Open AccessDevelopment and evaluation of load-bearing fiber reinforced polymer composite panel systems with tongue and groove joints
Author(s) -
Adam Guo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
sustainable structures
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2789-312X
pISSN - 2789-3111
DOI - 10.54113/j.sust.2021.000008
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , composite number , pultrusion , epoxy , fibre reinforced plastic , stiffness , bending , transfer molding , tension (geology) , bearing (navigation) , fiber , load bearing , structural engineering , ultimate tensile strength , engineering , computer science , mold , artificial intelligence
This paper focuses on recent advances made in design, development, manufacturing, evaluation and modeling of load bearing fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite sandwich panel systems including tongue and groove joints. Several processes have been researched in collaboration with industry partners for production of composite panels, including: 1) pultrusion, 2) high temperature resin spread and infusion, 3) vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), and 4) compression molding. The advantages and disadvantages of each process are discussed with emphasis on the high temperature resin infusion process. Composite laminates are characterized in terms of strength and stiffness under tension, bending, and shear in relation to longitudinal and transverse fiber orientations. Thermo-mechanical property variations of the FRP composite sandwich panels including joint responses are presented in terms of: 1) production processes, 2) carbon versus E-glass fiber, 3) vinyl ester versus epoxy, and 4) panel and joint design and efficiency including classical lamination theory. The sandwich panels are evaluated at component and full scales under static four point bending loads and further analyzed using classical finite element models for their mechanical responses.