Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Louisville, 2009. / Title and description from thesis home page (viewed February 5, 2010). Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Vita. "August 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-115).

Thesis (Ph. D.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-219).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-109). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M.S.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81).

Thesis (M.S.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 134-141.

A study to investigate the behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) anchors was conducted at the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory as part of a project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation, Project number 0-6873. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of GFRP anchors by comparing their performance to that of anchors made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). The findings of this research give insight into the advantages and disadvantages of using alternative materials in the design of FRP anchorage systems and provides a means for developing quality control procedures of GFRP anchors. Quantitative comparisons were made between results from beam tests that used GFRP anchors and the results from those that used CFRP anchors. It was found that specimens with GFRP anchors exhibited similar trends to specimens with CFRP anchors. Similarities were achieved in concrete cracking loads, strength capacities, and in some cases duration of force transfer, suggesting that GFRP anchors are equally as effective as CFRP anchors for strength development. However, material differences played a major role in the explanation of GFRP and CFRP behavior. Notable advantages in material handling was observed with the GFRP anchors since the fibers were found to be easier to bend as well as easier to install into drilled anchor holes. On the other hand, the lower tensile strength of GFRP presented a potential need for larger sized anchors to achieve the equivalent strength of a CFRP anchor. Finally, a pull-out failure mode was observed in GFRP anchors that had not been previously observed in CFRP anchors. It was suggested that the pull-out failure mode was a function of differences in deformation capacity between the two materials. However, little information regarding the cause of performance differences demonstrates the need for quality control tests for GFRP anchors. As a result, recommendations for further studies were made. / text

Timber has been used as a construction material in civil infrastructure throughout the world for several millennia and it is still a popular construction material to this day. Degradation of timber due to mechanical and environmental actions, as well as possible higher loads, can necessitate the need for strengthening or repair. The external bonding of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites offers a viable solution. A lack of understanding of the strength and behaviour of FRP-to-timber bonded interfaces is, however, hindering the safe and rational design of FRP strengthening measures for timber structures. The aim of this research project is to enhance understanding of the strength and behaviour of the bonded interface between timber and FRP. Important tangible outcomes of the project include the development of effective bonding systems as well as bond stress-slip models and bond strength model which quantify the bonded interface. In order to achieve these outcomes, an extensive experimental and analytical investigation is conducted. Tests are performed and reported on FRP-to-timber joints as well as FRP-strengthened beams. For the former, softwood (Pine), hardwood (Camphorwood) and glulam timber products have been tested. Variables include (i) externally bonded (EB) plates and near-surface mounted (NSM) plates, (ii) FRP plates formed in a wet lay-up procedure and pultrusion, (iii) bonded length of FRP, (iv) adhesive type, (v) adhesive thickness, (vi) timber species, and (vii) natural growth characteristics of the timber such as annual growth rings and knots. The concept of an effective bond length has been verified from the tests as well as effective procedures and materials for bonding FRP to softwoods and hardwoods. Models are also proposed and validated to quantify the bond strength and bond stress-slip relationships of the joint tests. The strengthening methods are then applied to glulam beams in order to observe the behaviour and strength of the bonding systems on a larger scale as well as on a system that bends. The bond strength model proposed from the joint tests is then assessed against the beam tests. Finally, conclusions are made on the entire program of study. Then, recommendations for future research are proposed. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

The research objective was to develop a new competitively priced, high strength macrosynthetic fiber for concrete reinforcement. Mechanical bond properties were examined through aligned and inclined pullout testing. Variables involved in optimizing these properties included materials, fiber cross section, and other changes made through manufacturing processes. In addition to extensive pullout testing, improvements to fiber properties were explored through tensile testing, creep testing, and fiber performance in concrete mixtures. Practical considerations were also made, such as manufacturing processes, cost, and workability. Properties of synthetic microfibers were also considered for use in engineered cementitious composites. Synthetic macrofibers containing PVDF demonstrated high bond strength in pullout testing. Fibers demonstrating the highest performance in FRC testing were those with additional mechanical anchorage such as fibrillation or embossment. EVA as an additive did not exhibit increased interfacial bond, but further research was recommended. Further research on deformed fibers containing PVDF was also recommended.