Composites reinforced with a system of three straight mutually orthogonal fibers

The effectiveness of reinforcement in direction 3 has been estimated by investigating the mechanical characteristics of two types of three-dimensionally reinforced materials differing with respect to the arrangement of the reinforcement and the fiber content in each direction. The superior transverse stiffness, shear strength, and transverse tensile strength of three-dimensionally reinforced composites based on a system of three mutually orthogonal fibers, as compared with laminated materials, is demonstrated. The theoretical values of the elastic constants, calculated from the relations of [5], are compared with the experimental data.For communication 1 see [5].Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1011–1018, November–December, 1973.     

Technological anisotropy of chaotically reinforced glass-fiber-resin materials

The authors investigate the strength properties of chaotically reinforced glass-fiber-resin materials in compression-molded and injection-molded artifacts of complex shape and also the density, water absorption, and binder content in various zones in the artifacts. They find anisotropy to be present in the strength indices, owing to orientation of the reinforcing elements during flow of material in the mold. They determine the coefficients of anisotropy of the strength (these are defined as the ratios of the strength in the flow direction to the strength in a perpendicular direction). They suggest a method of estimating the degree of orientation of the reinforcing elements in artifacts made of nonoriented glass-fiber-resin materials.All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Plastics and Glass Fiber, Moscow Region. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 507–515, May–June, 1973.     

Investigation of the mechanical properties and internal stress field of directionally reinforced materials in transverse tension

The dependence of the transverse Young's modulus and Poisson's ration on the reinforcement ratio, type of structure, and internal fiber radius has been investigated. The microstress field in the structure of a composite in transverse tension is analyzed. Simple approximate expressions, which can be used to determine the corresponding mechanical characteristics without analyzing the state of stress, are obtained from the exact equations. A medium reinforced with doubly periodic groups is taken as a model. The exact solutions of the problem are obtained by means of elliptic functions.Institute of Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 812–817, September–October, 1970.     

Structural theory of the strength of reinforced plastics

Conclusions In the present study, we developed structural criteria that make it possible to predict at the component level (polymer binder, fibers) and interface level the long-term strength of laminated reinforced plastics in a plane stress state. The proposed relations make it possible to evaluate the effect of the rheological properties of the components, their volume fractions, and the geometry of the structure of the laminated packet on the long-term strength of reinforced plastics. The relations also permit resolution of the inverse problem: efficiently design the structure of such materials for specific loading conditions.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 5, pp. 833–839, September–October, 1989.     

Model analysis of the cellular structure of plastic foams of the polyurethane type

A mathematical analysis of the mechanical properties of foam materials at the cellular structure level is given on the basis of a proposed 14-faced model of the cell of an opencelled plastic foam of the polyurethane type. The results obtained are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data even without the introduction of arbitrary constants.Vladimir Scientific Research Institute of Synthetic Resins. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 859–865, September–October, 1970.     

Three-dimensionally reinforced woven materials

The article presents experimental data on the deformation and strength characteristics of a number of materials reinforced with three-dimensionally woven multilayer glass fabric, which are compared with the corresponding data for traditional glass-reinforced plastics. The accuracy of the formulas proposed [1] is evaluated. The effect of prestressing the warp and weft fibers on the mechanical properties of the material was investigated. The effectiveness of simultaneous prestressing of the warp and weft was evaluated; the magnitude of the optimal force was established.See [1] for report 1.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 471–476, May–June, 1970.     

Certain problems in developing a theory and design methods for anisotropic shells and plates with finite stiffness in shear. A survey

A survey is presented here of research on theory and design methods for shells and plates made of anisotropic materials, such as laminate reinforced plastics [4–13], compliant in shear. The report is based mainly on studies made at the Western Science Center, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR during the last five years (after the previous survey [8] has been published), with the introduction of generalized Timoshenko-type theories.Branch of Mathematical Physics, Institute of Mathematics, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, L'vov. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 2, pp. 269–284, March–April, 1975.     

Anisotropy of the elastic and strength properties of reinforced plastics

The method and results of experimental investigation of anisotropy of the elastic and strength properties of reinforced plastics are discussed. A method of determining the mechanical characteristics in different directions on tubular test pieces is proposed. A special testing machine is described. It is shown that determining the strength and elastic properties of reinforced materials in directions other than the directions of reinforcing on flat test pieces cut mechanically leads to distorted results.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 461–466, 1967     

Theoretical prediction of the properties of multicomponent reinforced materials

On the basis of a generalization of previously considered models of reinforced media solutions are constructed for problems of determining the effective parameters and internal stress, temperature, and electromagnetic fields with application to multicomponent reinforced materials. Special attention is paid to the construction of approximate relations for calculating the reduced characteristics of multicomponent materials from the given properties of the components, by means of which the problem of predicting the physical properties of new multiphase materials may be solved. The approximate equations for determining the parameters of two-component media of the oriented glass-reinforced plastic type, obtained by various authors, follow from these relations as a special case.Institute of Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 646–654, July–August, 1969.     

