• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-35
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• 2019

This study investigates the flexural behavior of steel-concrete composite beams strengthened with prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates. An innovative mechanical anchorage system was developed. The components of the system can be easily assembled on site before applying a prestressing force, and removed from the structures after strengthening is completed. A total of seven steel-concrete composite specimens including four simply supported beams strengthened at the positive moment region and three continuous beams strengthened at the negative moment region were tested statically until failure. Experimental results showed that the use of prestressed CFRP plates enhanced the flexural capacity and reduced the mid-span deflection of the beams. Furthermore, by prestressing the CFRP laminates, the material was used more efficiently, and the crack resistance of the continuous composite specimens at the central support was significantly improved after strengthening. Overall, the anchorage system proved to be practical and feasible for the strengthening of steel-concrete composite beams. The theoretical analysis of ultimate bearing capacity is reported, and good agreement between analytical values and experimental results is achieved.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Demand for energy consumption reduction is increasing according to the development expectations of future mobility. Lightweight structural materials are known as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. In particular, fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRP) is attracting attention as a material that can replace existing metal alloys due to its excellent mechanical properties and light weight. In this paper, industrial applications and research trends of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP, carbon FRP) and self-reinforced composites (SRC) were reviewed based on the reinforcement, polymer matrix, and manufacturing process. In order to overcome the expensive process cost and long manufacturing time of the epoxy resin-based autoclave method, which is mainly used in the aircraft field, mass production of CFRP-applied electric vehicles has been reported using a high-pressure resin transfer molding process including fast-curing epoxy. In addition, thermoplastic resin-based CFRP and interface enhancement methods to solve the recycling issue of carbon fiber composites were reviewed in terms of materials and processes. To form a perfect matrix-reinforcement interface, which is known as the major factor inducing the excellent mechanical properties of FRP, studies on SRC impregnated with the same matrix in polymer fibers have been reported. The physical and mechanical properties of SRC based on various thermoplastic polymers were reviewed in terms of polymer orientation and composite structure. In addition, a copolymer matrix strategy for extending the processing window of highly drawn polypropylene fiber-based SRC was discussed. The application of CFRP and SRC as lightweight structural materials can provide potential options for improving the energy efficiency of future mobility.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-149
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• 2007

In the automobile industry, structural health monitoring of fiber reinforced polymer composite parts is a widespread need for maintenance before breakdown of the functional elements or a complete vehicle. High performance sensors are generally used in many of the structural health monitoring operations. Within this study, a carbon fiber sewing thread has been used as a low cost laminate failure sensing element. The experimentation plan was set up according to the electrical conductance and flexibility of carbon fiber threads, advantages of preforming operations, and sewing mechanisms. The influence of the single thread damages by changing the electrical resistance and monitoring the impact location by using carbon thread sensors has been performed. Innovative utilization of relatively cost-effective carbon threads for monitoring the delamination of metallic inserts from the basic composite laminate structure is a highlighting feature of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.526-541
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• 2023

Wooden structures are widely used, particularly in earthquake zones, owing to their light weight, ease of application, and resistance to the external environment. In this study, we aimed to improve the mechanical properties of laminated timber beams using novel hybrid systems [carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and wire rope]. Within the scope of this study, it is expected that using wood, which is an environmentally friendly and sustainable building element, will be more economical and safe than the reinforced concrete and steel elements currently used to pass through wide openings. The structural behavior of the hybrid-reinforced laminated timber beams was determined under the loading system. The experimental findings showed that the highest increase in the values of laminated beams reinforced with steel ropes was obtained with the 2N reinforcement, with a maximum load of 38 kN and a displacement of 137 mm. Thus, a load increase of 168% and displacement increase of 275% compared with the reference sample were obtained. Compared with the reference sample, a load increase of 92% and a displacement increase of 14% were obtained. Carbon fabrics placed between the layers with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) prevented crack development and provided significant interlayer connections. Consequently, the fabrics placed between the laminated wooden beams with the innovative reinforcement system will not disrupt the aesthetics or reduce the effect of earthquake forces, and significant reductions can be achieved in these sections.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.501-514
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• 2018

