Residual Strength Prediction Based on Size Effect of Cracked Concrete Members

In engineering materials, defects, such as cracks, may occur during production and/or due to various reasons. One of the aims of fracture mechanics is to determine the fracture toughness-based residual strength of structural members with cracks. A quasi-brittle material, such as concrete or rock, may include certain defects, such as voids and cracks, even before being exposed to loads. Experimental analyses on concrete members indicated that specimens’ nominal strength values were decreased as their sizes increased while specimen geometry is the same. In fracture mechanics, this condition was defined as the “size effect” in both concrete and reinforced concrete units. In the literature, numerous theoretical and experimental studies were conducted on beams while compact split-tension specimens, particularly notched ones are limited. In this study, six series of notched beams with three different sizes and notched square prismatic specimens with four different sizes were tested. According to the test results, the peak loads were analyzed by using the fundamental theorem of the modified size effect law. In conclusion, two formulae were proposed to predict the flexural strength and the splitting strength of quasi-brittle bodies with cracks.

Tensile Performance, Lap-Splice Length and Behavior of Concretes Confined by Prefabricated C-FRCM System

Results of an experimental study aimed to evaluate tensile performance, lap-splice length of carbon fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix system (C-FRCM), and performance of concretes confined by C-FRCM are presented. Green high-strength mortar was used in this study which actively utilized recycled fine aggregate and fine waste glass powder to partially substitute cementitious binder. Test plans were developed in due consideration of prefabricated C-FRCM for strengthening concrete columns: 14 tensile tests, 12 lap-splice tests, and 6 uniaxial compression tests of plain concrete specimens confined by C-FRCM were performed. Test variable for the tensile test was number of fabric layers (one or two layers). Nominal strength of the C-FRCM with two fabric layers was 11.0 MPa while it was 7.4 MPa with one fabric layer in tension. Full strength of the carbon fabric was developed in all tensile tests while the C-FRCM with two fabric layers (with axial fiber amount = 0.59% by vol.) showed pseudo-ductile behavior. From the lap-splice tests in direct tension, an increased lap-splice length was required for the double fabrics over that for the single fabrics. The required splice length was about 170 mm for the single fabrics and it was about 310 mm for the double fabrics. Plain concrete cylinders and prismatic specimens were laterally confined by C-FRCM and subjected to uniaxial compression. All test results showed strain-softening behavior. Compressive strength increased by 10–41% while ductility also increased by 6–45% indicating applicability of the prefabricated type C-FRCM in the future.

Evaluation of the Possibility of Obtaining Welded Joints of Plates from Al-Mg-Mn Aluminum Alloys, Strengthened by the Introduction of TiB2 Particles

In the work, the possibility of obtaining strong welded joints of aluminum alloys modified with particles is demonstrated. For research, strengthened aluminum alloys of the Al-Mg-Mn system with the introduction of TiB2 particles were obtained. TiB2 particles in specially prepared Al-TiB master alloys obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis were introduced ex situ into the melt according to an original technique using ultrasonic treatment. Plates from the studied cast alloys were butt-welded by one-sided welded joints of various depths. To obtain welded joints, the method of electron beam welding was used. Mechanical properties of the studied alloys and their welded joints under tension were studied. It was shown that the introduction of particles resulted in a change in the internal structure of the alloys, characterized by the formation of compact dendritic structures and a decrease in the average grain size from 155 to 95 µm. The change in the internal structure due to the introduction of particles led to an increase in the tensile strength of the obtained alloys from 163 to 204 MPa. It was found that the obtained joints have sufficient relative strength values. Relative strength values reach 0.9 of the nominal strength of materials already at the ratio of the welded joint depth to the thickness of the welded plates, equal to 0.6 for the initial alloy and in the range of 0.67–0.8 for strengthened alloys.

Calculations on compact disc cracking

The Griffith equation for brittle cracking has three problems. First, it applies to an infinite sheet whereas a laboratory test sample is typically near 100 × 100 mm. Second, it describes a central crack instead of the more dangerous and easily observable edge crack. Third, the theory assumes a uniform stress field, instead of tensile force application used in the laboratory. The purpose of this paper is to avoid these difficulties by employing Gregory's solution in calculating the crack behaviour of PMMA (Poly Methyl Meth Acrylate) discs, pin loaded in tension. Our calculations showed that axial disc loading gave nominal strengths comparable with Griffith theory, but the force went to zero as the crack fully crossed the disc, fitting experimental results. Off-axis loading was more interesting because the predicted strength was lower than in axial testing, but also gave unexpected behaviour at short crack lengths, where nominal strength did not rise indefinitely but dropped as crack length went below D/10, quite different from Griffith, where strength rose continuously as cracks were shortened. Such off-axis loading leads to a size effect in which larger discs are weaker, reminiscent of the fine fibre strengthening phenomenon reported in Griffith's early paper (Griffith 1921 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A 221 , 163–198. ( doi:10.1098/rsta.1921.0006 )). This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘A cracking approach to inventing new tough materials: fracture stranger than friction'.

