• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.93-122
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• 2024

One well-known reason for using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites is to improve concrete strength and strain capacity via external confinement. Hence, various studies have been undertaken to offer a good illustration of the response of FRP-wrapped concrete for practical design intents. However, in such studies, the strength and strain of the confined concrete were predicted using regression analysis based on a limited number of test data. This study presents an approach based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to develop models to predict the strength and strain at maximum stress enhancement of circular concrete cross-sections confined with different FRP types (Carbone, Glass, Aramid). To achieve this goal, a large test database comprising 493 axial compression experiments on FRP-confined concrete samples was compiled based on an extensive review of the published literature and used to validate the predicted artificial intelligence techniques. The ANN approach is currently thought to be the preferred learning technique because of its strong prediction effectiveness, interpretability, adaptability, and generalization. The accuracy of the developed ANN model for predicting the behavior of FRP-confined concrete is commensurate with the experimental database compiled from published literature. Statistical measures values, which indicate a better fit, were observed in all of the ANN models. Therefore, compared to existing models, it should be highlighted that the newly developed models based on FRP type are remarkably accurate.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2024

This study investigates the 3D printing characteristics of strain hardening cement composites (SHCC) reinforced by PVA fibers. Three SHCC mixtures with diverse fiber volume fractions (1.0% for F1.0 mixture, 1.5% for F1.5 mixture, and 1.8% for F1.8 mixture) were designed. Except for the F1.0 mixture, all mixtures met the necessary conditions for multiple micro-cracking, with higher fiber volume fractions more readily satisfying these conditions. The flow values of three SHCC mixtures were within the 3D printable range of 120~160 mm, exhibiting decreased flow values with increasing the fiber volume fractions. Observation of the printed SHCC surfaces indicated that the F1.0 mixture had a Level-3 (good) rating, while F1.5 and F1.8 were rated as Level-2 (average). Higher fiber volume fractions resulted in poorer surface quality, thus, further research needs to be performed for modulating SHCC mixture suitable for 3D printing. The uniaxial tension behavior showed that the F1.0 mixture failed at lower strain, whereas F1.5 and F1.8 exhibited higher strain performance with multiple micro-cracks occurring.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.332-339
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• 2018

Fiber metal hybrid laminate (FML) can be used as an economic material with superior mechanical properties and light weight than conventional metal by bonding of metal and FRP. However, there are disadvantages that it is difficult to predict fracture behavior because of the large difference in properties depending on the type of fiber and lamination conditions. In this paper, we study the failure behavior of hybrid materials with laminated glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP, GEP118, woven type) in Al6061-T6 alloy. The Al alloys were coated with GFRP 1, 3, and 5 layers, and fracture behavior was analyzed by using a static test and a low cycle fatigue test. In the low cycle fatigue test, strain - life analysis and the total strain energy density method were used to analyze and predict the fatigue life. The Al alloy did not have tensile properties strengthening effect due to the GFRP coating. The fatigue hysteresis geometry followed the behavior of the Al alloy, the base material, regardless of the GFRP coating and number of coatings. As a result of the low cycle fatigue test, the fatigue strength was increased by the coating of GFRP, but it did not increase proportionally with the number of GFRP layers.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2018

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is one of the most economical fiber reinforced composite fabrication processing for automotive applications. In this study, we studied the optimum formulation for the production of SMC which shows low specific gravity without lowering the mechanical properties by using glass bubble (GB) which is a low specific gravity filler and glass fiber (GF) as a reinforcing material. The tensile strength increased with the increase of the GF in the SMC, and the specific gravity decreased with the increase of the GB. The synergistic effect of improving the mechanical properties as the specific gravity is lowered is found in the optimum formulation. The synergy effect was confirmed by the internal structure analysis that the dispersion effect of the crack propagation of the GB and the improvement of the binding force between the fiber and the matrix due to the incorporation of the GB.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.707-720
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• 2022

