Dynamic Compression Behavior of Ultra-high Performance Cement-based Composite with Hybrid Steel Fiber Reinforcements

Ultra-high performance cement-based composites (UHPCC) is promising in construction of concrete structures that suffer impact and explosive loads.In this study,a reference UHPCC mixture with no fiber reinforcement and four mixtures with a single type of fiber reinforcement or hybrid fiber reinforcements of straight smooth and end hook type of steel fibers were prepared.Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was performed to investigate the dynamic compression behavior of UHPCC and X-CT test and 3D reconstruction technology were used to indicate the failure process of UHPCC under impact loading.Results show that UHPCC with 1% straight smooth fiber and 2% end hook fiber reinforcements demonstrated the best static and dynamic mechanical properties.When the hybrid steel fiber reinforcements are added in the concrete,it may need more impact energy to break the matrix and to pull out the fiber reinforcements,thus,the mixture with hybrid steel fiber reinforcements demonstrates excellent dynamic compressive performance.

Study of damage behavior and repair effectiveness of patch repaired carbon fiber laminate under quasi-static indentation loading

Damage caused due to low-velocity impacts in composites leads to substantial deterioration in their residual strength and eventually provokes structural failure.This work presents an experimental investigation on the effects of different patch and parent laminate stacking sequences on the enhancement of impact strength of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers(CFRP)composites by utilising the adhesively bonded external patch repair technique.Damage evolution study is also performed with the aid of Acoustic Emission(AE).Two different quasi-isotropic configurations were selected for the parent laminate,viz.,[45°/45°/0°/0°]s and[45°/0°/45°/0°]s.Quasi Static Indentation(QSI)test was performed on both the pristine laminates,and damage areas were detected by using the C-scan inspection technique.Damaged laminates were repaired by using a single-sided patch of two different configurations,viz.,[45°/45°/45°/45°]and[45°/0°/0°/45°],and employing a circular plug to fill the damaged hole.Four different combinations of repaired laminates with two configurations of each parent and patch laminate were produced,which were further subjected to the QSI test.The results reveal the effectiveness of the repair method,as all the repaired laminates show higher impact resistance compared to the respective pristine laminates.Patches of[45°/0°/0°/45°]configuration when repaired by taking[45°/45°/0°/0°]s and[45°/0°/45°/0°]s as parents exhibited 68%and 73%higher peak loads,respectively,than the respective pristine laminates.Furthermore,parent and patch of configuration[45°/0°/45°/0°]s and[45°/0°/0°/45°],respectively,attain the highest peak load,whereas[45°/45°/0°/0°]s and[45°/45°/45°/45°]combinations possess the most gradual decrease in the load.

Compressive properties of glue-laminated timber circular post modified by basalt fiber reinforced polymer

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.

Exploring the Synergy: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Reinforced Slab Incorporating Alccofine and M-Sand

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.

Multiphysics processes in the interfacial transition zone of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites under induced curing pressure and implications for mine backfill materials: A critical review

The mesoscale fiber-matrix interfacial transition zone(FM-ITZ) under induced curing pressure plays a key role in the effectiveness of fiber reinforcement and the engineering application of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites(FRCCs). This critical review establishes the link among induced curing pressure(i.e., external loading condition), multiphysics processes(i.e., internal governing mechanism), and interface behavior(i.e., material behavior) for FRCC materials through analysis of the state-of-the-art research findings on the FM-ITZ of FRCC materials. The following results are obtained. For the mechanical process, the induced curing pressure changes the stress state and enhances multicracking behavior, which can strengthen the FM-ITZ. For the hydraulic process, the strengthened seepage of the FM-ITZ under induced curing pressure weakens the effective stress and exaggerates the deficiency in water retention capacity between the bulk matrix and the FMITZ. For the thermal process, the induced curing pressure causes a steep temperature gradient in the FM-ITZ and thus influences the temperature evolution and thermally-induced microcracks in the FM-ITZ. For the chemical process, the induced curing pressure enhances hydration kinetics and results in the formation of additional hydration products in the FM-ITZ. Moreover, recommendations are proposed on the basis of findings from this review to facilitate the implementation of fiber reinforcement in cemented paste backfill technology.

