Rapid prototyping has in the last few years gained an ever increasing central role in projects thanks to its agile benefits. Because of that, boundaries regarding what can be accomplished can be pushed and new techniques for achieving goals can be explored at a reasonable cost. A challenge that remains though, is to be able to prototype rapidly with advanced materials such as fibre composites, in a cost effective and reliable manner. The Maritime Robotics Laboratory at KTH Royal Institute of Technology is developing an unmanned fixed-wing aerial vehicle that is also submersible and takes off from the water surface. The design for the craft is completely novel in order to meet the necessary requirements.  The goal of this master's thesis is to assist with the design of the craft in order to ensure its manufacturability. When the design was finished, a structural analysis of said design was performed, utilizing finite element software. This ensured that the correct amount of material was used, where it was needed. Lastly, and the main scope of this thesis, is the manufacture of the components which make up the craft. Several options were considered during the manufacturing process, like vacuum infusion and prepreg due to the varying size and complexity of all the components which are to be manufactured.  More conventional materials (such as medium density fibreboard) was decided upon when manufacturing the molds for the main airframe of the craft due to its sheer size. The method which was decided upon for building all auxiliary components was to use inexpensive 3D-printed polylactic acid molds, coated with glass fibre reinforce adhesive polytetrafluoroethylene film, in conjunction with a low-temperature prepreg. The trials eventually turned out successful and the components which were built using this technique came out according to their specified dimensions that were provided and in accordance to the structural analysis which was conducted. This is promising for rapid prototyping in where only entry-level composites manufacturing equipment is accessible. / "Rapid prototyping" (Snabb prototyptillverkning) har under de senaste åren fått en allt mer central roll i projekt tack vare dess agila fördelar. På grund av detta kan gränser för vad som kan åstadkommas tänjas på och nya tekniker för att uppnå mål kan undersökas till en rimlig kostnad. En utmaning som dock kvarstår är att snabbt kunna ta fram prototyper med avancerade material som fiberkompositer på ett kostnadseffektivt och pålitligt sätt. Maritime Robotics Laboratory vid KTH utvecklar en drönare som är nedsänkbar under vatten och lyfter från vattenytan. Designen för detta är helt ny för att uppfylla den önskade kravspecifikation. Målet med detta examensarbetet är att hjälpa till med utformningen av drönaren för att säkerställa dess tillverkbarhet. Designarbetet omfattar en strukturanalys med användning av finita elementmetoder. Detta för att säkerställa att rätt mängd material används där det behövs. Slutligen, och huvuduppgiften för detta projekt, är tillverkningen av de komponenter som utgör drönaren. Flera alternativ övervägdes under tillverkningsprocessen, som vakuuminjektion och prepreg på grund av den varierande storleken och komplexiteten hos alla komponenter som ska tillverkas. Mer konventionella material (som t.ex. medium density fibre, fiberspånskiva) valdes vid tillverkning av formarna för drönarens skrov på grund av dess stora storlek. Metoden som beslutades för att bygga alla hjälpkomponenter var att använda billiga 3D-printade polylaktid-formar, belagda med glasfiberarmerade självhäftande polytetrafluoreten-film, i kombination med en lågtemperatur prepreg. Försöken blev så småningom framgångsrika och komponenterna som byggdes med dessa metoder blev producerade enligt deras angivna dimensioner som gavs och i enlighet med den strukturella analys som utfördes. Detta är lovande för snabb prototyping där utrustning för produktion med kompositmaterial är begränsad till inträdesnivå.

