O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, in vitro, a influência de diferentes preparos dentais e dois diferentes tipos de cerâmica, sobre a resistência à fratura e o vedamento marginal de dentes restaurados com facetas laminadas. Foram utilizados 56 incisivos centrais, divididos em 7 grupos (incluindo grupo controle de dentes hígidos), diferenciados pelo preparo: preparos tipo janela, preparos com término em bordo reto e preparos com término em bordo envelopado e cerâmica utilizada: feldspática (Vita VM7 – Vita) e à base de dissilicato de lítio (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Os dentes foram preparados com pontas diamantadas de forma padronizada, conforme os grupos acima, após foram moldados com silicona de adição para confecção dos laminados com os materiais citados. Após a cimentação dos laminados com cimento resinoso, os espécimes foram termociclados e moldados novamente para obtenção de réplicas em resina epóxi que foram avaliadas quanto à presença de fenda marginal em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os espécimes (dentes restaurados) foram submetidos ao teste de resistência à fratura em máquina de ensaio universal com velocidade de 1 mm/min. Os resultados foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente pelos testes ANOVA e Qui², com nível de significância de 5%. O grupo controle apresentou a maior resistência à fratura. A resistência dos dentes restaurados com laminados foi influenciada significativamente pelo tipo de preparo (p=0,03) e pelo tipo de cerâmica (p=0,011) empregados. Quando comparados os dois tipos de cerâmica empregados, o desempenho superior foi para o sistema cerâmico à base de dissilicato de lítio, quando da presença de bordos reto e envelope. Com relação aos preparos, houve diferença para as cerâmicas feldspáticas, sendo superior o preparo janela. Para a avaliação de vedamento marginal, os grupos com preparo em bordo reto e envelopado associados à cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio não apresentaram fendas marginais. Porém, o grupo com preparo do tipo janela e cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio e o grupo com preparo em bordo reto e cerâmica feldspática apresentaram 75% de fendas presentes. Conclui-se que quando a cerâmica utilizada for feldspática, o preparo janela apresentou melhor resistência à fratura. Por outro lado, se a cerâmica utilizada for à base de dissilicato de lítio, o tipo de preparo não influenciou na resistência. Os laminados confeccionados com a cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio associados ao tipo de preparo reto ou envelopado apresentaram ausência de fenda (100%) e melhores resultados em relação à resistência à fratura para estes tipos de preparo. / The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the influence of different dental tooth preparations and two different types of ceramics on the fracture resistance and marginal sealing of teeth restored with veneers. 56 central incisors were divided into 7 groups (including the control group of sound teeth), by preparation: according to window, ending in straight edge and ending in overlap and ceramic used: feldspathic (Vita VM7 – Vita) and lithium disilicate (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Teeth were prepared with diamond burs in a standardized manner, according above groups and were impressed with vinyl polysiloxane for the fabrication of veneers with the materials cited. After cementation of veneers with resin cement, specimens were thermocycled and molded again to obtain replicas in epoxy resin that were evaluated for the presence of marginal gap in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specimens (restored teeth) were tested for resistance to fracture in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm / min. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Chi square test, with a significance level of 5%. The control group showed the highest fracture resistance. Restored teeth resistance was significantly influenced by the type of preparation (p = 0.03) and the ceramic type (p = 0.011). When comparing the two ceramic types, the superior performance was optained with lithium disilicate ceramic, associated with straight edges and overlap preparations. Regarding preparations showed differences within the feldspathic ceramics, being higher for the window preparation. Regarding marginal sealing, groups with board preparation in straight and overlap associated with lithium disilicate ceramic showed no marginal gaps. However, the group with window preparation and lithium disilicate ceramic and group preparation on board straight and feldspathic ceramic showed 75% of gap presence. It is concluded that when the ceramic used was felsdpathic the window preparation showed better fracture resistance. On the other hand, if the ceramic used was lithium disilicate, the type of preparation didn’t influence the fracture resistance. Laminates made with lithium disilicate ceramic associated with in straight or overlap preparation showed no gap formation (100%), presented the best results in relation to fracture resistance.