A Novel Method for Measuring Flexure Strength of Brittle Materials

A novel test method to measure flexure strength for silicon slices and other brittle materials was suggested by using simple supported circular slice samples and steel ball impact loading. The maximal tensile stress expression under concentrating impact load for center of simple supported circular plate was derived based on kinetic energy theorem and small deflection theory of thin plate. The instrument used in the method is simple, the test results are accurate, and the test does not need large scale loading apparatus. An experimental correct method was presented for test results deviated from small deflection limit when the slices were thinner or the strength of slice was higher.

Effects of Nickel Distribution on the Strengthening and Toughening of Alumina Ceramics

Three types of composite materials were designed and fabricated by hot pressing powder blends of alumina with 20 vol. pct nickel particles. The composites differ in the shape, size and distribution of the nickel particles. Composite microstructures are described and measurements of density, hardness, flexure strength, and fracture toughness are reported. The results showed that the fracture strength of the composite with dispersed nickel particles is higher than the other two composites （network microstructure and mixed microstructure） and the alumina matrix. For all the composites studied, tougher materials than the monolithic alumina were produced. The fracture toughness of the composite with a network microstructure is much higher than that of the other composites. The toughening mechanisms were described based on the observation of the fracture surfaces and the crack-particle interactions. Moreover, the parameters for microstructural tailoring of these materials have been deduced. The toughening of the produced composites was explained in light of the interracial bond strength.

Thermo-Physical Potential of Recycled Banana Fibers for Improving the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Biosourced Gypsum-Based Materials

The development of bio-sourced materials is essential to ensuring sustainable construction;it is considered a locomotive of the green economy.Furthermore,it is an abundant material in our country,to which very little attention is being given.This work aims to valorize the waste of the trunks of banana trees to be used in construction.Firstly,the physicochemical properties of the fiber,such as the percentage of crystallization and its morphology,have been determined by X-ray diffraction tests and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the potential and the impact of the mode of drying on the quality of the banana fibers,with the purpose to promote the use of this material in construction.Secondly,the results obtained with the gypsum matrix allowed us to note a preponderant improvement in the composite’s thermal properties thanks to the variation of the banana fiber additive.Thirdly,the impact of the nature of the banana fiber distribution(either fiber mixed in matrix or fiber series model)on the flexural and compressive strengths of the composites was studied.The results obtained indicate that the insulation gain reaches up to 40%.It depends on the volume fraction and type of distribution of the banana fibers.However,the thermal inertia of the composites developed,represented by thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity,was studied.Results indicate a gain of 40%and 25%,respectively,in terms of thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity of the developed composites compared to plaster alone.Concerning the mechanical properties,the flexural strength depends on the percentage of the volume fraction of banana fibers used,and it can reach 20%more than the flexural strength of plaster;nevertheless,there is a significant loss in terms of the compressive strength of the studied composites.The results obtained are confirmed by the microstructure of the fiber banana.In fact,the morphology of the banana fibers was improved by the drying process.It reduces the amorphous area and improves the cellulosic crystalline surfaces,which assures good adhesion between the fiber and the matrix plaster.Finally,the dimensionless coefficient analysis was done to judge the optimal proportion of the banana fiber additive and to recommend its use even on false ceilings or walls.

Effect of Lateritic Stone Aggregate and Coconut Husk Fiber on the Properties of Concrete

