Recycled Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Incorporated in Mortar for Improved Mechanical Performance

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) recycled from retired wind turbines was implemented in mortar as a volumetric replacement of sand during the two phases of this study. In Phase I, the mechanically refined GFRP particle sizes were sieved for four size groups to find the optimum size. In Phase II, the select GFRP size group was incorporated at three different volumetric replacements of sand to identify the optimum replacement content. The mixtures were tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, toughness, and the potential for alkali-silicate reaction. Incorporation of GFRP in mortar proves promising in improving flexural strength and toughness in fiber-like shapes and 1–3% volumetric fractions

Design of fibre reinforced PV concepts for building integrated applications

Fibre reinforced polymers present an interesting encapsulation medium for PV-modules. Glass fibres can provide increased strength and stiffness to thin polymer layers overcoming the brittleness and limited deformability of glass-panes. Glass fibre reinforced polymers allows for transparency over a broad range of the solar spectrum while the material properties and integral production processes create possibilities for novel product concepts with embedded PV technology. To explore such possibilities, innovative design methods were used to design novel PV product concepts for applications in the build environment.\ud In our paper three conceptual designs are presented; (1) a thin film module with an adjoining interconnection system functioning as structural element for geodetic roofing structures, (2) a PV lamella with single-axis tracking utilizing a linear concentration effect caused by the geometry of the product and the materials applied, and (3) a prepreg PV-material which allows for easy shaping during the production of PV modules with complex geometries. Each concept employs a specific PV technology and demonstrates a possible application aimed at a specific market. In this way we show the potential of integration of PV technology in fibre reinforced composites. The paper will be illustrated by concept renderings

Masonry wall panels retrofitted with thermal-insulating GFRP-reinforced jacketing

Today there is a need to provide thermally efficient walls, while at the same time to increase the mechanical properties of old unreinforced masonry walls that will not require large amounts of energy in the retrofitting or deconstruction processes. To address this problem, this paper gives the results of shear tests carried out on masonry panels made of solid bricks retrofitted with a new technique based on the use of glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) grids inserted into a thermal insulating jacketing. This was made of different low-strength lime-based mortars. Tests were carried out in laboratory and results were used for the determination of the shear modulus and strength of the wall panels before and after the application of the GFRP reinforcement. Retrofitted panels exhibited a significant enhancement in the lateral capacity when compared to the control panels. The thermal performance of the proposed mortars was also investigated both with and without GFRP. Low values of thermal conductivity were found, especially for the samples with GFRP; a reduction of the thermal transmittance value in the 34–45 % range was also obtained by applying 45 mm layer of coating in conventional masonry walls

Developing people capabilities for the promotion of sustainability in facility management practices

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of the life-cycle development of built facilities. It is increasingly highlighted during the post construction phase, as facility management personnel can have major influence to the sustainability agenda through operational and strategic management functions. Sustainable practices in facility management can bring substantial benefits such as reducing energy consumption and waste, while increasing productivity, financial return and corporate standing in the community. Despite the potential, facility managers have yet to embrace sustainability ideas holistically and implement them in their operation. The lack of capabilities and skills coupled with knowledge gaps are among the barriers. In the developmental context, capabilities are vital to foster the competency of an organisation. Facility managers need to be empowered with the necessary knowledge, capabilities and skills to support sustainability. This research investigates the potential people capabilities factors that can assist in the implementation of sustainability agenda in facility management practices. Through questionnaire survey, twenty three critical people capability factors were identified and encapsulated into a conceptual framework. The critical factors were separated into four categories of strategic capabilities, anticipatory capabilities, interpersonal capabilities and system thinking capabilities. Pair-wise comparison and Interpretive Structural Modelling techniques were then used to further explore the interrelationship and influence of each critical factor. An interpretive structural model for people capability was developed to identify the priority of critical factors and provide a hierarchical structure to guide facility managers for appropriate actions. The research concludes with three case-studies of professional facility management practices to finalise the developed people capabilities framework and interpretive structural model. Through the identification and integration of different perceptions and priority needs of the stakeholders, a set of guidelines for action and potential effects of each people capability factor were brought forward for the industry to promote sustainability endeavour in facility management practices