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, in vitro, a influência de diferentes preparos dentais e dois diferentes tipos de cerâmica, sobre a resistência à fratura e o vedamento marginal de dentes restaurados com facetas laminadas. Foram utilizados 56 incisivos centrais, divididos em 7 grupos (incluindo grupo controle de dentes hígidos), diferenciados pelo preparo: preparos tipo janela, preparos com término em bordo reto e preparos com término em bordo envelopado e cerâmica utilizada: feldspática (Vita VM7 – Vita) e à base de dissilicato de lítio (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Os dentes foram preparados com pontas diamantadas de forma padronizada, conforme os grupos acima, após foram moldados com silicona de adição para confecção dos laminados com os materiais citados. Após a cimentação dos laminados com cimento resinoso, os espécimes foram termociclados e moldados novamente para obtenção de réplicas em resina epóxi que foram avaliadas quanto à presença de fenda marginal em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os espécimes (dentes restaurados) foram submetidos ao teste de resistência à fratura em máquina de ensaio universal com velocidade de 1 mm/min. Os resultados foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente pelos testes ANOVA e Qui², com nível de significância de 5%. O grupo controle apresentou a maior resistência à fratura. A resistência dos dentes restaurados com laminados foi influenciada significativamente pelo tipo de preparo (p=0,03) e pelo tipo de cerâmica (p=0,011) empregados. Quando comparados os dois tipos de cerâmica empregados, o desempenho superior foi para o sistema cerâmico à base de dissilicato de lítio, quando da presença de bordos reto e envelope. Com relação aos preparos, houve diferença para as cerâmicas feldspáticas, sendo superior o preparo janela. Para a avaliação de vedamento marginal, os grupos com preparo em bordo reto e envelopado associados à cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio não apresentaram fendas marginais. Porém, o grupo com preparo do tipo janela e cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio e o grupo com preparo em bordo reto e cerâmica feldspática apresentaram 75% de fendas presentes. Conclui-se que quando a cerâmica utilizada for feldspática, o preparo janela apresentou melhor resistência à fratura. Por outro lado, se a cerâmica utilizada for à base de dissilicato de lítio, o tipo de preparo não influenciou na resistência. Os laminados confeccionados com a cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio associados ao tipo de preparo reto ou envelopado apresentaram ausência de fenda (100%) e melhores resultados em relação à resistência à fratura para estes tipos de preparo. / The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the influence of different dental tooth preparations and two different types of ceramics on the fracture resistance and marginal sealing of teeth restored with veneers. 56 central incisors were divided into 7 groups (including the control group of sound teeth), by preparation: according to window, ending in straight edge and ending in overlap and ceramic used: feldspathic (Vita VM7 – Vita) and lithium disilicate (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Teeth were prepared with diamond burs in a standardized manner, according above groups and were impressed with vinyl polysiloxane for the fabrication of veneers with the materials cited. After cementation of veneers with resin cement, specimens were thermocycled and molded again to obtain replicas in epoxy resin that were evaluated for the presence of marginal gap in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specimens (restored teeth) were tested for resistance to fracture in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm / min. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Chi square test, with a significance level of 5%. The control group showed the highest fracture resistance. Restored teeth resistance was significantly influenced by the type of preparation (p = 0.03) and the ceramic type (p = 0.011). When comparing the two ceramic types, the superior performance was optained with lithium disilicate ceramic, associated with straight edges and overlap preparations. Regarding preparations showed differences within the feldspathic ceramics, being higher for the window preparation. Regarding marginal sealing, groups with board preparation in straight and overlap associated with lithium disilicate ceramic showed no marginal gaps. However, the group with window preparation and lithium disilicate ceramic and group preparation on board straight and feldspathic ceramic showed 75% of gap presence. It is concluded that when the ceramic used was felsdpathic the window preparation showed better fracture resistance. On the other hand, if the ceramic used was lithium disilicate, the type of preparation didn’t influence the fracture resistance. Laminates made with lithium disilicate ceramic associated with in straight or overlap preparation showed no gap formation (100%), presented the best results in relation to fracture resistance.