• Advances in nano research
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.263-276
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• 2020

In this article, the acoustic responses of free vibrated natural fibre-reinforced polymer nanocomposite structure have been investigated first time with the help of commercial package (ANSYS) using the multiphysical modelling approach. The sound relevant data of the polymeric structure is obtained by varying weight fractions of the natural nanofibre within the composite. Firstly, the structural frequencies are obtained through a simulation model prepared in ANSYS and solved through the static structural analysis module. Further, the corresponding sound data within a certain range of frequencies are evaluated by modelling the medium through the boundary element steps with adequate coupling between structure and fluid via LMS Virtual Lab. The simulation model validity has been established by comparing the frequency and sound responses with published results. In addition, sets of experimentation are carried out for the eigenvalue and the sound pressure level for different weight fractions of natural fibre and compared with own simulation data. The experimental frequencies are obtained using own impact type vibration analyzer and recorded through LABVIEW support software. Similarly, the noise data due to the harmonically excited vibrating plate are recorded through the available Array microphone (40 PH and serial no: 190569). The numerical results and subsequent experimental comparison are indicating the comprehensiveness of the presently derived simulation model. Finally, the effects of structural design parameters (thickness ratio, aspect ratio and boundary conditions) on the acoustic behaviour of the natural-fibre reinforced nanocomposite are computed using the present multiphysical model and highlighted the inferences.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.117-128
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• 2014

Numerous investigations of RC beams strengthened in shear with externally-bonded (EB) fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets, plates and strips have been successfully conducted in recent years. These valuable studies have highlighted a number of influencing parameters that are not captured by the design guidelines. The objective of this study was: (1) to highlight experimentally and analytically the influential parameters on the shear contribution of FRP to RC beams strengthened in shear using EB FRP sheets and strips; and (2) to develop a set of transparent, coherent, and evolutionary design equations to calculate the shear resistance of RC beams strengthened in shear. In the experimental part of this study, 12 tests were performed on 4,520-mm-long T-beams. The specimens were strengthened in shear using carbon FRP (CFRP) strips and sheets. The test variables were: (1) the presence or absence of internal transverse-steel reinforcement; (2) use of FRP sheets versus FRP strips; and (3) the axial rigidity of the EB FRP reinforcement. In the analytical part of this study, new design equations were proposed to consider the effect of transverse-steel in addition to other influential parameters on the shear contribution of FRP. The accuracy of the proposed equations has been verified in this study by predicting the FRP shear contribution of experimentally tested RC beams.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-20
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• 2013

There is an abundance of research on the strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) structural elements such as beams, columns and slabs with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Less research by comparison has been conducted on the strengthening of RC beam-column connections and the majority of such research has been predominantly experimental to date. Few existing experimental studies have reported extensive instrumentation of test specimens which in turn makes understanding the behavior of the connections and especially the contributions made by the FRP difficult to ascertain. In addition, there has been even more limited research on the analytical and numerical modelling of FRP-strengthened connections. In this paper, detailed descriptions of key strategies to model FRP-strengthened RC connections with finite elements are provided. An extensively instrumented and comprehensively documented set of experiments on FRP-strengthened connections is firstly presented and finite element models are then constructed using ANSYS. The study shows that the finite element approach is able to capture the overall behavior of the test specimens including the failure mode as well as the behavior of the FRP which will most importantly lead to a detailed understanding of the FRP and the future development of rational analytical models. The finite element models are, however, unable to model the stiffness of the connections with accuracy in the ultimate load range of response.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.307-317
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• 2018

The current study explores the soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect on the potential seismic damage of mid-rise non-seismically designed reinforced concrete frames retrofitted by Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP). An 8-storey reinforced concrete frame poorly-confined due to transverse reinforcement deficiency is selected and then retrofitted by FRP wraps to provide external confinement. The poorly-confined and FRP retrofitted frames with/without SSI are modelled using hysteretic nonlinear elements. Inelastic time history and damage analyses are performed for these frames subjected to different seismic intensities. The results show that the FRP confinement significantly reduces one or two damage levels for the poorly-confined frame. More importantly, the SSI effect is found to increase the potential seismic damage of the retrofitted frame, reducing the effectiveness of FRP retrofitting. This finding, which is contrary to the conventionally beneficial concept of SSI governing for decades in structural and earthquake engineering, is worth taking into account in designing and evaluating retrofitted structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Strengthening of existing old structures has traditionally been accomplished by using conventional materials and techniques, viz., externally bonded steel plates, steel or concrete jackets, etc. Alternatively, fibre reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) products started being used to overcome problems associated with conventional materials in the mid 1950s because of their favourable engineering properties. Effectiveness of FRPC materials has been demonstrated through extensive experimental research throughout the world in the last two decades. However there is a need to use refined analytical tools to simulate response of strengthened system. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a numerical model of strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams with FRPC laminates. Material models for RC beams strengthened with FRPC laminates are described and verified through a nonlinear finite element (FE) commercial code, with the help of available experimental data. Three dimensional (3D) FE analysis has been performed by assuming perfect bonding between concrete and FRPC laminate. A parametric study has also been performed to examine effects of various parameters like fibre type, stirrup's spacing, etc. on the strengthening system. Through numerical simulation, it has been shown that it is possible to predict accurately the flexural response of RC beams strengthened with FRPC laminates by selecting an appropriate material constitutive model. Comparisons are made between the available experimental results in literature and FE analysis results obtained by the present investigators using load-deflection and load-strain plots as well as ultimate load of the strengthened beams. Furthermore, evaluation of crack patterns from FE analysis and experimental failure modes are discussed at the end.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제8권5호
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• pp.541-561
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• 2011

