A melhor maneira de se caracterizar o comportamento mecânico pós-fissuração dos concretos reforçados com fibras (CRF) para fins estruturais é por meio de ensaios que envolvem a ruptura do material à tração direta. Devido às dificuldades de execução destes, comumente se empregam ensaios de tração indireta, com destaque para os ensaios de flexão com sistema fechado. Entretanto, fatores limitantes, como a superestimação da capacidade resistente do compósito em testes de flexão, têm incentivado o desenvolvimento de outros métodos de ensaio mais fidedignos às características do CRF. Este é o caso do ensaio de compressão de corpo de prova com duplo corte em cunha, abreviado como DEWS (do inglês, Double Edge Wedge Splitting), em que o esforço de tração indireta não está associado a uma flecha, como nos ensaios de flexão, mas sim à própria fissuração da matriz de concreto. No DEWS há a possibilidade de avaliação direta da ortotropia do CRF e seu efeito na resistência pós-fissuração no estado limite de serviço (ELS) e último (ELU). Estudos anteriores sobre este ensaio utilizaram sistema aberto, mas se restringiram a avaliar apenas elevados teores de fibra, o que não traz dificuldades à caracterização da resistência residual no ELS. Este trabalho, contudo, buscou o estudo mais acurado a respeito do ensaio DEWS. Os programas experimentais desenvolvidos empregaram concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço. Inicialmente, estudou-se a capacidade do ensaio DEWS em identificar o efeito da orientação das fibras na matriz na resistência pós-fissuração do CRF. Essa análise foi correlacionada com os resultados obtidos a partir de ensaios de flexão de prismas feitos como recomendado pela JSCE-SF4, assim, buscou-se avaliar se este teste promove uma superestimação da capacidade de reforço da fibra. Uma outra avaliação centrou-se no fator da taxa de carregamento de ensaio, realizando-se a metodologia DEWS e o teste de flexão (JSCE-SF4: 1984) sob quatro velocidades distintas, com intuito de verificar seu grau de influência no comportamento do material. A partir dos resultados obtidos, o ensaio DEWS mostrou-se aplicável na avaliação da ortotropia de corpos de prova em concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço, mesmo com a utilização de sistema aberto e em velocidade de carregamento acima da proposta em literatura. A extensão da instabilidade pós-fissuração obtida a partir do ensaio DEWS foi menor que a encontrada para o ensaio de flexão de prismas. O estudo mostrou que a capacidade resistente pós-fissuração do CRF no ensaio de flexão pode ser até 300% maior do que a mesma resistência medida na direção transversal do prisma. / The best way to characterize the post-cracking behaviour of fibre reinforced concretes (FRC) for structural proposes is through direct tensile tests. As direct tensile tests are difficult to conduce, usually indirect tensile tests are employed, especially bending tests with closed-loop control. However, limiting factors, as the strength capacity overestimation of composites under flexural beams tests had motivated the development of another test procedure aiming to obtain responses closer to FRC basic characteristics. This is the case of Double Edge Wedge Splitting test (DEWS). In this test, the indirect tensile stress is not associated with a deflection - as is common in bending tests - but it is related with the cracking opening of concrete matrix. The DEWS test brings the possibility of direct evaluation of the FRC orthotropic behaviour and its effect in the post-crack strength at the serviceability (SLS) and ultimate (ULS) limit estates. Previous researches about DEWS test were done using open-loop control, but they were limited to higher fibre content. These do not provide difficulties about the residual strength characterization at the SLS. Thus, this study carried out an accurate experimental analysis about DEWS. This experimental programme used only fibre reinforced concrete with low steel fibre volume fractions. The first analysis was based in the DEWS test capacity for identification of the effect of predominant fibre orientation into matrix in the post-crack strength of the FRC. This analysis was linked with the flexural test made with prismatic specimens as recommended by JSCE-SF4 in order to evaluate if it promotes an overestimation of the fibre reinforcement capacity. The other evaluation focused on the test loading rate factor by doing DEWS test and bending test (JSCE-SF4:1984) under four different rates in order to verify its influence on the material behaviour. The results shown that DEWS test was capable to identify the fibre alignment into FRC specimens with low fibre content, even using open-loop control and increasing the load rate. The extension of the instability region on DEWS test response was lower than the provided by the flexural tests. The study also showed that the flexural test could overestimate the post-crack strength capacity of the FRC up 300% in relation to the transversal direction.

