The aerodynamic behavior of wind tunnels with porous, flexible walls formed from tensioned Kevlar has been characterized and new measurement techniques in such wind tunnels explored. The objective is to bring the aerodynamic capabilities of so-called Kevlar-wall test sections in-line with those of traditional solid-wall test sections. The primary facility used for this purpose is the 1.85-m by 1.85-m Stability Wind Tunnel at Virginia Tech, and supporting data is provided by the 2-m by 2-m Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, both of which employ Kevlar-wall test sections that can be replaced by solid-wall test sections. The behavior of Kevlar fabric, both aerodynamically and mechanically, is first investigated to provide a foundation for calculations involving wall interference correction and determination of the boundary conditions at the Kevlar wall. Building upon previous advancements in wall interference corrections for Kevlar-wall test sections, panel method codes are then employed to simulate the wind tunnel flow in the presence of porous, flexible Kevlar walls. An existing two-dimensional panel method is refined by examining the dependency of correction performance on key test section modeling assumptions, and a novel three-dimensional method is presented. Validation of the interference corrections, and thus validation of the Kevlar-wall aerodynamic performance, is accomplished by comparing aerodynamic coefficients between back-to-back tests of models carried out in the solid- and Kevlar-wall test sections. Analysis of the test results identified the existence of three new mechanisms by which Kevlar walls cause wall-interference. Additionally, novel measurements of the boundary conditions are made during the Kevlar-wall tests to characterize the flow at the boundary. Specifically, digital image correlation is used to measure the global deformation of the Kevlar walls under wind loading. Such data, when used in conjunction with knowledge of the pre-tension in the Kevlar wall and the material properties of the Kevlar, yields the pressure loading experienced by the wall. The pressure loading problem constitutes an inverse problem, and significant effort is made towards overcoming the ill-posedness of the problem to yield accurate wall pressure distributions, as well as lift measurements from the walls. Taken as a whole, this document offers a comprehensive view of the aerodynamic performance of Kevlar-wall test sections. / Ph. D. / Traditional wind tunnels, which measure the aerodynamic behavior of vehicles and components relevant to the aerospace industry, enclose some test object with solid walls and accelerate flow around the object. A new configuration has been developed which uses instead flexible, porous walls which are formed from tensioned Kevlar fabric. The original advantage of this configuration lies in its ability to produce high fidelity measurements of the acoustic signature of a model in a stream of air. This new configuration also has been emerging as tool for making the traditional measurements of aerodynamic behavior noted above. However, special considerations have to be made for the so-called Kevlar-wall test section because of the flexibility and porosity of the walls. This study focuses on understanding and exploiting Kevlar-wall wind tunnels with the hope to bring the aerodynamic measurement capabilities of Kevlar-wall test sections in-line with those of traditional solidwall test sections. The primary facility used for this purpose is the Stability Wind Tunnel at Virginia Tech, and supporting data is provided by the Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, both of which employ Kevlar-wall test sections that can be replaced by solid-wall test sections. The behavior of Kevlar fabric, both aerodynamically and mechanically, is first investigated to provide a foundation for calculations of the effect of the Kevlar’s porosity and flexibility on the flow around a model in the test section. Building upon previous advancements in this area, computer simulations are then employed to predict the wind tunnel flow in the presence of porous, flexible Kevlar walls. An existing two-dimensional simulation is refined by examining the dependency of the simulation on key modeling assumptions, and a novel three-dimensional method is presented. Validation of the simulations’ effectiveness in providing accurate corrections for the Kevlar porosity and flexibility is accomplished by comparing measurements between back-to-back tests of models carried out in the solid- and Kevlar-wall test sections. Additionally, novel measurements of the deflection and pressure distributions over the Kevlar walls are made during the Kevlar-wall tests. Specifically, a three-dimensional camera imaging system is used to measure the deformation of the Kevlar walls under wind loading. Such data, when used in conjunction with knowledge of the pre-tension in the Kevlar wall, yields the pressure loading experienced by the wall. Taken as a whole, this document offers a comprehensive view of the aerodynamic performance of Kevlar-wall test sections.

