Engineering Commons^™

Compression Molded Composite Component, Greg Hermansen, Larsson Johnson, Joanne Medrano, Kyle Hammell

Mechanical Engineering

The following final design report outlines the design and fabrication of a carbon fiber compression molded sunglasses case. It intends to guide the development of a future lab activity for a composites undergraduate course at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo. The activity aims to support an educational investigation in "out-of-autoclave" composites manufacturing methods, such as compression molding, which offer some key benefits over autoclave molding. The methodology behind the creation of a conceptual design, an initial prototype, and a final product is laid out in detail below.

An Investigation Of Composite Failure Analyses And Damage Evolution In Finite Element Models, Ann M. Frappier

Open Access Theses

This paper presents a composite conical structure used commonly in flight-qualification testing. This structure’s overall load-displacement behavioral response is characterized. Mixed-mode multidelamination in a layered composite specimen is considered in Abaqus/Explicit through both the Virtual Crack Closure Technique and Cohesive Elements. The Virtual Crack Closure Technique and Cohesive Elements are compared against experimental test results presented in literature. Further, a thorough comparison in which the effects of failure criteria type, through-thickness mesh density, and finite element type on the progressive failure response of this composite assembly is discussed. Lastly, Abaqus/Standard and Helius PFA are compared in order to gain confidence …

Strengthening The Reinforced Concrete Column With Cf Sheet, Florim Istrefi

UBT International Conference

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites (the combination of two or more materials). The strengthening of concrete members means using constructional measures to restore or improve their load-carrying capacity, serviceability, durability or fatigue strength.

The effects of strengthening measures can generally be described in quantitative terms and therefore analyzed numerically for reinforced concrete columns designed according to the earlier editions of DIN 1045, ACI Committee 440, 2002, there are some strengthening assignments that fall midway between redesign and sprayed concrete. It is for these projects that wrapping with fiber-reinforced materials is to be recommended. This method has already been used frequently …

General Concept For Strengthening The Reinforced Concrete Column A Wrapping Of Cf Sheet, Florim Istrefi

UBT International Conference

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites (the combination of two or more materials). Used more often in the defense and aerospace industries, advanced composites are beginning to play the role of conventional materials (commodities) used for load-bearing structural components for infrastructure applications. These unique materials are now being used worldwide for building new structures as well as for rehabilitating in-service structures.

“FRP” is an acronym for fiber reinforced polymers, which some also call fiber reinforced plastics, so called because of the fiber content in a polyester, vinyl ester, or other matrix. Three are commonly used (among others): composite containing glass fibers …

Effects Of Fiber Aspect Radio On Mechanical Performances Of Nano-Short-Fiber-Reinforced Rubber Composites, Zhu Dasheng

The 8th International Conference on Physical and Numerical Simulation of Materials Processing

No abstract provided.

Simulation For Carbon Nanotube Dispersion And Microstructure Formation In Cnts/Mg Composite Fabricated With Ultrasonic Processing, Yuansheng Yang, Fuze Zhao, Shaozhen Zhu, Xiaohui Feng

The 8th International Conference on Physical and Numerical Simulation of Materials Processing

No abstract provided.

Buckling Analysis Of Laminated Composite Box Beams, Domagoj Lanc, Goran Turkalj, Josip Brnic

The 8th International Conference on Physical and Numerical Simulation of Materials Processing

No abstract provided.

Experimentation Of Mode I And Mode Ii Fracture Of Uni-Directional Composites And Finite Element Analysis Of Mode I Fracture Using Cohesive Contact, Joseph Daniel Garrett

Master's Theses

As the use of fiber-reinforced composites has increased over the decades, so has the need to understand the complexity of their failure mechanisms as engineers seek to improve the damage tolerance of composite laminated structures. One of the most prevalent and limiting mode of failure within composite laminates is delamination, since it not only reduces a structures stiffness and strength, but can be very difficult to detect without the use of special non-destructive equipment. Industry testing organizations have utilized several fracture tests in order to characterize the fracture toughness of composite materials under different loading conditions. For this research, ASTM …

Lignin-Based Li-Ion Anode Materials Synthesized From Low-Cost Renewable Resources, Nicholas William Mcnutt

Doctoral Dissertations

In today’s world, the demand for novel methods of energy storage is increasing rapidly, particularly with the rise of portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and the personal consumption and storage of solar energy. While other technologies have arguably improved at a rate that is exponential in accordance with Moore’s law, battery technology has lagged behind largely due to the difficulty in devising new electric storage systems that are simultaneously high performing, inexpensive, and safe.

