A New Method for Compression Testing of Reinforced Polymers.

Compressive testing of specimens taken from relatively thin composite plates is difficult, especially due to the occurrence of buckling. To prevent buckling, the central portion of the specimens used for the compression test has smaller dimensions, and the specimens can be guided along their entire length. For these reasons, optical methods, such as digital image correlation (DIC), cannot be used for the compression test and strain rosettes cannot be glued onto the samples to determine Poisson's ratio.

Automatic Detection of the Orientation of Strain Gauges Bonded on Composite Materials with Polymer Matrix, in Order to Reduce the Measurement Errors.

Composite materials with a polymer matrix are used on a large scale to make light structures that involve high responsibility. The failure mechanisms of composite materials are very complex and for this reason, advanced techniques for damage detection and the assessment of structural integrity are required. The continuous structural health monitoring (SHM) uses nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, sensors integrated into the structures, computers and dedicated software.

Analysis of the Effect of Fiber Orientation on Mechanical and Elastic Characteristics at Axial Stresses of GFRP Used in Wind Turbine Blades.

Due to its physical and mechanical properties, glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) is utilized in wind turbine blades. The loads given to the blades of wind turbines, particularly those operating offshore, are relatively significant. In addition to the typical static stresses, there are also large dynamic stresses, which are mostly induced by wind-direction changes.

Multi-Criteria Evaluation of the Failure of CFRP Laminates for Frames in the Automotive Industry.

Methods to predict the fracture of thin carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) under load are of great interest in the automotive industry. The manufacturing of composites involves a high risk of defect occurrence, and the identification of those that lead to failure increases the functional reliability and decreases costs. The performance of CFRPs can be significantly reduced in assembled structures containing stress concentrators.

Use of finite elements analysis for a weigh-in-motion sensor design.

High speed weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors are utilized as components of complex traffic monitoring and measurement systems. They should be able to determine the weights on wheels, axles and vehicle gross weights, and to help the classification of vehicles (depending on the number of axles). WIM sensors must meet the following main requirements: good accuracy, high endurance, low price and easy installation in the road structure.