Penggunaan strategi pembelajaran pengarahan kendiri di kalangan pelajar-pelajar jurusan perakaunan jabatan perdagangan di politeknik

Kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti tahap Strategi Pembelajaran Pengarahan Kendiri (SPPK) di kalangan para pelajar jurusan perakaunan, Jabatan Perdagangan, di 3 buah politeknik iaitu Politeknik Shah Alam, Politeknik Kota Melaka dan Polikteknik Port Dickson. Secara khususnya, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk melihat penggunaan ciri-ciri strategi pembelajaran pengarahan kendiri di kalangan pelajar terbabit. Ciri-ciri yang terlibat adalah memahami isi pelajaran, motivasi, metakognitif, strategi pembelajaran, kepekaan konteks dan penggunaan sumber luaran sebagai bantuan. Instrumen kajian yang digunakan untuk mengutip data yang diperlukan adalah menerusi pengedaran borang soal selidik kepada para responden. Kemudian, data-data tersebut dianalisis dengan menggunakan perisian Microsoft Excel. Dapatan kajian yang diperolehi dipersembahkan dalam bentuk jadual taburan min dan graf garis (line graf) bersertakan interpretasinya. Responden kajian adalah seramai 180 orang pelajar iaitu dari tiga buah politeknik yang telah ditetapkan. Kaedah yang digunakan untuk mengira jumlah responden itu adalah melalui kaedah persampelan strata. Dapatan kajian mendapati bahawa kebanyakan pelajar semester 1 dan 6 mempunyai ciri-ciri SPPK tetapi di tahap yang rendah. Antara cadangan untuk meningkatkan ciri-ciri tersebut ialah dengan meningkatkan isi pelajaran, membina dan meningkatkan motivasi pelajar, membantu menentukan strategi pembelajaran, metakognitif, memperkembangkan kepekaan konteks dan seterusnya meningkatkan penggunaan sumber luaran

The Effects of Air and Underwater Blast on Composite Sandwich Panels and Tubular Laminate Structures

The resistance of glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels and laminate tubes to blast in air and underwater environments has been studied. Procedures for monitoring the structural response of such materials during blast events have been devised. High-speed photography was employed during the air-blast loading of GFRP sandwich panels, in conjunction with digital image correlation (DIC), to monitor the deformation of these structures under shock loading. Failure mechanisms have been revealed by using DIC and confirmed in post-test sectioning. Strain gauges were used to monitor the structural response of similar sandwich materials and GFRP tubular laminates during underwater shocks. The effect of the backing medium (air or water) of the target facing the shock has been identified during these studies. Mechanisms of failure have been established such as core crushing, skin/core cracking, delamination and fibre breakage. Strain gauge data supported the mechanisms for such damage. These studies were part of a research programme sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) investigating blast loading of composite naval structures. The full-scale experimental results presented here will aid and assist in the development of analytical and computational models. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of support and boundary conditions with regards to blast resistant design

The influence of service temperature on bond between FRP reinforcement and concrete

The interest in fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in construction has considerably increased and especially the application of FRP as externally bonded reinforcement (FRP EBR) has become more and more established. The use of FRP EBR has been adopted world-wide as a very attractive technique for structural strengthening and rehabilitation. At Ghent university, the fire behaviour of slabs and beams strengthened with advanced composites, including the use of fire protection systems, has been investigated. In addition, the behaviour of the FRP-concrete interface at increased temperatures has been considered, as elevated temperatures may occur during service conditions, especially for outdoor applications. According to fib Bulletin 14, the glass transition temperature of the adhesive used to bond the FRP should equal 20°C in excess of the maximum ambient temperature at normal service conditions, and should be at least 45°C. When reaching the glass transition temperature, the properties of the adhesive decrease to a large extend and bond interaction between the concrete and the external FRP reinforcement may be completely lost. To study the bond behaviour at elevated temperatures, a joint test program between the Universities of Ghent and Lecce has been executed, comprising a series of 20 bond tests performed at the Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research. The present paper will discuss the experimental work and the main test results obtained