• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.217-224
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• 2006

Rapid flow advancement without void formation is essential in the liquid composite molding (LCM) such as resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). A highly permeable layer in multi-layered preform has an important role in improvement of the flow advancement. In this study, a multi-layered preform which consists of three layers is employed. Radial flow experiment is carried out for the multi-layered preform. A new analytic model for advancement of flow front is proposed and effective permeability is defined. The effective permeability for the multi-layered preform is obtained analytically and compared with experimental results. Compaction test is performed to determine the exact fiber volume traction of each layer in the multi-layered preform. Transverse permeability employed in modeling is measured experimentally unlike the previous studies. Accurate prediction of flow advancement is of great use for saving the processing time and enhancing product properties of the final part.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.189-196
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• 2001

Recent days composite bridge deck is gaining attraction due to many advantages such as light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and high durability. In this study, composite sandwich deck models of hat, box, and triangular section type were fabricated by VARTM process. For those models, three point flexural test was carried out both in strong and weak axis. The experimental results are compared with each other to determine efficient section type. Also finite element analysis was performed and compared with experiments to verify analysis model. It has been demonstrated that composite sandwich deck can be used as bridge deck in the new construction and rehabilitation work.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.249-257
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• 2019

In this paper, the buckling behavior of triaxially braided circular arch with monosymmetric open section subjected to three-point bending was studied experimentally and numerically. First, test specimens were manufactured using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Then the specimen was tested under three-point bending to determine the ultimate buckling strength. Before performing the numerical analysis, effective material properties of the braided composite were obtained through micro-meso scale analysis virtual testing validated with available test results. Then linear buckling analysis and geometrically non-linear post buckling analysis, established to simulate the test setup, were performed to study the buckling behavior of the composite frame. Analysis results were compared with experimentally obtained ones for verification. The effect of manufacturing defects of tow misalignment, irregular surface and resin rich region, and uncertainties during test setup were studied using numerical models. From the numerical analyses performed it was observed that both manufacturing defect and uncertainties had effect on the buckling behavior and strength.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

A composite structure was fabricated with embedded impact detection capabilities for applications in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). By embedding sensor functionality in the composite, the structure can successfully perform impact localization in real time. Smart resin, composed of $Pb(Ni_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3-Pb(Zr,\;Ti)O_2$ (PNN-PZT) powder and epoxy resin with 1:30 wt%, was used instead of conventional epoxy resin in order to activate the sensor function in the composite structure. The embedded impact sensor in the composite was fabricated using Hand Lay-up and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding(VARTM) methods to inject the smart resin into the glass-fiber fabric. The electrodes were fabricated using silver paste on both the upper and bottom sides of the specimen, then poling treatment was conducted to activate the sensor function using a high voltage amplifier at 4 kV/mm for 30 min at room temperature. The composite's piezoelectric sensitivity was measured to be 35.13 mV/N by comparing the impact force signals from an impact hammer with the corresponding output voltage from the sensor. Because impact sensor functionality was successfully embedded in the composite structure, various applications of this technique in the SHM industry are anticipated. In particular, impact localization on large-scale composite structures with complex geometries is feasible using this composite embedded impact sensor.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2009

This research examined the technical feasibility of composite that had two layers of fiberglass reinforcement to enhance the load carrying capacity of lumber. Specimens were prepared from standard lumber made of thinning crop trees such as Larix kaempferi, Pinus koraiensis, and P. rigida. Results indicated that bending properties, hardness, and wood screw withdrawal load of low density lumber from the P. koraiensis increased as the number of layers of fiberglass reinforcement increased. Composite produced by VARTM method showed the MOE increased in all specimens, while the MOR differed on the location, whether the 2-layers of FRP is put on tensile zone or compressive zone. The MOR of high density lumber from Larix kaempferi and P. rigida decreased when they placed into tensile zone, but low density lumber from P. koraiensis increased in same location. The bending toughness only increased high density lumber of Larix kaempferi as the number of layers of fiberglass reinforcement increased. The technique developed by this study may increase an opportunity to use small diameter log with low density for commercial purposes.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.135-144
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• 2003

