<p>Carbon-fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are often used in the aerospace and automotive  industries for their high strength-to-weight ratios and corrosion resistance. A new class of  composites – known as Prepreg Platelet Molded Composites (PPMCs) – offers further  advantageous such as high forming capabilities with modest compromises in strength and stiffness.  One such property of PPMCs that have garnered interest over the years is their apparent  insensitivity to notches. Previous studies have researched the effect of specimen size and platelet  length on its effect on the open-hole performance of PPMCs. Research however has focused on  thinner samples with smaller hole sizes and neglected thicker samples with larger holes.  Additionally, while platelet sizes have been investigated for unnotched samples, platelet width on  notched samples is less clear from the literature. The present thesis offers some investigations to  aid in filling this knowledge gap. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The objective of this work is to study two parameters that could influence the performance of PPMCs under open-hole tension. First, thick (7.6 mm) specimens are subjected to large hole  sizes (up to 19.08 mm) to investigate their behavior in comparison to the smaller sample sizes  previously investigated in the literature. Through-thickness DIC measurements are taken to  investigate strain gradients in these thicker specimens. Second, various platelet widths are tested  to research their influence on notch insensitivity of open-hole tensile PPMC specimens. Lastly, a  finite element based continuum damage mechanics model is implemented to predict macro-level  structural properties using only material properties of the parent prepreg. It is found that large holes  in thick samples increase notch sensitivity compared to other samples of similar diameter-to-width  ratios. Narrower platelets were found to produce higher unnotched strengths, while wider platelets  offered more notch insensitivity. Lastly, the finite element model developed was found to  qualitatively replicate features and failure modes that are exhibited by PPMCs, though strength  predictions became inaccurate at larger specimen sizes. Recommendations are made for future  work on the basis of these findings.   </p>

The transition of flight from manned to unmanned systems has led to new research and applications of technology within the field that, until recently, were previously thought to be unfeasible. The industry has become interested in alternative control surfaces and uses for smart materials. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC), a smart material, takes advantage of the piezoelectric effect and provides an attractive alternative actuator to servos in the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) regime of flight. This research looks to take MFC actuated control surfaces one step further by pulling inspiration from and avian flight. A dual mode control surface, created by applying two sets of two MFCs to patch of carbon fiber, can mimic the tip feathers of a bird. This actuator was modeled both using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Real-world static testing on a feather confirmed preliminary FEA results, and wind tunnel tests simulating assumed cruise conditions confirmed the feather would not exhibit any adverse structural behaviors, such as flutter or aeroelastic divergence. From its modeled performance on a wing using CFD, the MFC feather proved to be a success. It was able to produce a wing that, when compared to a traditional rectangular wing, yielded 73% less induced drag and generated proverse yaw. However, the MFC feathers alone, in the configuration tested, did not produce enough roll authority to feasibly control an aircraft. / Master of Science / The transition of flight from manned to unmanned systems has led to new research and applications of technology within the field that, until recently, were previously thought to be unfeasible. The industry has become interested in alternative control surfaces and uses for smart materials. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC), a smart material, takes advantage of a specific material property and provides an attractive alternative actuator to servos in the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) regime of flight. This research looks to take MFC actuated control surfaces one step further by pulling inspiration from and avian flight. A dual mode control surface, created by applying two sets of two MFCs to patch of carbon fiber, can mimic the tip feathers of a bird. This actuator was modeled both using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Real-world static testing on a feather confirmed preliminary FEA results, and wind tunnel tests simulating assumed cruise conditions confirmed the feather would not exhibit any adverse structural behaviors, such as flutter or aeroelastic divergence. From its modeled performance on a wing using CFD, the MFC feather proved to be a success. It was able to produce a wing that, when compared to a traditional rectangular wing, yielded 73% less induced drag and generated proverse yaw. However, the MFC feathers alone, in the configuration tested, did not produce enough roll authority to feasibly control an aircraft.