Inledning: Kantbalkar på broar är en utsatt konstruktionsdel som ofta har beständighetsproblem och betongkantbalkar är svåra att utföra till den kvalitet som krävs. I denna studie undersöks möjligheten att byta ut den traditionella betongkantbalken till en fiberförstärkt polymerkomposit (FRP-komposit) med avseende på trafiksäkerhet, beständighet och lönsamhet. Studien omfattar endast brokantbalkar och inte hela brokonstruktioner. Metod: Studien omfattar litteraturstudie och beräkningar. Insamling av information till litteraturstudien sker genom sökning i forskningsdatabaser. Beräkningar utförs genom handberäkningar och med hjälp av programvara. FEM Design 17 används för att ta fram inre spänningar i konstruktionen och Granta EduPack används för att hitta material som uppfyller kraven. Beräkningar utförs i enlighet med Eurokoderna. Resultat: Spänningar i konstruktionen uppgick som högst till 151 MPa. De karakteristiska hållfasthetsvärdena i materialet behövde som högst motsvara minst 240 MPa när reduktionsfaktorer bestämts. Av totalt 782 tillgängliga FRP-kompositer i Granta EduPack fanns 18 som klarade samtliga krav på bärförmåga. Litteraturstudien fann flera tidigare studier där FRP-kompositer använts i brokonstruktioner med goda resultat angående beständighet och långsiktig lönsamhet.Diskussion och slutsatser: Flera antaganden gjordes i beräkningarna, vilka förenklar modellen och påverkar resultatets pålitlighet. Vidare påverkas resultatet av både konstruktionens design och profilers tjocklek. Resultatet av beräkningarna skulle dock kunna användas som en uppskattning av de hållfasthetsvärden som FRP-kompositer behöver uppnå i en kantbalkskonstruktion. Resultatet av litteraturstudien indikerar att en brokantbalk i FRPkomposit skulle vara fördelaktigt beständighetsmässigt, samt att det skulle kunna vara ekonomiskt lönsamt i längden, men det behövs vidare studier för att bekräfta detta. / Introduction: Edge girders on bridges are an exposed structural part that often has durability problems and concrete edge girders are difficult to produce to the required quality. In this study, the possibility of replacing the traditional concrete edge girder with a fibre reinforced polymer composite (FRP-composite) is investigated regarding traffic safety, durability, and profitability.The study covers only bridge edge girders and not entire bridge structures. Method: The study includes literature study and calculations. Collection of information for the literature study is done by searching in research databases. Calculations are performed by hand calculations and with the help of software. FEM Design 17 is used to produce internal stresses in the construction and Granta EduPack is used to find materials that meet the requirements. Calculations are conducted in accordance with the Eurocodes. Results: Stresses in the construction amounted to a maximum of 151 MPa. The characteristic strength values in the material had to correspond at most to at least 240 MPa when reduction factors were determined. Out of a total of 782 available FRP-composites in Granta EduPack, there were 18 that met all the load-bearing capacity requirements. The literature study found several previous studies where FRP-composites were used in bridge structures with good results regarding durability and long-term profitability. Discussion and conclusions: Several assumptions were made in the calculations, which simplify the model and affect the reliability of the results. Furthermore, the result if affected by both the design of the construction and the thickness of the profiles. However, the result of the calculations could be used as an estimate of the strength values that FRP-composites need to achieve in an edge girder construction. The results of the literature study indicate that a bridge edge girder in FRP-composite could be advantageous in terms of durability, and that it could be economically profitable in the long run, but further studies are needed to confirm this

[pt] Elementos de paredes finas com seções transversais abertas têm sido amplamente empregados em aplicações de engenharia. Embora as aplicações convencionais e os códigos de projeto se concentrem predominantemente em elementos de aço, observa-se um interesse crescente no uso de materiais alternativos, especialmente compósitos. Entre estes, polímeros reforçados com fibra (FRP) têm sido cada vez mais empregados devido às suas propriedades benéficas. No entanto, a natureza ortotrópica das colunas FRP, produzidas através de pultrusão, apresenta um desafio, uma vez que as prescrições convencionais de projeto para estruturas de aço não podem ser aplicadas diretamente. Assim, mais pesquisas são essenciais para fornecer normas de projeto confiáveis para membros estruturais em FRP. Entre as geometrias tradicionais de seção aberta, seções cantoneira têm sido comumente empregadas. Apesar de sua simplicidade geométrica, colunas com seção cantoneira apresentam uma flambagem estrutural e um comportamento dinâmico complexos, que decorre do fato de tais colunas apresentarem diferentes modos de deformação, função de suas propriedades geométricas e materiais, incluindo interação modal, principalmente entre os modos de flexão e torção. Este trabalho se concentra na investigação das características de flambagem e vibração de colunas pultrudadas FRP com seção cantoneira, abrangendo seções de abas iguais e desiguais, e