In the present work, bending and free vibration analyses of multilayered functionally graded (FG) graphene platelet (GPL) and fiber-reinforced hybrid composite beams are carried out using the parabolic function based shear deformation theory. Parabolic variation of transverse shear stress across the thickness of beam and transverse shear stress-free conditions at top and bottom surfaces of the beam are considered, and the proposed formulation incorporates a transverse displacement field. The present theory works only with four unknowns and is computationally efficient. Hamilton's principle has been employed for deriving the governing equations. Analytical solutions are obtained for both the bending and free vibration problems in the present work considering different variations of GPLs and fibers distribution, namely, FG-X, FG-U, FG-Λ, and FG-O for beams having simply-supported boundary condition. First, the matrix is assumed to be strengthened using GPLs, and then the fibers are embedded. Multiscale modeling for material properties of functionally graded graphene platelet/fiber hybrid composites (FG-GPL/FHRC) is performed using Halpin-Tsai micromechanical model. The study reveals that the distributions of GPLs and fibers have significant impacts on the stresses, deflections, and natural frequencies of the beam. The number of layers and shape factors widely affect the behavior of FG-GPL-FHRC beams. The multilayered FG-GPL-FHRC beams turn out to be a good approximation to the FG beams without exhibiting the stress-channeling effects.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2024

In this paper, a composite maintenance robot using carbon fiber spray method was developed that automatically sprays mixture was created for repair to damaged areas to repair them. To develop a robot, a repair process was developed in which a mixture of milled carbon fiber, epoxy resin, and hardener is sprayed and consolidated on the damaged area. To automate the repair process, an EOAT based on a collaborative robot was developed that can automatically suction and spray the mixture onto the damaged area. To evaluate the repair performance of the robot, 0° and 90° unidirectional specimens were manufactured and tested in accordance with ASTM D3039. Tests were performed on undamaged specimen, damaged specimen, and repaired specimen by a robot after damaged. As a result of the specimen test, the tensile strength of the 0° and 90° specimens was recovered by 10% and 90% after repair. Based on the test results, the repair performance of the developed composite maintenance robot was verified.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2018

Interfacial and mechanical properties of neat and two sizing agents coated glass fiber (GF)/polydicyclopentadiene (p-DCPD) composites were evaluated at room and low temperatures, $25^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$. Sizing agents of GFs were extracted using acetone and compared via FT-IR. Surface energy and work of adhesion between GFs and p-DCPD were calculated by dynamic contact angle measurement. Mechanical properties of different GFs were determined using single fiber tensile test and interfacial properties of single GF reinforced DCPD strip were determined using cyclic loading tensile test. Mechanical properties of GFs/p-DCPD composites at room and low temperatures were determined using tensile, compressive, and Izod impact tests. Interfacial and mechanical properties were different with sizing agents of GFs and the optimized condition of sizing agent was found.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2011

Retention of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of polymer composites at cryogenic temperature application is very important. In this work, single carbon tiber reinforced epoxy compositc was used to evaluate IFSS and apparent modulus under room and cryogenic temperatures. The property change of carbon and selected epoxy for particularly cryogenic temperature application were tested in tension and compression. Tensile strength and elongation of carbon fiber decreased at cryogenic temperature, whereas tensile modulus was almost same. On the other hand, epoxy matrix showed the increased tensile strength but decreased elongation. It can be due to maximum thermal contraction existing free volume in cryogenic temperature. IFSS increased up to $-10^{\circ}C$ and then decreased steadily. However, IFSS at cryogenic temperature was still similar to that at room temperature. This result is very useful to cryogenic application since selected epoxy toughness and interfacial adhesion can keep at such low temperature.

• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.203-208
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• 2016

Metal and polymer sandwich composites, which are made of sheet metal sheath and polymer or fiber reinforced plastic core, have been reconsidered as an alternative to sheet metal due to their lightness and multifunctional properties such as damping and sound-proof properties. For the successful applications of these composites, the delamination prediction based on the adhesion strength is important element. In this study, the numerical simulation of the delamination behavior of polymeric adhesive tapes with metallic surfaces was performed using cohesive zone elements and finite element software. The traction-separation law of the cohesive zone element was defined using the fracture energy derived from peel mechanics and experimental results from peel test and implemented in finite element software. The peel test of the polymeric adhesive film against steel surface was simulated and compared with experiments, demonstrating reasonable agreement between simulation and experiment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.889-895
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• 2012

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites have high specific stiffness and high specific strength. Therefore, they are increasingly being use, instead of conventional metallic materials in the aviation and automobile industries, where there is a strong demand for lightweight materials. In aircraft, the fuselage is exposed to severe conditions of high temperatures and high humidity. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the strength of CFRP composites under real conditions from the viewpoint of aircraft safety. In this study, CFRP specimens were immersed in distilled water at $75^{\circ}C$ for a long time. Then, tensile tests were performed on these specimens, and the fracture characteristics of the fractured surfaces were analyzed using SEM. A fatigue test was performed on specimens immersed for 300 days with R=0.1, and it was confirmed that the fatigue life deteriorated in immersed specimens compared to specimens that were not immersed.