I dagsläget är de flesta broar i Sverige tillverkade med betong eller stål. Dessa broar är många gånger förknippade med stora kostnader som ofta beror på underhåll och reparation. FRP, som står för Fiber Reinforced Polymer, är ett relativt nytt material i bärande stommar men är ett väl etablerat material i förstärkningssammanhang. I Europa och i synnerhet Nederländerna finns det flertal broar byggda i FRP. Men på grund av brist på normer och regelverk att luta sig emot sker det sällan någon form av brokonstruktion med FRP i Sverige. Detta examensarbete syftar till att undersöka befintliga normer och studera hur materialet FRP används vid förstärkning och konstruktion av broar. Vidare syftar även arbetet till att undersöka egenskaperna hos FRP som byggmaterial och jämföra det med konventionella material som stål och betong. FRP, också benämnd fiberkomposit, är ett kompositmaterial som kan sammanställas på flera olika sätt. Genom olika material som kombineras och olika tillverkningsprocesser som används kan man på så sätt ge individuell utformning till materialet för dess användning. Fördelarna med FRP är många, men i allmänhet har det god styrka, god beständighet samtidigt som det har en låg vikt. Detta resulterar i att inom brokonstruktion så ger det strukturen en minskad egenvikt, vilket i sin tur underlättar en mängd olika saker. Detta arbete visar på att FRP-material har fördelaktiga egenskaper och kan i vissa situationer vara mer gynnsamt att använda än stål eller betong. Dock som tidigare påpekat saknas det specifika Eurokoder för detta material. Däremot är vi säkra på att introduktionen av en ny Eurokod samt med uppmuntran från myndigheter kommer användningen av FRP inom brokonstruktion utan tvekan öka. / At present, most bridges in Sweden are made with concrete or steel. These bridges are often associated with high costs, which often depend on maintenance and repair. FRP, which stands for Fiber Reinforced Polymer, is a relatively new material in load-bearing structures but is a well- established material in the context of reinforcement. In Europe and in particular the Netherlands, there are several bridges built in FRP. But due to a lack of norms and regulations to lean against, there is rarely any kind of FRP bridge construction in Sweden. The aim of this thesis is to examine existing norms and study how the material FRP is used in the reinforcement and construction of bridges. Furthermore, this thesis also aims to investigate the properties of FRP as building material and compare it with conventional materials such as steel and concrete. FRP, also called fiber-composite, is a composite material that can be assembled in several different ways. Through various materials that are combined and different manufacturing processes used, one can thus provide individual designs for the material. The benefits of FRP are many, but generally it has good strength, good durability while having a low weight. This results in that within bridge construction, it gives the structure a reduced self-weight, which in turn facilitates a variety of things. This thesis shows that FRP materials have advantageous properties and in some situations can be more favorable to use than steel or concrete. However, as previously pointed out, there are no specific Eurocodes for this material. However we are sure that the introduction of a new Eurocode and encouragement from authorities will undoubtedly increase the use of FRP in bridge construction.

[pt] A utilização de materiais de construção civil a base de cimento reforçado com fibras vem aumentando rapidamente nos últimos anos. No Brasil um vasto programa experimental para avaliar o comportamento mecânico desses materiais através de ensaios de flexão monotônicos e de compressão, vem sendo desenvolvidos na PUC/RIO desde 1979. Este trabalho procura dar continuidade a essa linha de pesquisa, sendo o primeiro a estudar o comportamento em fadiga de compósitos cimentícios reforçados com polpa de bambu, através de curvas de vida-fadiga S-N e da cinética de crescimento de trincas. As curvas S-N foram levantadas para compósitos entalhados e não entalhados, contendo 6% em massa de polpa em relação a massa de cimento. Essas curvas foram modeladas, com base nas propriedades mecânicas básicas levantadas nos ensaios de compressão e flexão. Com o objetivo de verificar a aplicabilidade da lei de Paris à cinética de crescimento de trincas de fadiga nesses compósitos, foi levantada a relação entre o comprimento da trinca a e o número de ciclos N durante a propagação estável da mesma, adotando-se teores de reforço de 6 e 14% em relação a massa de cimento. Finalmente as superfícies de fratura foram avaliadas por meio de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. / [en] The use of fiber reinforced cementious composites as construction materials in civil engineering has rapidly grown in the last few years. In Brasil, a large experimental program for evaluating the mechanical behavior of these materials has been developed in PUC-RIO since 1979. The present study has the purpose of evaluating the fatigue behavior of cementitious composites by means of determining the S-N curves for notched and unnotched specimens. The fatigue curves were modeled using basic mechanical properties determined by means of compression and slow bend tests. With the purpose of verifying the applicability of Paris law to the fatigue crack growth kinetics, the crack length was determined as a function of the number of cycles N during stable crack propagation, for composites containing 6% and 14% weight percentage of bamboo pulp relative to the weight of cement. Finally, the fracture surface was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy.

A lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sandwich panel has been developed for floor use in commercial office building construction. CFRP laminate skins were combined with low-density rigid polyurethane foam to create a composite sandwich panel suitable for floor use. The CFRP sandwich panel was optimized to withstand code prescribed office-building live loads using a 3D finite element computer program called SolidWorks. The thickness of the polyurethane foam was optimized to meet both strength and serviceability requirements for gravity loading. Deflection ultimately was the controlling factor in the design, as the stresses in the composite materials remained relatively low. The CFRP sandwich panel was then subjected to combined gravity and lateral loading, which included seismic loads from a fictitious 5-story office building located in a region of high seismic risk. The results showed that CFRP sandwich panels are a viable option for use with floors, possessing sufficient strength and stiffness for meeting code prescribed design loads, while providing significant benefits over traditional construction materials.

Hybrid composites forms an important field of research in the area of composite science and engineering as it gives the advantage of avoiding complex lay-up designs and provides better tuning compatibility to get desired properties in comparison with their mono-fiber counterpart. Further, utilization of composites for low temperature structures has been hindered by inconsistency of material property data and not much is reported on thermal characteristics of hybrid composites at cryogenic temperatures. This research work is focused on development of carbon-glass epoxy hybrid composite and to study the thermal behavior of these materials in comparison to its mono-fiber counterparts especially at cryogenic temperatures. The objectives are classified into the following three parts: Development of a hybrid composite with urethane modified epoxy matrix system (toughening agent used is Propyltrimethoxysilane (PTMO) and Toluene Di-Isocyanate (TDI) is added to get the polyurethane structure), for cryogenic applications. Study and understand the limitations and complexities of the experimental methodologies involved in evaluating the thermal properties of these materials namely thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion and specific heat. Finally to look into the appropriate theoretical calculations and experimental results to understand the variations, if any, for these materials. Specifically the following contributions are reported in this thesis: Evaluated the modified matrix system for its physical and mechanical properties at 20K. Specimens were prepared with D638 ASTM standard, modified to suit pin loading configuration in the cryostat/Instron machine. After assessing the suitability of the matrix system, mono fibre composites of different types were made and evaluated their thermal properties viz, coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and specific heat down to 20K. Based on the results of the above, a hybrid composite configuration was evolved which exhibits optimal thermal characteristics at low temperatures and its characterization for various thermal properties at cryogenic temperatures was carried out. Comparisons of the experimental results were made with macro-mechanical model and micro-mechanical model (rule of mixtures) of composite materials. The present work throws light to the fact that hybrid polymer matrix composites can very well be considered for cryogenic applications where the combination or trade off between properties like strength to conductivity ratio, modulus to conductivity ratio and low cost is to be made. The mechanical properties of hybrid composites also need to be studied to complement the study on thermal properties reported in this thesis. It is essential to have a complete understanding of behaviour of these materials at cryogenic temperatures with respect to both thermal and mechanical properties as it is evident from the available literature that the emerging demands are multi-disciplinary in nature. The present research work is aimed at highlighting the use of hybrid composites to achieve the desirable thermal properties and thereby inviting the attention of scientists and engineers who are engaged in the design of cost effective structures and appliances for cryogenic environments to focus on further research to develop