Thermal deformation of a composite reinforced with hybrid cloth strips

Conclusion We tested (for mechanical and thermal effects) composites reinforced with hybrid cloth COS and VAI strips; five alternate schemes of material, which differred in terms of the content of VAI layers and layers reinforced with COS, were tested. The elasticity characteristics, tension diagrams, and CLTE of the composites were determined. It was established experimentally that variation in the relative content of the above-indicated layers makes it possible to regulate the thermal expansion of the composite in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing strips Objectively over significant ranges; in this case, the elastic modulus varies negligibly, while the specific elastic modulus remains virtually unchanged,An alternate scheme for determining the elasticity characteristics and CLTE of laminar polymeric materials reinforced with hybrid cloth strips on the basis of component properties is developed. The model according to which the structural organization of the composite is subdivided into several levels is primarily a computational model. The stress-strain state of the repeating structural elements is evaluated by methods of the strength of materials. The proposed algorithm for computing the physicomechanical characteristics of laminar composites is implemented in the form of a computer program. The experimental elasticity characteristics and CLTE obtained for composites with a different content of COS and VAI layers are compared with those calculated in accordance with the method developed (the computed values correspond to the experimental with an accuracy acceptable for engineering applications).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 3, pp. 392–401, May–June, 1988.     

Regulation of the mechanical properties of thermoplastic carbon fiber-reinforced plastics by changing their production conditions and surface treatment of the fibers

The effect of technological parameters of processing and surface treatment of carbon fibers on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) was investigated. The copolymer of 1,3,5-trioxane with 1,3-dioxolane was used as the polymer matrix, and medium-modulus hydrated cellulose Ural LO-24 carbon fibers served as the reinforcing filler. The polymer matrix was mixed with the carbon fibers by the method of combined extrusion. The dependence of the mechanical properties of CFRPs on the technological parameters of screw-disk extrusion was studied. It was found that the properties of the composites were greatly affected by the size of the working disk gap, the disk rotation rate, and the temperature in the zone of normal stresses. The surface of the carbon fibers was activated with atmospheric oxygen in the temperature range of 450–600°C, with mass loss of the fibers no greater than 3–4%. A 30–40% increase in the mechanical properties of the CFRPs was achieved. A decrease in the melt index of the 1,3,5-trioxane copolymer with 1,3-dioxolane reinforced with oxidized carbon fibers was observed, which should be taken into account in processing the composites into products. Introduction of carbon fibers in the 1,3,5-trioxane copolymer with 1,3-dioxolane allows us to increase the wear resistance and decrease the friction coefficient, which makes it possibile to use these materials in the friction units of machines and mechanisms, such as plain bearings, gears, and flange packings.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 673–682, September–October, 1998.     

Structure-sensitive liquid flowable compositions based on polyvinyl alcohol and silicotungstic acid

Conditions of the formation of structure-sensitive liquid flowable media based on 1.5 and 10% aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol containing silicotungstic acid and water-soluble carboxy-methylcellulose in the form of its potassium salt (Na-CMC) are examined. Rheological, optical, and dielectric relaxation methods revealed the formation of several types of interpolymer complexes in the examined liquid flowable media. This leads to the formation of associates and an increase in the molecular mobility of the macromolecules and their fragments. The structure and properties of the complexes depend on the composition of the media as well as the method of introducing polyacids. It was found that it was possible to control the structure of such solutions by applying a mechanical of magnetic field. The compositions obtained can be used for producing anisotropic light-, electric-, and heat-sensitive film materials, as well as sensors of different types.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Belarus Academy of Sciences, Minsk, Belarus. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 413–424, May–June, 1998.     