abrangendo colunas curtas a longas. Para isso, são desenvolvidos modelos de dimensão reduzida (ROMs) baseados na teoria clássica não linear de placas (CPT) proposta por von Kármán. A seção cantoneira é modelada como duas placas, com restrições de continuidade imposta na ligação entre ambas. Utilizando o software GBTul, é conduzida uma investigação abrangente da participação modal nos modos de flambagem e vibração. Com base nesta análise, o campo de deslocamentos de cada placa para todos os ROMs é aproximado por funções de interpolação derivadas analiticamente, que são usadas para discretizar o sistema contínuo com base no método de Ritz. Pela aplicação do princípio de Hamilton, os problemas de autovalor e equações não lineares de movimento são derivados. São realizadas análises paramétricas dimensionais e adimensionais, com cargas críticas e frequências de vibração comparadas favoravelmente com os resultados do GBTul. Caminhos pós-flambagem são explorados resolvendo-se os sistemas de equações de equilíbrio não lineares para cada ROM. A influência dos parâmetros geométricos e materiais na rigidez pós-flambagem é investigada, juntamente com a sensibilidade às imperfeições geométricas iniciais. Finalmente, a estabilidade de colunas sob carregamento axial harmônico é avaliada resolvendo-se numericamente as equações não lineares de movimento usando-se o método Runge-Kutta de quarta ordem. As regiões de instabilidade paramétrica são determinadas em função da frequência e magnitude da força de excitação harmônica, considerando a influência do material, do amortecimento e da geometria da seção transversal. Os diagramas de bifurcação são obtidos empregando-se o método da força bruta e técnicas de continuação, esclarecendo as bifurcações associadas aos limites de instabilidade paramétrica. A evolução das bacias de atração de soluções coexistentes é investigada, proporcionando uma avaliação da integridade dinâmica. Os resultados demonstram que a coluna pode perder estabilidade sob níveis de carga bem abaixo da carga estática de flambagem e, portanto, os projetistas devem ter cautela ao trabalhar com essas estruturas sujeitas a cargas axiais variáveis no tempo. / [en] Thin-walled elements with open cross sections have been widely employed in engineering applications. While conventional applications and design codes predominantly focus on steel members, a growing interest has emerged in exploring alternative materials, particularly composites. Among these, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) has witnessed increased application owing to its advantageous properties. However, the orthotropic nature of FRP columns, produced through pultrusion, presents a challenge as conventional design prescriptions for structural steel cannot be directly applied. Thus, further research is essential to derive reliable design rules for FRP members. In the realm of traditional open section geometries, angle sections have been commonly employed. Despite their geometric simplicity, angles exhibit a complex structural buckling and dynamic behaviour which arises from the fact that such columns may undergo different deformation modes, according to their geometric and material properties, with modal interaction observed, particularly between flexural and torsional modes. This work focuses on investigating the buckling and vibration characteristics of pultruded FRP angle sections, encompassing both equal and unequal-leg sections, and spanning short to long columns. For this, reduced order models (ROMs) are developed based on the classical von Kármán nonlinear plate theory (CPT). The angle section is modelled as two plates, with continuity constraints considered at the common boundary. Utilizing GBTul software, a comprehensive investigation of modal participation in linear buckling and vibration modes is conducted. Based on this analysis, the plate displacement field for each ROM is approximated by suitable analytically derived interpolating functions, which are used to discretize the continuous system on the basis of the Ritz energy method. By application of Hamilton s principle, the eigenvalue problems and nonlinear equations of motion are derived. Parametric dimensional and nondimensional analyses are carried out, with critical loads and vibration frequencies compared favorably with GBTul results. Post-buckling paths are explored by solving the systems of nonlinear equilibrium equations for each ROM. The influence of geometric and material parameters on post-buckling stiffness is investigated, along with the sensitivity to initial geometrical imperfections. Finally, the stability of the columns under harmonic axial loading is assessed by numerically solving the nonlinear equations of motion using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Parametric instability regions are determined as a function of the frequency and magnitude of the harmonic excitation force, considering the influence of material, damping, and cross-sectional geometry. Bifurcation diagrams are obtained employing the brute force method and continuation techniques, clarifying the bifurcations associated to the parametric instability boundaries. The evolution of basins of attraction of coexisting solutions is investigated, providing an evaluation of dynamic integrity. The results demonstrate that the column may lose stability at load levels well below the static buckling loads and, therefore, designers must exercise caution when working with these structures subjected to time-varying axial loads.