The Finite Element Method (FEM) was employed to demonstrate that accurate simulations of seismically repaired and retrofitted reinforced concrete shear walls can be achieved provided a good analysis program with comprehensive models for material and structural behaviour is used. Furthermore, the analysis tool should have the capability to retain residual damage experienced by the original structure and carry it forward in the repaired and retrofitted structure. The focus herein is to provide quick, simple, but reliable modelling procedures for repair and retrofitting strategies such as concrete replacement, addition of diagonal reinforcing bars, bolting of external steel plates, and bonding of external steel plates and fibre reinforced polymer sheets, thus illustrating versatility in the modelling. Slender, squat, and slender-squat shear walls were investigated. The modelling utilized simple rectangular membrane elements for the concrete, truss bar elements for the steel and FRP retrofitting materials, and bond-link elements for the bonding interface between steel or FRP to concrete. The analyses satisfactorily simulated seismic behaviour, including lateral load capacity, displacement capacity, energy dissipation, hysteretic response, and failure mode.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.557-566
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• 2017

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets are the most efficient structural materials in terms of strength to weight ratio and its application in strengthening and retrofitting of a structure or structural elements are inevitable. The performance enhancement of structural elements without increasing the cross sectional area and flexible nature are the major advantages of FRP in retrofitting/strengthening work. This research article presents a detailed study on the inelastic response of conventional and retrofitted Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) subjected to quasi-static loading. The hysteretic behaviour, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation and damage index are the parameters employed to analyse the efficacy of FRP strengthening of brick in-filled RC frames. Repair and retrofitting of brick infilled RC frame shows an improved load carrying and damage tolerance capacity than control frame.

• Composites Research
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2006

In the past, the technology of strengthening structures using FRP composites was still in its infancy, with very few publications on the technology available. However, recently strengthening of Reinforced concrete (RC) and other structures using advanced fibre-reinforced polymer/plastic(FRP) composites has become very popular in the last few years. As the well-known advantages of FRP composites including both good corrosion resistence and ease for site handling due to their light weight, also its design methods have been ensured the safe and economic use of this new technology, FRPs have been used widely and demonstrated in the field of aero industries etc. The purpose of this paper is to report the examples of the many diverse applications of Fiber Reinforced Plastic in construction materials of structures.

• 한국공작기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국공작기계학회 2005년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.429-434
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• 2005

In this paper sandwich structures like beams and plates are optimised by using parametric study. The structures are composed of fibre reinforced composites for facial material and resin concrete and PVC foam for core materials. The stacking sequences and thickness of the composites are controlled as major parameters to find out the optimal condition for machine tool components. For the plate structure for machine tool bed composites-skined sandwich structure which has several ribs are proposed to enhance both directional bending stiffnesses at the same time. From the results optimal configuration and materials for high precesion machine tools are proposed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.75-89
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• 2007

Post-earthquake reconnaissance and experimental research indicate that squat reinforced concrete (RC) columns in existing buildings or bridge piers are vulnerable to non-ductile shear failure. Recently, several experimental studies were conducted to investigate upgrading the shear resistance capacity of such columns in order to modify their failure mode to ductile one. Among these upgrading methods is the use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets. One of the preferred analytical tools to simulate the response of frame structures to earthquake loading is the lumped plasticity macromodels due to their computational efficiency and reasonable accuracy. In these models, the columns' nonlinear response is lumped at its ends. The most important input data for such type of models is the element's lateral force-displacement backbone curve. The objective of this study is to verify an analytical method to predict the lateral force-displacement ductility relationship of axially and laterally loaded rectangular RC squat columns retrofitted with FRP composites. The predicted relationship showed good accuracy when compared with tests available in the literature.