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, in vitro, a influência de diferentes preparos dentais e dois diferentes tipos de cerâmica, sobre a resistência à fratura e o vedamento marginal de dentes restaurados com facetas laminadas. Foram utilizados 56 incisivos centrais, divididos em 7 grupos (incluindo grupo controle de dentes hígidos), diferenciados pelo preparo: preparos tipo janela, preparos com término em bordo reto e preparos com término em bordo envelopado e cerâmica utilizada: feldspática (Vita VM7 – Vita) e à base de dissilicato de lítio (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Os dentes foram preparados com pontas diamantadas de forma padronizada, conforme os grupos acima, após foram moldados com silicona de adição para confecção dos laminados com os materiais citados. Após a cimentação dos laminados com cimento resinoso, os espécimes foram termociclados e moldados novamente para obtenção de réplicas em resina epóxi que foram avaliadas quanto à presença de fenda marginal em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os espécimes (dentes restaurados) foram submetidos ao teste de resistência à fratura em máquina de ensaio universal com velocidade de 1 mm/min. Os resultados foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente pelos testes ANOVA e Qui², com nível de significância de 5%. O grupo controle apresentou a maior resistência à fratura. A resistência dos dentes restaurados com laminados foi influenciada significativamente pelo tipo de preparo (p=0,03) e pelo tipo de cerâmica (p=0,011) empregados. Quando comparados os dois tipos de cerâmica empregados, o desempenho superior foi para o sistema cerâmico à base de dissilicato de lítio, quando da presença de bordos reto e envelope. Com relação aos preparos, houve diferença para as cerâmicas feldspáticas, sendo superior o preparo janela. Para a avaliação de vedamento marginal, os grupos com preparo em bordo reto e envelopado associados à cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio não apresentaram fendas marginais. Porém, o grupo com preparo do tipo janela e cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio e o grupo com preparo em bordo reto e cerâmica feldspática apresentaram 75% de fendas presentes. Conclui-se que quando a cerâmica utilizada for feldspática, o preparo janela apresentou melhor resistência à fratura. Por outro lado, se a cerâmica utilizada for à base de dissilicato de lítio, o tipo de preparo não influenciou na resistência. Os laminados confeccionados com a cerâmica à base de dissilicato de lítio associados ao tipo de preparo reto ou envelopado apresentaram ausência de fenda (100%) e melhores resultados em relação à resistência à fratura para estes tipos de preparo. / The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the influence of different dental tooth preparations and two different types of ceramics on the fracture resistance and marginal sealing of teeth restored with veneers. 56 central incisors were divided into 7 groups (including the control group of sound teeth), by preparation: according to window, ending in straight edge and ending in overlap and ceramic used: feldspathic (Vita VM7 – Vita) and lithium disilicate (IPS Empress II – Ivoclar Vivadent). Teeth were prepared with diamond burs in a standardized manner, according above groups and were impressed with vinyl polysiloxane for the fabrication of veneers with the materials cited. After cementation of veneers with resin cement, specimens were thermocycled and molded again to obtain replicas in epoxy resin that were evaluated for the presence of marginal gap in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specimens (restored teeth) were tested for resistance to fracture in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm / min. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Chi square test, with a significance level of 5%. The control group showed the highest fracture resistance. Restored teeth resistance was significantly influenced by the type of preparation (p = 0.03) and the ceramic type (p = 0.011). When comparing the two ceramic types, the superior performance was optained with lithium disilicate ceramic, associated with straight edges and overlap preparations. Regarding preparations showed differences within the feldspathic ceramics, being higher for the window preparation. Regarding marginal sealing, groups with board preparation in straight and overlap associated with lithium disilicate ceramic showed no marginal gaps. However, the group with window preparation and lithium disilicate ceramic and group preparation on board straight and feldspathic ceramic showed 75% of gap presence. It is concluded that when the ceramic used was felsdpathic the window preparation showed better fracture resistance. On the other hand, if the ceramic used was lithium disilicate, the type of preparation didn’t influence the fracture resistance. Laminates made with lithium disilicate ceramic associated with in straight or overlap preparation showed no gap formation (100%), presented the best results in relation to fracture resistance.