Flexural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Members with Steel Bars

The use of high-tension bars to strengthen flexural members is gaining increasing interest. However, the applicability of current standards to such bars is uncertain, because there may not be a definite yield strength and it may be unclear whether the tensile or compressive failure mode dominates. Determining the balanced–destruction steel ratio is particularly difficult. We measure the bending behaviour of flexural members containing high-tension bars with different yield strengths and tensile steel ratios. We conclude that the maximum-steel-ratio regulation and nominal -strength equation in the current standard remain applicable.

A Novel and Highly Effective Natural Vibration Modal Analysis to Predict Nominal Strength of Open Hole Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Structure

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite laminates are considered the key material in many industries such as the infrastructure industries and the aerospace sector, and in building structures due to their superior specific strength and lightweight properties. The prediction of specimens’ nominal strength with open holes is still an attractive and questionable field of study. The specimen size effect is referred to its strength degradation due to the presence of holes when specimen geometry gets scaled. The non-destructive test used to measure the nominal strength of such material is a great tool for fast selection purposes, but not secure enough for several purposes. Furthermore, the destructive tests which are more expensive and time-consuming should be avoided in such structures. The present work aims to predict the nominal strength of open-hole GFRP’s composite using modal analysis of their natural frequency as non-destructive tests. At this end, the natural frequency, which is measured using modal analysis procedures, is combined with both linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and the theory of elasticity to predict the nominal strength of open-hole composite laminates. This advanced model employs two parameters of surface release energy resulting from a simple tension test and Young’s modulus based on vibration modal analysis. It is well established that these types of materials are also subjected to a size effect in dynamic response. Inversely to the known static loading size effect, the size effect in dynamic response increases with specimen size. The novel model gives excellent and acceptable results when compared with experimental and finite element ones. Size effects curves of a nominal strength of these laminates have a very close relative value with those obtained from finite element and analytical modeling. Moreover, the received design tables and graphs would be highly applicable when selecting suitable materials for similar industrial applications.

Study on the Bending and Joint Performances of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using High-Strength Rebars

High-strength reinforcing bars have high yield strengths. It is possible to reduce the number of reinforcing bars placed in a building. Accordingly, as the amount of reinforcement decreases, the spacing of reinforcing bars increases, workability improves, and the construction period shortens. To evaluate the structural performance of high-strength reinforcing bars and the joint performance of high-strength threaded reinforcing bars, flexural performance tests were performed in this study on 12 beam members with the compressive strength of concrete, the yield strength of the tensile reinforcing bars, and the tensile reinforcing bar ratio as variables. The yield strengths of the tensile reinforcement and joint methods were used as variables, and joint performance tests were performed for six beam members. Based on this study, the foundation for using high-strength reinforcing bars with a design standard yield strength equal to 600 MPa was established. Accordingly, mechanical joints of high-strength threaded reinforcing bars (600 and 670 MPa) can be used. All six specimens were destroyed under more than the expected nominal strength. Lap splice caused brittle fractures because it was not reinforced in stirrup. Increases of 21% to 47% in the loads of specimens using a coupler and a lock nut were observed. Shape yield represents destruction—a section must ensure sufficient ductility after yielding. Therefore, a coupler and lock nut are effective.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Theoretical Model for Engineering Tensile Properties of Single-and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

To apply carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing agents in next-generation composites, it is essential to improve their nominal strength. However, since it is difficult to completely remove the defects, the synthesis guideline for improving nominal strength is still unclear, i.e., the effective strength and the number of nanotube layers required to improve the nominal strength has been undermined. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to elucidate the effects of vacancies on the mechanical properties of CNTs. Additionally, the relationships between the number of layers and effective and nominal strengths of CNTs were discussed theoretically. The presence of extensive vacancies provides a possible explanation for the low nominal strengths obtained in previous experimental measurements of CNTs. This study indicates that the nominal strength can be increased from the experimentally obtained values of 10 GPa to approximately 20 GPa by using six to nine nanotube layers, even if the increase in effective strength of each layer is small. This has advantages over double-walled CNTs, because the effective strength of such CNTs must be approximately 60 GPa to achieve a nominal strength of 20 GPa.

Investigation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Rubbers Reinforced by Carbon Nanostructured Components

The work presents investigation results of physical and mechanical properties of rubber mixtures based on SKI-3 and SKS-30-ARKM-15 rubbers reinforced with hybrid filler carbon black/carbon nanotubes (CB/CNT). Elasticity, hardness and strength were measured according to standard procedures presented in GOST. The content of the carbon nanotubes in rubber mixtures was 0,5 wt. %. parts per 100 wt. parts of rubber. According to experiments, it was found that the introduction of CB/CNT masterbatches into the structure of both investigated rubbers reduces their elasticity and increases Shore A hardness. During uniaxial tension of the tested rubbers, it was found that the presence of the nanostructured CB/CNT filler in the rubber structure leads to an increase in the nominal strength for SKI-3-based rubber by 19,6 %, and on SKS-30-ARKM-15 by 22,5 %. Therefore, the use of CB/CNT nanostructures as a rubber filler is a promising method of improving rubber performance characteristics.