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An approach to detecting discontinuities in carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, caused by impact loading followed by compression testing, was developed. An X-ray sensor-based installation was used, while some algorithms were developed to improve the quality of the obtained low-contrast radiographic images with negligible signal-to-noise ratios. For epoxy/AF (#1) composite subjected to a "high-velocity" steel-ball impact with subsequent compression loading, it was not possible to detect discontinuities since the orientation of the extended zone of interlayer delamination was perpendicular to the irradiation axis. After drop-weight impacts with subsequent compression loading of epoxy/CF (#2) and PEEK/CF (#3) composites, the main cracks were formed in their central parts. This area was reliably detected through the improved radiographic images being more contrasted compared to that for composite #3, for which the damaged area was similar in shape but smaller. The phase variation and congruency methods were employed to highlight low-contrast objects in the radiographic images. The phase variation procedure showed higher efficiency in detecting small objects, while phase congruency is preferable for highlighting large objects. To assess the degree of image improvement, several metrics were implemented. In the analysis of the model images, the most indicative was the PSNR parameter (with a S-N ratio greater than the unit), confirming an increase in image contrast and a decrease in noise level. The NIQE and PIQE parameters enabled the correct assessment of image quality even with the S-N ratio being less than a unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a unified phase field-based cohesive zone model (PF-CZM) has been utilized to predict bulk fracture and most importantly interfacial delamination in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRP). The formulation is based on the classical phase-field approach of energy minimization, with a rational degradation function and a polynomial-type crack geometric function. Incorporation of those provides the PF theory to integrate various traction–separation behaviors by choosing optimal constitutive functions and makes the theory capable of predicting the quasi-brittle type of fracture. Since the interfacial delamination in composites occurs either due to adhesive failure or decohesion between stacked lamina, the PF-CZM model is used to predict such failure by exploiting the cohesive zone flavor of the model. Further, the model inherently incorporates the strength of the material without any additional calibration. Various standard simulations are performed considering CFRP geometry where delaminations due to adhesive failure or interface decohesion occur in a mode-I and mode-II fashion. The model is observed to predict mode-I and mode-II separation accurately. To test the accuracy of the model an experimental validation is also performed. In addition to the delamination, open hole tension (OHT) simulations of CFRP lamina for different fiber orientations are considered to validate the anisotropic crack growth predictions, and the results are compared with experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A repair technique for severely damaged precast reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns with grouted splice sleeve (GSS) connections has been developed that uses a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) shell and epoxy-anchored headed bars to relocate the column plastic hinge. Four original specimens were built using an accelerated bridge construction (ABC) technique with two different GSS systems and were tested to failure using cyclic quasi-static loads. One GSS system was used to connect an RC bridge pier cap to a column and the second GSS system was used to connect an RC footing to a column. Failure of the four original specimens occurred at drift ratios between 5.6 and 8.0% with longitudinal bar fracture or pullout from the GSS connections. The repair method successfully relocated the plastic hinge to the original column section adjacent to the repair and was capable of restoring the diminished load and displacement capacity. The method is a viable and cost-effective technique for rapid seismic repair of severely damaged precast bridge assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexural testing provides a rapid and straightforward assessment of fiber-reinforced composites' performance. In many high-strength composites, flexural strength is higher than compressive strength. A finite-element model was developed to better understand this improvement in load-bearing capability and to predict the flexural strength of three different carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite systems. The model is validated against publicly available experimental data and verified using theory. Different failure criteria are evaluated with respect to their ability to predict the strength of composites under flexural loading. The Tsai–Wu criterion best explains the experimental data. An expansion in compressive stress limit for all three systems was observed and is explained by the compression from the loading roller and Poisson's effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A methodology was proposed to study the energy absorption of hybridized CFRPs. • The residual velocities of projectile in hybrid laminates were predicted using ANN. • The effect of laminate stacking sequence was investigated on the energy absorption. • The absorbed energy of hybridized CFRP composite laminates was optimized. In this paper, the energy absorption capability of hybridized carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with Kevlar and glass layers subjected to high-velocity impact loading was studied. The developed methodology was based on meso‑macro scale finite element modeling, experimental testing and utilizing a predictive algorithm relying on artificial neural network. The induced damage mechanisms were considered in the numerical model by employing appropriate failure criteria for the yarns and matrix of the composite laminates and the results were validated against experimental results. An artificial neural network-based algorithm was used to optimize the energy absorption capability of the hybridized CFRP composites. It was found out that a considerably higher improvement in the energy absorption can be achieved by considering an appropriate laminate layup without a considerable increase in the laminate mass. The optimum hybridization of CFRP laminates resulted in 135% improvement in the absorbed energy with only 9% increase in the mass of the laminate. This study can provide a reliable and cost-effective method for designing and analyzing hybrid composite laminates under high velocity-impact loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]