Stab resistant body armour had been used throughout history, with examples ranging from animal hide construction to the moulded Polycarbonate units typically used by United Kingdom (UK) Police Officers. Such protective articles have historically, and continue to present a number of issues which have shown to impair the operational performance of its wearer including but not exclusive to poor thermal regulation, large masses, and reduced manoeuvrability. A number of developments have been made in an attempt to minimise the effects of such issues. One potential solution yet to be fully explored is the utilisation of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. In recent years the use of such manufacturing technologies, particularly Laser Sintering, has successfully demonstrated their suitability for a range of high performance applications ranging from Formula 1® to aerospace. Due to the fundamental additive nature of AM build processes, the utilisation of such technologies have facilitated the realisation of design concepts that are typically too expensive, difficult or impossible to create using traditional manufacturing processes. In order for AM technologies to be used for the generation of stab resistant body armour a number of historical issues and performance characteristics fundamental to ensure stab resistance is achieved must be satisfied. This body of research firstly evaluated the stab resistive performance of two of the most common materials suitable for Laser Sintering as highlighted by an initial review of AM technologies. Once an appropriate material had been highlighted it was used as the basis for further experimental testing. Such tests focussed on minimising the material thickness required to maintain an appropriate level of stab resistance within United Kingdom Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) KR1-E1 requirement of 24 Joules of stab impact energy. Test results demonstrated that specimens manufactured from Duraform EX® required a minimum single layer thickness of 11.00 mm, and a dual layer total thickness of 9.00 mm to provide an appropriate level of stab protection within the HOSDB KR1-E1 standard. Coupled with the results generated from an investigation identifying the overlapping/imbricated assembly angle required to maintain an appropriate level of coverage across a scale structure, the stab resistant characteristics initially identified were used for the development of an imbricated scale-like assembly. Additional design features were also investigated to further minimise the total thickness of the final element design and corresponding assembled imbricated structure such features included angling strike surfaces and integrating a dual layered structure within individual elements. When the finalised imbricated assemblies were stab tested, they successfully demonstrated levels of stab resistance to the UK HOSDB KR1-E1 impact energy of 24 Joules.

<p>High-performance fibers used for ballistic protection are characterized by having outstanding mechanical properties such high modulus and strength. These mechanical properties are granted by the fiber’s chemical and physical structure as well as their high degree of orientation. Twaron fibers are one of the most commonly used fibers on soft body armors such as bulletproof vests. They are made from poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), a rigid-rod and highly crystalline polymer. Although these fibers are crystalline and have great mechanical properties, their performance can decrease when they are exposed to different degradation factors. Free volume is the unoccupied space between the polymer molecules. It is responsible for characteristics such as diffusion and viscosity. Hence, the free volume changes as the polymer degrades. This thesis focuses on the effects of sonication, pH changes, and sweat on the free volume of PPTA fibers. </p><p><br></p> <p>A non-destructive technique known as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used to measure the free volume in PPTA. Changes in the free volume of fibers degraded under different conditions were compared to their mechanical performance. Degradation in DI water, pH 4 and pH 10 aqueous solutions was conducted for 10 weeks at 80^oC. Sweat degradation of PPTA fibers was also conducted for 10 weeks at 25^oC, 50^oC, and 100^oC. Fibers degraded in pH4 and sweat solutions had greater loss of mechanical performance and changes in the free volume. PALS was able to detect changes in the nanostructure of PPTA fibers at early stages of degradation. This data was supported by mechanical tests and is complementary to other characterization techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Results of this research are a steppingstone for future studies on lifetime predictions of bulletproof vests and the development of the next generation of soft body armors. </p>

