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full text is available online.
| Document ID: | MEE2005-001 |
| Document Type: | Thesis |
| Author: | Fadi El-Chiti |
| E-mail Address: | |
| URN: | |
| Title: | Experimental Variability of E-Glass Reinforced Vinyl Ester Composites Fabricated by VARTM/Scrimp |
| Degree: | M.S. |
| Department: | Mechanical Engineering |
| Committee Chair: | Habib J. Dagher, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-Advisor |
| Chair's E-mail: | |
| Committee Members: | Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-Advisor; Michael L. Peterson, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Lawrence Thompson, Professional Engineer, Applied Thermal Sciences |
| Subjects: | Composite construction; Fiber optics; Fiber reinforced plastics; Nanostructured materials |
| Date of Defense: | 2005 |
| Availability: |
Abstract
It was found that there is significant variability in physical and mechanical properties of marine composites among different manufacturers resulting in inconsistent parameters for structural analysis and design. Experimental variability can be classified in two main groups: 1) variability from experimental preparation and testing techniques and 2) variability from the material constituents and manufacturing process. The objective of the thesis is to resolve the uncertainty surrounding mechanical properties obtained from conventional standard testing by optimizing the testing procedure used in obtaining the material properties of marine FRP composites. A series of ASTM standard test procedures for each material property (tensile, compressive, and shear) are conducted using a 3D digital image correlation system for measuring full-field strains. Glass transition temperature, fiber volume fraction, and density will be measured using ASTM standard tests. The study will lead to drafting material testing specifications to be used in obtaining reliable mechanical and physical properties for FRP composites used in structural applications. Finally, the testing program will be accompanied with a micromechanics analysis that will be used to characterize the FRP properties using an array of techniques. The micromechanics analysis will be used to explain the results of the material coupon tests and characterize the variability in the tests.
El-Chiti, Fadi, University of Maine, MEE2005-001
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