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Kimberly W. Kramer / Pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) shapes are gaining popularity in the construction industry. Pultruded FRP profiles introduce a new world of construction that could prove to be a viable option to traditional structural materials. The use of pultruded FRP profiles in structures is discussed in this report. First a brief history of FRPs and their applications are addressed before explaining in detail the two main components of FRP; fibers and resin. The manufacturing process known as pultrusion and how two separate materials become one structural member is examined. As a result of pultrusion, engineers and designers can create structural profiles in customizable shapes, sizes, and strengths to suit any project and price. Theoretically, a pultruded FRP profile can be customized to different strengths within the geometrical and material bounds of the profile; however, many manufacturers publish data regarding mechanical and thermal properties along with allowable loads for their nominal profiles. Currently, there are no governing codes or guidelines for pultruded FRPs but there are design manuals and handbooks published by various committees and manufacturers so the design of pultruded FRP profiles is discussed. Ultimate and serviceability limit states are design concerns that engineers always deal with but concerns of heat or fire, chemical or corrosion, and moisture affect pultruded FRPs differently than steel or wood. Pultruded FRPs pose interesting design concerns because increased customizability and workability means the member can be tailored to meet the needs for that project but that would counter the benefit of mass-produced nominal sizes. A lack of uniform codes and standards inhibits the growth of the pultrusion industry in the United States but codes developed in Europe along with the development of specialized agencies and organizations could help gain a foothold. Lastly, a set of beams varying in length and load exhibit a side-by-side comparison to examine how pultruded FRPs match up next to traditional building materials. Although wood, steel, and reinforced concrete have been the preferred materials of construction, pultruded FRP structural shapes are gaining popularity for its economical and physical advantages, and advances in manufacturing and technology stand to usher in the widespread use of pultruded FRP profiles.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Civil Engineering / Hayder Rasheed / The analysis of concrete columns using unconfined concrete models is a well established practice. On the other hand, prediction of the actual ultimate capacity of confined concrete columns requires specialized nonlinear analysis. Modern codes and standards are introducing the need to perform extreme event analysis. There has been a number of studies that focused on the analysis and testing of concentric columns or cylinders. This case has the highest confinement utilization since the entire section is under confined compression. On the other hand, the augmentation of compressive strength and ductility due to full axial confinement is not applicable to pure bending and combined bending and axial load cases simply because the area of effective confined concrete in compression is reduced. The higher eccentricity causes smaller confined concrete region in compression yielding smaller increase in strength and ductility of concrete. Accordingly, the ultimate confined strength is gradually reduced from the fully confined value fcc (at zero eccentricity) to the unconfined value f’c (at infinite eccentricity) as a function of the compression area to total area ratio. The higher the eccentricity the smaller the confined concrete compression zone. This paradigm is used to implement adaptive eccentric model utilizing the well known Mander Model and Lam and Teng Model. Generalization of the moment of area approach is utilized based on proportional loading, finite layer procedure and the secant stiffness approach, in an iterative incremental numerical model to achieve equilibrium points of P- and M- response up to failure. This numerical analysis is adaptod to asses the confining effect in circular cross sectional columns confined with FRP and conventional lateral steel together; concrete filled steel tube (CFST) circular columns and rectangular columns confined with conventional lateral steel. This model is validated against experimental data found in literature. The comparison shows good correlation. Finally computer software is developed based on the non-linear numerical analysis. The software is equipped with an elegant graphics interface that assimilates input data, detail drawings, capacity diagrams and demand point mapping in a single sheet. Options for preliminary design, section and reinforcement selection are seamlessly integrated as well. The software generates 2D interaction diagrams for circular columns, 3D failure surface for rectangular columns and allows the user to determine the 2D interaction diagrams for any angle  between the x-axis and the resultant moment. Improvements to KDOT Bridge Design Manual using this software with reference to AASHTO LRFD are made. This study is limited to stub columns.

