Glued timber structure is one of the main forms of modern wood architecture,which has gradually developed towards mid-and high-rise buildings.Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is comprised of several laminates of parallel-to-...Glued timber structure is one of the main forms of modern wood architecture,which has gradually developed towards mid-and high-rise buildings.Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is comprised of several laminates of parallel-to-grain dimension lumber that are bonded together with durable,moisture resistant structural adhesives.GLT can be used in horizontal applications as a beam and in vertical applications as a post.So,its compressive performance has a significant impact on structural safety.Fiber reinforced polymers(FRPs)were commonly used to improve the bearing capacity of GLT components,and the structural and process parameters largely determined the reinforcement effect.This study was aimed at investigating the influence of structural and process parameters on the axial compression performance of GLT components.Three wrapping methods(middle-part,end-part and full wrapping)and three lengths(0.6,0.8,and 1.0 m)of wood post specimens were designed in this work and the axial compression performance and ductility of GLT post specimens modified by basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)were studied.The results showed that the effect of different BFRP wrapping methods on the compressive strength and elastic modulus of laminated wood was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The compressive bearing capacity of unreinforced GLT posts decreased with the increase of aspect ratio.The GLT posts with middle-part and end-part wrapping still followed this pattern,while the compressive bearing capacity of GLT posts with full wrapping showed a pattern of first decreasing and then increasing.For GLT with low aspect ratios(4.0 or 5.3),there was no correlation between the wrapping method and the compressive bearing capacity,while the compressive bearing capacity of GLT with a high aspect ratio(6.7)for middle-part,end-part and full wrapping increased by 3.5%,7.5%and 9.7%,respectively.Compared to the unreinforced group,the ultimate axial compressive strength and modulus of elasticity(MOE)of the 6-E series specimens reinforced at both ends decreased by 2.58%and 6.70%,respectively.The ultimate axial compressive strength of the 8-E specimens reinforced at both ends increased by 8.62%and the MOE decreased by 1.91%.The compressive strength of the 10-E specimens reinforced at both ends increased by 7.51%and the MOE increased by 8.14%.The failure modes of GLT with different aspects were consistent under the same BFRP wrapping,while the failure modes of GLT with the same aspect ratio were different for different BFRP wrapping methods.The ductility performance of GLT with different aspects ratio was improved by the BFRP wrapping.展开更多
Because inferior mechanical strength of granite polymer composite(GPC)has become the main drawback limiting its application and popularization,Mo fibers were added into(GPC)to improve its mechanical strength.Mechanica...Because inferior mechanical strength of granite polymer composite(GPC)has become the main drawback limiting its application and popularization,Mo fibers were added into(GPC)to improve its mechanical strength.Mechanical properties of matrix materials with different mass ratio of resin and stabilizer(MRRS)were investigated systematically.The influences of MRRS on interface bonding strength of Mo fiber-matrix,wettability and mechanical strength of GPC were discussed,respectively,and the theoretical calculation result of MRRS k was obtained,with the optimal value of k=4.When k=4,tensile strength,tensile strain and fracture stress of the cured resin achieve the maximum values.But for k=7,the corresponding values reach the minimum.With the increase of MRRS k,surface free energy of the cured resin first increases and then decreases,while contact angles between Mo sample and matrix have displayed the opposite trend.Wettability of resin to Mo fiber is the best at k=4.Pulling load of Mo fiber and interface bonding strength appear the maximum at k=4,followed by k=5,k=3 the third,and k=7 the minimum.When k=4,mechanical properties of Mo fiber-reinforced GPC are optimal,which is consistent with the result of theoretical calculation.This study is of great significance to get better component formulas of Mo fiber reinforced GPC and to improve its application in machine tools.展开更多
Introduction: This study investigates the Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Reinforced Slab Incorporating Alccofine and M-sand. Objective: Specific objective...Introduction: This study investigates the Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Reinforced Slab Incorporating Alccofine and M-sand. Objective: Specific objectives include evaluating the mechanical properties and structural behaviour of steel and GFRP-reinforced one-way slabs and comparing experimental and theoretical predictions. Methods: Four different mix proportions were arrived at, comprising both conventional concrete and Alccofine-based concrete. In each formulation, a combination of normal river sand and M-sand was utilized. Results: Concrete with Alccofine exhibits superior mechanical properties, while M-sand incorporation minimally affects strength but reduces reliance on natural sand. GFRP-reinforced slabs display distinct brittle behaviour with significant deflections post-cracking, contrasting steel-reinforced slabs’ gradual, ductile failure. Discrepancies between experimental data and design recommendations underscore the need for guideline refinement. Conclusion: Alccofine and M-sand enhance concrete properties, but reinforcement type significantly influences slab behaviour. GFRP-reinforced slabs, though exhibiting lower values than steel, offer advantages in harsh environments, warranting further optimization.展开更多
In order to study the fatigue failure mode and fatigue life laws of basalt-aramid and basalt-carbon hybrid fiber reinforced polymer ( FRP ) sheets, fatigue experiments are carried out, considering two hybrid ratios ...In order to study the fatigue failure mode and fatigue life laws of basalt-aramid and basalt-carbon hybrid fiber reinforced polymer ( FRP ) sheets, fatigue experiments are carried out, considering two hybrid ratios of 1 : 1 and 2:1 under different stress levels from 0.6 to 0.95. The results show that fractures occur first in carbon fibers or aramid fibers for the specimens with hybrid ratio of 1: 1, namely B1A1 and B1C1, while a fracture occurs first in basalt fibers for the specimens with a hybrid ratio of 2: 1, namely B2A1 and B2C1. The fatigue lives of the hybrid FRP sheets increase with the improvement of the content of carbon fibers or aramid fibers, and the influence of the carbon fibers content improvement to fatigue life is more significant. The fatigue performance of B2A1 is relatively worse, while the fatigue performance of B1C1 and B2C1 is relatively better. Finally, a new fatigue stiffness degradation model with dual variables and double inflection points is presented, which is applicable to both hybrid and normal FRP sheets.展开更多
Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP) composite materials are heterogeneous and anisotropic materials that do not exhibit plastic deformation. They have been used in a wide range of contemporary applications particularly in s...Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP) composite materials are heterogeneous and anisotropic materials that do not exhibit plastic deformation. They have been used in a wide range of contemporary applications particularly in space and aviation,automotive,maritime and manufacturing of sports equipment. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer(GFRP) composite materials,among other fiber reinforced materials,have been increasingly replacing conventional materials with their excellent strength and low specific weight properties. Their manufacturability in varying combinations with customized strength properties,also their high fatigue,toughness and high temperature wear and oxidation resistance capabilities render these materials an excellent choice in engineering applications.In the present review study,a literature survey was conducted on the machinability properties and related approaches for CFRP and GFRP composite materials. As in the machining of all anisotropic and heterogeneous materials,failure mechanisms were also reported in the machining of CFRP and GFRP materials with both conventional and modern manufacturing methods and the results of these studies were obtained by use of variance analysis(ANOVA),artificial neural networks(ANN) model,fuzzy inference system(FIS),harmony search(HS) algorithm,genetic algorithm(GA),Taguchi's optimization technique,multi-criteria optimization,analytical modeling,stress analysis,finite elements method(FEM),data analysis,and linear regression technique. Failure mechanisms and surface quality is discussed with the help of optical and scanning electron microscopy,and profilometry. ANOVA,GA,FEM,etc. are used to analyze and generate predictive models.展开更多
This work is aimed at studying the strengthening of reinforced concrete (R. C.) beams using prestressed glass fi- ber-reinforced polymer (PGFRP). Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has recently become popular for ...This work is aimed at studying the strengthening of reinforced concrete (R. C.) beams using prestressed glass fi- ber-reinforced polymer (PGFRP). Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has recently become popular for use as repair or rehabilitation material for deteriorated R. C. structures, but because CFRP material is very stiff, the difference in CFRP sheet and concrete material properties is not favorable for transferring the prestress from CFRP sheets to R. C. members. Glass fi- ber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets with Modulus of Elasticity quite close to that of concrete was chosen in this study. The load-carrying capacities (ultimate loads) and the deflections of strengthened R. C. beams using GFRP and PGFRP sheets were tested and compared. T- and ⊥-shaped beams were used as the under-strengthened and over-strengthened beams. The GFRP sheets were prestressed to one-half their tensile capacities before being bonded to the T- and ⊥-shaped R. C. beams. The prestressed tension in the PGFRP sheets caused cambers in the R. C. beams without cracks on the tensile faces. The PGFRP sheets also enhanced the load-carrying capacity. The test results indicated that T-shaped beams with GFRP sheets increased in load-carrying capacity by 55% while the same beams with PGFRP sheets could increase load-carrying capacity by 100%. The ⊥-shaped beams with GFRP sheets could increase load-carrying capacity by 97% while the same beams with PGFRP sheets could increase the loading-carrying capacity by 117%. Under the same external loads, beams with GFRP sheets underwent larger deflections than beams with PGFRP sheets. While GFRP sheets strengthen R. C. beams, PGFRP sheets decrease the beams’ ductility, especially for the over-strengthened beams (⊥-shaped beams).展开更多
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) and AZ31B Mg alloy were joined by the friction self-piercing riveting(F-SPR) with different steel rivet shank sizes. With the increase of rivet shank size, lap shear fracture load...Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) and AZ31B Mg alloy were joined by the friction self-piercing riveting(F-SPR) with different steel rivet shank sizes. With the increase of rivet shank size, lap shear fracture load and mechanical interlock distance increased. Ultrafine grains were formed at the joint in AZ31B as a result of dynamic recrystallization, which contributed to the higher hardness. Fatigue life of the CFRP-AZ31B joint was studied at various peak loads of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kN and compared with the resistance spot welded AZ31B-AZ31B from the open literature. The fatigue performance was better at higher peak load(>2 kN) and comparable to that of resistance spot welding of AZ31B to AZ31B at lower peak loads(<1 kN). From fractography, the crack initiation for lower peak load(<1 kN) case was observed at the fretting positions on the top and bottom surfaces of AZ31B sheet. When peak load was increased, fretting between the rivet and the top of AZ31B became more dominant to initiate a crack during fatigue testing.展开更多
A new testing methodology was developed to quantitively study galvanic corrosion of AZ31B and thermoset carbon-fiber–reinforced polymer spot-joined by a friction self-piercing riveting process.Pre-defined areas of AZ...A new testing methodology was developed to quantitively study galvanic corrosion of AZ31B and thermoset carbon-fiber–reinforced polymer spot-joined by a friction self-piercing riveting process.Pre-defined areas of AZ31B in the joint were exposed in 0.1 M NaCl solution over time.Massive galvanic corrosion of AZ31B was observed as exposure time increased.The measured volume loss was converted into corrosion current that was at least 48 times greater than the corrosion current of AZ31B without galvanic coupling.Ninety percent of the mechanical joint integrity was retained for corroded F-SPR joints to 200 h and then decreased because of the massive volume loss of AZ31B。展开更多
In this paper, a combined viscoelasticity-viscoplasticity model, coupled with anisotropic damage and moisture effects, is developed for short fiber reinforced polymers (SFRPs) with different fiber contents and subject...In this paper, a combined viscoelasticity-viscoplasticity model, coupled with anisotropic damage and moisture effects, is developed for short fiber reinforced polymers (SFRPs) with different fiber contents and subjected to a variety of strain rates. In our model, a rate-dependent yield surface for the matrix phase is employed to identify initial yielding of the material. When an SFRP is loaded at small deformation before yielding, its viscoelastic behavior can be described using the generalized Maxwell model, while when plasticity occurs, a scalar internal state variable (ISV) is used to capture the hardening behavior caused by the polymeric constituent of the composite. The material degradation due to the moisture absorption of the composite is modeled by employing another type of ISV with different evolution equations. The complicated damage state of the SFRPs is captured by a second rank tensor, which is further decomposed to model the subscale damage mechanisms of micro-voids/cracks nucleation, growth and coalescence. It is concluded that the proposed constitutive model can be used to accurately describe complicated behaviors of SFRPs because the results predicted from the model are in good agreement with the experimental data.展开更多
Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to measure the pore structure of steel fiber reinforced polymer-cement-based composite. The results indicate that the large pore volume decreases by 57. 8% - 51.2% and by 87. 1% ...Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to measure the pore structure of steel fiber reinforced polymer-cement-based composite. The results indicate that the large pore volume decreases by 57. 8% - 51.2% and by 87. 1% - 88% with the addition of steel fibers and polymers respectively. When both steel fibers and polymers are simultaneously added, the large pore volume decreases by 88.3% - 90.1% . As a surface active material , polymer has a favorable water-reduced and forming-film effect, which is contributed to the decrease of the thickness of water film and the improvement of the conglutination between the fibers and the matrix. Polymers could form a microstructure network. This network structure and the bone structure of cement hydration products penetrate each other and thus the interpenetrating network with sticky aggregate and steel fiber inside forms.展开更多
