Novel Curve-Shape Sandwich Composites with Flexible Cores for Rehabilitation of Buried Infrastructure: Experimental and Analytical Studies Considering Geometric Nonlinearity
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 15, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper presents findings from an experiment examining a novel curve-shape sandwich composite made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) facesheets and flexible cores under transverse compressive loading. The curve-shape sandwich composites aim to enhance strength and stiffness while minimizing material use, particularly as liner for rehabilitation of large buried infrastructure like pipes and culverts. The study involved fabricating and testing 24 circular liners with various facesheet–core combinations. Results include deflection measurements, load data, and tensile strain values at different points on the liners. The stiffness of each sandwich specimen was compared to theoretical predictions based on composite facesheet behavior. Notably, bulkermat cores demonstrated superior stiffness and strength compared to three-dimensional (3D) woven fabric cores, exhibiting higher composite action. In contrast, solid-wall liners exhibited greater deformations than sandwich liners. To predict these significant deformations, an iterative analytical model was developed, accounting for geometric nonlinearity. This model accurately predicted test data prior to any material nonlinearity, such as facesheet or core failure. Additionally, the model was used to perform a parametric analysis, exploring various liner characteristics, including diameter, FRP layers, core thickness, and liner shape.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The support and assistance provided by the technicians (Jordan Maerz, Jesse Keane, and Brian Kennedy) at the Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, for fabricating and testing the specimens is greatly appreciated. The authors would like to thank QuakeWrap Inc. (Tucson, AZ, US) for providing all the materials that was used for this research.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 15 • Issue 3 • August 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 2, 2023
Accepted: Feb 9, 2024
Published online: May 13, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Oct 13, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Composite materials
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Curvature
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fiber reinforced polymer
- Geometry
- Linings
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Polymer
- Stiffening
- Strength of materials
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
- Synthetic materials
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