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is a composite material made of fibers that carry tensile loads embedded in a polymeric matrix. Externally bonded FRP retrofits of reinforced concrete elements provide an efficient, economical, and accepted method of mitigating deficiencies related to seismic and blast loads, as well as addressing corrosion-related issues. FRPs retrofits are widely regarded as cost effective as the cost associated with retrofit installation and facility down-time are usually less than similar retrofit systems. Besides issues of bond and anchorage between the FRP and the substrate, the main disadvantage of FRP materials is that they behave in a brittle, linear elastic manner. As a result, strengthening concrete structures with FRP may introduce new and undesirable behaviors that are mitigated by design codes through strict strain limits. Because FRP is designed for very low strain levels to prevent brittle rupture and unpredictable debonding, buildings and bridges are strengthened in such a way that restricts their energy dissipation capacity at the ultimate limit state. This runs counter to the structural design philosophy of new buildings where the design objective is to develop significant plastic deformation to dissipate energy. An ideal composite material for infrastructure strengthening is one that combines the ease of application of FRP rehabilitation systems with the ability of ductile metals to yield under relatively large strains to provide energy dissipation and ensure ductile behavior. Known as a fiber metal laminate (FML), the aerospace industry has successfully developed a composite consisting of thin metal sheets alternatively bonded to epoxy saturated fiber fabric that is widely used to construct aircraft fuselages and wings. Unlike FRP, FML composites possess a well-defined yield point and exhibit inelastic behavior. However, aerospace grade FML composites cannot directly be applied to building and bridges because they: (i) were developed for low-stress fatigue resistance rather than performance near ultimate stress; (ii) are precisely manufactured to unnecessarily tight tolerances by civil construction standards; and (iii) are not economical compared with current FRP strengthening techniques. Therefore, developing a multifunctional civil engineering composite material based on FML theory would unlock opportunities related to plastic design, energy dissipation, and other mechanisms not currently possible with FRP. This dissertation presents a comprehensive study on the use FML jackets to enhance the strength and ductility of concrete cylinders. The confinement effect and failure mechanisms of FML confined concrete were analyzed for a range of experimental parameters, including the effect of the number of layers, the fiber orientation, and fabric architecture of the FML jackets. The experimental program was divided into two phases. The first phase consisted of a series of uniaxial tension coupon tests to investigate how the stacking arrangement of various E-glass fabrics and aluminum sheets could be tuned to control the yield strength, post-yield stiffness, and ductility characteristics of the FML lay-ups. Mechanical roughening of aluminum sheets and the addition of a bond enhancement agent to the resin system was found to enhance the interlayer bonding and splice capacity of metal and fiber layers. The results demonstrated that FML coupons with [±45°] glass fabrics exhibited pseudo-elastic-plastic stress-strain response, while coupons with [0°] and [0°/90°] fabrics exhibited strain hardening after yielding of aluminum layers. Furthermore, the ratio of the relative contribution of composite layers to the total elastic stiffness of the FML composites was found to be a good indicator of the mechanical properties and shape of the uniaxial stress-strain response of the FML lay-ups. An analytical model based on the Rule of Mixtures (ROM) was used to predict the tensile behavior of the FML coupons. The second phase consisted of axial compression testing of concrete cylinders confined by FML jackets to investigate the influence of various lay-up schemes on the strength and ductility of the confined concrete. Cylinders jacketed with FML showed a significant increase in their strength and ductility. The degree of strain-softening response, maximum strength, peak strain, ultimate deformation, and energy dissipation capacity of the FML confined concrete was found to be controlled by the pseudo-ductile stress-strain response of the FML jackets. FML lay-ups which exhibited strain hardening uniaxial behavior tended to produce greater enhancements in confined concrete strength and steeper strain softening response than FML lay-ups which exhibited pseudo-elastic-plastic uniaxial behavior. Furthermore, FML confined concrete showed improved performance, compared to FRP confined concrete, in terms of confined concrete behavior and failure mode. Finally, the project also demonstrated that an in-situ, hand lay-up preparation procedure for FML jackets provided a level of performance and construction tolerance suitable for use in civil infrastructure applications. Although the results of this study encourage the use of FML as a viable substitute to FRP for retrofitting deficient concrete members, further research is recommended