• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.691-699
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• 2022

This paper is devoted to the presentation of a numerical study on vibration behavior of composite panels reinforced by glass fibres and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) subjected to thermal environments. The effect of temperature variation has been included as thermal load acting on in-plane direction of the panel. To model the composite material, a micromechanical model which contains random dispersion of nanotubes and single-direction fibers has been selected. The geometry of the panel has been considered to have a single curveture along its width. Based on the above assumptions, the governing equations have been derived by using thin shell theory capturing the panel curveture and also nonlinear deflections. Finally, the panel dependence on various factors such as the curveture, nanotube amount, fiber volume, fiber direction and temperature variation has been researched.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2017

This investigation highlights rationale of electrically conductive nano adhesives for its essential application for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding in satellites and Lightning Strike Protection in aircrafts. Carbon Nano Fibres (CNF) were functionalized by electroless process using Tollen's reagent and by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) process by depositing silver on CNF. Different weight percentage of CNF and silver coated CNF were reinforced into the epoxy resin hardener system. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs clearly show the presence of CNF in the epoxy matrix, thus giving enough evidence to show that dispersion is uniform. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that there is uniform deposition of silver on CNF resulting in significant improvement in interfacial adhesion with epoxy matrix. There is a considerable increase in thermal stability of the conductive nano adhesive demonstrated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Four probe conductivity meters clearly shows a substantial increase in the electrical conductivity of silver coated CNF-epoxy composite compared to non-coated CNF-epoxy composite. Tensile test results clearly show that there is a significant increase in the tensile strength of silver coated CNF-composites compared to non-coated CNF-epoxy composites. Consequently, this technology is highly desirable for satellites and EMI Shielding and will open a new dimension in space research.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2019

Strengthening with near surface mounted carbon fibre reinforced polymers (NSM-CFRP) is a strengthening technique that have been used for several decades to increase the load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete members. In Iraq, many concrete buildings and bridges were subjected to a wide range of damage as a result of the last war and many other events. Accordingly, there is a progressive increase in the strengthening of concrete structures, bridges in particular, by using CFRP strengthening techniques. Near-surface mounted carbon fibre polymer has been recently proved as a powerful strengthening technique in which the CFRP strips are sufficiently protected against external environmental conditions especially the high-temperature rates in Iraq. However, this technique has not been examined yet under repeated loading conditions such as traffic loads on bridge girders. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of NSM-CFRP strips in reinforced concrete beams under repeated loads. Different parameters such as the number of strips, groove size, and two types of bonding materials (epoxy resin and cement-based adhesive) were considered. Fifteen NSM-CFRP strengthened beams were tested under concentrated monotonic and repeated loadings. Three beams were non-strengthened as reference specimens while the remaining were strengthened with NSM-CFRP strips and divided into three groups. Each group comprises two beams tested under monotonic loads and used as control for those tested under repeated loads in the same group. The experimental results are discussed in terms of load-deflection behavior up to failure, ductility factor, cumulative energy absorption, number of cycles to failure, and the mode of failure. The test results proved that strengthening with NSM-CFRP strips increased both the flexural strength and stiffness of the tested beams. An increase in load carrying capacity was obtained in a range of (1.47 to 4.49) times that for the non-strengthened specimens. Also, the increase in total area of CFRPs showed a slight increase in flexural capacity of (1.02) times the value of the control strengthened one tested under repeated loading. Increasing the total area of CFRP strips resulted in a reduction in ductility factor reached to (0.71) while the cumulative energy absorption increased by (1.22) times the values of the strengthened reference specimens tested under repeated loading. Moreover, the replacement of epoxy resin with cement-based adhesive as a bonding material exhibited higher ductility than specimen with epoxy resin tested under monotonic and repeated loading.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.171-176
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• 2019

In this paper, the strength of the composite securement device was characterised by FE analysis. Preliminary frontal crash analysis for the vehicle, equipped with the conventional steel securement device, was carried out according to the ISO 10542 for special transportation to obtain loading data, which were applied to securement device during crash. The securement device consists of block, guide and rail and the weight fraction of rail was the highest among them, therefore, it is desirable to reduce weight of rail by applying carbon/epoxy composite. Also, it was found that 27% of lightweight effect was obtained by hybrid rail that bottom part was replaced by a composite compared to the conventional rail, i.e., made of SAPH 440, without sacrificing the structural strength.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 2022

