• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.417-432
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• 2019

This paper presents the results of axial compression testing and numerical modeling on reinforced concrete columns (RCC) with normal concrete (NC) and high-strength concrete (HSC), RCC confined by glass-fiber reinforced plastic pipes (GRP) casing as well as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), The major parameters evaluated in the experiments were the effects of concrete type, GRP casing and CFRP wrapping, as well as the number of CFRP layers. 12 cylindrical RCC ($150{\times}600mm$) were prepared and divided into two groups, NC and HSC. Each group was divided into two parts; with and without GRP casing. In each part, one column was without CFRP strengthening layer, a column was wrapped with one CFRP layer and another column with two CFRP layers. All columns were tested under concentrated compression load. Numerical modeling was performed using ABAQUS software and the results of which were compared with experimental findings. A good agreement was found between the results. Results indicated that the utilization of CFRP wrapping and GRP casing improved compression capacity and ductility of RCC. The addition of one and two layer-FRP wrapping increased capacity in the NC group to an average of 18.5% and 26.5% and in the HSC group to an average of 10.2% and 24.8%. Meanwhile, the utilization of GRP casing increased the capacity of the columns by 3 times in the NC group and 2.38 times in the HSC group. The results indicated that although both CFRP wrapping and GRP casing increased confinement, the GRP casing gave more increase capacity and ductility of the RCC due to higher confinement. Furthermore, the confinement effect was higher on NC group.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2021

In this paper, the Curing process for Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC) Package was developed by comparing the performance of the EMC/Cu Bi-layer package manufactured by the conventional Hot Press process system and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Heater process system of the surface heating system. The viscosity of EMC was measured by using a rheometer for the curing cycle of the CNT Heater. In the EMC/Cu Bi-layer Package manufactured through the two process methods by mentioned above, the voids inside the EMC was analyzed using an optical microscope. In addition, the interfacial void and warpage of the EMC/Cu Bi-layer Package were analyzed through C-Scanning Acoustic Microscope and 3D-Digital Image Correlation. According to these experimental results, it was confirmed that there was neither void in the EMC interior nor difference in the warpage at room temperature, the zero-warpage temperature and the change in warpage.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.469-476
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• 2022

In this paper, the microwave absorbing characteristics after the impact of the radar-absorbing structure (RAS) consisting of periodic pattern sheet (PPS) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) were experimentally investigated. The fabricated RAS effectively absorbed the microwave in the X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz). In order to induce the damage to the RAS, a low-velocity impact test with various impact energy of 15, 40, and 60 J was conducted. Afterward, the impact damage was observed by using visual inspection, non-destructive test, and image processing method. Moreover, the absorbing performance of intact and damaged RAS was measured by the free-space measurement system. The experiment results revealed that the delamination damage from the impact energy of 15 J did not considerably affect the microwave absorbing performance of the RAS. However, fiber breakage and penetration damage with a relatively large damaged area were occuured when the impact energy was increased up to 40 J and 60 J, and these failures significantly degraded the microwave absorbing characteristics of the RAS.

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.23-31
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• 2009

This paper investigated acoustic emission (AE) characteristics in association with various fracture processes of glass fiber reinforced plastic skin/ aluminum honeycomb core (GF-AH) hybrid composites under compressive and bending loads. Various failure modes such as skin layer fracture, skin/core interfacial fracture, and local plastic yield buckling and cell wall adhesive fracture occurring in the honeycomb cell wall were classified through the fracture identification in association with the AE frequency and amplitude analysis. The distribution of the event-rate in which it has a high amplitude showed a procedure of cell wall adhesive fracture, skin/core interfacial debonding and fiber breakage, whereas distribution of different peak frequencies indicated the plastic deformation of aluminum cell wall and the friction between honeycomb walls. Consequently, the fracture behaviors of GF-AH hybrid composites could be characterized through a nondestructive evaluation employing the AE technique.

• Composites Research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.31-39
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• 1999

Glass-fiber reinforced polymeric composites provide the desitable properties of high stiffness and strength as well as specific weight. Hence, they have become some of the most important materials in several industries. These composites can be grouped into thermoplastic and thermoset composites, with thermoplastic composites having several advantages over thermoset composites in mechanical properties and processing. As a result, the study of the material behavior and forming techniques of such composites has attracted considerable attention in recent years. When the continuous fiber-reinforced polymeric composites are molded by flow molding, the molded parts leads to be nonhomogeneity and anisotropic because of the separation and orientation of fibers. As the characteristics of the products are greatly dependent on the separation, it is very important to clarify the separation in relarion to molding conditions, fiber mat structures and mold geometry. In this study, the effects of the mold geometry and the fiber mat structure on the compression moldability are studied using the cup-type molding.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.421-428
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• 2014

This paper describes the experimental results of insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (CSWP) with corrugated glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) shear connectors under in-plane shear loading. Corrugated GFRP shear connectors were used to improve the thermal property of insulated CSWP and to achieve composite action between the interior and exterior concrete wall panels. Test specimens were consist of three concrete panels with two insulation layers between concrete panels and middle concrete panels was loaded in the direction of gravity. To evaluate the effects of insulation types (extruded polystyrene, XPSS and expanded polystyrene, EPS), shear connector pitch (300 and 400 mm) and width (10 and 15 mm) on in-plane shear behavior of insulted CSWP, failure mode and shear flow-average relative slip relationship of specimens were investigated. Test results indicate that the bond stress between concrete panel and insulation is considerable initially. Especially in case of insulated CSWP without shear connector, initial stiffness of CSWP with XPSS is superior to that of CSWP with EPS. The shear connector's contribution to in-plane shear performance of insulated CSWP depends on the type of insulation.