on large-scale columns to verify the feasibility of this innovative retrofit technique. / Doctor of Philosophy / Glass fiber fabrics infused with epoxy resin can be wrapped around concrete cylinders to create a form of confinement jacket that enhances the strength and ductility of the concrete. The cured fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite will resist the lateral expansion of the cylinder when it is subject to axial compression. The resistance action works in the form of an external confining pressure developed by jacket and applied to the surface of the cylinder. The increase in confinement pressure is proportional to the lateral expansion of the cylinder which creates hoop strains in the jacket material. The FRP jacket will rupture suddenly when the jacket reaches its ultimate strain capacity, causing the confined cylinder to fail in an explosive manner. FRP composites are often used to repair and strengthen structures suffering from performance deficiencies. However, the brittle mode of failure of FRP is undesirable because it can occur suddenly and without warning. An ideal composite for infrastructure strengthening applications is one that combines the ease of application of FRP rehabilitation systems with the ability of ductile metals to yield under large strains to provide energy dissipation and ensure ductile behavior. The objective of this research was to investigate the strength and ductility of concrete cylinders confined by fiber metal laminates (FML), a composite material consisting of thin aluminum sheets alternatively bonded to layers of glass fiber fabrics. Axial compression testing of concrete cylinders confined by FML jackets was performed to investigate the influence of various FML lay-up schemes on the strength and ductility of the confined cylinders. Concrete cylinders jacketed with FML showed a significant increase in strength and ductility. FML lay-ups which exhibited strain hardening uniaxial behavior tended to produce greater enhancements in confined concrete strength and steeper strain softening response than FML lay-ups which exhibited pseudo-elastic-plastic uniaxial behavior. Furthermore, FML confined concrete showed improved performance, compared to FRP confined concrete, in terms of confined concrete behavior and failure mode. Although the results of this study encourage the use of FML as a viable substitute to FRP for retrofitting deficient concrete members, further research is recommended on large-scale columns to verify the feasibility of this innovative retrofit technique.

The magnetoelectric (ME) effect, i.e., the induction of magnetization by an applied electric field (E) or a polarization by an applied magnetic field (H), is of great interest to researchers due to its potential applications in magnetic sensors. Moreover, the ME effect in laminate composites is known to be much higher than in single phase and particulate composites due to combination of the magnetostrictive and piezoelectric effects in the individual layers. Given that the highest ME coefficient have been found in Metglas/piezo-fiber laminate composites, this study was designed to investigate and enhance the magnetoelectric (ME) effect in Metglas/piezo-fiber laminate composites, as well as develop their potential for magnetic sensor applications. To initiate this investigation, a theoretical model was derived to analyze the thickness effect of the magnetostrictive, piezoelectric, epoxy and Kapton layers on the ME coefficient. As a result, the importance of the coupling effect by epoxy layers was revealed. I used spin-coating, vacuum bagging, hot pressing, and screen printing techniques to decrease the thickness of the epoxy layer in order to maintain homogeneity, and to obtain good repeatability of the 16 ME laminates fabricated at one time. This protocol resulted in a more efficient way to induce self-stress to Metglas/PZT laminates, which is essential for increasing the ME coefficient. With an enhanced ME effect in the Metglas/piezo-fiber laminates, magnetic field sensitivity could then be increased. An ME sensor unit, which consisted of a Metglas/PMN-PT laminate and a low noise charge amplifier, had a magnetic field sensitivity of 10 pT/Hz0.5 in a well-shielded environment. Stacking four of these ME laminates could further increase the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. I studied the optimized distance between a pair of Metglas/PZT ME laminates. A stack of up to four ME sensors was constructed to decrease the equivalent magnetic noise. The magnetic field sensitivity was effectively enhanced compared to a single laminate. Finally, a number of four Metglas/PZT sensor units array was constructed to further increase the sensitivity. ME laminate composites operated in passive mode have typically required an external magnetic bias field in order to maximize the value of the piezomagnetic coefficient, which has many drawbacks. I studied the ME effect in an Ni/Metglas/PZT laminate at zero bias field by utilizing the remnant magnetization between the Ni and Metglas layers. To further enhance this effect, annealed Metglas was bonded on the Metglas/PZT laminate since it is known that hard-soft ferromagnetic bilayers generate built-in magnetic field in these Metglas layers. As a result, giant αME values could be