The development of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)provides a new approach to limiting the waste of natural resources.In the present study,the mechanical properties and deformability of RACs were improved by adding ba...The development of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)provides a new approach to limiting the waste of natural resources.In the present study,the mechanical properties and deformability of RACs were improved by adding basalt fibers(BFs)and using external restraints,such as a fiber-reinforced polymer(FRP)jacket or a PVC pipe.Samples were tested under axial compression.The results showed that RAC(50%replacement of aggregate)containing 0.2%BFs had the best mechanical properties.Using either BFs or PVC reinforcement had a slight effect on the loadbearing capacity and mode of failure.With different levels of BFs,the compressive strengths of the specimens reinforced with 1-layer and 3-layer basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)increased by 6.7%–10.5%and 16.5%–23.7%,respectively,and the ultimate strains increased by 48.5%–80.7%and 97.1%–141.1%,respectively.The peak stress of the 3-layer BFRP-PVC increased by 42.2%,and the ultimate strain improved by 131.3%,relative to the control.This reinforcement combined the high tensile strength of BFRP,which improved the post-peak behavior,and PVC,which enhanced the structural durability.In addition,to investigate the influence of the various constraints on compressive behavior,the stress-strain response was analyzed.Based on the analysis of experimental results,a peak stress-strain model and an amended ultimate stress-strain model were proposed.The models were verified as well;the result showed that the predictions from calculations are generally consistent with the experimental data(error within 10%).The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for future applications of fiber-reinforced recycled concrete.展开更多
As a new kind of air-hardening soil reinforcement material,polymer is being widely applied in river-bank slope reinforcement and ecological slope protection area.Thus,more attention should be paid to study the charact...As a new kind of air-hardening soil reinforcement material,polymer is being widely applied in river-bank slope reinforcement and ecological slope protection area.Thus,more attention should be paid to study the characteristics of reinforced soil after immersion.In this study,water-induced changes in strength characteristics of sand reinforced with polymer and fibers were reported.Several factors,including polymer content(1%,2%,3%and 4%by weight of dry sand),immersion time(6,12,24 and 48 h),dry density(1.40,1.45,1.50,1.55 and 1.60 g/cm^(3),)and fiber content(0.2%,0.4%,0.6%and 0.8%by weight of dry sand)which may influence the strength characteristics of reinforced sand after immersion were analyzed.The microstructure of reinforced sand was analyzed with nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and scanning electron microscope(SEM).Experimental results indicate that the compressive strength increases with the increase of polymer content and decreases with the increase of immersion time;the softening coefficients decrease with the increase of the polymer content and immersion time and increase with an increment in density and fiber content.Fiber plays an active role in reducing water-induced loss of strength at 0.6%content.展开更多
Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)has been used in the construction industry because of its advantages such as high strength,light weight,corrosion resistance,low density and high elasticity.This paper presents a review of...Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)has been used in the construction industry because of its advantages such as high strength,light weight,corrosion resistance,low density and high elasticity.This paper presents a review of bonding techniques adopted to strengthen timber beams using FRP to achieve larger spans.Different methods of bonding between FRP and timber beams have been summarized with a focus on the influencing factors and their effects as well as relevant bond-slip models proposed for fundamental understanding.Experimental investigations to evaluate the flexural performance of timber beams strengthened by FRP bars,sheets and wraps have also been critically reviewed to identify key influencing parameters.Limited research available on the shear performance of FRP reinforced timber beams have been analyzed to determine the influencing factors of the shear performance in timber-FRP beams.The paper finally presents an overall summary of the current-state-of-the-art and proposes some future research directions in the field.展开更多
Interferograms of laser-induced epoxy fiber reinforced polymer plasmas are obtained through aMach-Zehnder interferometry system. An improved digital double-exposure Fourier method is applied to extractinitial wrapped ...Interferograms of laser-induced epoxy fiber reinforced polymer plasmas are obtained through aMach-Zehnder interferometry system. An improved digital double-exposure Fourier method is applied to extractinitial wrapped phases from interferograms, and then an improved phase unwrapping algorithm based on a maskand a branch-cut method is proposed to solve the problem of phase unwrapping. After the inverse Abel transfor-mation of the unwrapped phase, spatial distributions of the electron density of laser-induced epoxy fiber rein-forced polymer plasma at various delays are acquired. Results show that the measured electron density of theplasma is mainly distributed on the order of 10^18 cm^3. The experiment also indicates that the total amount oflaser plasma electrons changes slightly within the recorded time and the change of the electron density is approx-imately inversely proportional to the change of the plasma volume.展开更多
The separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures is crucial in the petrochemical industry.Pervaporation is regarded as a promising approach for the separation of aromatic compounds from alkanes. Developing me...The separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures is crucial in the petrochemical industry.Pervaporation is regarded as a promising approach for the separation of aromatic compounds from alkanes. Developing membrane materials with efficient separation performance is still the main task since the membrane should provide chemical stability, high permeation flux, and selectivity. In this study, the hyperbranched polymer(HBP) was deposited on the outer surface of a polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane by a facile dip-coating method. The dip-coating rate, HBP concentration, and thermal cross-linking temperature were regulated to optimize the membrane structure.The obtained HBP/PVDF hollow-fiber-composite membrane had a good separation performance for aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures. For the 50%/50%(mass) toluene/n-heptane mixture, the permeation flux of optimized composite membranes could reach 1766 g·m^(-2)·h^(-1), with a separation factor of 4.1 at 60℃. Therefore, the HBP/PVDF hollow-fiber-composite membrane has great application prospects in the pervaporation separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures.展开更多