This thesis focuses on transport properties and durability of liquid crystalline polymers (LCP)and fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) with regard to application in industrial process equipment.In the first part of the study the possibility of using a thermotropic LCP of type Vectra A950as lining material for FRP process equipment was investigated. Its performance wascompared to that of a fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) with respect tochemical and permeation resistance. Transport property and chemical resistance data wereestablished for different types of LCP film (compression molded, uniaxially and biaxiallyoriented film) exposed to selected chemicals chosen to represent typical industrial processenvironments. Annealing of the LCP, which may reduce the disclination density and henceimprove the barrier properties, induced a crystallinity increase, but did not significantlyimprove the barrier and chemical resistance properties. Different surface treatments toincrease the bonding between the LCP and FRP were explored. The conclusion was that LCPhas potential to serve as lining material for FRP in contact with water, organic solvents andnon-oxidizing acid environments, although certain issues, such as jointing techniques, stillhave to be evaluated. The second part of the study focused on transport and long-termproperties of commercial thermoset and FRP materials for industrial process equipment inaqueous environments (50 – 95 °C, water activity 0.78 – 1, exposure time ≤ 1000 days). Thewater transport properties in different thermosets were related to their chemical structureusing the solubility parameter concept. The transport of water in the thermosets with differentchemical structures could be predicted from the water activity, regardless of the actual type ofionic or non-ionic solute in the solution. An empirical relationship, independent of boththermoset chemistry and temperature, was established to describe the water concentration inthe thermoset as a function of water activity and the water concentration in pure water. Inlong-term, the water concentration in the thermosets increased with exposure time. Thisseemed to be primarily related to stress relaxation processes induced by water absorption andcertain leaching effects. The effects of hydrolysis seemed to be small. The glass fibrereinforcement may to various extents affect the water transport properties by capillarydiffusion and additional absorption around fibre bundles. The extent of such processesseemed to depend on temperature, water activity and the type of thermoset and reinforcement.The present work may be a useful contribution to an increased understanding of water effectsand durability of FRP process equipment. However, open questions still remain for a morecomprehensive durability analysis. / QC20100629

Die Arbeit beschreibt eine Modellierung des Materialverhaltens von Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunden unter Berücksichtigung der lokalen Materialstruktur, den konstitutiven Eigenschaften der Verbundbestandteile sowie charakteristischer Schädigungsphönomene. Die Diskretisierung eines repräsentativen Ausschnitts der Materialstruktur erfolgt unter Verwendung der erweiterten Finiten-Elemente-Methode (XFEM). Sie ermöglicht die effiziente Modellierung des Steifigkeitssprunges an den inneren Materialgrenzen und deren Versagen. Der Verlauf der Elementgrenzen muss dabei nicht an die Materialstruktur angepasst werden. Für die Beschreibung der Dehnratenabhängigkeit der polymeren Matrix wird ein Modell der nichtlinearen fraktionalen Viskoelastizität angewendet. Die Kombination mit einem nichtlokalen Kontinuumsschädigungsmodell ermöglicht weiterhin die Modellierung einer verzerrungsgesteuerten Schädigung des Matrixwerkstoffs. Die Parametrisierung, Validierung des Gesamtmodells erfolgt anhand ausgewählter experimenteller Untersuchungen an einem unidirektional verstärkten Glasfaser-Polypropylen-Verbund. / The thesis addresses the modelling of the material behavior of fibre reinforced polymers. It systematically includes the influence of the local material structure, the mechanical behaviour of the consituents and characteristic damage phenomena. The diskretisation of a representative volume element of the material structure is based on the extended finite element method (XFEM). It allows for an efficient modelling of the stiffness jump at internal material boundaries as well as their damage. With the XFEM, the element boundaries are no longer required to coincide with the material structure. The approximation of the strain rate dependence of the polymeric matrix is based on a nonlinear, fractional viscoelasticity approach. Its combination with a nonlocal strain driven continuum damage modell allows for the modelling of damage effects. The parametrisation and validation of the overall approach is based on a comparison with experimental results for a unidirectional reinforced glass-fibre-polypropylene composite.