Effect of Steel Fiber on Concrete’s Compressive Strength

The general goal of this research is to investigate whether steel fiber has a significant “positive” or “negative” influence on concrete compressive strength, as well as the optimal steel fiber ratio that delivers best result. Manually, cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, steel fibers, and water were mixed together properly. A slump test was carried on the mixed concrete. After determining the workability, the mixed concrete was poured into cubes dimension 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm and left for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the samples were removed from the mold and placed in a water tank to cure for 7 to 28 days. The cube was tested for compressive and flexural strength in a universal testing machine after the samples had cured for the required 7 - 28 days. This study focuses on how to obtain high strength concrete using with steel fiber in the Conventional mix ratio to enhance concrete strength. Concrete reinforcement using steel fibers alters the characteristics of the concrete, allowing it to withstand fracture and hence improve its mechanical qualities. This study reports on an experimental study that reveals the effect of steel fiber on concrete compressive strength and the optimal steel fiber ratio that produces the best results. Steel fiber reinforcing improved the compressive strength of concrete. The average compressive strength of normal M25 concrete with 0% steel fibers and curing ages of 7 and 28 days was determined to be 22.97 N/mm2 and 25.78 N/mm2, respectively. The steel fibers are then added in various concentrations, such as 1%, 2%, and 3%, with aspect ratios of 70. The compressive strength of concrete with 1%, 2%, and 3% steel fiber with an aspect ratio of 70 was examined at 7 days and found to be 23.96, 24.80, and 26.14 N/mm2 correspondingly.

Microwave Absorption and Mechanical Properties of Short-cutted Carbon Fiber/glass Fiber Hybrid Veil Reinforced Epoxy Composites

This work aims at investigating the microwave absorption and mechanical properties of short-cutted carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid veil reinforced epoxy composites.The short-cutted carbon fibers(CFs)/glass fibers(GFs)hybrid veil were prepared by papermaking technology,and composites liquid molding was employed to manufacture CFs/GFs hybrid epoxy composites.The microstructure,microwave absorbing properties and mechanical properties of the hybrid epoxy composites were studied by using SEM,vector network analyzer and universal material testing,respectively.The reflection coefficient of the composites were calculated by the measured complex permittivity and permeability in the X-band(8.2-12.4 GHz)range.The optimum microwave absorption properties can be obtained when the content of CFs in the hybrid veil is 6 wt%and the thickness of the composites is 2 mm,the minimum reflection coefficient of-31.8 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth is 2.1 GHz,which is ascribed to benefitting impedance matching characteristic and dielectric loss of the carbon fiber.Simultaneously the tensile strength and modulus can achieve 104.0 and 2.98GPa,demonstrating that the CFs/GFs hybrid epoxy composites can be a promising candidate of microwave absorbing materials with high mechanical properties.

Compressive Performance of Fiber Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete by Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer-Polyvinyl Chloride Composite Jackets

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.

Evaluation of the effect of using fiber reinforcement in tunnel linings for metro projects

Metro(subway)is an advanced public transport infrastructure system in urban areas with high capacity.The traffic operation of a metro is not affected by other vehicle traffic thanks to underground tunnels.With these benefits metro lines are preferred to solve the traffic problem in urbanized cities such as Istanbul,which is the focus of this study.Metro projects require huge amounts of budgets to be built.Putting these projects into service in targeted time is of great importance.The objective of this study is to minimize total metro construction project time by utilizing fiber reinforcement in tunnel linings.In this research,using fiber reinforcement to construct primary(initial)tunnel linings and secondary(final)tunnel linings of the metro projects are analyzed in terms of project duration.After comparison of two railway tunnel projects,evaluations and observations of a completed metro project revealed that using fiber reinforcement for either the primary lining or the final lining of tunnels reduces construction time of metro station tunnels by 25%.In addition,using fiber reinforcement to construct both the final lining and the primary lining of tunnels reduces construction time of the metro station tunnels and the whole metro project by 47% and 22%,respectively.The results of this study can be useful for completing challenging metro projects and putting it into service within the targeted time.