To improve the brittleness characteristics of magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(MPC)and to promote its promotion and application in the field of structural reinforcement and repair,this study aimed to increas...To improve the brittleness characteristics of magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(MPC)and to promote its promotion and application in the field of structural reinforcement and repair,this study aimed to increase the toughness of MPC by adding jute fiber,explore the effects of different amounts of jute fiber on the working and mechanical properties of MPC,and prepare jute fiber reinforced magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(JFRMPC)to reinforce damaged beams.The improvement effect of beam performance before and after reinforcement was compared,and the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of jute fiber on MPC were explored through microscopic analysis.The experimental results show that,as the content of jute fiber(JF)increases,the fluidity and setting time of MPC decrease continuously;When the content of jute fiber is 0.8%,the compressive strength,flexural strength,and bonding strength of MPC at 28 days reach their maximum values,which are increased by 18.0%,20.5%,and 22.6%compared to those of M0,respectively.The beam strengthened with JFRMPC can withstand greater deformation,with a deflection of 2.3 times that of the unreinforced beam at failure.The strain of the steel bar is greatly reduced,and the initial crack and failure loads of the reinforced beam are increased by 192.1%and 16.1%,respectively,compared to those of the unreinforced beam.The JF added to the MPC matrix dissipates energy through tensile fracture and debonding pull-out,slowing down stress concentration and inhibiting the free development of cracks in the matrix,enabling JFRMPC to exhibit higher strength and better toughness.The JF does not cause the hydration of MPC to generate new compounds but reduces the amount of hydration products generated.展开更多
Solid state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs)are considered to be one of the most promising battery systems for achieving high energy density and excellent safety for energy storage in the future.However,current existed...Solid state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs)are considered to be one of the most promising battery systems for achieving high energy density and excellent safety for energy storage in the future.However,current existed solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)are still difficult to meet the practical application requirements of SSLMBs.In this review,based on the analysis of main problems and challenges faced by the development of SSEs,the ingenious application and latest progresses including specific suggestions of various polymer fibers and their membrane products in solving these issues are emphatically reviewed.Firstly,the inherent defects of inorganic and organic electrolytes are pointed out.Then,the application strategies of polymer fibers/fiber membranes in strengthening strength,reducing thickness,enhancing thermal stability,increasing the film formability,improving ion conductivity and optimizing interface stability are discussed in detail from two aspects of improving physical structure properties and electrochemical performances.Finally,the researches and development trends of the intelligent applications of high-performance polymer fibers in SSEs is prospected.This review intends to provide timely and important guidance for the design and development of polymer fiber composite SSEs for SSLMBs.展开更多
This work uses refined first-order shear theory to analyze the free vibration and transient responses of double-curved sandwich two-layer shells made of auxetic honeycomb core and laminated three-phase polymer/GNP/fib...This work uses refined first-order shear theory to analyze the free vibration and transient responses of double-curved sandwich two-layer shells made of auxetic honeycomb core and laminated three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber surface subjected to the blast load.Each of the two layers that make up the double-curved shell structure is made up of an auxetic honeycomb core and two laminated sheets of three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber.The exterior is supported by a Kerr elastic foundation with three characteristics.The key innovation of the proposed theory is that the transverse shear stresses are zero at two free surfaces of each layer.In contrast to previous first-order shear deformation theories,no shear correction factor is required.Navier's exact solution was used to treat the double-curved shell problem with a single title boundary,while the finite element technique and an eight-node quadrilateral were used to address the other boundary requirements.To ensure the accuracy of these results,a thorough comparison technique is employed in conjunction with credible statements.The problem model's edge cases allow for this kind of analysis.The study's findings may be used in the post-construction evaluation of military and civil works structures for their ability to sustain explosive loads.In addition,this is also an important basis for the calculation and design of shell structures made of smart materials when subjected to shock waves or explosive loads.展开更多
This study focuses on treating Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers to enhance their properties for reinforcement applications in composite materials.Chemical(alkali)and physical(dry etching plasma)treatments were used s...This study focuses on treating Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers to enhance their properties for reinforcement applications in composite materials.Chemical(alkali)and physical(dry etching plasma)treatments were used separately to augment compatibility of Guadua angustifolia fibers with various composite matrices.The influence of these treatments on the fibers’performance,chemical composition,and surface morphology were analyzed.Statistical analysis indicated that alkali treatments reduced the tensile modulus of elasticity and strength of fibers by up to 40%and 20%,respectively,whereas plasma treatments maintain the fibers’mechanical performance.FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant alterations in chemical composition due to alkali treatments,while plasma-treated fibers showed minimal changes.Surface examination through Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)revealed post-treatment modifications in both cases;alkali treatments served as a cleanser,eliminating lignin and hemicellulose from the fiber surface,whereas plasma treatments also produce rough surfaces.These results validate the impact of the treatments on the fiber mechanical performance,which opens up possibilities for using Guadua angustifolia fibers as an alternative reinforcement in composite manufacturing.展开更多
Fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials have become materials of choice for manufacturing application due to their high specific stiffness, strength and fatigue life, low density and thermal expansion coefficient...Fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials have become materials of choice for manufacturing application due to their high specific stiffness, strength and fatigue life, low density and thermal expansion coefficient. However, there are some types of defects such as porosity that form during the manufacturing processes of composites and alter their mechanical behavior and material properties. In his study, hand lay-up was conducted to fabricate samples of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites with three different vacuum levels in order to vary porosity content. Nondestructive evaluation, destructive techniques and mechanical testing were conducted. Nondestructive evaluation results showed the trend in percentages of porosity through-thickness. Serial sectioning images revealed significant details about the composite’s internal structure such as the volume, morphology and distribution of porosity. Mechanical testing results showed that porosity led to a decrease in both Mode I static interlaminar fracture toughness and Mode I cyclic strain energy release rate fatigue life. The fractographic micrographs showed that porosity content increased as the vacuum decreased, and it drew a relationship between fracture mechanisms and mechanical properties of the composite under different modes of loading as a result of the porosity effects. Finally, in order to accurately quantify porosity percentages included in the samples of different vacuum levels, a comparison was made between the parameters and percentages resulted from the nondestructive evaluation and mechanical testing and the features resulted from fractography and serial sectioning.展开更多
文摘Glued timber structure is one of the main forms of modern wood architecture,which has gradually developed towards mid-and high-rise buildings.Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is comprised of several laminates of parallel-to-grain dimension lumber that are bonded together with durable,moisture resistant structural adhesives.GLT can be used in horizontal applications as a beam and in vertical applications as a post.So,its compressive performance has a significant impact on structural safety.Fiber reinforced polymers(FRPs)were commonly used to improve the bearing capacity of GLT components,and the structural and process parameters largely determined the reinforcement effect.This study was aimed at investigating the influence of structural and process parameters on the axial compression performance of GLT components.Three wrapping methods(middle-part,end-part and full wrapping)and three lengths(0.6,0.8,and 1.0 m)of wood post specimens were designed in this work and the axial compression performance and ductility of GLT post specimens modified by basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)were studied.The results showed that the effect of different BFRP wrapping methods on the compressive strength and elastic modulus of laminated wood was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The compressive bearing capacity of unreinforced GLT posts decreased with the increase of aspect ratio.The GLT posts with middle-part and end-part wrapping still followed this pattern,while the compressive bearing capacity of GLT posts with full wrapping showed a pattern of first decreasing and then increasing.For GLT with low aspect ratios(4.0 or 5.3),there was no correlation between the wrapping method and the compressive bearing capacity,while the compressive bearing capacity of GLT with a high aspect ratio(6.7)for middle-part,end-part and full wrapping increased by 3.5%,7.5%and 9.7%,respectively.Compared to the unreinforced group,the ultimate axial compressive strength and modulus of elasticity(MOE)of the 6-E series specimens reinforced at both ends decreased by 2.58%and 6.70%,respectively.The ultimate axial compressive strength of the 8-E specimens reinforced at both ends increased by 8.62%and the MOE decreased by 1.91%.The compressive strength of the 10-E specimens reinforced at both ends increased by 7.51%and the MOE increased by 8.14%.The failure modes of GLT with different aspects were consistent under the same BFRP wrapping,while the failure modes of GLT with the same aspect ratio were different for different BFRP wrapping methods.The ductility performance of GLT with different aspects ratio was improved by the BFRP wrapping.
基金Fouded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51175308)the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.2012ZX04010032)。
文摘Because inferior mechanical strength of granite polymer composite(GPC)has become the main drawback limiting its application and popularization,Mo fibers were added into(GPC)to improve its mechanical strength.Mechanical properties of matrix materials with different mass ratio of resin and stabilizer(MRRS)were investigated systematically.The influences of MRRS on interface bonding strength of Mo fiber-matrix,wettability and mechanical strength of GPC were discussed,respectively,and the theoretical calculation result of MRRS k was obtained,with the optimal value of k=4.When k=4,tensile strength,tensile strain and fracture stress of the cured resin achieve the maximum values.But for k=7,the corresponding values reach the minimum.With the increase of MRRS k,surface free energy of the cured resin first increases and then decreases,while contact angles between Mo sample and matrix have displayed the opposite trend.Wettability of resin to Mo fiber is the best at k=4.Pulling load of Mo fiber and interface bonding strength appear the maximum at k=4,followed by k=5,k=3 the third,and k=7 the minimum.When k=4,mechanical properties of Mo fiber-reinforced GPC are optimal,which is consistent with the result of theoretical calculation.This study is of great significance to get better component formulas of Mo fiber reinforced GPC and to improve its application in machine tools.
文摘Introduction: This study investigates the Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Reinforced Slab Incorporating Alccofine and M-sand. Objective: Specific objectives include evaluating the mechanical properties and structural behaviour of steel and GFRP-reinforced one-way slabs and comparing experimental and theoretical predictions. Methods: Four different mix proportions were arrived at, comprising both conventional concrete and Alccofine-based concrete. In each formulation, a combination of normal river sand and M-sand was utilized. Results: Concrete with Alccofine exhibits superior mechanical properties, while M-sand incorporation minimally affects strength but reduces reliance on natural sand. GFRP-reinforced slabs display distinct brittle behaviour with significant deflections post-cracking, contrasting steel-reinforced slabs’ gradual, ductile failure. Discrepancies between experimental data and design recommendations underscore the need for guideline refinement. Conclusion: Alccofine and M-sand enhance concrete properties, but reinforcement type significantly influences slab behaviour. GFRP-reinforced slabs, though exhibiting lower values than steel, offer advantages in harsh environments, warranting further optimization.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51108238)
文摘In order to study the fatigue failure mode and fatigue life laws of basalt-aramid and basalt-carbon hybrid fiber reinforced polymer ( FRP ) sheets, fatigue experiments are carried out, considering two hybrid ratios of 1 : 1 and 2:1 under different stress levels from 0.6 to 0.95. The results show that fractures occur first in carbon fibers or aramid fibers for the specimens with hybrid ratio of 1: 1, namely B1A1 and B1C1, while a fracture occurs first in basalt fibers for the specimens with a hybrid ratio of 2: 1, namely B2A1 and B2C1. The fatigue lives of the hybrid FRP sheets increase with the improvement of the content of carbon fibers or aramid fibers, and the influence of the carbon fibers content improvement to fatigue life is more significant. The fatigue performance of B2A1 is relatively worse, while the fatigue performance of B1C1 and B2C1 is relatively better. Finally, a new fatigue stiffness degradation model with dual variables and double inflection points is presented, which is applicable to both hybrid and normal FRP sheets.