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2018-03-20T17:21:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CamillaDeMedeirosDantasAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 4219113 bytes, checksum: 435317fad552ba84e55910c905f4e93f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-03-22T12:38:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CamillaDeMedeirosDantasAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 4219113 bytes, checksum: 435317fad552ba84e55910c905f4e93f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-22T12:38:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CamillaDeMedeirosDantasAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 4219113 bytes, checksum: 435317fad552ba84e55910c905f4e93f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-10 / As propriedades mec?nicas dos materiais comp?sitos, das mais diversas aplica??es industriais, podem ser reduzidas significativamente pela ocorr?ncia de impactos de baixas velocidades. Esses impactos podem provocar danos internos no material comprometendo sua integridade. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo fazer uma an?lise experimental da resist?ncia residual ? flex?o em tr?s pontos e compress?o ap?s o impacto (CAI), de dois tipos de laminados comp?sitos de matriz polim?rica ortoft?lica, sendo um deles refor?ado a com 7 camadas de tecido bidirecional de Vidro E (CV) e o outro refor?ado com 7 camadas de tecido bidirecional de Kevlar 49 (CK), sujeitos a impactos de baixa velocidade. Esse estudo ? de grande import?ncia pelo fato de tentar conduzir ao aparecimento prematuro de instabilidade estrutural e a consequente restri??o do seu uso. A energia utilizada nesse trabalho para os dois tipos de laminados foi de aproximadamente 96J. Al?m disso, para o material comp?sito refor?ado com fibra de kevlar, foram feitos sucessivos impactos com a mesma energia verificando sua influ?ncia nas propriedades do laminado. Sendo aplicadas 5 vezes, e 10 vezes a energia m?xima de 96J. Como resultado verificou-se que no laminado CV, tanto as propriedades de compress?o como de flex?o em tr?s pontos, a resist?ncia se manteve praticamente inalterada enquanto que o m?dulo teve uma diminui??o depois do impacto. J? no laminado CK houve um decr?scimo tanto nas propriedades de compress?o como flex?o em tr?s pontos ap?s o impacto. Essa perda da integridade desses materiais pode ser justificada pela ocorr?ncia de delamina??o nas interfaces dos comp?sitos. / The mechanical properties of the composite materials, used in the most diverse industrial applications, can be significantly reduced by the occurrence of low speed impacts. These impacts can cause internal damage to the material and compromise its integrity. Thus, the present study aims to perform an experimental analysis of the residual resistance to three-point flexural test and compression after impact (CAI), in two types of composite laminates of orthophthalic polymeric matrix, being one of them reinforced with 7 layers of E-Glass bidirectional tissue (CV) and the other reinforced with 7 layers of Kevlar 49 bidirectional tissue (CK), subject to low speed impacts. This study is of great importance because it tries to lead to the premature appearance of structural instability and the consequent restriction of its use. The energy used in this work for the two types of laminates was approximately 96J. In addition, for the Kevlar fiber reinforced composite material, were made successive impacts with the same energy being checked its influence on the properties of the laminate, where it was tested with a repetition of 5 times and 10 times the maximum energy of 96J.As result, it was found that in the CV laminate, both in the compression properties and three-point flexural properties, the resistance remained practically unchanged while the modulus had a decrease after impact. In the CK laminate, there was a decrease both in compression properties and three-point flexural properties after impact. This integrity loss of these materials can be justified by the occurrence of delamination at the interfaces of the composites.

