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Advances in Experimental Investigation and Computational Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymers and Composites

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 2798

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aliakbar Gholampour

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Interests: co-friendly and sustainable composites; waste-based concrete; nanocomposite; lightweight foam composite; high-performance and ultra-high performance composite; fiber-reinforced polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Togay Ozbakkaloglu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Interests: structural engineering; construction materials; smart and high-performance infrastructure materials; high-strength and high performance concretes; waste-based concretes; geopolymers; fiber reinforced polymers (frps); composites incorporating recycled materials; green composites; biocomposites; structural applications of composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Owing to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, fiber-reinforced polymers and composites have received significant attention in different applications, e.g., automotive, marine, aerospace and construction. This Special Issue of Materials is dedicated to the recent advances in the experimental investigation and computational modeling of fiber-reinforced polymers and composites. We are expecting to receive papers dealing with cutting-edge issues on the research and application of polymers and composites containing internal fibers in different applications.The topics included in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the mechanical, durability, thermal, fire microstructural, and long-term properties of the composites manufactured using different types of internal fibers (including recycled, natural and synthetic fibers) and nanomaterials. Both original contributions and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Aliakbar Gholampour
Prof. Dr. Togay Ozbakkaloglu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fiber-reinforced polymers
  • fiber-reinforced composites
  • internal fibers
  • durability properties
  • thermal properties
  • mechanical properties
  • fire-resistant
  • nano
  • natural fibers
  • recycled fibers
  • synthetic fibers
  • modeling
  • concrete
  • microstructure