文摘Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP) composite materials are heterogeneous and anisotropic materials that do not exhibit plastic deformation. They have been used in a wide range of contemporary applications particularly in space and aviation,automotive,maritime and manufacturing of sports equipment. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer(GFRP) composite materials,among other fiber reinforced materials,have been increasingly replacing conventional materials with their excellent strength and low specific weight properties. Their manufacturability in varying combinations with customized strength properties,also their high fatigue,toughness and high temperature wear and oxidation resistance capabilities render these materials an excellent choice in engineering applications.In the present review study,a literature survey was conducted on the machinability properties and related approaches for CFRP and GFRP composite materials. As in the machining of all anisotropic and heterogeneous materials,failure mechanisms were also reported in the machining of CFRP and GFRP materials with both conventional and modern manufacturing methods and the results of these studies were obtained by use of variance analysis(ANOVA),artificial neural networks(ANN) model,fuzzy inference system(FIS),harmony search(HS) algorithm,genetic algorithm(GA),Taguchi's optimization technique,multi-criteria optimization,analytical modeling,stress analysis,finite elements method(FEM),data analysis,and linear regression technique. Failure mechanisms and surface quality is discussed with the help of optical and scanning electron microscopy,and profilometry. ANOVA,GA,FEM,etc. are used to analyze and generate predictive models.
文摘This work is aimed at studying the strengthening of reinforced concrete (R. C.) beams using prestressed glass fi- ber-reinforced polymer (PGFRP). Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has recently become popular for use as repair or rehabilitation material for deteriorated R. C. structures, but because CFRP material is very stiff, the difference in CFRP sheet and concrete material properties is not favorable for transferring the prestress from CFRP sheets to R. C. members. Glass fi- ber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets with Modulus of Elasticity quite close to that of concrete was chosen in this study. The load-carrying capacities (ultimate loads) and the deflections of strengthened R. C. beams using GFRP and PGFRP sheets were tested and compared. T- and ⊥-shaped beams were used as the under-strengthened and over-strengthened beams. The GFRP sheets were prestressed to one-half their tensile capacities before being bonded to the T- and ⊥-shaped R. C. beams. The prestressed tension in the PGFRP sheets caused cambers in the R. C. beams without cracks on the tensile faces. The PGFRP sheets also enhanced the load-carrying capacity. The test results indicated that T-shaped beams with GFRP sheets increased in load-carrying capacity by 55% while the same beams with PGFRP sheets could increase load-carrying capacity by 100%. The ⊥-shaped beams with GFRP sheets could increase load-carrying capacity by 97% while the same beams with PGFRP sheets could increase the loading-carrying capacity by 117%. Under the same external loads, beams with GFRP sheets underwent larger deflections than beams with PGFRP sheets. While GFRP sheets strengthen R. C. beams, PGFRP sheets decrease the beams’ ductility, especially for the over-strengthened beams (⊥-shaped beams).
基金financially sponsored by the US Department Energy Vehicle Technologies Office, as part of the Joining Core Program。
文摘Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) and AZ31B Mg alloy were joined by the friction self-piercing riveting(F-SPR) with different steel rivet shank sizes. With the increase of rivet shank size, lap shear fracture load and mechanical interlock distance increased. Ultrafine grains were formed at the joint in AZ31B as a result of dynamic recrystallization, which contributed to the higher hardness. Fatigue life of the CFRP-AZ31B joint was studied at various peak loads of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kN and compared with the resistance spot welded AZ31B-AZ31B from the open literature. The fatigue performance was better at higher peak load(>2 kN) and comparable to that of resistance spot welding of AZ31B to AZ31B at lower peak loads(<1 kN). From fractography, the crack initiation for lower peak load(<1 kN) case was observed at the fretting positions on the top and bottom surfaces of AZ31B sheet. When peak load was increased, fretting between the rivet and the top of AZ31B became more dominant to initiate a crack during fatigue testing.
基金financially sponsored by the US Department Energy Vehicle Technologies Office, as part of the Joining Core Programmanaged by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-00OR22725。
文摘A new testing methodology was developed to quantitively study galvanic corrosion of AZ31B and thermoset carbon-fiber–reinforced polymer spot-joined by a friction self-piercing riveting process.Pre-defined areas of AZ31B in the joint were exposed in 0.1 M NaCl solution over time.Massive galvanic corrosion of AZ31B was observed as exposure time increased.The measured volume loss was converted into corrosion current that was at least 48 times greater than the corrosion current of AZ31B without galvanic coupling.Ninety percent of the mechanical joint integrity was retained for corroded F-SPR joints to 200 h and then decreased because of the massive volume loss of AZ31B。
文摘In this paper, a combined viscoelasticity-viscoplasticity model, coupled with anisotropic damage and moisture effects, is developed for short fiber reinforced polymers (SFRPs) with different fiber contents and subjected to a variety of strain rates. In our model, a rate-dependent yield surface for the matrix phase is employed to identify initial yielding of the material. When an SFRP is loaded at small deformation before yielding, its viscoelastic behavior can be described using the generalized Maxwell model, while when plasticity occurs, a scalar internal state variable (ISV) is used to capture the hardening behavior caused by the polymeric constituent of the composite. The material degradation due to the moisture absorption of the composite is modeled by employing another type of ISV with different evolution equations. The complicated damage state of the SFRPs is captured by a second rank tensor, which is further decomposed to model the subscale damage mechanisms of micro-voids/cracks nucleation, growth and coalescence. It is concluded that the proposed constitutive model can be used to accurately describe complicated behaviors of SFRPs because the results predicted from the model are in good agreement with the experimental data.