Natural stone aggregate forms the bulk volume of concrete and has contributed to the increased cost of concrete production. This has led to the search for alternate aggregates such as lateritic stone for concrete production. This paper investigates the engineering properties of concrete produced with lateritic aggregate (LA) as the coarse aggregate replacement and coconut husk fibre (CHF) as reinforcement. Natural stone aggregate was replaced by LA at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, with 0.25% constant CHF by weight. A mix proportion of 1:1.5:3 with a water-cement ratio of 0.6 was used for producing concrete. A total of 162 specimens (90 cubes and 72 beams) were prepared and tested at the 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of curing. The highest compressive strength was 43.36 N/mm2 (10% LA replacement) as compared to the control of 41.51 N/mm2. The 10% LA replacement obtained the highest flexural strength of 5.35 N/mm2 as compared with the 5.29 N/mm2 for the control. The water absorption of the concrete increased from 2.8% (control) to 3.57% (50% replacement LA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed micro gaps between CHF and LA concrete. The study, therefore, concludes that the use of LA and CHF positively influenced the strength properties of concrete. 10% LA replacement of coarse aggregate and 0.25% CHF is recommended to practitioners for use.

Improvement of Mechanical Qualities of Clay Material through Coconut Fiber Stabilization

The criticisms regularly formulated towards clay or soil, in general, are its weak mechanical qualities and low water quality. Therefore, it is necessary to find techniques to improve the properties of this material, which is widely used worldwide. Here, we propose stabilizing clay with coconut fiber as a solution to enhance its mechanical properties. To do this, we used an experimental method, first determining the geotechnical properties of the clay and then its mechanical properties. The geotechnical study using the Proctor Test revealed that the dry density of the clay is γb = 1.42 g/cm3, and its water content is W = 22.3%. By applying the rolling method, the Atterberg limits were determined: liquid limit Wl = 63.6, plastic limit Wp = 27.9, plasticity index Ip = 35.7, and consistency index Ic = 1.46. With 25 P = 35.7 1.3, according to the water classification, it falls into class A3ts. The mechanical part focused on compression and flexural strengths obtained using a PROETI hydraulic press. We obtained a flexural strength of 0.63 MPa for simple clay (BA);0.89 MPa for clay + 0.25% fiber (BAF1/4);1.68 MPa for clay + 0.5% fiber (BAF1/2);1.87 MPa for clay + 0.75% fiber (BAF3/4);and 3.91 MPa for clay + 1% fiber (BAF1). As for the compression strength, BA = 5.90 MPa, BAF1/4 = 6.395 MPa, BAF1/2 = 6.292 MPa, BAF3/4 = 6.065 MPa, and BAF1 = 5.423 MPa. The addition of fiber has thus improved the mechanical qualities of the simple clay. These stabilized bricks can be used for sustainable and bioclimatic construction, providing higher durability and good comfort.

PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF BULK CERAMICS VIA PYROLYSIS OF POLYCARBOSILANE WITH ACTIVE FILLERS II.FLEXURAL STRENGTH AND ANTI-OXIDATIVE PROPERTIES OF ACTIVE FILLER/PCS DERIVED BULK CERAMICS

The flexural strengths and oxidative resistant properties of the ceramics derived from polycarbosilane and active fillers (Ti, TiH 2, TiB 2, Cr, and CrSi 2) were measured and characterized. The introduction of active fillers enhances slightly the flexural strengths, and further densification is required to obtain higher strengths. The oxidative resistant behaviors of the specimens with active fillers are, by means of weight gain in air, poorer compared with those without active fillers.

INFLUENCE OF LOADING RATE AND SPECIMEN HEIGHT ON FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF Al_2O_3 AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

In this paper, the influence of loading rate and specimen height on flexural strength of Al2O3 at high temperatures has been studied by three-point bending method. The experimental results show that the flexural strength of Al2O3 decreases with increasing specimen height at room temperature, and it tends to stability when height increases to a certain degree (h=5mm in this paper), while the flexural strength of Al2O3 variates unapparently at high temperature with increasing height. There is a critical loading rate R . c. When loading rate R . is less than R . c, the flexural strength of Al2O3 increases with increasing loading rate and it drops sharply when loading rate is higher than R . c. The sensitivity of flexural strength to the loading rate decreases with elevating temperatures.