In Kenntnis der beschriebenen verfahrenstechnischen Einflussfaktoren auf die Struktur und die Eigenschaften der faserverstärkten MMC geht es darum, ein prepregtechnologisches Verfahren für das Herstellen lang- bzw. endlosfaserverstärkter MMC mit Aluminiummatrix zu erarbeiten und die Machbarkeit im Hinblick auf die Reproduzierbarkeit und das Erreichen der prinzipiell möglichen mechanischen Eigenschaftskennwerte nachzuweisen. Es geht darum, den Einfluss der Prozessparameter auf die Struktur der Prepregs und der verdichteten MMC`s zu erfassen und zu bewerten. In Kenntnis dieser Zusammenhänge sind die qualitätsrelevanten Kennwerte der Werkstoffstruktur denen der mechanischen Eigenschaften gegenüberzustellen. In Weiterführung der o.g. Darstellungen zwischen Struktur- und Eigenschaften der Verbundwerkstoffe geht es darum, die experimentell bestimmten Kennwerte der Festigkeit und des E-Moduls auf Übereinstimmung mit den entsprechenden Korrelationsmodellen (Shear Lag Modell, Grenzwert- und Modellkonzept, EIAS-Methode) zu überprüfen. Ferner geht es darum, die Zusammenhänge zwischen den im Modell definierten idealen Gefügebedingungen mit den realen im Hinblick auf deren Einfluss auf die Eigenschaftskennwerte kritisch zu diskutieren. Aufbauend auf den definierten Zielstellungen kann nach der erfolgten Bewertung aller Untersuchungsergebnisse gezeigt werden, dass die entworfene Technologie zur Herstellung langfaserverstärkter Metallmatrix-Verbundwerkstoffe dazu geeignet ist, Fasern mit geringem Durchmesser und hoher Flexibilität (am Beispiel der hochfesten Kohlenstofffasern vom Typ HTA 5131) mit dem ausgewählten Matrixmetall (am Beispiel der AlSi5-Legierung) zunächst zu Prepregs und weiterhin in verdichtete Verbundstrukturen zusammenzuführen. Das vergleichende Gegenüberstellen von Simulation und Experiment dienen einerseits dem Verifizieren der Prozessmodelle. Die Prozessmodelle stellen andererseits die wertvolle versuchstechnische Grundlage zur Definition und auch der Einengung des Arbeitsfensters für die Prozessparameter und der Anzahl erforderlicher Verifikationsexperimente im Hinblick auf die Probebeschichtungen und deren Auswertung dar. Derartige Modelle leisten eine wichtige Hilfestellung zum weiteren Erhöhen der Prozessstabilität und damit auch dem Nachweis der Reproduzierbarkeit. / The aim of this work is a described prepreg-technological method to create aluminium based MMC reinforced with continuous fibres and the verification of reproducibility to achieve relevant mechanical properties. This aim is based on the knowledge of technological influences on structure and properties of fibre reinforced MMC. And so activities are focussed on the evaluation of the influence of process functions on structure and mechanical properties of prepregs and compacted MMC. The comparison between structure and properties is necessary to describe the correlation function of composite material. Furthermore the application of different correlation models (“Shear Lag”, “Grenzwert- Modellkonzept“, “EIAS”) to describe the influence of composite structures on strength and Young`s modulus is necessary to compare theoretical results with those of relevant experiments. The object is a critical quantification of the influence of real structure parameters compared with those of a model defined structure. In view of the described aim it is shown that the described technology to manufacture long fibre reinforced MMC is applicable for preparation of carbon fibres (HTA 5131) with low diameter and high flexibility and metal matrix (AlSi5) to prepregs and compact composites. The comparison of simulated and experimental results is the base for verification of different process models. So it is possible to describe and optimize the process function and moreover to minimize the number of technological experiments. After optimization specified models are a good base to achieve a high level of stability and reproducibility for all steps in prepreg technology.