In mountainous areas of China, concrete poles with connectors are widely employed in power transmission due to its convenience of manufacture and transportation. The bearing capacity of the poles must have degenerated over time, and most of the steel connectors have been corroded. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) offers a durable, light-weight alternative in strengthening those poles that have served for many years. In this paper, the bearing capacity and failure mechanism of CFRP sheet strengthened existing reinforced concrete poles with corrosion steel connectors were investigated. Four poles were selected to conduct flexural capacity test. Two poles were strengthened by single-layer longitudinal CFRP sheet, one pole was strengthened by double-layer longitudinal CFRP sheets and the last specimen was not strengthened. Results indicate that the failure is mainly bond failure between concrete and the external CFRP sheet, and the specimens fail in a brittle pattern. The cross-sectional strains of specimens approximately follow the plane section assumption in the early stage of loading, but the strain in the tensile zone no longer conforms to this assumption when the load approaches the failure load. Also, bearing capacity and stiffness of the strengthened specimens are much larger than those without CFRP sheet. The bearing capacity, initial stiffness and elastic-plastic stiffness of specimen strengthened by double-layer CFRP are larger than those strengthened by single-layer CFRP. Weighting the cost-effective effect, it is more economical and reasonable to strengthen with single-layer CFRP sheet. The results can provide a reference to the same type of poles for strengthening design.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.3C
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• pp.91-96
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate a method for the strength enhancement of wale in temporary retaining structures. Tests on the wale structures strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) strips and prestressed with seven wire strands were conducted. From this test, it is found that the flexural stiffness and strength of the wales strengthened with CFRP strips and seven wire strands were significantly improved compared to the unstrengthened one. The ultimate tensile strains of attached CFRP strips on the steel beam were in the range of 8,000 and $11,000{\mu}{\epsilon}$, and it is noticed that the bonding ability with steel and CFRP strips is good. In this paper, a new method for enhancing the strength of wale in retaining structures is suggested.

• Composites Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2004

This paper aims to correlate the micro-mechanical behaviour of tow geometry with applied in-plane forces during deformation of dry woven carbon-fibre fabric. These in-plane forces lead to differences in tow reorganisation during deformation and so changes in the way in which 'lock-up' occurs. In this paper, deformation of micro-mechanical parameters such as tow interval, crimp angle, change in tow amplitude and wavelength are investigated. To observe the micro-deformation of the fabric structure, appropriate specimens from bias extension and biaxial tests are sectioned and observed under the microscope. It was found that different loading conditions cause geometric deferences in the tow architecture. The variation in deformed tow geometry with shear angle is fitted using a simple parametric model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2017

To upgrade shear performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, and particularly of the segments under negative moment within continuous T-section beams, a series of original schemes has been proposed using carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) U-shaped strips for shear-strengthening. The current work focuses on one of them, in which CFRP U-strips are wound around steel bars against the top of the flange of a T-beam and then spliced on its bottom face in addition to being bonded onto its sides. The test results showed that the proposed scheme successfully provided reliable anchorage for U-strips and prevented premature onset of shear failure due to FRP debonding. The governing shear mode of failure changed from peeling of CFRP to its fracture or crushing of concrete. The strengthened specimens displayed an average increase of about 60% in shear capacity over the unstrengthened control one. The specimen with a relatively high ratio and uniform distribution of CFRP reinforcement had a maximum increase of nearly 75% in strength as well as significantly improved ductility. The formulas by various codes or guidelines exhibited different accuracy in estimating FRP contribution to shear resistance of the segments that are subjected to negative moment and strengthened with well-anchored FRP U-strips within continuous T-beams. Further investigation is necessary to find a suitable approach to predicting load-carrying capacity of continuous beams shear strengthened in this way.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2017

This paper highlights a study undertaken on the free vibration of a precast steel-concrete composite slab panel for track support. The steel-concrete composite slab track is an evolvement from the slab track, a form of ballastless track which is becoming increasingly attractive to asset owners as they seek to reduce lifecycle costs and deal with increasing rail traffic speeds. The slender nature of the slab panel due to its reduced depth of construction makes it susceptible to vibration problems. The aim of the study is driven by the need to address the limited research available to date on the dynamic behaviour of steel-concrete composite slab panels for track support. Free vibration analysis of the track slab has been carried out using ABAQUS. Both eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes have been extracted using the Lanczos method. The fundamental natural frequencies of the slab panel have been identified together with corresponding mode shapes. To investigate the sensitivity of the natural frequencies and mode shapes, parametric studies have been established, considering concrete strength and mass and steel's modulus of elasticity. This study is the world first to observe crossover phenomena that result in the inversion of the natural orders without interaction. It also reveals that replacement of the steel with aluminium or carbon fibre sheeting can only marginally reduce the natural frequencies of the slab panel.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.203-212
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• 1996

Applicability of SiC coating through CVD process and PCS(polycarbosilane) impregnation for the oxidation resistance and mechanical properties of C/C composite was studied. The SiC layer coated by CVD was deposited uniformly on the C/C composite, whereas the SiC converted from PCS impregnation wetted around individual carbon fiber. The PCS-impregnated C/C composite exhibited a significant increase of bending strength in comparison with as received C/C composite. This increase in the mechanical property could be attributed to the high bonding strength between fibers due to an impregnated SiC phase. The PCS-impregnated C/C showed 25% improvement in density, 3.5 times higher MOR and 2.8 times higher oxidation resistance compared to the as-received C/C. The increments due to PCS impregnation were more effective than CVD process.