Effect of Fly Ash and Silica Fume on Hydration Rate of Cement Pastes and Strength of Mortars

The effect of fly ash and silica fume on hydration rate and strength of cement in the early stage was studied. Contrast test was applied to the complex cementitious system to investigate the hydration rate. Combined with mechanical strength, the influence of fly ash and silica fume during the hydration process of complex binder was researched. The peak of the rate of hydration heat evolution and the mechanical strength decreased as the ratio of fly ash increased, however, as the ratio of silica fume increased, the peak of the rate of hydration heat evolution and the mechanical strength increased obviously. When the ratios of fly ash and silica fume are 10% and 5%, the peak of the rate of hydration heat evolution is the highest. At the same time 7 days of flexural and compressive strength are the highest as 8.89 MPa and 46.52 MPa, respectively. Fly ash and silica fume are the main factors affecting the hydration rate and the mechanical property.

Influence of the column-to-beam flexural strength ratio on the failure mode of beam-column connections in RC frames

The column-to-beam flexural strength ratio(CBFSR)has been used in many seismic codes to achieve the strong column-weak beam(SCWB)failure mode in reinforced concrete(RC)frames,in which plastic hinges appear earlier in beams than in columns.However,seismic investigations show that the required limit of CBFSR in seismic codes usually cannot achieve the SCWB failure mode under strong earthquakes.This study investigates the failure modes of RC frames with different CBFSRs.Nine typical three-story RC frame models with different CBFSRs are designed in accordance with Chinese seismic codes.The seismic responses and failure modes of the frames are investigated through time-history analyses using 100 ground motion records.The results show that the required limit of the CBFSR that guarantees the SCWB failure mode depends on the beam-column connection type and the seismic intensity,and different types of beam-column connections exhibit different failure modes even though they are designed with the same CBFSR.Recommended CBFSRs are proposed for achieving the designed SCWB failure mode for different types of connections in RC frames under different seismic intensities.These results may provide some reference for further revisions of the SCWB design criterion in Chinese seismic codes.

Strength Acquisition Mechanism of High Temperature Resistant Materials Prepared by Waste Architectural Ceramics

In order to realize the large-scale and high-value utilization of waste architectural ceramics,high-temperature resistant materials based on waste architectural ceramics were prepared with sodium silicate as the binder,clay/bauxite and metakaolin/bauxite as coating materials,and the cold strength obtaining mechanism was explored.The phase composition,the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the high temperature resistant materials based on waste architectural ceramics were tested and analyzed.The results showed that when the heat treatment temperature was between 110-1000℃,the strength of the samples mainly came from the physical adhesion of sodium silicate and fine powder.When the temperature rose to 1100℃,the strength of the sample was improved since the internal low-melting-point components melted and promoted sintering.The addition of clay and bauxite can effectively enhance the flexural strength of the samples when the heat treatment temperature is 1000℃.When the heat treatment temperature rises from 900 to 1000℃,the flexural strength of the samples will be enhanced owing to the formation of silica alumina spinel and mullite from metakaolin.

Shear Strength Evaluation of Concrete Beams Reinforced with BFRP Bars and Steel Fibers without Stirrups

This paper presents experimental and analytical investigations on concrete beams reinforced with basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)and steel fibers without stirrups.Independent behaviour of BFRP reinforced beams and steel fiber reinforced beams were evaluated and the effect of combining BFRP bars and steel fiber was investigated in detail.It is found that combining s teel fibers with BFRP could change the shear failure of BFRP reinforced beam to flexural failure.Further,the existing analytical models were reviewed and compared to predict the shear strength of both FRP reinforced and steel fiber reinforced beams.Based on the review,the appropriate model was chosen and modified to predict the shear strength of BFRP reinforced beam along with steel fibers.

