Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Composites; Fiber-Reinforced; Infrastructure; Manufacturing; Polyurethane; VARTM

Abstract

"Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites have promising applications in infrastructures due to their low cost, high specific stiffness/strength, and corrosion resistance. The pultrusion process is often used to manufacture glass fiber-reinforced polyurethane (PU) composite. The objective of this study is to use thermoset PU resin to manufacture high quality composites for infrastructure applications using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Using VARTM to fabricate PU resins presents unique challenges. Several modifications however have helped with overcoming these problems. In part I of the research, the mechanical performance of two different PU resin not only evaluated but also compared to one another. These results were used to determine which PU should be used in the next two parts. The composite panels were fabricated using VARTM process. In part II. VARTM process was used to fabricate reinforced PU composite bridge deck. The bending stiffness, load carrying capacity, and compressive properties of composite bridge deck panels were each evaluated. Commercial finite element software ABAQUS was used to analyze the panels under bending. In part III, design and manufacture composite structure insulation panels were investigated. Development of composites housing requires a unique design approach with components performing several functions beyond carrying mechanical. To meet these challenges, innovative processing techniques combined with new materials technology developed and evaluated. VARTM manufacturing process modified to manufacture multifunctional panels for housing and army shelter applications. A series of mechanical tests were performed on these structural components"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.

Committee Member(s)

Dharani, Lokeswarappa R.
Wang, Cheng
Le, Vy Khoi
Du, Xiaoping

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Missouri. Department of Transportation
Missouri University of Science and Technology. University Transportation Center Program

Comments

Dissertation contains two pages numbered 66.

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

2014

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

  • Manufacturing and performance evaluation of polyurethane composites using one-part and two-part resin systems
  • Manufacturing and characterization of polyurethane based composite bridge deck panels
  • Performance evaluation of polyurethane composite structural insulated panels (CSIP) for modular house

Pagination

xv, 101 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographic references.

Rights

© 2014 Mohaned M. Mohamed, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Polyurethanes -- Testing
Epoxy resins -- Research
Strength of materials -- Testing
Glass -- Impact testing

Thesis Number

T 10858

Electronic OCLC #

953972967

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