Résumé : La technologie des armatures en matériaux composites de polymères renforcés de fibre (PRF) reste relativement récente (moins de 20 ans) et souffre d’une moins bonne réputation en termes de durabilité, ce qui tend à freiner son acceptation par les professionnels du secteur. Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire ont pour but d’étudier les effets de l’humidité et de l’alcalinité sur les performances mécaniques et thermomécaniques de barres d’armature en PRF. Si de nos jours l’évolution des propriétés des armatures de PRF a été largement étudiée par différents chercheurs, nous n’avons que peu d’informations sur les modes de dégradation qui entrainent ces pertes de performances. Le but des travaux entrepris dans ce mémoire est de trouver des pistes d’investigation pour la compréhension de ces mécanismes de dégradation qui pourraient éventuellement par la suite être reprises dans le cadre de travaux de thèse. Les travaux qui ont été entrepris s’articulent autour de deux projets. Le premier s’intéresse à l’étude du vieillissement accéléré de barres de polymère renforcé de fibres de verre (PRFV) de différents diamètres et soumis à un environnement humide. Le second s’intéresse à l’étude de barres de PRFV et de polymère renforcé de fibres de basalte (PRFB) de même diamètre soumis à un environnement alcalin qui simule le milieu interstitiel du béton. / Abstract : The FRP rebars technology remains relatively recent and suffers from a bad reputation in terms of durability which slows its acceptation among the professionals of the construction field. The aim of the work presented in this essay is to study the effects of moisture and alkalinity on the mechanical and thermo mechanical performances of FRP rebars. Nowadays, the progressions of FRP performances have been widely studied by different researchers but we still have few knowledge about the modes of degradation which lead to performance losses. The final goal of this work is to find investigation trails for the understanding of those degradation mechanisms which could possibly be taken over as part of a thesis work. The work is divided into two projects. The first one is the study of accelerated aging of glass fibers reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars, of different diameters, conditioned in a moist environment. The second one concerns the behavior of GFRP and basalt fibers reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebars, of same diameter, conditioned in an alkaline environment which simulates the interstitial solution of concrete.

La détérioration des infrastructures au Canada due à la corrosion des armatures est l'un des défis majeurs de l'industrie de la construction. Les progrès récents dans la technologie des polymères ont conduit au développement d'une nouvelle génération de barres d'armature à base de fibres renforcées de polymères (PRF), (en particulier les fibres de verre). Ces barres, résistant à la corrosion, ont montré un grand potentiel d'utilisation pour mieux protéger les infrastructures en béton armé contre les effets dévastateurs de la corrosion. Avec la publication du nouveau code S807-10 "Spécifications pour les polymères renforcés de fibres" et la production de barres en PRF de très haute qualité, celles-ci représentent une alternative réaliste et rentable par rapport à l'armature en acier pour les structures en béton soumises à de sévères conditions environnementales. La conception des éléments en béton armé de barres en PRF est généralement gouvernée par l'état de service plutôt que l'état ultime. Par conséquent, il est nécessaire d'analyser les performances en flexion et le comportement en service en termes de déflexion et de largeur de fissures des éléments en PRF sous charges de service et de vérifier que ces éléments rencontrent les limites des codes. Aussi, de récents développements dans l'industrie des PRF ont conduit à l'introduction des barres en PRF avec des configurations de surface et des propriétés mécaniques différentes. Ces développements sont susceptibles d'affecter leur performance d'adhérence et, par conséquent, la largeur des fissures dans les éléments en PRF. Cependant, les codes de conception et les guidelines de calcul fournissent une valeur unique pour le coefficient d'adhérence (k[indice inférieur b]) en tenant compte des configurations de surface et en négligeant le type de barre en PRF, le diamètre de la barre, et le type de béton et de sa résistance. En outre, le code canadien S807-10 "Spécifications pour les polymères renforcés de fibres" fournit une étape en