The topic of this thesis is the numerical simulation of transversely isotropic 3D structures and laminates by means of the adaptive finite element method. To achieve this goal, the theoretical background of elastic deformation problems, transverse isotropy, plate theory, and the classical laminate theory is recapitulated. The classical laminate theory implies a combination of the membrane problem and the plate problem with additional coupling terms. The focus of this work is the adjustment of two integral parts of the adaptive FE algorithm according to the classical laminate theory. One of these parts is the solution of the FE system; a good preconditioner is needed in order to use the conjugate gradient method efficiently. It is shown via a spectral equivalence bound that the combination of existing preconditioners for the membrane and plate problems poses a capable preconditioner for the combined laminate problem. The other part is the error estimation process; the error estimator determines where the current mesh has to be refined for the next step. Existing results on residual error estimators for the elasticity problem, the biharmonic problem, and the plate problem are combined and extended to obtain a posteriori local residual error indicators for the classical laminate theory problem. The effectiveness of both results is demonstrated by numerical examples.

The flexural performance of composite systems made of reinforced concrete, Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) and adhesives was studied during the current research. The experimental investigation was principally concentrated on the potential use of Kevlar® 49 (aramid fibre) for RC beam strengthening. The main aims of research have been; (a) to investigate the relative merits of using Aramids in comparison to other FRPs, (b) strength optimisation of systems to prevent excessive losses of ductility, (c) to examine the failure mode and crack patterns, together with salient strength factors at ultimate limit state and (d) to carry out analytical modelling using a commercial FE package. The experimental investigation comprised of testing 55 simply supported RC beams of either 1.5m or 2.6m length. In addition to the parametric studies included in points (a)-(d) above (to assess the section characteristics), further experimentation was conducted to investigate the beam performance by varying the factors of; (e) beam shear span, (f) FRP anchorage length, (g) concrete surface preparation, (h) FRP end-anchoring, (i) beam precracking, (j) introduction of air-voids within the bond line of FRP/concrete, (k) influence of cyclic loading and, (1) exposure to aggressive environment. The results from current tests confirm elements of reports from other researchers (by thorough review of literature) that all FRPs have great potential for flexural strengthening of RC members. This is valid even in cases where additional environmental degradation and/or cracking (due to serviceability loads), had taken place. Aramid fibres were found to result in favourable outcomes concerning both strength and ductility enhancements. It was determined, both from experiments and non-linear modelling, that the amount of FRP fibre content is an important factor in every strengthening application. Experimentation showed that depending on the existing condition of the structure (concrete strength, internal reinforcement ratio, section dimensions, degradation level and load configuration), there seems to be a unique level of optimum fibre content. The FRP levels in excess of the optimum were seen to lead to premature brittle tearing-off failure modes. It was also found that to prevent premature beam failure (due to incompatibility of stress at concrete and FRP interface), a maximum possible anchorage length should be considered in order to deliver an optimum section performance. The results from the analytical modelling indicated a most satisfactory agreement with the experimental data after the initial mechanical properties were calibrated. It was found that actual representation of material properties (e.g. steel constitutive law) are of great significance, for an accurate modelling of RC element loaded behaviour. The bond developed between the FRP and concrete is one of the key parameters for achieving good performance of the systems. It was determined that concrete surface preparation and priming is beneficial, while the introduction of air-voids due to poor workmanship can reduce the section load bearing capabilities. Cyclic loading on FRP strengthened sections was found to curtail the full rotational capacity utilisation of the beam. However, even the above mentioned curtailed behaviour was more advantageous than cyclically loaded beam performance without FRP strengthening.

