Behaviour of fibre composite walkways and grating

Nicol, Lachlan Keith (2014) Behaviour of fibre composite walkways and grating. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

Throughout modern engineering, there has been a push to research, develop and implement new and innovative building materials as a substitution for the materials currently being used which have showed various forms of deterioration and faulting. This project specifically focuses on the field of construction of boardwalks and walkways.

The aim of this research project was to investigate how fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) grating behaves mechanically while being subject to various types of static loading. A numerical simulation using 3D modelling software was also undertaken to compare simulation results with results found during the physical testing. A series of full scale and sample sized tests were undertaken to help in determining the mechanical properties and behaviour of the FRP grating. The full scale testing included static line loading, and two different concentrated loadings; central to the panel as well as off centre loading. 3 different sample sized tests were also undertaken to help gain an understanding of the material properties. These sample sized tests included, flexural, compressive, as well as a burn out test.

The failure of the full scale line loading test was observed as major cracking and slight delamination of the grating directly underneath the loading bar. The two concentrated loading cases showed very similar failure modes to each other which consisted of the loading block sinking into the grid immediately surrounding the loading area while the rest of the panel remained intact. The line loading cases reached a maximum of approximately 56.16kN of force which resulted in 64.85mm of deflection. The centred concentrated load was tested to 33.37kN for a maximum deflection of 49.14mm, whereas the off centre loading reached 57.24mm for a maximum load of 34.93kN.

As part of the sample sized testing system, a burn out test was undertaken to estimate firstly the density of the provided FRP grating as well as the glass to resin ratio. The density of this material was calculated to be 1544kg/m3 with a glass to resin ratio of 54% glass fibre to 46% resin. As part of the sample sized tests, other material properties were determined including a flexural modulus of 9.89GPa and a compressive strength of approximately 69.84GPa. These results aided in assigning a material property to a model as part of the FE analysis using the software PTC Creo for simulation. The results from the various FEA simulations gave very closely comparable results to those in the physical testing.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) project.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Manalo, Allan
Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2015 05:08
Last Modified: 03 Mar 2016 04:19
Uncontrolled Keywords: FRP grating; fibre composite; walkways; boardwalks; engineering; building materials; construction; fibre reinforced polymer; 3D modeling software; simulation; static line loading; delamination; glass; resin; flexural modulus; FE analysis; PTC Creo
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0912 Materials Engineering > 091206 Glass
09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090503 Construction Materials
12 Built Environment and Design > 1203 Design Practice and Management > 120305 Industrial Design
09 Engineering > 0912 Materials Engineering > 091209 Polymers and Plastics
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4016 Materials engineering > 401606 Glass
40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400505 Construction materials
33 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 3303 Design > 330399 Design not elsewhere classified
40 ENGINEERING > 4016 Materials engineering > 401609 Polymers and plastics
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/27278

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