In order to tackle these challenges, novel Li-ion battery anodes have been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that are made from lignin, a low-cost, renewable …

Phase Sensitive Thermography Of Magnetostrictive Materials Under Periodic Excitations, Peng Yang

Theses and Dissertations

The use of giant magnetostrictive materials in actuator and sensor applications is still relatively new. Giant magnetostrictive materials, such as Terfenol-D, are unique in producing large deformation under a magnetic field. Applications of these materials in solid state actuators and transducers may require more knowledge on the interaction between geometry and material properties for a specific design. In order to gain more understanding of the magnetostriction mechanism, phase sensitive or lock-in thermography has been used to study Terfenol-D. Thermography is useful in that it allows for full field measurement of the surface of an object with a relatively simple setup. …

Solution Casting And Mechanical Testing Of Arabinan-Cellulose Nanocomposites, Kevin Su, Alina Lusebrink

Materials Engineering

The purpose of this work was to investigate methods to produce consistent, reliable, and testable thin films of arabinan-cellulose nanocomposites. Mechanical properties and composition of the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus spines served as motivation for this research. The high specific strength and stiffness, biodegradability, and sustainability of these spines inspired the creation of composites fabricated from the same materials found in cactus spines: arabinan and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Arabinan serves as the matrix material and NCC as the reinforcement. To explore the feasibility of using a non-toxic solvent, different solution casting techniques with water as a solvent were investigated. Ultrasonication was …

Ultra-Light Bear Canister, Naveen Beasley, Eli Rogers, Cory Wilson, Donald Wood

Mechanical Engineering

A bear canister is the primary tool used by outdoor enthusiasts to protect their food from bears while camping or backpacking. There are many effective products currently on the market, however many are not designed with reduced weight in mind. Hardcore backpackers want to have the lightest gear possible to ease the strain of carrying a large pack for sometimes weeks at a time.

Current bear canisters exist that utilize carbon fiber for weight reduction, however they rely on stock carbon tubes and lack engineering analysis, and no competitor has a fully composite bear canister available. Our sponsor, Nick Hellewell, …

Graphene And Carbon Nanotube Pla Composite Feedstock Development For Fused Deposition Modeling, Austin Plymill, Robert Minneci, Duncan Alexander Greeley, Jack Gritton

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Effect Of Carbon Nanotube Functionalization In A Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Through Use Of A Stepped Bar Apparatus, Matthew I. Ralphs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are used in transporting heat away from a circuit or electronic module. Composite materials are a popular research area for TIMs because they allow the desired properties to be joined in a composite to take advantage of the best properties from all the constituents involved. The composite selected for this study uses carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the filler and an elastomeric polymer for the matrix, specifically a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) / polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. This study looks at chemical modification (functionalization) of the CNTin an effort to produce a better bond between the CNT and …

Novel Methods And Self-Reinforced Composite Materials For Assessment And Prevention Of Fretting Corrosion In Modular Tapers, Eric S. Ouellette

Dissertations - ALL

Novel methods for assessing the electrochemical and micromechanical performance of modular tapers were evaluated, and self-reinforced composite materials were developed for their potential to prevent the onset of mechanically assisted corrosion in modular taper devices.