The Influence of Two Natural Reinforcement Fibers on the Hygrothermal Properties of Earthen Plasters in Mogao Grottoes of China

Murals in Mogao Grottoes consist of three parts:support layer,earthen plasters and paint layer.The earthen plasters play a key role in the preservation of murals.It is a mixture of Dengban soil,sand,and plant fiber.Two different natural fibers,hemp fiber and cotton fiber,were reinforced to earthen plasters in the same percentage to evaluate the influence on hygrothermal performance.The two types of earthen plasters were studied:one containing hemp fiber in the fine plaster(HFP)and the other containing cotton fiber in the fine plaster(CFP).Specific heat capacity,dry thermal conductivity,water vapor permeability,and sorption isotherms were investigated.The results showed that the difference between two natural fibers has much more impact on the hygric properties(water vapor permeability and sorption isotherms)of earthen plasters than on their thermal performance(specific heat capacity and dry thermal conductivity).The CFP with higher density has higher thermal conductivity than the HFP with lower density.But no significant differences of specific heat capacity were observed.Compared with HFP,CFP used in murals can reduce the rate of water transfer and prevent salt from transferring water to the mural surface.The overall findings highlight that all these features of CFP are beneficial to the long-term preservation of murals.The study of the earthen plasters in Mogao Grottoes is of general significance,and the measured properties can be used to obtain coupled heat and moisture analysis of the earthen plasters and to dissect the degradation mechanism of murals.

High-sensitivity phase imaging eddy current magneto-optical system for carbon fiber reinforced polymers detection

This paper proposed a high-sensitivity phase imaging eddy current magneto-optical (PI-ECMO) system for carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) defect detection. In contrast to other eddy current-based detection systems, the proposed system employs a fixed position excitation coil while enabling the detection point to move within the detection region. This configuration effectively mitigates the interference caused by the lift-off effect, which is commonly observed in systems with moving excitation coils. Correspondingly, the relationship between the defect characteristics (orientation and position) and the surface vertical magnetic field distribution (amplitude and phase) is studied in detail by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. Experiments conducted on woven CFRP plates demonstrate that the designed PI-ECMO system is capable of effectively detecting both surface and internal cracks, as well as impact defects. The excitation current is significantly reduced compared with traditional eddy current magneto-optical (ECMO) systems.

Static Bending Creep Properties of Glass Fiber Surface Composite Wood

To study the static bending creep properties of glass fiber reinforced wood,glass fiber reinforced poplar(GFRP)specimens were obtained by pasting glass fiber on the upper and lower surfaces of Poplar(Populus euramevicana,P),the performance of Normal Creep(NC)and Mechanical Sorptive Creep(MSC)of GFRP and their influencing factors were tested and analyzed.The test results and analysis show that:(1)The MOE and MOR of Poplar were increased by 17.06%and 10.00%respectively by the glass fiber surface reinforced composite.(2)The surface reinforced P with glass fiber cloth only exhibits the NC pattern of wood and loses the MSC characteristics of wood,regardless of the constant or alternating changes in relative humidity.(3)The instantaneous elastic deformation,viscoelastic deformation,viscous deformation and total creep deflection of GFRP are positively correlated with the stress level of the external load applied to the specimen.Still,the specimen’s creep recovery rate is negatively correlated with the stress level of the external load applied to the specimen.The static creep deflection and viscous deformation of GFRP increase with the increase of the relative humidity of the environment.(4)The MSC maximum creep deflection of GFRP increased by only 7.41%over the NC maximum creep deflection,but the MSC maximum creep deflection of P increased by 199.25%over the NC maximum creep deflection.(5)The Burgers 4-factor model and the Weibull distribution equation can fit the NC and NC recovery processes of GFRP well.

An Alternative Method for Incorporating Fiber Meshes in Complete Upper Dentures

The most commonly used material for constructing complete dentures is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). However, the strength characteristics of PMMA, such as impact strength and fatigue strength, are poor, and fracturing of PMMA dentures is a common problem in prosthodontic practice. Reinforcing PMMA with various materials, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers (fiberglass), and ultrahigh modulus polyethylene fibers, has been suggested to strengthen the denture-base material. A common problem encountered when packing the resin on these specimens is fiber slippage beyond the denture edges. The present study proposes an alternative method of incorporating fiber meshes into complete dentures, whereby a thin filament of self-polymerizing resin at the perimeter of the fiber mesh is produced, giving a clear and stable shape to the mesh that fits the upper jaw cast. During placement of the shaped mesh on the cast, a positive-negative relationship is created between the mesh and cast, which immobilizes the mesh during the incorporation process.