Modeling and Simulation of Wood and Fly Ash Behaviour as Partial Replacement for Cement on Flexural Strength of Self Compacting Concrete

Flexural strength was monitored and predicted on the application improving concrete strength with wood and fly as partial replacement for cement.The study observed the pressure from the constituent of these locally sourced material that has been observed from the study to influence the flexural strength through the effect from this locally sourced addictives.The study monitors concrete porosity on heterogeneity as it reflect on the flexural strength of self compacting concrete.Other condition considered was the compaction and placement of concrete.These effects were monitored at constant water cement ratio from design mix.The behaviour from this effects on the concrete observed the rate of flexural growth under the influences of these stated conditions.The simulation expressed the reactions of these effects through these parameters monitored to influence the system.Numerical simulations were also applied to the optimum curing age of twenty eight days,while analytical simulation was also applied.This concept is the conventional seven days interval that concrete curing were observed,these are improvement done on the study carried out by experts[16].These locally sourced material were experimentally applied.The simulation predictive values are at the interval of seven days of curing,which was also simulated.The predictive values were compared with the experimental values of the researchers[16],and both values developed best fits correlations.The study is imperative because the system considered the parameters used on experimental and observed other influential variables that were not examined.These were not observed in the experimental procedure.Experts in concrete engineering will definitely find these concept a better option in monitoring flexural strength of self compacting concrete in general.

Influence of Glass Fiber wt% and Silanization on Mechanical Flexural Strength of Reinforced Acrylics

The aim is to evaluate the flexural strength of acrylic resin bars depending on the addiction of glass fibers with or without previous 3-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (silane) application. Short fibers (3 mm) were treated and added to an acrylic resin powder, being further mixed with acrylic liquid to create bars (25 × 2 × 2 mm) of 11 experimental groups (N = 10), according to the interaction of experimental factors: weight % of glass fibers: (0.5;1;3;4;6 and 7) and silane application (with silane (S) or without silane (N)). Flexural strength and scanning microscopy evaluation were performed (SEM). Data (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey (α = 5%). A significant difference between groups was observed (p = 0.001): S7%(128.85 ± 35.76)a, S6% (119.31 ± 11.97)ab, S4% (116.98 ± 25.23)ab, N4% (107.85 ± 24.88)abc, S1% (96.29 ± 20.65)bc, S0.5% (89.29 ± 7.33)cd, S3% (89.0 ± 11.27)cd, N3% (86.79 ± 17.63)cd, N1% (85.43 ± 16.44)cd, Control (73.29 ± 25.0)de, N0.5% (59.58 ± 19.46)e. For N groups, it was not possible to include more than 4%wt fibers. SEM showed better fiber-resin interaction for S groups, and fractures around fibers on N groups. Previous silane application enables the addiction of greater quantity of glass fibers and better interaction with the acrylic resin resulting in higher flexural strength. Without silane, fibers seem to act as initial crack points due to poor interaction.

Impact of Polymer Coating on the Flexural Strength and Deflection Characteristics of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams

Liquid polymers(LP)have become an important structural material used in the construction industry in the last decade.This paper investigates the via­bility of using commercially available LPs as a coating material to improve the flexural strength of fiber-modified concrete beams.The scope included preparing rectangular prism concrete beams with a concrete mixture includ­ing fly ash and fiber and coating them with four different liquid polymers at a uniform thickness following the curing process while one set of sam­ples was maintained under the same conditions as a control group without coating.In addition,cylindrical samples were prepared to determine the compressive strength of the concrete mixture.Following the curing process in an unconfined open-air laboratory environment for another 28 days,con­crete samples were tested to determine the flexural strength and deflection characteristics under center point loading equipment.The results revealed that all four coating types enhanced both the flexural strength and the av­erage maximum deflection of the beams compared to the control group.While the enhancement in the flexural strength changed approximately between 5%and 36%depending on the coating type,the improvements in average maximum deflections varied between 3.7%and 28.4%.

