This investigation experimentally examines the effect of incorporating alumina nanoparticles on the off-axis stiffness and stress-relaxation of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Four epoxy–alumina nanoparticle nanocomposites incorporating 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 wt% alumina nanoparticles of the total weight of epoxy are examined. Off-axis tension stiffness and stress-relaxation tests were performed on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer coupons fabricated with alumina nanoparticles–epoxy nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical analysis testing of neat epoxy and epoxy nanocomposites incorporating alumina nanoparticles was used to identify the stiffness and relaxation behavior of the alumina nanoparticles–epoxy nanocomposite matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to observe chemical changes when alumina nanoparticles are mixed with epoxy. It is shown that using alumina nanoparticles at a concentration close to 2.0 wt%, can reduce the off-axis stiffness by ∼30% and increase the off-axis stress-relaxation of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer by ∼10%.
Polymer concrete (PC) overlays are typically used in infrastructure applications, specifically bridges and parking structures, to provide durable protection to the structural system. However, PC suffers from cracking and crack propagation during its service life mostly due to fatigue. Fatigue cracking of PC results in limiting the service life of PC considerably. Monitoring of fatigue damage in PC can help extend PC service life.In this paper, we demonstrate the possible use of carbon nanotubes to monitor damage initiation and propagation in PC under fatigue loading. PC prisms were produced using epoxy polymer concrete with varying contents of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The percolation level of MWCNTs necessary to produce conductive PC was first determined. Fatigue testing using an AASHTO modified test set-up was conducted. Electrical conductivity of PC overlay was continuously measured during fatigue testing. Damage initiation and propagation in PC incorporating MWCNTs overlays can be detected and monitored.
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