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 11489 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigations on the Application of Natural Plant Fibers in Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
by Linus Joachim and Vincent Oettel
Materials 2024, 17(14), 3519; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143519 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Due to its high strength, the use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is particularly suitable for components subjected to compressive loads. Combined with its excellent durability, UHPC can be used to produce highly resource-efficient components that represent a sustainable alternative to conventional load-bearing structures. [...] Read more.
Due to its high strength, the use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is particularly suitable for components subjected to compressive loads. Combined with its excellent durability, UHPC can be used to produce highly resource-efficient components that represent a sustainable alternative to conventional load-bearing structures. Since UHPC fails in a brittle manner without the addition of fibers, it is typically used in conjunction with micro steel fibers. The production of these steel fibers is both expensive and energy-intensive. Natural plant fibers, due to their good mechanical properties, cost-effective availability, and inherent CO2 neutrality, can provide a sustainable alternative to conventional steel fibers. Thanks to the low alkaline environment and dense matrix of UHPC, the use of natural plant fibers in terms of durability and bond is possible in principle. For the application of natural plant fibers in UHPC, however, knowledge of the load-bearing and post-cracking behavior or the performance of UHPC reinforced with natural plant fibers is essential. Currently, there are no tests available on the influence of different types of natural plant fibers on the load-bearing behavior of UHPC. Therefore, five series of compression and bending tensile tests were conducted. Three series were reinforced with natural plant fibers (bamboo, coir, and flax), one series without fibers, and one series with steel fibers as a reference. Under compression loads, the test specimens reinforced with natural plant fibers did not fail abruptly and exhibited a comparable post-failure behavior and damage pattern to the reference specimens reinforced with steel fibers. In contrast, the natural plant fibers did not perform as well as the steel fibers under bending tensile stress but did show a certain post-cracking bending tensile strength. A final life cycle assessment demonstrates the superiority of natural plant fibers and shows their positive impact on the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Experimental Investigation and Computational Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymers and Composites)
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26 pages, 7235 KiB  
Article
Influence of Confining Element Stiffness on the In-Plane Seismic Performance of Confined Masonry Walls
by Muhammad Mubashir Ajmal, Asad Ullah Qazi, Ali Ahmed, Ubaid Ahmad Mughal, Syed Minhaj Saleem Kazmi and Muhammad Junaid Munir
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133100 - 25 Jun 2024
Viewed by 339
Abstract
Confined masonry (CM) construction is being increasingly adopted for its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, particularly in seismic zones. Despite its known benefits, limited research exists on how the stiffness of confining elements influences the in-plane behavior of CM. This study conducted a comprehensive parametric [...] Read more.
Confined masonry (CM) construction is being increasingly adopted for its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, particularly in seismic zones. Despite its known benefits, limited research exists on how the stiffness of confining elements influences the in-plane behavior of CM. This study conducted a comprehensive parametric analysis using experimentally validated numerical models of single-wythe, squat CM wall panels under quasi-static reverse cyclic loading. Various cross-sections and reinforcement ratios were examined to assess the impact of the confining element stiffness on the deformation response, the cracking mechanism, and the hysteretic behavior. The key findings included the observation of symmetrical hysteresis in experimental CM panels under cyclic loading, with a peak lateral strength of 114.3 kN and 108.5 kN in push-and-pull load cycles against 1.7% and 1.3% drift indexes, respectively. A finite element (FE) model was developed based on a simplified micro-modeling approach, demonstrating a maximum discrepancy of 2.6% in the peak lateral load strength and 5.4% in the initial stiffness compared to the experimental results. The parametric study revealed significant improvements in the initial stiffness and seismic strength with increased depth and reinforcement in the confining elements. For instance, a 35% increase in the lateral strength was observed when the depth of the confining columns was augmented from 150 mm to 300 mm. Similarly, increasing the steel reinforcement percentage from 0.17% to 0.78% resulted in a 16.5% enhancement in the seismic strength. These findings highlight the critical role of the stiffness of confining elements in enhancing the seismic performance of CM walls. This study provides valuable design insights for optimizing CM construction in seismic-prone areas, particularly regarding the effects of confining element dimensions and reinforcement ratios on the structural resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Experimental Investigation and Computational Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymers and Composites)
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22 pages, 7923 KiB  
Article
Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Assessment of Wastepaper Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing Metakaolin
by Mohammad Valizadeh Kiamahalleh, Aliakbar Gholampour, Mohsen Rezaei Shahmirzadi, Tuan D. Ngo and Togay Ozbakkaloglu
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112608 - 28 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 512
Abstract
This study evaluates the potential use of discarded plasterboard paper as fibers from buildings to reinforce concrete. Various concentrations of wastepaper fibers (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% by weight of the binder) were investigated in this research. To mitigate the water absorption [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the potential use of discarded plasterboard paper as fibers from buildings to reinforce concrete. Various concentrations of wastepaper fibers (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% by weight of the binder) were investigated in this research. To mitigate the water absorption effect of the paper fibers, metakaolin was employed as a partial cement replacement. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of the wastepaper fiber enhances the mechanical and durability performance of the concrete. The optimal fiber proportion was identified as 1%, leading to a 29% increase in the compressive strength, a 38% increase in the splitting tensile strength, a 12% decrease in the water absorption, and a 23% decrease in the drying shrinkage with respect to the concrete containing 20% metakaolin. However, exceeding this optimal fiber content results in decreased mechanical and durability properties due to the fiber agglomeration and non-uniform fiber distribution within the concrete matrix. Based on the microstructural analysis, the improved performance of the concrete is ascribed to decreased porosity, more refined pore structure, and reduced propagation of microcracks within the concrete matrix in the presence of wastepaper fiber. According to the results, concrete containing 20% metakaolin and 1% wastepaper fiber exhibits durability and mechanical properties comparable to those of the traditional concrete. This finding highlights the significant promise of reducing dependency on conventional cement and incorporating suitable recycled materials, such as discarded plasterboard, and secondary by-products like metakaolin. Such a strategy encourages the preservation of resources, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and a decrease in the ecological footprint resulting from concrete production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Experimental Investigation and Computational Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymers and Composites)
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25 pages, 10159 KiB  
Article
Mechanical and Durability Characterization of Hybrid Recycled Aggregate Concrete
by Rashid Hameed, Muhammad Tahir, Safeer Abbas, Haseeb Ullah Sheikh, Syed Minhaj Saleem Kazmi and Muhammad Junaid Munir
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071571 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 799
Abstract
The recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW) for the extraction of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) to be used to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is widely acknowledged internationally. However, CDW not only contains concrete debris but may also contain burnt clay bricks. [...] Read more.
The recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW) for the extraction of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) to be used to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is widely acknowledged internationally. However, CDW not only contains concrete debris but may also contain burnt clay bricks. The recycling of such CDW without the segregation of different components would result in recycled aggregates having different proportions of concrete and brick aggregates. The utilization of these aggregates in concrete requires a detailed investigation of their mechanical and durability properties. In this regard, the present study focused on investigating the mechanical and durability properties of hybrid recycled aggregate concrete (HRAC) made by the 100% replacing of natural aggregates with recycled brick (RBAs) and RCA in hybrid form. The partial replacement of cement with fly ash was also considered to reduce the corban footprint of concrete. An extensive experimental program was designed and carried out in two phases. In the first phase, a total of 48 concrete mixes containing coarse RBA and RCA in mono and hybrid forms were prepared and tested for their compressive strength. The test results indicated that the compressive strength of HRAC is greatly affected by the proportion of coarse RBA and RCA. In the second phase, based on the results of the first phase, eight concrete mixes with the most critical proportions of RBA and RCA in hybrid form were selected to evaluate their mechanical and durability performance. In addition, four mixes with natural aggregates were also prepared for comparison purposes. To evaluate the mechanical properties of the concrete mixes, compressive strength and modulus of rupture (MOR) tests were performed, while for the evaluation of durability properties, water absorption and behavior after exposure to aggressive conditions of acidic and brine solutions were studied. The results revealed that a 20% replacement of cement with fly ash resulted in acceptable mechanical and durability properties of HRAC intended to be used for making concrete bricks or pavers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Experimental Investigation and Computational Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymers and Composites)
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