The epoxy resin has a widespread use in the manufacture of polymer composites to obtain various elements of structural engineering. The overall objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of reinforcing fabric architecture fiber-based Kevlar 49 and glass S on the mechanical performance of composites with epoxy matrix. It was observed that the mechanical performance of the epoxy resin and the composite, after natural aging and in seawater at a temperature of 70 ° C. Three architectures are designed for the production of tissue related to the structural reinforcement of the composite element: only aramid (Kevlar 49), and hybrid Kevlar 49 and glass S; varying the type of yarn and intertwining of the composition (fiber content in percentage) in each frame. The composite plates were made by hand casting process with epoxy matrix reinforced with woven fabrics of Kevlar fiber and Kevlar hybrid/glass, according to an innovative architecture. The mechanical properties of the composites were determined by tensile, bending and impact carried out in parallel and perpendicular to the warp direction. We used scanning electron microscopy to observe the reinforcement and matrix fractures after the mechanical tests. The composites with hybrid structure of Kevlar/glass on reinforcing fabric showed the best results with respect to the specific strength and impact energy. / A resina epóxi possui uma ampla utilização na fabricação de compósitos poliméricos, para obtenção de diversos elementos da engenharia estrutural. O objetivo geral desta Tese é avaliar o efeito da configuração do tecido de reforço à base de fibras de Kevlar 49 e vidro S no desempenho mecânico de compósitos com matriz epoxídica. Observou-se o desempenho mecânico da resina epóxi e do compósito, após envelhecimento natural ao ar livre e na água do mar sob temperatura de 70 ºC. Foram concebidas três configurações para produção do tecido referentes ao elemento de reforço estrutural do compósito: apenas em aramida (Kevlar 49), e híbrido de Kevlar 49 e fibra de vidro S; variando-se o tipo de entrelaçamento dos fios e composição (teor de fibra em percentual) em cada estrutura. Foram fabricadas placas do compósito pelo processo de moldagem manual com matriz epoxídica, reforçadas por tecidos planos em fibra de Kevlar, e híbrido Kevlar/vidro, de acordo com uma configuração inovadora. As propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos foram determinadas por ensaios de tração, flexão e impacto, realizados nas direções paralela e perpendicular ao urdume. Utilizou-se a microscopia eletrônica de varredura para observar as fraturas do reforço e matriz após os ensaios mecânicos. Os compósitos com estrutura híbrida de Kevlar/vidro no tecido de reforço apresentaram os melhores resultados com relação à resistência mecânica específica, bem como energia de impacto.

This master thesis is aimed at computational modeling of ballistic resistant layered laminate. The introductory sections of the thesis are aimed at understanding the individual topics that are closely related to the interaction of the projectile and target and computational modeling of this process. The main goal of this thesis was to create a computational model that is able to reflect the behavior of aramid fabric during the interaction with the projectile. During the development of the computational model were used more methods of modeling and also more material models were used. For the purposes of the development of the computational model were used the available data of the companies SVS FEM s.r.o. and VVÚ s.p. The outcome of the diploma thesis is a computational model of aramid fabric which is designed for ballistic protection simulations. This model is validated on the basis of available experiments. The validated computational model is then applied to the simulation of ballistic protection.

Compression strength after impact tests were conducted on unidirectional composite rods with sleeves. These elements represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® technologies). The unidirectional cores composed of carbon, glass, or basalt fiber/epoxy composites were co-cured in aramid sleeves. Sleeve patterns included both bi-directional (unsymmetric) braids and unidirectional spiral wraps with sleeve coverage ranging from nominally half to full. The diameters were nominally 8 and 11 mm (5/16 and 7/16 in). The larger diameter had nominally twice the cross-sectional area, to quantify the effects of scaling. The specimens were long enough to encourage local buckling failure as expected in members of typical composite lattice structures. The unsupported lengths varied from 127 mm (5.0 in) to 160 mm (6.3 in). Specimens were radially impacted at mid-length with energy levels ranging from 0 to 20 J (0 to 14.8 ft-lbs) and tested in longitudinal compression to quantify the effects of local impact damage on the buckling strength. In undamaged specimens, sleeve type and sleeve coverage have no effect on the ultimate compression strength of carbon, glass, or basalt composites (7% or less standard deviation for each material). When impacted, the influence of sleeve type and sleeve coverage varies with the type of fiber in the unidirectional core. Sleeve type and coverage did not affect the compression strength after impact for fiberglass composites. On the other hand, both carbon and basalt composites exhibited improved performance with braided (vs. spiral) sleeves (up to 34% stronger) and full (vs. half) coverage (up to 38% stronger). The compression strength of carbon configurations decreases with increasing impact energy regardless of sleeve type or coverage. The higher flexibility of glass and basalt composites, however, allowed some configurations to maintain the same compression strength after impact as their undamaged counterparts, at lower impact energy levels. Doubling cross-sectional area of basalt composites significantly improves the stiffness and compression strength after impact, more than doubling the impact energy required to achieve the same compression strength.

No description available.