Influence of FeCrAl fiber on microstructure and mechanical properties of FeCrAl(f)/HA composites

FeCrAl fiber-reinforced hydroxyapatite（HA） biocomposites（FeCrAl（f）/HA） were fabricated by the hot pressing technique.The metallographic microscopy,X-ray diffractometry,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and energy dispersive spectroscopy（EDS） were used to observe and analyze the microstructure and composition of FeCrAl（f）/HA composites,respectively.The mechanical properties of FeCrAl（f）/HA composites were measured by the three-point-bending test.The results show that the composite can be reinforced by FeCrAl fiber and enhanced gradually,and then declined with the increase of the content of FeCrAl fiber（0-11%,volume fraction） in the whole range of experiments.Both the HA matrix and FeCrAl fiber integrate very tightly and bit into each other very deeply and counter-diffusion takes place to some extent at two-phase interface.The optimum parameters of FeCrAl（f）/HA composite are diameter of 22 μm,length of 1-2 mm and of volume faction of about 7% for FeCrAl fibers.

Fatigue behavior of basalt-aramid and basalt-carbon hybrid fiber reinforced polymer sheets

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.

INTERFACE DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES WITH DUCTILE MATRIX

A cohesive zone model is employed to simulate the fiber/matrix interface damage of composites with ductile matrix. The study is carried out to investigate the dependence of the interface damage and the composite tensile strength on the micro parameters of the composite. These parameters contain fiber packing pattern, fiber volume fraction, and the modulus ratio of the fiber to the matrix. The investigation reveals that though the high fiber vo lume fraction, the high fiber′s modulus and the square fiber packing can supply strong reinforcement to the composite, the interface damage is susceptible in these cases. The tensile strength of the composite is dominated by the interface strength when the interface debonding occurs.

Strengthening reinforced concrete beams using prestressed glass fiber-reinforced polymer-Part I: Experimental study

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).

Mechanical properties of fiber and cement reinforced heavy metal-contaminated soils as roadbed filling

The treatment of contaminated soil is a crucial issue in geotechnical and environmental engineering.This study proposes to incorporate appropriate polypropylene fibers and cements as an effective method to treat heavy metal contaminated soil(HMCS).The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of fiber content,fiber length,cement content,curing time,heavy metal types and concentration on the mechanical properties of soils.To this end,a series of direct shear test,unconfined compression strength(UCS)test,dry-wet cycle and freeze-thaw cycle test are performed.The results confirm that the appropriate reinforcement of polypropylene fibers and cement is an effective way to recycle HMCS as substitutable fillers in roadbed,which exhibits benefits in environment and economy development.

Compressive fatigue behavior and failure evolution of additive fiber-reinforced cemented tailings composites

The ordinary cemented tailings backfill(CTB)is a cement-based composite prepared from tailings,cementitious materials,and water.In this study,a series of laboratory tests,including uniaxial compression,digital image correlation measurement,and scanning electron microscope characteristics of fiber-reinforced CTB(FRCTB),was conducted to obtain the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),failure evolution,and microstructural characteristics of FRCTB specimens.The results show that adding fibers could increase the UCS values of the CTB by 6.90%to 32.76%.The UCS value of the FRCTB increased with the increase in the polypropylene(PP)fiber content.Moreover,the reinforcement effect of PP fiber on the CTB was better than that of glass fiber.The addition of fiber could increase the peak strain of the FRCTB by0.39%to 1.45%.The peak strain of the FRCTB increased with the increase in glass fiber content.The failure pattern of the FRCTB was coupled with tensile and shear failure.The addition of fiber effectively inhibited the propagation of cracks,and the bridging effect of cracks by the fiber effectively improved the mechanical properties of the FRCTB.The findings in this study can provide a basis for the backfilling design and optimization of mine backfilling methods.

Impact Responses of the Carbon Fiber Fabric Reinforced Composites

To study the response characteristics of the carbon fiber fabric reinforced composites under impact loading, one dimensional strain impact test, multi gauge technique and Lagrange analysis method are used. The decaying rule of the stress σ , strain ε , strain rate ε · and density ρ with time and space is obtained. By the theory of dynamics, the impact response characteristics of the material is analyzed and discussed.