<div> <div> <div> <p>Composite materials have become widely used in engineering applications, in order to reduce the overall weight of structures while retaining their required strength. Due to their light weight, relatively high stiffness properties, and formability into complex shapes, discontinuous fiber composites are advantageous for producing small and medium size components. However, qualifying their mechanical properties can be expensive, and therefore there is a need to improve predictive capabilities to help reduce the overall cost of large scale testing. To address this challenge, a composite material consisting of discontinuous glass fibers in a polypropylene matrix is studied at the microstructural level through coupled experiments and simulations, in order to uncover the mechanisms that cause microvoids to initiate and progress, as well as certain fiber breakage events to occur, during macroscopic tension. Specifically, this work coupled in-situ X-ray micro computed tomography (μ-CT) experiments with a finite element simulation of the exact microstructure to enable a 3D study that tracked damage initiation and propagation, and computed the local stresses and strains in the microstructure. In order to have a comprehensive 3D understanding of the evolution of the microstructure, high fidelity characterization procedures were developed and applied to the μ-CT images in order to understand the exact morphology of the microstructure. To aid in this process, ModLayer - an interactive image processing tool - was created as a MATLAB executable, and the 3D microstructural feature detection techniques were compared to traditional destructive optical microscopy techniques. For damage initiation, this work showed how high hydrostatic stresses in the matrix can be used as a metric to explain and predict the exact locations of microvoid nucleation within the composite’s microstructure. From a damage propagation standpoint, matrix cracking - a mechanism that has been notably difficult to predict because of its apparent stochastic nature - was studied during damage propagation. The analysis revealed the role of shear stress in fiber mediated flat matrix cracking, and the role of hydrostatic stress in fiber-avoidance conoidal matrix cracking. Overall, a sub-fiber simulation and an in-situ experimental analysis provided the microstructural physical phenomena that govern certain damage initiation and progression mechanisms, further enabling the strength and failure predictions of short fiber thermoplastic composites. </p></div></div></div>

[pt] Este trabalho experimental tem como objetivo estudar a ductilidade de vigas retangulares de concreto armado reforçadas à flexão utilizando compósitos com tecido de fibras de carbono. No estudo realizado são apresentados os conceitos clássicos de ductilidade e é proposta uma nova sistemática para obtenção do índice de ductilidade, baseada nas considerações da energia elástica e da energia inelástica. A ductilidade é determinada por meio de um índice energético, que se caracteriza como uma forma mais eficiente para a determinação e análise da ductilidade em elementos estruturais. O programa experimental consistiu no ensaio de sete vigas bi-apoiadas, sendo uma viga de referência e as demais reforçadas à flexão com tecido de fibras de carbono. Todas as vigas possuem as mesmas características mecânicas e geométricas e foram dimensionadas de modo a garantir a ruptura por flexão. A viga de referência, a primeira ensaiada, não foi reforçada e serviu para comparações de incremento de rigidez e resistência após a aplicação do reforço. As vigas reforçadas foram divididas em dois grupos. O grupo A é constituído de duas vigas, reforçadas inicialmente com uma e duas camadas de tecido de fibra de carbono. O grupo B é constituído por quatro vigas que foram reforçadas após um carregamento inicial. Neste grupo, duas vigas foram reforçadas com uma camada de tecido de fibra de carbono e as outras duas foram reforçadas com duas camadas de tecido de fibras de carbono, correspondendo à mesma área total de reforço das anteriores. Todas as vigas foram concretadas, instrumentadas e ensaiadas no Laboratório de Estruturas e Materiais da PUC-Rio. Os ensaios das vigas do grupo B foram realizados com as vigas pré-ensaiadas, reforçadas sob deformação constante e em seguida levadas à ruptura. A deformação foi mantida constante durante a aplicação e o período de cura do reforço. Os resultados obtidos em termos de carga, flecha, momento, curvatura, ductilidade energética e rotação plástica foram analisados. Os estudos realizados mostraram que o reforço com compósitos de fibras de carbono é uma técnica eficaz, que as vigas apresentam ductilidade adequada e que os índices energéticos propostos são adequados para este tipo de estudo. / [en] The objective of this experimental work is to study the ductility of reinforced concrete beams strengthened in flexure using externally bonded carbon fiber fabric composites. This study presents the classic concepts of ductility and proposes a new systematic to obtain the ductility index, which is based on the considerations of elastic and inelastic energy. The ductility was determined by an energetic index, which has seen to be a more efficient method to establish and analyze the ductility of structural elements. The experimental program consisted of seven beams tests. One was used as a control beam without external reinforcement and the others were strengthened with carbon fibers in order to resist flexural load. All the beams had the same mechanical and geometrical characteristics and were designed to fail in flexure. The control beam was not strengthened and its purpose was to compare the stiffness increase and resistance after the strength. The strengthened beams were divided in two groups. Group A was constituted by two beams, initially strengthened by one and two layers of carbon fiber fabric. Group B was formed by four beams which were strengthened after the application of an initial load. In this group, two beams were strengthened by one layer of carbon fiber fabric and the other two were strengthened by two layers, which corresponded to the same area of the others. All the beams were cast, instrumented and tested in the Structural and Materials Laboratory at PUC-Rio. Group B tests were performed with the pretested beams strengthened under constant strain, and then loaded up to rupture. The strain was kept constant during the application and cure of the external reinforcement. The results obtained in terms of load, deflection, resistant moment, curvature, energetic ductility indexes and plastic rotation were analyzed. The study showed that the reinforcement using carbon fiber fabric composites is an efficient technique, the beams presented adequate ductility and the proposed energetic ductility indexes are consistent formulae for this kind of study.