Diploma thesis deals with topic of using aramid (Kevlar) fibres in road engineering in asphalt mixtures. Theoretical part of thesis is describing characteristics of aramid fibres and their technical usage. Thesis deals with research and application of aramid fibres abroad and also in Czech Republic. Practical part deals with influence of aramid fibres, namely FORTA FI fibres in mixture with modified binder for wearing course. An integral part of this thesis is a description of all methods that were used during the processing of the practical part. In the end of the thesis there are outcomes of tests and theoretical research.

Carbon nanotubes, graphene and nano sized core shell rubber particles have all been extensively researched for their capability to improve mechanical properties of thermoset resins. However, there has been a lack of research on their evaluation for energy absorption in high velocity impact scenarios, and the fundamental mechanics of their failure mechanisms during highly dynamic stress transfer through the matrix. This fundamental research is essential for laying the foundation for improvement in ballistic performance in composite armor. In hard armor applications, energy absorption is largely accomplished through delamination between plies of the composite laminate. This energy absorption is accomplished through two mechanisms. The first being the elongation of the fiber reinforcement contained in the resin matrix, and the second is the propagation of the crack in between the discreet fabric plies. This research aims to fundamentally study the energy absorption characteristics of various nano-particles as reinforcements in thermoset resin for high velocity impact applications. Multiple morphologies will be evaluated through use of platelet, tubular and spherical shaped nano-particles. Evaluations of the effect on stress transfer through the matrix due to the combination of nano sized and micro scale particles of milled fiber is conducted. Three different nano-particles are utilized, specifically, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, and core shell rubber particles. The difference in surface area, aspect ratio and molecular structure between the tube, platelet and spherical nano-particles causes energy absorption through different failure mechanisms. This changes the impact performance of composite panels enhanced with the nanoparticle fillers. Composite panels made through the use of dispersing the various nano-particles iv in a non-contact planetary mixer, are evaluated through various dynamic and static testing, including unnotched cantilever beam impact, mixed mode fracture toughness, split-Hopkinson bar, and ballistic V50 testing. The unnotched cantilever beam testing showed that the addition of milled fiber degraded the impact resistance of the samples. Addition of graphene nano platelets unilaterally degraded impact resistance through the unnotched cantilever beam testing. 1.5% loading of MWCNT showed the greatest increase in impact resistance, with a 43% increase over baseline. Determining the critical load for mixed mode interlaminar shear testing can be difficult for composite panels that bend without breaking. An iterative technique of optimizing the coefficient of determination, R2 , in linear regression is developed for objectively determining the point of non-linearity for critical load. This allows for a mathematical method of determination; thereby eliminating any subjective decision of choosing where the data becomes non-linear. The core shell rubber nano particles showed the greatest strain energy release rate with an exponential improvement over the baseline results. Synergistic effects between nano and micro sized particles in the resin matrix during transfer of the stress wave were created and evaluated. Loadings of 1% milled carbon fiber enhanced the V50 ballistic performance of both carbon nanotube and core shell rubber particles in the resin matrix. However, the addition of milled carbon fiber degrades the impact resistance of all nano-particle enhanced resin matrices. Therefore, benefits gained from the addition of microsized particles in combination with nano-sized particles, are only seen in high energy impact scenarios with micro second durations. v Loadings of 1% core shell rubber particles and 1% milled carbon fiber have an improvement of 8% in V50 ballistic performance over the baseline epoxy sample for 44 mag single wad cutter gas check projectiles. Loadings of 1% multi-walled carbon nanotubes with 1% milled carbon fiber have an improvement of 7.3% in V50 ballistic performance over the baseline epoxy sample. The failure mechanism of the various nano-particle enhanced resin matrices during the ballistic event is discussed through the use of scanning electron microscope images and Raman spectroscopy of the panels after failure. The Raman spectroscopy data shows a Raman shift for the fibers that had an enhancement in the V50 performance through the use of nano-particles. The Raman band for Kevlar® centered at 1,649 cm-1 stemming from the stretching of the C==O bond of the fiber shows to be more sensitive to the residual axial strain, while the Raman band centered at 1,611 cm-1 stemming from the C-C phenyl ring is minimally affected for the CSR enhanced panels due to the failure mechanism of the CSR particles during crack propagation.