This dissertation is focused on understanding the performance of a particular fiber-reinforced polymeric composite structural beam, a 91.4 cm (36 inch) deep pultruded double-web beam (DWB) designed for bridge construction. Part 1 focuses on calculating the Timoshenko shear stiffness of the DWB and understanding what factors may introduce error in the experimental measurement of the quantity for this and other sections. Laminated beam theory and finite element analysis (FEA) were used to estimate the shear stiffness. Several references in the literature have hypothesized an increase in the effective measured shear stiffness due to warping. A third order laminated beam theory (TLBT) was derived to explore this concept, and the warping effect was found to be negligible. Furthermore, FEA results actually indicate a decrease in the effective shear stiffness at shorter spans for simple boundary conditions. This effect was attributed to transverse compression at the load points and supports. The higher order sandwich theory of Frostig shows promise for estimating the compression related error in the shear stiffness for thin-walled beams. Part 2 attempts to identify the failure mechanism(s) under quasi-static loading and to develop a strength prediction for the DWB. FEA was utilized to investigate two possible failure modes in the top flange: compression failure of the carbon fiber plies and delamination at the free edges or taper regions. The onset of delamination was predicted using a strength-based approach, and the stress analysis was accomplished using a successive sub-modeling approach in ANSYS. The results of the delamination analyses were inconclusive, but the predicted strengths based on the compression failure mode show excellent agreement with the experimental data. A fatigue life prediction, assuming compression failure, was also developed using the remaining strength and critical element concepts of Reifsnider et al. One DWB fatigued at about 30% of the ultimate capacity showed no signs of damage after 4.9 million cycles, although the predicted number of cycles to failure was 4.4 million. A test on a second beam at about 60% of the ultimate capacity was incomplete at the time of publication. Thus, the success of the fatigue life prediction was not confirmed. / Ph. D.

To achieve satisfactory levels of strength, fracture toughness, and reliability for man-rated systems such as jet engines, fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites are needed. An elevated temperature axial testing system is developed to investigate and characterize fatigue behavior of Nicalon fiber reinforced enhanced silicon carbide matrix. composites at 1800 of under fully reversed cyclic loading. Notch effect on quasi-static tensile response is also considered. Quasi-static and fatigue damage mechanisms and failure modes are examined using various specimen geometries, load levels, fatigue ratios, and laminates stacking sequences by employing a number of NDE techniques. Issues such as damage tolerance and durability are addressed by conducting interrupted fatigue tests at various stages of life for different load levels. Results are compared to the predictions of remaining strength and life, obtained using a performance simulation code. Initial results indicate existence of a threshold stress value which limits the use of the material system. / Ph. D.

Pastaraisiais metais Lietuvoje ženkliai padidėjęs sunkiasvorio transporto eismas sąlygoja ankstyvą daugumos šalies kelių dangų suirtį, nes jau nepakanka esamo jos stiprio. Įvairios asfaltbetonio dangos pažaidos rodo, kad ardoma ne tik danga, bet ir jos konstrukcija – tai didina išlaidas kelių remontui bei priežiūrai, mažėja eismo saugumas bei komfortiškumas. Iki šiol Lietuvoje dar nėra metodikos, kurią taikant būtų galima pakankamai tiksliai įvertinti sunkiasvorio transporto poveikį kelių dangai. Šiame darbe ištirta sunkiasvorio transporto eismo ardomojo poveikio, įvertinant Lietuvos klimato sąlygas, įtaka kelių dangos asfaltbetonio sluoksnių stipriui ir funkcionavimo trukmei. Pateikta metodika sunkiasvorio transporto eismo ir apkrovų ardančio poveikio Lietuvos kelių dangai, priklausomai nuo eismo sezoniškumo, jos stiprio, asfaltbetonio sluoksnių likutinio stiprio bei kelių dangos įtempto-deformuoto būvio kitėjimo, įvertinti. Pasiūlytas kelių dangos asfaltbetonio sluoksnių likutinio stiprio ir funkcionavimo trukmės likutinio resurso modelis. Modelis įvertina apkrovos parametrus bei jos poveikio intensyvumą, automobilių srauto sudėtį, kelių dangos sluoksnių medžiagų bei jai stiprinti naudojamų medžiagų projektines savybes, kelių dangos sluoksnio medžiagos stiprio kitėjimą, atsižvelgiant į jos suirties mastą, kelių dangos darbą, esant įvairioms vietovės klimato sąlygoms, skirtingiems žemės sankasos gruntams ir vietovės hidroterminiams rėžimams, remonto darbų kainą bei ekonominį... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The marked increase of heavy weight vehicle traffic in Lithuania in recent years is the reason for early deterioration of majority road pavements of the country due to inadequate strength of road pavements. Various kinds of damages in asphalt concrete pavements indicate that damage is made not only to a pavement but to its construction as well, which increases costs for road repair and maintenance and reduces road safety and comfort. There is no methodology in Lithuania that would allow to evaluate the impact of heavy weight vehicles on a road pavement with adequate preciseness. This study analyses the impact of damaging effect of heavy weight vehicle traffic on the strength and duration of service life of asphalt concrete layers in a road pavement taking account of climate conditions of Lithuania. A methodology to evaluate the damaging effect of heavy weight vehicle traffic and loads on road pavements in Lithuania depending on seasonal peculiarities of traffic, its strength, remaining strength resource of asphalt concrete layers and changes in stressed or deformed state of a road pavement is presented. A model of remaining strength of asphalt concrete layers in a road pavement and remaining resource of service life was proposed. The model evaluates load parameters and intensity of its impact, composition of vehicle flow, design characteristics of materials in layers of a road pavement and materials used when strengthening it, changes in the strength of layer material in a... [to full text]