classant les barres en PRF par rapport à leur module d'élasticité (E[indices inférieurs frp]). Ces classifications ont été divisées en trois classes : Classe I (E[indices inférieurs frp]<50 GPa), Classe II (50 GPa [plus petit ou égal] E[indices inférieurs frp]< 60 GPa) et Classe III (E[indices inférieurs frp] [plus grand ou égal] 60 GPa). Ce programme de recherche vise à étudier expérimentalement le comportement en flexion des éléments en béton en service armé avec différents paramètres sous charges statiques. Le programme expérimental est basé sous plusieurs paramètres, dont les différents ratios de renforcement, différents types de barres (différentes classes comme classifiées par le CAN/CSA S807-10), le diamètre et la surface de la barre, la configuration ainsi que la résistance du béton. De plus, les recommandations actuelles de design pour les valeurs de k[indice inférieur b] et la vérification de la dépendance des valeurs de k[indice inférieur b] sur le type de barres (verre ou carbone), le diamètre des barres et le type de béton et sa résistance ont été étudiées. Le programme expérimental comprenait la fabrication et les essais sur 33 poutres à grande échelle, simplement appuyées et mesurant 4250 mm de long, 200 mm de large et 400 mm de hauteur. Vingt et sept poutres en béton ont été renforcées avec des barres en PRF à base de verre, quatre poutres en béton ont été renforcées avec des barres de PRF à base de carbone, et deux poutres ont été renforcées avec des barres en acier. Toutes les poutres ont été testées en flexion quatre points sur une portée libre de 3750 mm. Les paramètres d'essai étaient: le type de renforcement, le pourcentage d'armature, le diamètre des barres, configurations de surface et la résistance du béton. Les résultats de ces essais ont été présentés et discutés en termes de résistance du béton, de déflection, de la largeur des fissures, de déformations dans le béton et l'armature, de résistance en flexion et de mode de rupture. Dans les trois articles présentés dans cette thèse, le comportement en flexion et la performance des poutres renforcées de barres en PRFV et fabriquées avec un béton normal et un béton à haute performance ont été investigués, ainsi que les différentes classes de barres en PRFV et leurs configurations de surface. Les conclusions des investigations expérimentales et analytiques contribuent à l'évaluation des équations de prédiction de la déflection et des largeurs de fissures dans les codes de béton armé de PRF, pour prédire l'état de service des éléments en béton renforcés de PRF (déflection et largeur de fissures). En outre, à la lumière des résultats expérimentaux de cette étude, les équations de service (déflection et largeur des fissures) incorporées dans les codes et guidelines de design [ACI 440.1R-06, 2006; ISIS Manual No.3, 2007; CAN/CSA-S6.1S1, 2010; CAN/CSA-S806, 2012] ont été optimisées. En outre, les largeurs de fissures mesurées et les déformations ont été utilisées pour évaluer les valeurs courantes de k[indice inférieur b] fournies par les codes et les guidelines de calcul des PRF. En outre, les conclusions ne prennent pas en charge la valeur unique de k[indice inférieur b] pour les barres en PRF de types différents (carbone et verre) avec des configurations de surface similaires et s'est avéré être dépendant du diamètre de la barre.

Strengthening of existing structures with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) is a method that has been more common in the building sector during the last decades. The materials strength in relation to its weight is a huge advantage but the lack of knowledge in the building sector results that professionals uses more proven materials such as steel to strength structures. In this report five minor projects in which steel was the strengthening material has been analysed to see if CFRP could be a competitive strengthening material considering mainly practical and economical aspects. The main purpose of this report was to evaluate when CFRP is the most suitable option for strengthening of concrete structures. The results showed that CFRP was applicable in every project but the total cost were higher comparing to the steel solution in four out of five projects. The results indicate that it is difficult to motivate CFRP regarding the economical aspect in relation to minor project that were evaluated in this report. Nevertheless, the tendency is that the advantages with CFRP is more useful when there are more comprehensive projects such as advanced steel works and when it is necessary to save room volumes.