文摘Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to measure the pore structure of steel fiber reinforced polymer-cement-based composite. The results indicate that the large pore volume decreases by 57. 8% - 51.2% and by 87. 1% - 88% with the addition of steel fibers and polymers respectively. When both steel fibers and polymers are simultaneously added, the large pore volume decreases by 88.3% - 90.1% . As a surface active material , polymer has a favorable water-reduced and forming-film effect, which is contributed to the decrease of the thickness of water film and the improvement of the conglutination between the fibers and the matrix. Polymers could form a microstructure network. This network structure and the bone structure of cement hydration products penetrate each other and thus the interpenetrating network with sticky aggregate and steel fiber inside forms.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education of China under Grant No.JJL201915404,Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.LQ22E080024 and Zhejiang Province Department of Education Fund of China under Grant No.Y202146776.
文摘The development of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)provides a new approach to limiting the waste of natural resources.In the present study,the mechanical properties and deformability of RACs were improved by adding basalt fibers(BFs)and using external restraints,such as a fiber-reinforced polymer(FRP)jacket or a PVC pipe.Samples were tested under axial compression.The results showed that RAC(50%replacement of aggregate)containing 0.2%BFs had the best mechanical properties.Using either BFs or PVC reinforcement had a slight effect on the loadbearing capacity and mode of failure.With different levels of BFs,the compressive strengths of the specimens reinforced with 1-layer and 3-layer basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)increased by 6.7%–10.5%and 16.5%–23.7%,respectively,and the ultimate strains increased by 48.5%–80.7%and 97.1%–141.1%,respectively.The peak stress of the 3-layer BFRP-PVC increased by 42.2%,and the ultimate strain improved by 131.3%,relative to the control.This reinforcement combined the high tensile strength of BFRP,which improved the post-peak behavior,and PVC,which enhanced the structural durability.In addition,to investigate the influence of the various constraints on compressive behavior,the stress-strain response was analyzed.Based on the analysis of experimental results,a peak stress-strain model and an amended ultimate stress-strain model were proposed.The models were verified as well;the result showed that the predictions from calculations are generally consistent with the experimental data(error within 10%).The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for future applications of fiber-reinforced recycled concrete.
基金Project(41472241)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(KJXM2019028)supported by the Natural Resources Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Province,ChinaProject(2019B17314)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China。
文摘As a new kind of air-hardening soil reinforcement material,polymer is being widely applied in river-bank slope reinforcement and ecological slope protection area.Thus,more attention should be paid to study the characteristics of reinforced soil after immersion.In this study,water-induced changes in strength characteristics of sand reinforced with polymer and fibers were reported.Several factors,including polymer content(1%,2%,3%and 4%by weight of dry sand),immersion time(6,12,24 and 48 h),dry density(1.40,1.45,1.50,1.55 and 1.60 g/cm^(3),)and fiber content(0.2%,0.4%,0.6%and 0.8%by weight of dry sand)which may influence the strength characteristics of reinforced sand after immersion were analyzed.The microstructure of reinforced sand was analyzed with nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and scanning electron microscope(SEM).Experimental results indicate that the compressive strength increases with the increase of polymer content and decreases with the increase of immersion time;the softening coefficients decrease with the increase of the polymer content and immersion time and increase with an increment in density and fiber content.Fiber plays an active role in reducing water-induced loss of strength at 0.6%content.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51878354&51308301)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Nos.BK20181402&BK20130978)+1 种基金Six Talent Peak High-Level Projects of Jiangsu Province(No.JZ029)Qinglan Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Science Project of Jiangsu Province under Grant No.JS2021ZD10。
文摘Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)has been used in the construction industry because of its advantages such as high strength,light weight,corrosion resistance,low density and high elasticity.This paper presents a review of bonding techniques adopted to strengthen timber beams using FRP to achieve larger spans.Different methods of bonding between FRP and timber beams have been summarized with a focus on the influencing factors and their effects as well as relevant bond-slip models proposed for fundamental understanding.Experimental investigations to evaluate the flexural performance of timber beams strengthened by FRP bars,sheets and wraps have also been critically reviewed to identify key influencing parameters.Limited research available on the shear performance of FRP reinforced timber beams have been analyzed to determine the influencing factors of the shear performance in timber-FRP beams.The paper finally presents an overall summary of the current-state-of-the-art and proposes some future research directions in the field.
文摘Interferograms of laser-induced epoxy fiber reinforced polymer plasmas are obtained through aMach-Zehnder interferometry system. An improved digital double-exposure Fourier method is applied to extractinitial wrapped phases from interferograms, and then an improved phase unwrapping algorithm based on a maskand a branch-cut method is proposed to solve the problem of phase unwrapping. After the inverse Abel transfor-mation of the unwrapped phase, spatial distributions of the electron density of laser-induced epoxy fiber rein-forced polymer plasma at various delays are acquired. Results show that the measured electron density of theplasma is mainly distributed on the order of 10^18 cm^3. The experiment also indicates that the total amount oflaser plasma electrons changes slightly within the recorded time and the change of the electron density is approx-imately inversely proportional to the change of the plasma volume.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22178008, 22125801)Petrochina (2022DJ6004)。
文摘The separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures is crucial in the petrochemical industry.Pervaporation is regarded as a promising approach for the separation of aromatic compounds from alkanes. Developing membrane materials with efficient separation performance is still the main task since the membrane should provide chemical stability, high permeation flux, and selectivity. In this study, the hyperbranched polymer(HBP) was deposited on the outer surface of a polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane by a facile dip-coating method. The dip-coating rate, HBP concentration, and thermal cross-linking temperature were regulated to optimize the membrane structure.The obtained HBP/PVDF hollow-fiber-composite membrane had a good separation performance for aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures. For the 50%/50%(mass) toluene/n-heptane mixture, the permeation flux of optimized composite membranes could reach 1766 g·m^(-2)·h^(-1), with a separation factor of 4.1 at 60℃. Therefore, the HBP/PVDF hollow-fiber-composite membrane has great application prospects in the pervaporation separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures.