Ce travail porte sur la mise en forme des matériaux composites à matrice polymère renforcée par des fibres courtes dont les performances physiques et mécaniques sont directement reliées à la distribution spatiale et à l’orientation des renforts employés. Il se focalise sur l’étude des mécanismes de déformation se produisant au cours de l’écoulement de ces systèmes qui se comportent comme des suspensions de fibres non-newtoniennes. Le problème est abordé par une procédure originale combinant images 3D acquises en temps réel et simulations numériques avancées, réalisées à l’échelle des fibres. Dans le premier cas, des suspensions modèles avec fluide suspensif non-newtonien ont été déformées en compression dans des conditions confinées dans un microtomographe à rayons X synchrotron. Cette technique a permis l’acquisition en temps réel de clichés 3D à forte résolution spatiale de l’écoulement des suspensions. Dans le deuxième cas, un code de calculs éléments finis 3D a été utilisé, celui-ci étant capable de décrire finement des objets immergés dans des fluides non-newtoniens, par des level-sets et des techniques de remaillage anisotrope. La pertinence des simulations numériques dans les régimes de concentration dilués à semi-dilués a été jaugée par une comparaison expériences-simulations avancée.De là, dans le régime de concentration dilué, nous montrons que le confinement de l’écoulement et le comportement rhéofluidifiant du fluide suspensif ont une influence mineure sur la cinématique des fibres, si ces dernières sont suffisamment éloignées des plateaux de compression. Si ce prérequis n’est pas respecté, l’effet du confinement devient important. Des modifications au modèle heuristique d’haltère de la littérature ont été proposées pour corriger la cinématique de fibres. Dans le régime semi-dilué, des déviations de la cinématique de fibres sont également observées au cœur des suspensions. Ces déviations sont principalement liées aux interactions hydrodynamiques entre fibres suffisamment voisines. La cinématique des fibres prédite par le modèle de Jeffery et les approximations de champ affine sont mises en défaut. Dans le régime concentré, si l’évolution de l’orientation globale de la suspension est étonnamment bien décrite par l’équation de Jeffery, de très importantes fluctuations des champs de translation et de rotation des fibres sont observées à l’échelle des fibres. Celles-ci sont induites par les nombreux contacts entre fibres qui peuvent par ailleurs être correctement prédits par le modèle de tube. / This study focuses on the processing of short fibre-reinforced polymer composites. The physical and mechanical properties of these materials are mainly affected by the position and orientation distribution of fibres induced during their forming. Thus, we analysed the flow-induced micro-mechanisms that arose at the fibre scale during the forming stage of these complex systems which behave as non-Newtonian fibre suspensions. For that purpose, an original approach was developed by combining 3D imaging technique and direct numerical simulation, both performed at the fibre scale. Hence, several model fibre suspensions with a non-Newtonian suspending fluid and with a concentration regime that ranged from dilute to concentrated were prepared . They were subjected to confined lubricated compression loadings using a rheometer mounted on a synchrotron X-ray microtomograph. Thanks to very short scanning times, 3D images of the evolving fibrous microstructures at high spatial resolution were recorded in real-time. These experiments were also simulated using a dedicated Finite Element library enabling an accurate description of fibre kinematics in complex suspending fluids thanks to high performance computation, level sets and adaptive anisotropic meshing. The efficiency of the numerical simulation from the dilute to semi-dilute concentration regimes was assessed through experimental and numerical comparisons.Then, we showed that the confinement effect and the non-Newtonian rheology of the suspending fluid had a weak effect on the fibre kinematics, if the fibres were sufficiently far from the compression platens, typically the fibre-platen distance should be larger than twice the fibre diameter. Otherwise, confinement effects occurred. Some extensions of the dumbbell model were proposed to correct the fibre kinematics in this flow conditions. In semi-dilute concentration, deviations of the fibre kinematics compared to the Jeffery’s predictions were also observed and related to hydrodynamic interactions between fibres. In this case, the predictions of Jeffery’s model and the related assumption of affine fibre motions are less relevant. In the concentrated regime, even if the overall orientation of fibre suspension could be astonishingly well described by using the Jeffery’s model, strong fluctuations on each fibre motion and rotation were observed. These deviations were induced by the numerous fibre-fibre contacts, which could be correctly predicted by the tube model.

