• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

In this paper, a novel hybrid composite shield to protect space structures from hypervelocity impact of micrometeoroid and space debris is proposed. The finite element model of the proposed shield was constructed and finite element analysis was conducted to approximate the energy absorption rate. Before the final model analysis, analysis of each component including the aluminum plate, PMMA plate, and intermediate layer of fabric was performed, verifying the finite element model of each component. The material properties used in the analyses were predicted material property values for high strain rates. The analysis results showed that, other than the fabric, the energy absorption rate of each component was in agreement. Afterwards, the finite element model of the hybrid composite shield was constructed, where it was analyzed for the restrained and unrestrained fabric boundary condition cases. Through the finite element analysis, the fiber pullout mechanism was realized for the hybrid shield with free boundary inserted fabric, and it was observed that this mechanism led to energy absorption increase.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2007

Previous researches showed that confined concrete with Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) sheets significantly improves the strength and ductility of concrete compared with unconfined concrete. However, the retrofit design of concrete with FRP materials requires an accurate estimate of the performance enhancement due to the confinement mechanism. The object of this research is to predict the compressive strength and strain of concrete confined with FRP wraps. For the purpose of this research, 102 test specimens were fabricated and loaded statically under uniaxial compression. Axial load, axial and lateral strains were investigated to predict the ultimate stress and strain. Also, to achieve reliability of proposed strength and strain models for FRP-confined concrete, another series of uniaxial compression test results were used. This paper presents strength and strain models for FRP-confined concrete. The proposed models to estimate the ultimate stresses and failure strains produce satisfactory predictions as compared to current design equations. In conclusion, it is proposed that the modified stress-strain model of concrete cylinders could be effectively used for the repair and retrofit of concrete columns.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.121-130
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• 2007

To investigate the enhancement in strength and deformation capacities of concrete confined by FRP composites, tests under axial loads were carried out on three groups of thirty six short columns in circular section with diverse GFRP confining reinforcement. The major test variables considered include fiber content or orientation, wrap or tube type by varying the end loading condition, and continuous or discontinuous confinement depending on the presence of vortical spices between its two halves. The circumferential FRP strains at failure for different types of confinements were also investigated with emphasis. Various analytical models capable of predicting the ultimate strength and strain of the confined concrete were examined by comparing to observed results. Tests results showed that FRP wraps or tubes provide the substantial increase in strength and deformation, while partial wraps comprising the vertical discontinuities fail in an explosive manner with less increase in strength, particularly in deformation. A bilinear stress-strain response was observed throughout all tests with some variations of strain hardening. The failure hoop strains measured on the FRP surface were less than those obtained from the tensile coupons in all tests with a high degree of variation. In overall, existing predictive equations overestimated ultimate strengths and strains observed in present tests, with a much larger scatter related to the latter. For more accuracy, two simple design- oriented equations correlated with present tests are proposed. The strength equation was derived using the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, whereas the strain equation was based on entirely fitting of test data including the unconfined concrete strength as one of governing factors.