Permeability of the preform is one of key factors in design of RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) mold, determination of processing conditions, and modeling of flow in the mold. According to previous studies, permeability measured in the unsaturated fiber mats are higher than that in the saturated fiber mats by about 20% because of the capillary pressure. In this study, permeabilities of several fiber preforms are measured for both saturated and unsaturated flows. A saturated experiment of radial flow has been adopted to measure the permeability of anisotropic fiber preforms with high fiber content, i.e., circular braided preforms. In this method, four pressure transducers are used to measure the pressure distribution. Permeabilities in different directions are determined and the experimental results show a good agreement with the theory. Since permeability is affected by the capillary effect, permeability should be measured in the unsaturated condition for the textile composites to be manufactured under lower pressure as in the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2019

In this study, carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites were interleaved with aramid nonwoven veils with an areal weight density of $8.5g/m^2$ to improve their Mode-I fracture toughness. The control and aramid interleaved CF/EP composite laminates were manufactured by VARTM in a [0]4 configuration. Tensile, three-point bending, compression, interlaminar shear, Charpy impact and Mode-I (DCB) fracture toughness values were determined to evaluate the effects of aramid nonwoven fabrics on the mechanical performance of the CF/EP composites. Thermomechanical behavior of the specimens was investigated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results showed that the propagation Mode-I fracture toughness values of CF/EP composites can be significantly improved (by about 72%) using aramid nonwoven fabrics. It was found that the main extrinsic toughening mechanism is aramid microfiber bridging acting behind the crack-tip. The incorporation of these nonwovens also increased interlaminar shear and Charpy impact strength by 10 and 16.5%, respectively. Moreover, it was revealed that the damping ability of the composites increased with the incorporation of aramid nonwoven fabrics in the interlaminar region of composites. On the other hand, they caused a reduction in in-plane mechanical properties due to the reduced carbon fiber volume fraction, increased thickness and void formation in the composites.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.729-734
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of water absorption on the tensile properties of carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composites at room temperature and $-30^{\circ}C$. To investigate the effect of the position of glass fabric in the hybrid composite on the tensile properties, the stacking pattern of the fiber fabrics for reinforcing was created in three different ways: (a) glass fabrics sandwiched between carbon fabrics, (b) carbon fabrics sandwiched between glass fabrics and (c) alternative layers of carbon and glass fabrics. They were manufactured by a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The results showed that there was surprisingly little difference in tensile strength at the two different temperatures with dry and wet conditions. However, the water absorption into the hybrid system affected the tensile properties of the hybrid composites at RT and $-30^{\circ}C$. When the glass fabrics were at the outermost layers, the hybrid composite had the lowest tensile properties. This is attributed to the fact that the composite had a relatively high water absorption rate.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

This paper summarizes the results of the fatigue test of four composite bridge decks in extreme temperatures (-30$^{\circ}C$ and 50$^{\circ}C$ ). The work was performed as part of a research program to evaluate and install multiple FRP bridge deck systems in Dayton, Ohio. A two-span continuous concrete deck was also built on three steel girders for the benchmark tests. Simulated wheel loads were applied simultaneously at two points by two servo-controlled hydraulic actuators specially designed and fabricated to perform under extreme temperatures. Each deck was initially subjected to one million wheel load cycles at low temperature and another one million cycles at high temperature. The results presented in this paper correspond to the fatigue response of each deck for four million load cycles at low temperature and another four million cycles at high temperature. Thus, the deck was subjected to a total of ten million cycles. Quasi-static load-deflection and load-strain responses were determined at predetermined fatigue cycle levels. Except for the progressive reduction in stiffness, no significant distress was observed in any of the composite deck prototypes during ten million load cycles. The effects of extreme temperatures and accumulated load cycles on the load-deflection and load-strain response of FRP composite and FRP-concrete hybrid bridge decks are discussed based on the experimental results.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.408-414
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• 2020

The present engineering sector focused on the sandwich composites and almost covered all engineering fields because of decent mechanical properties with a lightweight structure. It mainly consists of high strength fiber skin and porous structure core like corrugated, honeycomb, balsa wood, and foams which is playing a pivotal role in weight reduction. Recently researchers attention grabbed by Natural fiber sandwich composites due to biodegradability, renewable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly. However special focus is highly needed towards the flammability behavior of natural fibers used as reinforcement for composites. Herein, for the first time, the flame retardant natural fiber sandwich composite was fabricated by using flame retardant treated bamboo fabric and vinyl ester via the VARTM process. The impact of flame retardant treated bamboo fabric on mechanical and flame retardant properties were studied. The results concluded that the fabricated bamboo sandwich composites show structurally lightweight with significant mechanical strength and feasibility with respect to the flame.