achieved at a zero bias field at low frequency range or at electromechanical resonance (EMR). The sensor unit consisting of self-biased ME laminate arrays is considerably smaller compared to a unit that uses magnet-biased ME laminates. Introducing the converse ME effect and nonlinear ME effect in Metglas/piezo-fiber laminates affords a variety of potential applications. Therefore, I theoretically and experimentally studied converse ME effects in laminates with longitudinally magnetized and longitudinally poled, or (L-L) mode. The optimum structure for producing the maximum effect was obtained for Metglas/PZT laminates. Additionally, the optimum structure and materials for enhancing the nonlinear ME effect in Metglas/PZT laminates are reviewed herein. In particular, this study revealed that modulating the EMR in laminates with high-Q piezo-fibers could enhance the SNR. The stress effect on nonlinear ME effect is also discussed—namely that magnetic field sensitivities can be enhanced by this modulation-demodulation technique. / Ph. D.

Increased understanding of the mechanisms that operate in conjunction with the welding of metal surfaces may help to improve existing manufacturing processes, and to enable new products and combinations of materials. The purpose of the project has therefore been to acquire a deeper understanding of what is happening in the bond for steel and for the factors that form the basis for a bond to develop between metals in the production of laminates by pressing. The merge has been done by pressing and the surfaces after the experiments have been studied in detail in the scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and with interferenceprofilometry in Wyko, to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms that influence the bonding in the interface between metals.   The project was limited to contain the materials Docol 1000, HyTens 1200, Aluminum AA3003 and a commercial steel. The parameters varied in the experiments to study their influence closer are temperature, pressure, heat treatment and pretreatment. This has been implemented by pressing with varying temperature and pressure. The materials have been pressed at room temperature or heated in an oven at 300 or 600 degrees and pressed immediately after the levying. Pretreatment was done by cleaning in acetone followed by either brushing or sandblasting alternatively no pretreatment have been done at all. The result was that the increased pressure and increased temperature increases the chance of joining by pressing. Pressing at slightly elevated temperature (about 100-250 degrees, depending on the material) makes bonding possible for metals which are not joined together at room temperature. Pretreatment by sandblasting gives a rougher and more riddled surface than brushing. At the cracking in the oxide layer at the pressing, wells new clean metal into between the oxides to the surface. When the new material reaches the surface, a joint can be made with the opposite clean material. The clean metal that wells up, then flows in a pattern which presses down the oxide in the material, away from the surface. This is done so more clean material can come to the surface and a finer binding can be obtained.

To meet the need of lightweight chassis in the near future, a technological step of introducing anisotropic materials like Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) in structural parts of cars is a possible way ahead. Though there are commercially available tools to find suitability of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) and their orientations, they depend on numerical optimization and complexity increases with the size of the model. Nevertheless, the user has a very limited control of intermediate steps. To understand the type of material system that can be used in different regions for a lightweight chassis, especially during the initial concept phase, a more simplified, yet reliable tool is desirable.The thesis aims to provide a framework for determining fibre orientations according to the most-ideal loading path to achieve maximum advantage from FRP-materials. This has been achieved by developing algorithms to find best-fit material orientations analytically, which uses principal stresses and their orientations in a finite element originating from multiple load cases. This thesis takes inspiration from the Durst criteria (2008) which upon implementation provides information on how individual elements must be modelled in a component subjected to multiple load cases. This analysis pre-evaluates the potential of FRP-suitable parts. Few modifications have been made to the existing formulations by the authors which have been explained in relevant sections.The study has been extended to develop additional MATLAB subroutines which finds the type of laminate design (uni-directional, bi-axial or quasi-isotropic) that is suitable for individual elements.Several test cases have been run to check the validity of the developed algorithm. Finally, the algorithm has been implemented on a Body-In-White subjected to two load cases. The thesis gives an idea of how to divide the structure into sub-components along with the local fibre directions based on the fibre orientations and an appropriate laminate design based on classical laminate theory.