Effect of Environmental Conditions on Flexural Strength and Fracture Toughness of Particulate Filled Glass-Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Multifunctional hybrid polymer composites were projected as novel solutions to meet the demands in various industrial applications ranging from automotive to aerospace. This investigation focuses on processing, flexural strength and fracture toughness characterization of the glass fabric reinforced epoxy (G-E) composites and graphite/fly ash cenosphere (FAC) modified interface between the epoxy matrix and glass fabric. Hand lay-up followed by compression moulding method was used to fabricate the laminates. Flexural and fracture toughness tests at room temperature, elevated temperature and cryogenic temperature were conducted to assess the flexural strength (FS) and mode-I plane-strain fracture toughness (KIC). The experimental and characterization efforts suggest that both graphite and FAC fillers improve bonding at the interface. The study showed that the graphite is more favorable for enhancing FS and KIC of G-E composites. Graphite filled G-E hybrid composites with significant FS and KIC to that of unfilled and FA filled G-E were successfully achieved by incorporating 10 wt% graphite. The incorporation of fillers resulted in improvement of FS, which increased by 43% and 37.7% for 10Gr+G-E and 10FAC+G-E hybrid composites respectively. All composites show a 26% improvement in KIC at cryogenic temperature and a decrease of 12.5% at elevated temperature. According to the SEM observations, fiber debonding from the matrix is suppressed due to the presence and uniform distribution of graphite. In addition, micro-pores, matrix shearing, active toughening mechanisms induced by graphite, such as crack deflection, layer breakage and delamination of graphite layers contributed to the enhanced KIC of hybrid G-E composites.

Electromagnetic wave absorption and mechanical properties of SiC nanowire/low-melting-point glass composites sintered at 580°C in air

Si C nanowires are excellent high-temperature electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials. However, their polymer matrix composites are difficult to work at temperatures above 300℃, while their ceramic matrix composites must be prepared above 1000℃ in an inert atmosphere. Thus, for addressing the abovementioned problems, SiC/low-melting-point glass composites were well designed and prepared at 580℃ in an air atmosphere. Based on the X-ray diffraction results, SiC nanowires were not oxidized during air atmosphere sintering because of the low sintering temperature. Additionally, SiC nanowires were uniformly distributed in the glass matrix material. The composites exhibited good mechanical and EMW absorption properties. As the filling ratio of SiC nanowires increased from 5wt%to 20wt%, the Vickers hardness and flexural strength of the composite reached HV 564 and 213 MPa, which were improved by 27.7%and 72.8%, respectively, compared with the low-melting-point glass. Meanwhile, the dielectric loss and EMW absorption ability of SiC nanowires at 8.2–12.4 GHz were also gradually improved. The dielectric loss ability of low-melting-point glass was close to 0. However, when the filling ratio of SiC nanowires was 20wt%, the composite showed a minimum reflection loss (RL) of-20.2 dB and an effective absorption (RL≤-10 dB) bandwidth of2.3 GHz at an absorber layer thickness of 2.3 mm. The synergistic effect of polarization loss and conductivity loss in SiC nanowires was responsible for this improvement.

Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of 3D printing polysilazane reinforced Al_(2)O_(3)core

Ceramic cores are the key intermediate components of hollow blades for aero-engine.Conventional processes,such as hot-press molding and gel film casting,face difficulties in fabricating complex-structured ceramic cores due to the complexity of moulds and long process cycles.Stereolithography 3D printing provides a new idea for the fabrication of complex-structured ceramic cores.The effect of sintering temperature on open porosity,bulk density,weight loss rate,shrinkage rate,flexural strength and microstructure of the Al_(2)O_(3)-based ceramic core doped with 10vol.%polysilazane(PSZ)was studied.The sintering mechanism of PSZ-reinforced ceramic cores was analyzed.Results show that the optimum sintering temperature of PSZ-reinforced ceramic cores is 1,450°C.At this temperature,the open porosity of the ceramic core is 36.60%,bulk density is 2.33 g·cm^(-3),weight loss rate is 22.11%,shrinkage rate along the X,Y,Z directions is 5.72%,5.01%,9.61%,respectively;the flexural strength is 28.794 MPa at 25°C and 13.649 MPa at 1,500°C.Properties of 3D printing PSZ-reinforced ceramic cores can meet the casting requirement of superalloy hollow blades,which is expected to promote the industrial application of 3D printing complex structure ceramic cores.