• Composites Research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.74-82
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• 1999

The static and fatigue characteristics of polyurethane foam cored sandwich structures are investigated. Three types of the specimens with the glass fabric faces and the polyurethane foam core are used; non-stitched. stitched, and stiffened sandwich specimen. Especially additional structural reinforcements with the twisted polyester and glass fiber for thickness direction are made to stitched sandwich structure panel to minimize the delamination of structure which is stitched the upper and lower faces through the core and the resin is impregnated Into stitched fiber with the characteristics of low viscosity of resin at resin flow temperature and cured together with during the curing process. Bending strength of stitched specimen which is 50 mm $50{\times}50{\;}mm$ pitched is improved by 50 % as com-pared with non-stitched specimen and stiffened specimen is improved 10 times more than non-stitched structure. After fatigue testing of $10^6$cycles by 20% of ultimate load under monotonic load, the bending fatigue strength of non-stitched specimen is decreased by 27% of monotonic bending strength, 39% for stitched structure and 20% for stiffened specimen. To verify the aging effect of polyurethane form core, Ultrasonic C-scanning equipment is used to detect the damage of skin laminate alone after fatigue test. From results of UT C-scan images, there is no defect that can be damaged occurred during fatigue test. It is concluded that the decrease of bending strength for foam cored sandwich specimen is caused by the decrease of stiffness due to the aging of polyurethane foam core during fatigue cycles.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2018

The curing behavior of glass fiber reinforced epoxy prepregs based on Bisphenol-A (BPA) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The total heat of reaction(${\Delta}H_{total}=280.3J/g$) was determined based on the results of the dynamic heating scanning experiments. Isothermal experiments were carried out at $110{\sim}130^{\circ}C$, and it was observed that the maximum conversion and the maximum reaction rate were increased as temperature increased. Also Kamal equation was applied to analyze autocatalytic reaction of epoxy prepregs. The higher temperatures, the greater reaction rate constants ($k_1$, $k_2$). Theoretical values were calculated by these reaction rate constants and compared with experimental values. And it was confirmed that they were in reasonable agreement. At the beginning of the reaction, the experimental data and theoretical prediction were shown the same tendency, but at the end of reaction, the experimental data were smaller than theoretical predicted values due to reaction rates controlled by diffusion.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.366-374
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• 1992

Mechanical and impact properties of stitched S2 glass fiber reinforced polyester woven laminates composites have been studied. Laminates were stitched using Kevlar 49 thread with 1/2, 1, and 2 inch stitch spacing. Tensile and 3-point bending tests haute been performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of stitched and unstitched laminates. Impact tests at applied energy of 234.7J were performed to examine the impact behavior and toughness changes of the specimen. The same specimens were also tested repeatedly at low impact energy level of 110.2J for 3 times to evaluate damage tolerance properties. The tensile and 3-point bending test results showed that one inch spacing specimen had the highest tensile and flexural strength. It also showed the highest energy absorption capability and the best damage tolerance property at the repeated impact test. The half inch spacing specimen showed the lowest tensile strength and energy absorption property at the impact energy level of 234.7J, even though it had the highest frequency of stitching thread.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2012

A Macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials is commonly referred to as a "Composite Material", having been designed mechanically and chemically superior in function and characteristic than its individual constituent materials. Composite materials are used not only for aerospace and military, but also heavily used in boat/ship building and general composite industries which we are seeing increasingly more. Regardless of the various applications for composite materials, the industry is still limited and requires better fabrication technology and methodology in order to expand and grow. An example of this is that the majority of fabrication facilities nearby still use an antiquated wet lay-up process where fabrication still requires manual hand labor in a 3D environment impeding productivity of composite product design advancement. As an expert in the advanced composites field, I have developed fabrication skills with the use of machinery based on my past composite experience. In autumn 2011, the Korea government confirmed to fund my project. It is the development of a composite sanding machine. I began development of this semi-robotic prototype beginning in 2009. It has possibilities of replacing or augmenting the exhaustive and difficult jobs performed by human hands, such as sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing in most often, very awkward conditions, and is also will boost productivity, improve surface quality, cut abrasive costs, eliminate vibration injuries, and protect workers from exposure to dust and airborne contamination. Ease of control and operation of the equipment in or outside of the sanding room is a key benefit to end-users. It will prove to be much more economical than normal robotics and minimize errors that commonly occur in factories. The key components and their technologies are a 360 degree rotational shoulder and a wrist that is controlled under PLC controller and joystick manual mode. Development on both of the key modules is complete and are now operational. The Korean government fund boosted my development and I expect to complete full scale development no later than 3rd quarter 2012. Even with the advantages of composite materials, there is still the need to repair or to maintain composite products with a higher level of technology. I have learned many composite repair skills on composite airframe since many composite fabrication skills including repair, requires training for non aerospace applications. The wind energy market is now requiring much larger blades in order to generate more electrical energy for wind farms. One single blade is commonly 50 meters or longer now. When a wind blade becomes damaged from external forces, on-site repair is required on the columns even under strong wind and freezing temperature conditions. In order to correctly obtain polymerization, the repair must be performed on the damaged area within a very limited time. The use of pre-impregnated glass fabric and heating silicone pad and a hot bonder acting precise heating control are surely required.