finer blend morphology than processing with counter-rotation. Clays were selectively exfoliated in PA6 phase and agglomerated at the interface of ABS/PA6. High level of exfoliation was obtained with increasing PA6 content and with screw speed in co-rotation mode. Screw modification improved the dispersion of clay platelets in the matrix.

In this study, effect of injection molding process parameters on fiber length and on mechanical properties of Polyamide-6 / glass fiber composite were investigated to produce higher performance composites. Polyamide-6 was first compounded with an E-grade glass fiber in a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder. Then, by using this composite, twenty-five types of experiments were performed by injection molding by changing the barrel temperature, injection pressure, hold pressure, mold temperature, cooling time and screw speed. Izod notched impact, tensile, viscosity, heat deflection temperature, differential scanning calorimetry tests were performed on injection molded samples. By performing these tests, the effects of process parameters on mechanical properties and on fiber length were observed. In order to understand the variation in mechanical properties, thermal tests were also conducted. Also, fiber length distributions of the samples were measured.Experimental data show that fiber breakage decreases with increasing screw speed, injection pressure, however, fiber length increases with increasing barrel temperature, mold temperature and cooling time. Fiber length is almost not affected with the hold pressure. It is assumed in this study that crystallinity is not affected with injection pressure, hold pressure and screw speed. As barrel temperature and cooling time increase, crystallinity increases, however, as mold temperature increases, crystallinity decreases. Impact strength, tensile modulus and tensile strength increase, whereas elongation at break decreases with the average fiber length. Crystallinity affects the tensile strength and modulus positively. The tensile strength and modulus increase with increasing crystallinity.