基金the Science and Technology Research Project of Chongqing Education Commission(Nos.KJZD-K201901201,KJZD-202101201)the Top-notch Young Talents in Chongqing(No.CQYC201905086)the Technology Innovation and Application Development Project in Wanzhou District,Chongqing(No.wzstc-2019031)。
文摘To improve the brittleness characteristics of magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(MPC)and to promote its promotion and application in the field of structural reinforcement and repair,this study aimed to increase the toughness of MPC by adding jute fiber,explore the effects of different amounts of jute fiber on the working and mechanical properties of MPC,and prepare jute fiber reinforced magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(JFRMPC)to reinforce damaged beams.The improvement effect of beam performance before and after reinforcement was compared,and the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of jute fiber on MPC were explored through microscopic analysis.The experimental results show that,as the content of jute fiber(JF)increases,the fluidity and setting time of MPC decrease continuously;When the content of jute fiber is 0.8%,the compressive strength,flexural strength,and bonding strength of MPC at 28 days reach their maximum values,which are increased by 18.0%,20.5%,and 22.6%compared to those of M0,respectively.The beam strengthened with JFRMPC can withstand greater deformation,with a deflection of 2.3 times that of the unreinforced beam at failure.The strain of the steel bar is greatly reduced,and the initial crack and failure loads of the reinforced beam are increased by 192.1%and 16.1%,respectively,compared to those of the unreinforced beam.The JF added to the MPC matrix dissipates energy through tensile fracture and debonding pull-out,slowing down stress concentration and inhibiting the free development of cracks in the matrix,enabling JFRMPC to exhibit higher strength and better toughness.The JF does not cause the hydration of MPC to generate new compounds but reduces the amount of hydration products generated.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52203066,51973157,61904123)Tianjin Natural Science Foundation(18JCQNJC02900)+3 种基金Tianjin Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students(2021YJSB234)Science and Technology Plans of Tianjin(19PTSYJC00010)Science&Technology Development Fund of Tianjin Education Commission for Higher Education(Grant No.2018KJ196)State Key Laboratory of Membrane and Membrane Separation,Tiangong University。
文摘Solid state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs)are considered to be one of the most promising battery systems for achieving high energy density and excellent safety for energy storage in the future.However,current existed solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)are still difficult to meet the practical application requirements of SSLMBs.In this review,based on the analysis of main problems and challenges faced by the development of SSEs,the ingenious application and latest progresses including specific suggestions of various polymer fibers and their membrane products in solving these issues are emphatically reviewed.Firstly,the inherent defects of inorganic and organic electrolytes are pointed out.Then,the application strategies of polymer fibers/fiber membranes in strengthening strength,reducing thickness,enhancing thermal stability,increasing the film formability,improving ion conductivity and optimizing interface stability are discussed in detail from two aspects of improving physical structure properties and electrochemical performances.Finally,the researches and development trends of the intelligent applications of high-performance polymer fibers in SSEs is prospected.This review intends to provide timely and important guidance for the design and development of polymer fiber composite SSEs for SSLMBs.
文摘This work uses refined first-order shear theory to analyze the free vibration and transient responses of double-curved sandwich two-layer shells made of auxetic honeycomb core and laminated three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber surface subjected to the blast load.Each of the two layers that make up the double-curved shell structure is made up of an auxetic honeycomb core and two laminated sheets of three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber.The exterior is supported by a Kerr elastic foundation with three characteristics.The key innovation of the proposed theory is that the transverse shear stresses are zero at two free surfaces of each layer.In contrast to previous first-order shear deformation theories,no shear correction factor is required.Navier's exact solution was used to treat the double-curved shell problem with a single title boundary,while the finite element technique and an eight-node quadrilateral were used to address the other boundary requirements.To ensure the accuracy of these results,a thorough comparison technique is employed in conjunction with credible statements.The problem model's edge cases allow for this kind of analysis.The study's findings may be used in the post-construction evaluation of military and civil works structures for their ability to sustain explosive loads.In addition,this is also an important basis for the calculation and design of shell structures made of smart materials when subjected to shock waves or explosive loads.
文摘This study focuses on treating Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers to enhance their properties for reinforcement applications in composite materials.Chemical(alkali)and physical(dry etching plasma)treatments were used separately to augment compatibility of Guadua angustifolia fibers with various composite matrices.The influence of these treatments on the fibers’performance,chemical composition,and surface morphology were analyzed.Statistical analysis indicated that alkali treatments reduced the tensile modulus of elasticity and strength of fibers by up to 40%and 20%,respectively,whereas plasma treatments maintain the fibers’mechanical performance.FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant alterations in chemical composition due to alkali treatments,while plasma-treated fibers showed minimal changes.Surface examination through Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)revealed post-treatment modifications in both cases;alkali treatments served as a cleanser,eliminating lignin and hemicellulose from the fiber surface,whereas plasma treatments also produce rough surfaces.These results validate the impact of the treatments on the fiber mechanical performance,which opens up possibilities for using Guadua angustifolia fibers as an alternative reinforcement in composite manufacturing.
文摘Fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials have become materials of choice for manufacturing application due to their high specific stiffness, strength and fatigue life, low density and thermal expansion coefficient. However, there are some types of defects such as porosity that form during the manufacturing processes of composites and alter their mechanical behavior and material properties. In his study, hand lay-up was conducted to fabricate samples of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites with three different vacuum levels in order to vary porosity content. Nondestructive evaluation, destructive techniques and mechanical testing were conducted. Nondestructive evaluation results showed the trend in percentages of porosity through-thickness. Serial sectioning images revealed significant details about the composite’s internal structure such as the volume, morphology and distribution of porosity. Mechanical testing results showed that porosity led to a decrease in both Mode I static interlaminar fracture toughness and Mode I cyclic strain energy release rate fatigue life. The fractographic micrographs showed that porosity content increased as the vacuum decreased, and it drew a relationship between fracture mechanisms and mechanical properties of the composite under different modes of loading as a result of the porosity effects. Finally, in order to accurately quantify porosity percentages included in the samples of different vacuum levels, a comparison was made between the parameters and percentages resulted from the nondestructive evaluation and mechanical testing and the features resulted from fractography and serial sectioning.