A study of the seating and taper locking mechanics of modular taper samples was conducted, and the effect on taper engagement strength of seating load, loading rate, taper moisture, and taper design/material combination was studied. The load-displacement behavior was captured during seating, and the subsequent pull off load was correlated to seating displacement, seating energy, and seating load. The primary factor affecting taper engagement strength …

Controlling The Assembly Of Nanoparticles In Polymer Blends, Kyle C. Bryson

Doctoral Dissertations

While many novel methods have been devised for directing the assembly of nanoparticles in block copolymers, the topic has not reached the same level of sophistication for polymer blends. The assembly of particles at the interface between phase-separated domains can serve as a means to compatibilize polymer blends, reducing domain sizes and enhancing interdomain adhesion by impeding coalescence and decreasing interfacial tension. Compatibilization optimizes the performance of blended materials in applications where the properties of both components must be expressed synergistically, such as in plastics requiring both high strength and high toughness and in photovoltaic films. Thus, approaches to robustly …

Behaviour Of Reinforced Concrete And Composite Conical Tanks Under Hydrostatic And Seismic Loadings, Ahmed Elansary

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Conical liquid storage tanks are widely used to store different liquids and to provide water supply at cities and municipalities. However, no comprehensive guidelines currently exist in the codes of practice for the structural analysis and design of such tanks. The walls of a conical tank can be made of steel, reinforced concrete, or a combination of the two materials in a composite type of construction in which steel and concrete walls are connected using steel studs. The research conducted in this thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete and composite conical tanks under hydrostatic …

Significant Enhancement Of The Cycling Performance And Rate Capability Of The P/C Composite Via Chemical Bonding (P-C), Weijie Li, Shulei Chou, Jiazhao Wang, Hua-Kun Liu, S X. Dou

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

Among anode materials for sodium ion batteries, red phosphorus is a very promising one due to its abundant reserves, low-cost and high theoretical capacity of 2600 mA h g-1. However, its huge volume expansion on sodiation (∼490%) and poor conductivity leads to dramatic capacity decay, restraining its practical application. To improve the electrochemical performance, here, we prepared a red phosphorus and graphene nanoplate composite using cheap red P and natural graphite as the starting materials via a simple and scalable ball-milling method. The phosphorus-carbon bond formed during the milling process improves the electrical connectivity between P particles and graphene nanoplates, …

A Methodical Approach For Fabrication Of Binder-Free Li2s-C Composite Cathode With High Loading Of Active Material For Li-S Battery, Mohammad Kaiser, Xin Liang, Hua-Kun Liu, S X. Dou, Jiazhao Wang

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

Lithium sulfide (Li2S), which has a theoretical capacity of 1166 mA h/g, is considered as a promising cathode material for the Li-S battery. The electrochemical performance of microsized Li2S is impaired, however, by its low electrical conductivity as well as first cycle high activation potential problem. In this work, microsized Li2S powder had been ball-milled with different carbon sources to synthesize Li2S-C composites as well as to find the suitable carbon sources, which were then capillary-deposited in three-dimensional multi-layered Ni foam from a dioxolane-containing mixture to fabricate a binder-free Li2S-C composite cathode. A large amount of active material (∼5 mg/cm2) …

Anisotropic Electrical Response Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials, Mohammad Faisal Haider

Theses and Dissertations

Composites materials are often subjected to multi-physical conditions in different applications where, in addition to mechanical loads, they also need to sustain other types of loads such as electrical currents. The multi-physical behavior of composites needs to be understood and analyzed to facilitate new multi-functional material design. An essential first step towards this goal is to understand how multi-physics properties depend on local details (e.g. micro-structure). Composite materials have heterogeneous electrical properties (carbon/epoxy) at the local level that can be different at the global level. To conduct the multi-physics study, the electrical signal is employed to the composite sample for …

Strengthening Shear Deficient Thin-Walled Steel Beams By Bonding Pultruded Gfrp Sections, Tuna Ulger

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Rehabilitation and retrofitting methods offer economical and feasible alternatives for upgrading aged and deficient structures. Structural strengthening using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have been widely investigated by researchers and used in field applications. The main advantage of FRP composites is the superior mechanical properties they offer over traditional structural materials. One novel alternative of these retrofitting methods was developed at Louisiana State University and called “Strengthening-by-Stiffening” (SBS). In SBS, the external strengthening of shear deficient thin-walled steel structures is achieved by bonding pultruded FRP sections to buckling prone web panels. Contrary to the commonly used uniaxial tension resistance of …