Effect of combined extrusion parameters on mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced plastics based on polypropylene

Basalt fibers are efficient reinforcing fillers for polypropylene because they increase both the mechanical and the tribotechnical properties of composites. Basalt fibers can compete with traditional fillers (glass and asbestos fibers) of polypropylene with respect to technological, economic, and toxic properties. The effect of technological parameters of producing polypropylene-based basalt fiber-reinforced plastics (BFRPs) by combined extrusion on their mechanical properties has been investigated. The extrusion temperature was found to be the main parameter determining the mechanical properties of the BFRPs. With temperature growth from 180 to 240°C, the residual length of the basalt fibers in the composite, as well as the adhesive strength of the polymer-fiber system, increased, while the composite defectiveness decreased. The tensile strength and elastic modulus increased from 35 to 42 MPa and 3.2 to 4.2 GPa, respectively. At the same time, the growth in composite solidity led to its higher brittleness. Thus, a higher temperature of extrusion allows us to produce materials which can be subjected to tensile and bending loads, while the materials produced at a lower temperature of extrusion are impact stable. The effect of the gap size between the extruder body and moving disks on the mechanical properties of the BFRPs is less significant than that of temperature. An increase of the gap size from 2 to 8 mm improves the impregnation quality of the fibers, but the extruder productivity diminishes. The possibility of controling the properties of reinforced polypropylene by varying the technological parameters of combined extrusion is shown. The polypropylene-based BFRPs produced by the proposed method surpass the properties of glass and asbestos fiber-reinforced plastics.Submitted to the 10th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 845–850, November–December, 1997.     

Analysis of elastomeric composites based on fiber-reinforced systems. 2. Unidirectional composites

The elastic properties of unidirectionally reinforced composite materials under large deformations are studied. The applied model for deformation of materials is based on the structural macroscopic theory of stiff and soft composites, including micro- and macromechanical levels of analysis of composite media. The properties of unidirectional elastomeric composites are studied in tension and shear in the plane of reinforcement. The microscopic fields in the structural components of composites having poorly compressible and compressible matrices are also analyzed. Changes in the parameters of macroscopic deformation of the composites are examined as functions of the loading parameters and initial conditions of the structure. The evolution of the structural changes in deformed composite materials is described.State Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 29–50, January–February, 1999.     

Statistical boundary value problems of polymer mechanics

Research on statistical boundary value problems with applications in the mechanics of reinforced polymers is briefly reviewed. The common features of the models and mathematical methods used in connection with polycrystalline metals and materials of the glass-reinforced plastic type are noted.Sverdlovsk Branch of the V. A. Steklov Mathematical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 1, pp. 63–69, January–February, 1969.     

Partitioned Runge–Kutta Methods in Lie-Group Setting

We introduce partitioned Runge–Kutta (PRK) methods as geometric integrators in the Runge–Kutta–Munthe-Kaas (RKMK) method hierarchy. This is done by first noticing that tangent and cotangent bundles are the natural domains for the differential equations to be solved. Next, we equip the (co)tangent bundle of a Lie group with a group structure and treat it as a Lie group. The structure of the differential equations on the (co)tangent-bundle Lie group is such that partitioned versions of the RKMK methods are naturally introduced. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the new methods.     

Elastic characteristics of ferrocement reinforced by hexagonal grids

The methods of the structural mechanics of composite materials are used to develop a method for predicting the elastic modulus and shear modulus of ferrocement reinforced with hexagonal woven and stamped grids. The method takes into account the elastic properties of the components and the geometry of the reinforcement.Riga Technical University, LV-1047 Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 2, pp. 182–186, March–April, 1997.     

Photoelastic investigation of stress concentrations in model glass-reinforced plastics under static load

The title investigation was carried out using a double-beam polarimeter for studying the stress patterns in "sandwich" models of glass-reinforced plastics. The same experimental technique can be adapted to a wide range of reinforced materials. A comparison of the experimental results with calculations based on the theory for quasi-homogeneous anisotropic plates shows that it is not always permissible to assume that the laminated material has a quasi-homogeneous structure.Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 711–718, July–August, 1969.     

Effect of certain structural and technological parameters on the tensile strength and deformation of unidirectionally reinforced plastics

A model of the deformation and failure of unidirectionally reinforced plastics in short-time static tension with allowance for the effect of the properties of the components, the adhesion interaction between them, and the structure of the material is proposed as a basis for the selection and development of nondestructive methods of testing glass-reinforced plastic articles. It is shown that the proposed model is in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1042–1048, November–December, 1973.     

Load-deflection analysis of concrete elements reinforced with FRP rebars

The behavior of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) concrete elements under service conditions is analyzed. Taking into account the real constitutive law of materials and local bond-slip law which adequately describes the interaction between the FRP reinforcement and concrete, a numerical procedure is proposed for obtaining moment-curvature relationships for a cracked beam element. Using the moment-curvature laws, the load-deflection analysis of FRP concrete beams is carried out. To study the influence of geometric and mechanical parameters, a numerical investigation was carried out and the results obtained were compared with those from other methods and Codes. The results of the experimental investigation are described and compared with those of the proposed procedure; the comparison shows good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results.Department of Materials Science, University of Lecce, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy. Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163–172, March–April, 1999.