The paper presents the thermo-mechanically induced non-linear response of multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced laminated composite beam (MWCNTRCB) supported by elastic foundation using higher order shear deformation theory and von-Karman non-linear kinematics. The elastic properties of MWCNT reinforced composites are evaluated using Halpin-Tsai model by considering MWCNT reinforced polymer matrix as new matrix by dispersing in it and then reinforced with E-glass fiber in an orthotropic manner. The laminated beam is supported by Pasternak elastic foundation with Winkler cubic nonlinearity. A generalized static analysis is formulated using finite element method (FEM) through principle of minimum potential energy approach.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.199-202
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• 2002

Interfacial properties and electrical sensing for fiber fracture in carbon and SiC fibers/epoxy composites were investigated by the electrical resistance measurement and fragmentation test. As fiber-embedded angle increased, interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of two-type fiber composites decreased, and the elapsed time was long to the infinity in electrical resistivity. The initial slope of electrical resistivity increased rapidly to the infinity at higher angle, whereas electrical resistivity increased gradually at small angle. Furthermore, both fiber composites with small embedded angle showed a fully-developed stress whitening pattern, whereas both composites with higher embedded angle exhibited a less developed stress whitening pattern. As embedded angle decreased, the gap between the fragments increased and the debonded length was wider for both fiber composites. Electro-micromechanical technique can be a feasible nondestructive evaluation to measure interfacial sensing properties depending on the fiber-embedded angle in conductive fiber reinforced composites.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.1047-1065
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• 2014

The article presents the methodology for finding material damping capacity at higher frequency and at relatively lower amplitudes. The Lamb wave dispersion theory and loss less finite element model is used to find the damping capacity of composite materials. The research has been focused on high frequency applications materials. The method was implemented on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates. The Lamb waves were generated using ultrasonic pulse generator setup. The hybrid method has been explored in this article and the results have been compared with bandwidth methods available in the literature.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.511-523
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• 2015

Damaged steel-concrete composite girders can be repaired and retrofitted by epoxy-bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets to the critical areas of tension flanges. This paper presents the results of a study on the behavior of damaged steel-concrete composite girders repaired with CFRP sheets under static loading. A total of seven composite girders made of I20A steel sections and 80mm-thick by 900mm-wide concrete slabs were prepared and tested. CFRP sheets and prestressed CFRP sheets were used to repair the specimens. The specimens lost the cross-sectional area of their tension flanges with 30%, 50% and 100%. The results showed that CFRP sheets had no significant effect on the yield loads of strengthened composite girders, but had significant effect on the ultimate loads. The yield loads, elastic stiffness, and ultimate bearing capacities of strengthened composite girders had been changed as a result of prestressed CFRP sheets, the utilization ratio of CFRP sheets could be effectively improved by applying prestress to CFRP sheets. Both the yield loads and ultimate bearing capacities had been changed as a result of steel beam's flange damage level and CFRP sheets could cover the girders' shortage of bearing capacity with 30% and 50% flange damage, respectively.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.39-43
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• 2011

For the last twenty years, nanocomposites composed of polymer matrices reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been an active research area. Also, the polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with CNTs are being investigated to be used matrices of carbon fiber composites. Carbon tiber composites have achieved advanced properties in the direction of carbon fibers due to enhanced carbon fiber properties. However, the matrix dominated properties need to be improved further to fully utilize the advanced carbon fiber properties. In particular, delamination is a typical and critical reason for fracture of carbon fiber composites. Mode I fracture toughness test which is also often called double cantilever beam (DCB) test shows the resistance to delamination of carbon fiber composites and this test is performed on carbon fiber composite samples incorporated with carbon nanotubes functionalized with various functional groups. The specimens with mat-like CNT layers showed the increased fracture toughness by 10.6%.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.401-416
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• 2004

This paper presents investigation of a three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear finite element model analysis to examine the behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites to enhance the flexural capacity and ductility of the beams. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models were developed between the internal reinforcement and concrete using a smeared relationship. In addition, bond models between the concrete surface and CFRP composite were developed using a smeared bond for general analyses and a contact bond for sensitivity analyses. The results of the FEA were compared with the experimental data on full-scale members. The results of two finite-element bonding models showed good agreement with those of the experimental tests.