Many large composite structures are manufactured using sandwich laminates to achieve high specific bending strength and stiffness. Examples include wind turbine blades, where self-weight becomes increasingly important as blade size increases. Resin infusion of three-dimensional sandwich laminates can result in complex resin flow paths, and subsequent defect formation, which are difficult to predict. The core material used for sandwich construction and its interaction with liquid resins may also influence the formation of defects, and in the case of balsa this effect can be used to reduce defect severity. In order to evaluate the effect of cored sandwich laminate construction on the formation of defects, this thesis concentrates on the characterisation of commonly used core materials and their interaction with liquid resin under high vacuum conditions. It also considers two numerical flow-modelling packages which are shown to be effective at the prediction of flow front convergence for monolithic laminate, but over-estimate defect severity when modelling air- permeable cored laminates. For balsa core, experiments indicate that the available pore space can act as sink for trapped air, which can aid the reduction of defects where multiple flow fronts converge due to the complexity of flow in sandwich laminates. Empirical data for air absorption and desorption rates in balsa core were obtained using a custom-designed experiment. Using these data a theoretical model was developed that can indicate available pore space, which can inform optimum processing conditions, such as time under vacuum. The diffusion coefficients obtained for air absorption and desorption in balsa are very similar, and lie in the middle of published ranges for hard woods at around 2 x 10 -7 m2/s. The methodology developed for this research project represents actual behaviour of air absorption/desorption during resin infusion, whilst other techniques do not, merely measuring diffusion of air through a sample not allowing for finite pore space. In consequence, infusion strategies can be planned more precisely because core/resin interaction is better understood. Knit line defect formation could be predicted with greater accuracy with suitably modified flow-modelling programs.

This thesis concerns mechanical and fracture properties of a thin aluminium foil and polymer laminate that is widely used as packaging material. The possibility of controlling the path of the growing crack propagation by adjustment of the adhesion level and the property of the polymer layer is investigated. First, the fracture process of the aluminium foil is investigated experimentally. It is found that fracture occurs at a much lower load than what is suggested by standard handbook fracture toughness. Observations in a scanning electron microscope with a tensile stage show that small-scale stable crack growth occurs before the stress intensity factor reaches its maximum. An examination using an optical profilometric method shows almost no plastic deformation except for in a small necking region at the crack tip. However, accurate predictions of the maximum load are obtained using a strip yield model with a geometric correction. Secondly, the mechanical and fracture properties of the laminate are studied. A theory for the mechanics of the composite material is used to evaluate a series of experiments. Each of the layers forming the laminate is first tested separately. The results are analysed and compared with the test results of the entire laminate with varied adhesion. The results show that tensile strength and strain at peak stress of the laminate, with or without a crack, increase when the adhesion of the adhesive increases. It is also found that a much larger amount of energy is consumed in the laminated material at tension compare with the single layers. Possible explanations for the much higher toughness of the laminate are discussed. Finally, the behaviour of a crack in one of the layers, perpendicular to the bimaterial interface in a finite solid, is studied by formulating a dislocation superposition method. The stress field is investigated in detail and a so-called T stress effect is considered. Furthermore, the crack tip driving forces are computed numerically. The results show that the analytical methods for an asymptotically small crack extension can also be applied for a fairly large amount of crack growth. By comparing the crack tip driving force of the crack deflected into the interface with that of the crack penetrating into the polymer layer, it is shown how the path of the crack can be controlled by selecting a proper adhesion level of the interface for different material combinations of the laminate.