A melhor maneira de se caracterizar o comportamento mecânico pós-fissuração dos concretos reforçados com fibras (CRF) para fins estruturais é por meio de ensaios que envolvem a ruptura do material à tração direta. Devido às dificuldades de execução destes, comumente se empregam ensaios de tração indireta, com destaque para os ensaios de flexão com sistema fechado. Entretanto, fatores limitantes, como a superestimação da capacidade resistente do compósito em testes de flexão, têm incentivado o desenvolvimento de outros métodos de ensaio mais fidedignos às características do CRF. Este é o caso do ensaio de compressão de corpo de prova com duplo corte em cunha, abreviado como DEWS (do inglês, Double Edge Wedge Splitting), em que o esforço de tração indireta não está associado a uma flecha, como nos ensaios de flexão, mas sim à própria fissuração da matriz de concreto. No DEWS há a possibilidade de avaliação direta da ortotropia do CRF e seu efeito na resistência pós-fissuração no estado limite de serviço (ELS) e último (ELU). Estudos anteriores sobre este ensaio utilizaram sistema aberto, mas se restringiram a avaliar apenas elevados teores de fibra, o que não traz dificuldades à caracterização da resistência residual no ELS. Este trabalho, contudo, buscou o estudo mais acurado a respeito do ensaio DEWS. Os programas experimentais desenvolvidos empregaram concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço. Inicialmente, estudou-se a capacidade do ensaio DEWS em identificar o efeito da orientação das fibras na matriz na resistência pós-fissuração do CRF. Essa análise foi correlacionada com os resultados obtidos a partir de ensaios de flexão de prismas feitos como recomendado pela JSCE-SF4, assim, buscou-se avaliar se este teste promove uma superestimação da capacidade de reforço da fibra. Uma outra avaliação centrou-se no fator da taxa de carregamento de ensaio, realizando-se a metodologia DEWS e o teste de flexão (JSCE-SF4: 1984) sob quatro velocidades distintas, com intuito de verificar seu grau de influência no comportamento do material. A partir dos resultados obtidos, o ensaio DEWS mostrou-se aplicável na avaliação da ortotropia de corpos de prova em concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço, mesmo com a utilização de sistema aberto e em velocidade de carregamento acima da proposta em literatura. A extensão da instabilidade pós-fissuração obtida a partir do ensaio DEWS foi menor que a encontrada para o ensaio de flexão de prismas. O estudo mostrou que a capacidade resistente pós-fissuração do CRF no ensaio de flexão pode ser até 300% maior do que a mesma resistência medida na direção transversal do prisma. / The best way to characterize the post-cracking behaviour of fibre reinforced concretes (FRC) for structural proposes is through direct tensile tests. As direct tensile tests are difficult to conduce, usually indirect tensile tests are employed, especially bending tests with closed-loop control. However, limiting factors, as the strength capacity overestimation of composites under flexural beams tests had motivated the development of another test procedure aiming to obtain responses closer to FRC basic characteristics. This is the case of Double Edge Wedge Splitting test (DEWS). In this test, the indirect tensile stress is not associated with a deflection - as is common in bending tests - but it is related with the cracking opening of concrete matrix. The DEWS test brings the possibility of direct evaluation of the FRC orthotropic behaviour and its effect in the post-crack strength at the serviceability (SLS) and ultimate (ULS) limit estates. Previous researches about DEWS test were done using open-loop control, but they were limited to higher fibre content. These do not provide difficulties about the residual strength characterization at the SLS. Thus, this study carried out an accurate experimental analysis about DEWS. This experimental programme used only fibre reinforced concrete with low steel fibre volume fractions. The first analysis was based in the DEWS test capacity for identification of the effect of predominant fibre orientation into matrix in the post-crack strength of the FRC. This analysis was linked with the flexural test made with prismatic specimens as recommended by JSCE-SF4 in order to evaluate if it promotes an overestimation of the fibre reinforcement capacity. The other evaluation focused on the test loading rate factor by doing DEWS test and bending test (JSCE-SF4:1984) under four different rates in order to verify its influence on the material behaviour. The results shown that DEWS test was capable to identify the fibre alignment into FRC specimens with low fibre content, even using open-loop control and increasing the load rate. The extension of the instability region on DEWS test response was lower than the provided by the flexural tests. The study also showed that the flexural test could overestimate the post-crack strength capacity of the FRC up 300% in relation to the transversal direction.

