Guest Lecture Report

on
APPLICATIONS OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

in

CIVIL ENGINEERING
(DATE: 27.08.2010)
Delivered by
Dr. Vellmurgan
IIT Madras
at

KALASALINGAM UNIVERSITY
Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil
Tamilnadu-626190
Report Submitted by
NANDAN KUMAR
CIVIL ‘C’
Reg no: 9909003159
CONTENTS:

1. Basic Definition
2. Classifications of Composite Materials
3. Comparison
4. Reinforcement of Fibers
5. Reinforcement Product
6. Properties
7. Methods for fabrication
8. Applications of Composites in Civil Engineering
BASIC DEFINITIONS:

- A combination of two or more materials in each other.

( reinforcing elements, composite matrix binder)

- They are differing in form or composition.

- They have very small size in a macro scale.

- They have superior properties in each and individual.

- They have very less weight and high strength to bear the load.

- Examples are Fibre Glass Reinforced Polymer and metal-matrix composites.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS:

A) Based on origin :
1. Natural Composite materials:

- Which is present in environment.

- Example: Core, Jute , Palm etc.
- They are commonly environment friendly.

2. Man –made :
- Which is made by human being.
- Example: Carbon, Boron, Glass, Kevlar etc.
- They are not environment friendly.
B) Based on the strength of the fiber:-
1. High Performance:
- This type of composite materials are costly.
- They have high strength and very strong.
- Example: Boron, Kevlar* etc.

*Kevlar: generally used in to make bulletproof jacket & helmet.

2. Medium performance:

-They have less strength as compared to High performance.

-This type of composite materials are used as construction work
- Example: Glass etc.
- Glass is used in construction at the place of brick.

3. Low performance:

-They have very less strength.

-Used for general work.
-These are very cheap (low cost).
- Example: Coir, Jute etc.

COMPARISON:
Generally we are using steel in construction work but when we are using composite material at
the place of steel this is 8 to 15 times stronger than steel.

- Composite materials have high tensile strength than other construction material.
- They have lifetime durability.
- We can mold it into any shape.

Materials Density (g/cm3) Tensile Strength Young modulus

(MPa) (GPa)
E-Glass 2.55 2000 80

S-Glass 2.49 4750 89

Alumina (Saffil) 3.28 1950 297
Carbon 2.00 2900 525
Kevlar 29 1.44 2860 64
Kevlar 49 1.44 3750 136
- It can be recycled.
RAINFORCEMENT OF FIBERS:

1: FR Composite
- Consists of one or more discontinuous phase.

2: Powderd Composite
- In powdered form.

3: Particulate Composite
4: metal matrix Composite
- Consists of matrix phase.

RAINFORCEMENT PRODUCT:
Making the primary reinforcement materials such as filaments , yarn into commercially usable
form to suit the manufacturing methods adopted or create the required material structure , such
products can be :-

PROPERTIES:

*Extremely thin
- The size is very less.

- It can be in any size & shape.

- Extremely thin but very strong.
*One Dimension
- It can be molded in one dimension also.

*High Modulus

- Value of young’s modulus is high.

- Density is low as compared to other materials.
-Tensile strength is more.
*Effective Utilization
-we can mold it in any shape as we need.
 -It gives life time durability.
* More Expensive.

* Light in weight & high resistance.

* Easy to construct & stronger.

* Safe with natural disasters (like earthquakes)

Different methods available for fabrication of

frp composite
* Hand Layup Process
* Spray up Process
* Compression Modeling
* Filament Winding
* Centrifugal Casting
* Vacuum band Method
Applications of composites in Civil Engineering :

*CONSTRUCTION WORK:
- Building construction
- Bridge construction

- Repair work of any structure

- Highway construction
- Seismic column or pillar
- Roof structure

* SOME OTHER USES:

- In automobile industry
- In euro space shuttle
- Spray paint

- Some useful instrument