[pt] Este trabalho de natureza experimental tem como objetivo estudar o comportamento de vigas de concreto submetidas à torção e reforçadas externamente com compósitos de fibras de carbono (CFC). Treze vigas de concreto com 2,0 m de comprimento e seção transversal de 30 cm х 60 cm foram testadas no Laboratório de Estruturas e Materiais do Departamento de Engenharia Civil (LEM/DEC) da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). As vigas foram divididas em quatro séries, sendo uma de referência, composta por quatro vigas sem reforço externo, e outras três séries constituídas por três vigas que foram reforçadas externamente com taxas crescentes de estribos de CFC. Com o propósito de estudar a contribuição do concreto e do reforço de CFC na resistência à torção de vigas, a armadura interna só foi colocada na região de aplicação de cargas e nos apoios para evitar a ruptura local e possibilitar o estudo da região central sem a parcela resistente devida à armadura interna de aço. Os resultados dos ensaios mostraram que as vigas reforçadas apresentaram aumento de carga de fissuração entre 16 por cento e 56 por cento e um acréscimo de resistência à ruptura entre 19 por cento e 47 por cento quando comparadas às vigas de referência. A rigidez das vigas na ruptura aumentou proporcionalmente ao crescimento da taxa de reforço como observado em outros ensaios encontrados na literatura. / [en] This research is an experimental study of torsion strengthening of concrete beams with carbon fibers composites. Thirteen concrete beams with 2.0 long and 30 x 60 cm cross section were tested in the Structures and Materials Laboratory of the Civil Engineering Department (LEM/DEC) of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). The beams were divided in four series, the first one was called the reference series and consisted of four beams without external strengthening and each of the other three series was composed of three beams strengthened with increasing rates of external carbon fibers composites stirrups. In oder to allow the study of the central region without the contribution of the steel reinforcement, the internal steel reinforcement was placed only at points of loads application and supports to prevent the local rupture. The tests results showed that the strengthened beams had an increase of the cracking load between 16 per cent and 56 per cent, and an increase of the rupture load between 19 per cent and 47 per cent when compared to the reference beams. The ultimate resistance of the beams increased proportionally to the rate of external carbon fibers composites strengthening, as was observed by other researchers.

This thesis was conducted to investigate the impacts of fiber composites on theenvironment. Composition, properties and application of fiber compositeswere also studied. On the basis of its application, taking into account previousstudies information was gathered related to impacts of these fiber composites.In order to study impacts of fiber composites in marine application a detailstudy was conducted where using the LCA method and Sima Pro softwarethree ship superstructures of the ship Stena Hollandica were compared. Thesewere steel superstructure, balsawood core superstructure and PVC foamsuperstructure. The results showed that over the lifecycle the impacts of PVCand balsawood superstructure were almost the same and were better than thesteel superstructure. The main contribution of impacts over the lifetime wasdue to the fuel consumed. When only the superstructure was consideredseparately from the life cycle the best choice was balsawood and the PVC foamsuperstructure had the most impacts. Overall it was found that balsawoodcould be considered as the best alternative as a material for the construction ofthis ship superstructure.