The final thesis consists of three main parts, each covering a certain aspect of investigation. First chapter presents an extensive literature review, covering such aspects as: application of FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) materials in modern-day civil engineering, characteristics of FRP reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures, advantages and drawbacks of FRP rebars compared to traditional materials, peculiarities of flexural behavior of FRP reinforced members, review of existing empirical stress-strain calculation algorithms and building codes for concrete members reinforced with FRP. Second part aims at presenting gathered experimental data consisting of 51 FRP reinforced flexural members under 4 point bending scheme. Taking into account such parameters as reinforcement ratio, load intensity and elasticity modulus of FRP reinforcement, statistical analysis on a number of calculation algorithms and building codes is performed in order to evaluate their credibility and reliability for use in real-world structures. The final part of the work presents a Simplified Discrete Crack model developed in VGTU Department of Bridges and Special Structures. The model is applied for a series of collected beams. The results are compared with theoretical predictions made by different design codes and experimental values. The final thesis consists of: 90 pages of text (without appendixes), 46 pictures, 17 tables. 3 appendixes are included. Literature list consisting of 82... [to full text] / Baigiamąjį magistro darbą sudaro trys pagrindinės dalys. Pirmajame skyriuje pateikiama literatūros apžvalga, kurioje nagrinėjamos temos susijusios su pluoštinės armatūros panaudojimu lenkiamiems betoniniams elementams. Apžvelgiamos tokių elementų panaudojimo galimybės, privalumai ir trūkumai, deformacijų skaičiavimo metodai bei matematiniai modeliai. Antrajame skyriuje nagrinėjama surinkta polimerine armatūra armuotų sijų eksperimentinių duomenų imtis. Siekiant įvertinti skirtingų skaičiavimo metodų patikimumą ir pritaikomumą ne plienine armatūra armuotiems elementams, atliekama lyginamoji statistinė analizė. Jos metu įvertinama armavimo procento, apkrovimo lygio bei pluoštinės armatūros tamprumo modulio įtaka. Trečiojoje darbo dalyje surinktai eksperimentinių duomenų imčiai pritaikytas VGTU Tiltų ir Specialiųjų Statinių Katedroje sukurtas Diskrečiųjų plyšių modelis. Gautos priklausomybės palygintos su kitų skaičiavimo normų rezultatais bei eksperimentiniais duomenimis. Gauti rezultatai parodė, kad pritaikius tikslesnius praslydimo bei armatūros ir betono sąveikos ruožuose tarp plyšių modelius, diskrečiųjų plyšių modelis gali būti sėkmingai taikomas polimerine armatūra armuotų elementų elgsenai prognozuoti.

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) have gained considerable popularity as a building and repair material. In particular, FRPs have been an economical means of extending the life of structures. As time passes, an increased number and variety of new and old structures are incorporating FRPs as reinforcement and for rehabilitation. Perhaps most common are their applications for bridge structures. Much of the reluctance towards the inclusion of FRP as primary reinforcement or as a rehabilitation measure in building structures is due to its poor performance in fires. In order to move forward with an understanding of how FRP may overcome its temperature-related short comings, it is important to explore the behaviour of FRP, and structures which utilize FRP for reinforcement, at elevated temperatures. The results of a testing program including eleven high temperature, two room temperature intermediate-scale, FRP-strengthened, and one unstrengthened reinforced concrete beam tests are presented. The elevated temperature tests were conducted on both un-post-cured and post-cured FRP strengthening at temperatures up to 211°C. The tests also utilized a novel method for heating and post-curing FRP-strengthening in place. The strengthened beams exhibited strength gains above the unstrengthened reference beam, and it has been demonstrated that post-curing of an FRP system can be effective at increasing an FRP’s performance at elevated temperatures. Exposed to constant temperatures, un-post-cured specimens still exhibited substantial FRP strength at exposure temperatures up to Tg+79°C. Post-cured specimens exhibited similar performance at temperatures of Tg+43°C. The transient temperature tests resulted in ii beam failure at an average temperature of 186°C and 210°C for un-post-cured and post-cured FRP strengthening respectively at a constant applied load level 93% of that of the room temperature strengthened control beam. The results of this testing program demonstrate that FRP strengthening can remain effective when exposed to temperatures well above the measured value of Tg. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-02-28 15:14:31.336