Maulana, Malik Ridwan (2022) Experimental study and fea modelling of using woven fabric kenaf composite sheets to improve flexural resistance on foamed concrete beams. Masters thesis, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.

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Abstract

Foamed concrete has gained much attention among engineers as an alternative construction material due to excellent specific strength. However, presence of pore structure within foamed concrete matrix may reduce its flexural resistance. Commercial fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites were employed as flexural strengthening material. In order to allow wider applicability of FRPs in Malaysia, natural fibers such as kenaf fiber composites is potential as beam strengthening material due to its excellent tensile modulus and elongation at break. The objectives of this project is to conduct experimental work on foamed concrete beams strengthened with woven fabric kenaf fiber reinforced polymer (KFRP) composite tested under four-points bending following ASTM-C78-02. Later strength predictions were performed within 2-D Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) modelling framework and agreement with experimental datasets was discussed. Testing series includes variation of KFRP sheet length, woven KFRP architecture, normalized notched height and KFRP thickness. Twelve models were developed for strength prediction by incorporating constitutive law of traction-separation relationship to require un-notched strength, o and fracture energy value, GF. Fracture energy (GF) value was independently taken from measured experimental datasets. Here, fracture energy value from Hillerborg was adopted (measured GF is 0.015 N/mm) of foamed concrete, good agreement with available literatures. Experimental results exhibited all series demonstrates improvement on flexural strength, despite of shear failure and FRP fracture modes exhibited. The longest KFRP length specimen failed in FRP rupture gives the optimum ultimate load at failure. Validation works showed good agreements with an average discrepancy of 10%. However, less good prediction was found with FRP fracture (only one model), although consistence fracture behavior was demonstrated. Testing series with presence on notch is giving the best predictions as constitutive model incorporated are associated with stress concentration. This study promotes an early feasibility study of KFRP sheet as strengthening material in foamed concrete beam and (XFEM) development used as prediction tools

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