Factorial Experimental Design to Study the Effects of Layers and Fiber Content on Concrete Flexural Behavior

Experimentation has come a long in helping researchers achieve breakthroughs in their different scientific areas and engineering happens to be one of those areas with the most impact from experimental advancement. The need for valid experimental results free from biases and confounding conclusions has prompted the development of new experimental techniques that takes consideration of all applicable factor and combinations in providing answers on a research topic, and the Factorial Experimental design credited to Sir Ronald Fisher is one technique yielding highly valid results. This paper uses the factorial design of experiments to research the flexural impact of polyvinyl acetate fiber and layered concrete in construction. The experiment considered two levels of fiber contents and two levels of layers, and prepared samples with all combinations of the variable factors. The samples were tested after 7 days from casting for flexural strength and an advance statistical analysis was performed on the flexural responses of the samples using R-program. The results from the analyses revealed the significance of the variables to the flexural strength of the samples, as well as their interactions. The experiment concluded that based on the number of layers and fiber content used for the experiment, casting concrete in layers does have a significant negative effect on the flexural strength of concrete, and the failure pattern of concrete members under flexural load in evidently influenced by the material composition of the concrete, and that it can be evidently influenced by casting the concrete in layers.

Flexural Behavior of 3D Printed Concrete Beam with Fiber Reinforcement

3D printing with concrete is a promising new method for rapid,low cost construction.The flexural strengths for reinforced/unreinforced and 3D printed/cast concrete Warren trusses were tabulated and the failure mechanisms were reported.The types of reinforcement used were rebar(basalt and steel),and mesh(basalt and aramid).The effect of loading geometry and loading speed was measured for basalt mesh and aramid mesh composite,respectively.Due to the expected variation in flexure between samples,it cannot be said whether small differences for various tests are significant.Variation stems from a microscopically uneven surface and random inhomogeneities in the bulk of the tested material which act as a microcrack catalyst and propagator.Since the tested beams are short specimens the numerical findings of other studies will vary based on the intended design.This paper is intended to assess the performance of various reinforcements in a qualitative sense by comparing basalt reinforcement with other reinforcements.It was found that cast beams tolerated deflection better but had a similar flexure strength compared as the printed beams.The steel and basalt rebar reinforced beams had the highest flexure strengths where the traditional steel rebar reinforcement outperformed the basalt in flexure by 36%and the basalt outperformed the steel in deflection by 40%.The basalt mesh outperformed the cast and printed unreinforced bars by a small margin but had only 25%of steel rebars’deflection at maximum flexure strength.The aramid mesh tolerated the biggest deflection out of any sample at 2.26 cm.

Mechanics Behavior of Ultra High Toughness Cementitious Composites after Freezing and Thawing

Mechanical behaviors of UHTCC after freezing and thawing were investigated,and compared with those of steel fiber reinforced concrete（SFRC）,air-entrained concrete（AEC） and ordinary concrete（OC）.Four point bending tests had been applied after different freezing-thawing cycles（0,50,100,150,200 and 300 cycles,respectively）.The results showed that residual flexural strength of UHTCC after 300 freezing-thawing cycles was 10.62 MPa（70% of no freezing thawing ones）,while 1.58 MPa（17% of no freezing thawing ones） for SFRC.Flexural toughness of UHTCC decreased by 17%,while 70% for SFRC comparatively.It has been demonstrated experimentally that UHTCC without any air-entraining agent could resist freezing-thawing and retain its high toughness characteristic in cold environment.Consequently,UHTCC could be put into practice for new-built or retrofit of infrastructures in cold regions.