Magnesium alloys have emerged as a promising material for light-weighting due to their potential for higher weight saving compared with advanced high-strength steel, aluminium alloys and glass fibre reinforced polymer composites based on equal stiffness or strength. Even though magnesium alloys offer low density, high strength to weight ratio and excellent machinability their poor creep resistance and low yield strength at elevated temperatures (~150oC) restricts their use in automotive powertrain applications. Possible ways of improving the creep resistance include development of creep resistant alloys and/or reinforcing the alloy with ceramic particulates, fibres/whiskers. Several magnesium alloys such as – Mg-Zr based alloys, Mg-Al-RE alloys (RE: rare earth), Mg-Al-Ca alloys, Mg-Al-Sr alloys, Mg-Al-Sr-Ca alloys, Mg-Al-Si alloys offer improvement in creep resistance to different extent. However, these alloys are relatively expensive than the widely used Mg-Al-Zn alloys. Some of these alloys are unsuitable for die casting application due to cracking or die filling problems for example, in Ca and Sr containing alloys their content must be controlled to avoid castability problems. Discontinuous reinforcement of magnesium alloys opens up wide variety of casting techniques for production. Most of the components do not require high performance capability all throughout the component. Squeeze casting technique can be used to economically produce selectively reinforced composites having complex near-net-shape components. By selectively reinforcing only the regions of stress concentration, material property can be optimised at the same time lowering both the cost of manufacturing and machining. In the present study, wear behaviour of Saffil short fibre reinforced AZ91D Mg alloy composite prepared by squeeze casting is explored. The Mg-Saffil composite had a two dimensional planar random fibre orientation which was inherent to the fabrication process of porous fibre preform. In the as-polished specimen fibres protrude out of the Mg matrix due to differential polishing. The Mg-Saffil composites were subject to unidirectional sliding wear against steel counterface under nominally dry condition in ambient atmosphere at low velocities, to simulate the piston reversal at the top dead centre of an engine wherein lubrication starvation results in wear of engine cylinder. The fibres protruding out of the magnesium matrix prevent the softer Mg matrix coming in contact with the counterface material. The worn surface was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and the physical and chemical changes caused by the wear processes were characterised using different spectroscopic techniques. The effect of fibre distribution and fibre orientation on wear of the composite was studied. Depending on the radius of curvature of the counterface, inhomogeneities in the fibre distribution up to a certain length scale were permissible without deteriorating the wear resistance of the composite. The normal fibre orientation proved deleterious to the wear of the counterface. But wear of the composite was independent of the fibre orientation of the wear surface. In contrast to unreinforced AZ91 Mg alloy which undergoes extensive wear, the steel counterface was machined by the hard alumina fibres protruding out of the matrix. With progressive sliding a discontinuous patch of transferred material formed on the worn surface. Eventually, an oxidised iron-rich transfer layer formed on the worn surface due to compaction of the transferred material and wear debris under the combined action of applied normal load and frictional force. The coefficient of friction plateaus following an initial rapid increase with the increase in the areal coverage of the transfer layer. The abrupt increase in friction coincides with the change in contact at the sliding interface from protruding alumina fibres/steel counterface to mostly between the transferred layer and steel counterface. The increase in friction due to the iron-rich transfer layer formed on the worn surface induced bending stresses in the fibre. A correlation between the incipient fibre fracture and build-up of the transfer layer was observed. Wear of the composite was governed by the dawn of the fibre fracture event, which in turn leads to three-body wear. Diamond-like carbon coatings are well-known for their low friction, high hardness and elastic modulus, chemical inertness and optical transparency. They have found widespread use due to their superior tribological characteristics as protective coatings for magnetic storage media (hard-disk drives), in micro-electromechanical devices (MEMS), biomedical applications (joint implants, artificial heart valves), optical windows (anti-reflection coating) and razor blades. The physical and mechanical properties of these coatings can be tailored by controlling the sp3 /sp2 ratio and modification via alloying with metals such as W, Ti, Cr, Al; or non-metallic elements such as B, N, F, Si. A tungsten doped hydrogenated diamond-like carbon coated steel counterface was used to rule out or minimise any chemical and physical interaction between the composite and the counterface. The composite exhibited a higher wear resistance when slid against a DLC coated steel counterface due to ease of interfacial sliding between the carbon-rich transfer layer and the DLC coated counterface. The transition from ultra-mild to mild wear was not altogether suppressed but delayed to higher loads, prolonging the ultra-mild wear regime. As a result of reduced friction the point of maximum shear stress recedes from the surface, which manifests as subsurface cracks. The dominant wear mechanism of Mg-Saffil composite sliding against the DLC coated counterface was delamination wear.