O crescente aumento do uso de madeira laminada colada (MLC) em peças estruturais exige dos meios acadêmicos a pesquisa e desenvolvimento de teorias e rotinas de cálculo, que proporcionem suporte teórico para projetos estruturais que empreguem tal material. Nesta pesquisa foi desenvolvido em laboratório de modelos estruturais, um programa para o cálculo estrutural de vigas de madeira laminada colada (MLC), por meio do método dos elementos finitos para material ortotrópico e material isotrópico. Foram rompidas, em uma prensa universal, vigas de Madeira Laminada Colada (MLC), em escala natural, com e sem emendas nas lâminas, com a finalidade de comparação dos resultados assim obtidos, com os obtidos em modelos de cálculo existentes para vigas maciças de material isotrópico, como o método de cálculo da NBR 7190/97 e o método de cálculo da Teoria da Elasticidade (Timoshenko). Tais resultados também foram comparados com os resultados obtidos pelo método dos Elementos Finitos para materiais isotrópicos e ortotrópicos, acima citados. Para comparação entre as propriedades da madeira maciça e da madeira laminada colada, foram retirados corpos de prova das partes intactas das vigas sacrificadas, para realização de ensaios de cisalhamento na linha de cola e nas lâminas coladas, bem como corpos de prova para ensaios de flexão nas lâminas maciças das vigas de MLC. Para obtenção da tensão de ruptura a compressão paralela às fibras e do módulo de elasticidade, foram rompidos corpos de prova de 5cm x 5 cm x 15 cm. A comparação e análise dos resultados obtidos pelos procedimentos acima, levou à conclusão de que a madeira laminada colada (MLC), quando fabricada com cola estrutural, comporta-se como madeira maciça. Também foi possível observar que os modelos de cálculo empregando elementos finitos, ortotrópicos ou isotrópicos, reproduzem o comportamento de uma viga de madeira laminada colada. O modelo de cálculo da NBR 7190/97, pode ser empregado, mas apresenta resultados conservadores, a favor da segurança. Assim como o modelo de cálculo da Teoria da Elasticidade não deve ser empregado sem adaptação à madeira, pois apresentou resultados muito discrepantes. Os módulos de elasticidade da madeira maciça obtidos por ensaios de flexão e a partir do ensaio de compressão paralela às fibra, não representa o módulo de elasticidade representativo de uma viga de MLC. Da mesma forma a existência ou não de emendas nas lâminas, não altera os resultados. / The increasing use of glued laminated timber in structural parts requires academic research and development of theories and calculation routines that provide theoretical support for structural designs employing such material. In this research was developed in the laboratory of structural models, a program for calculating structural glued laminated timber beams by the finite element method for orthotropic material and isotropic material. Were disrupted in a press universal beam of glued laminated wood in full scale with and without splices blades, for the purpose of comparison of the results thus obtained with those obtained in calculation models exist for solid beams material isotropic, as the method of calculating the NBR 7190/97 and the calculation method of the theory of elasticity (Timoshenko). These results were also compared with results obtained by the method of finite elements for isotropic and orthotropic materials, mentioned above. To compare the properties of solid wood and glued laminated timber, specimens were removed from intact parts of the broken beams for testing shear line glue and glued the layers, as well as specimens for bending tests blades massive beam. To obtain the tensile strength parallel to the compression of the fibers and elastic modulus were broken specimens with the dimensions 5 cm x 5 cm x 15 cm. The comparison and analysis of the results obtained by the above procedure led to the conclusion that the glued laminated wood when manufactured with structural adhesive, behaves as solid wood. It was also noted that the model calculations using finite elements, both isotropic and orthotropic represent the behavior of a beam of glued laminated wood. The calculation model of the NBR 7190/97, can be employed, but has conservative results, in favor of security. As the calculation model of the theory of elasticity should not be used without adjustment to the wood, because it showed very discrepant results. The modulus of elasticity of solid wood obtained by bending tests from test and compression parallel to the fiber, it is not the representative elastic modulus of a beam of glued laminated wood. Likewise, the presence or absence of amendments in the layers, does not change the results.