Masonry structures constitute a significant portion of building stock worldwide. Seismic performance of unreinforced masonry has been far from satisfactory. Masonry is purported to be a major source of hazard during earthquakes by reconnaissance surveys conducted aftermath of an earthquake. Reasons for the poor performance of masonry structures are more than one namely lack of deformational capacity, poor tensile strength & lack of earthquake resistance features coupled with poor quality control and large variation in strength of materials employed. Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composites have emerged as an efficient strengthening technique for reinforced concrete structures over the past two decades. Present thesis is focused towards analysing the behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) strengthened masonry under axial compression and in-plane shear loading. Determination of in-planes hear resistance of large masonry panels requires tremendous effort in terms of cost, labour and time. Masonry assemblages like prisms and triplets that represent the state of stress present in masonry walls and masonry in-fills when under the action of in-planes hear forces present an alternative option for research and analysis purposes. Hence, present research is focused towards analysing the performance of FRP strengthened masonry assemblages and unreinforced masonry assemblages. Chapter1 provides a brief review on the behaviour of masonry shear walls and masonry in-fills under the action of in-plane shear forces in addition to the performance of masonry structures during past earthquakes. Review of available literature on FRP confinement of masonry prisms with bed joints inclined from 00 to 900 to the loading axis under axial compression, analytical models available for FRP confined concrete, shear strength of masonry triplets attached with FRP is presented. Chapter 2 primarily focuses on determining the various properties of the materials involved in this research investigation. Test procedure and results of the tests conducted to determine the mechanical and related properties of the materials involved are presented. Elastic properties and stress-strain response of burnt clay brick, mortar and FRP laminates are presented. Studies conducted on behaviour of GFRP confined masonry prisms under monotonic axial compression are included in Chapter 3. The study comprised of testing masonry prisms, both unconfined and FRP confined masonry prisms under axial compression. Stretcher bond and English bond prisms, with bed joints normal and parallel to loading axis are included in this study. Two grades of GFRP,360g/m2 and 600 g/m2 are employed to confine masonry prisms. The experimental program involved masonry prism types that accounted for variations in masonry bonding pattern, bed joint inclination to the loading axis and grade of GFRP. Review of the available analytical models predicting compressive strength of FRP confined masonry prism is presented. Available models for FRP confinement of masonry are re-calibrated using the present experimental data generating new coefficients for the already existing model to develop new expression for predicting the compressive strength of FRP confined prisms. In addition to the prism types mentioned earlier, behaviour of unconfined and GFRP confined stretcher bond prisms with bed joints inclined at 300, 450 & 600 to the loading axis are further investigated. Chapter 4 primarily deals with the shear strength and deformational capacity of masonry triplets that represent joint shear failure in masonry. An experimental program involving masonry triplets attached with different types of FRP(GFRP and CFRP), grade of FRP, percentage area covered by FRP and reinforcement pattern is executed. This exercise determined the influence of these parameters over the enhancement achieved in terms of shear strength and ultimate displacement. Results of tests conducted on stretcher bond prisms presented in chapter 3 and results of tests on shear triplets presented in this chapter are combined to study the interaction between shear and normal stresses acting along the masonry bed joint at different angles of inclination. The thesis culminated with chapter 5 as concluding remarks highlighting the salient Information pertaining to the behaviour of FRP strengthened masonry under axial compression and in-plane shear loading obtained as an outcome of the research conducted as a part of this thesis.