Structural evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer shapes

Presented in this thesis is an evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pul- truded Fibre Reinforced Polymer (PFRP) shapes. The flat-pack modular beam system consists of separate PFRP flange and web shapes joined together with a new method of mechanical fastening. It is based on the first generation Star- tlink building system, conceived by UK engineers in 1999. The Startlink building system is introduced, and classified within the scope of Modern Methods of Con- struction (MMC), and its merits are discussed. In the context of MMC a critical review by the author finds that, although the proposed 1999 generation Startlink system offers design flexibility, it will probably have a limited market potential. The novel use of the steel MlO Unistrut connection method as a means of fastening distinct PFRP shapes in a building system is characterised. Individ- ual connector design parameters for joint stiffness and resistance are identified and determined, under pure shear loading. The results of a series of physical tests show no significant loss of stiffness or strength with long term environmen- tal exposure. Values of key mechanical properties for design calculations are recommended. A 400 x 200 x 2848 mm prototype PFRP box beam assembly is fabricated from two flange and two web panel-type shapes, cut from existing off-the-shelf PFRP shapes. This is 60 mm deeper than the largest single PFRP shape that could be used as a beam. The assembly is joined at the web-flange junction with M10 Unistrut connectors set at various spacing's, in the range 50 to 400 mm. These connectors carry the longitudinal shear that is generated between the joined shapes when the modular assembly is in flexure, Theoretical deflections, cal- culated using a modified form of a partial-interaction analysis model developed for composite concrete and steel structures, are predicted for the assembly ac- counting for the finite shear stiffness of the web-flange connection. A series of 16 four-point bending load tests on the beam assembly, across two load arrange- ments, show that its performance is linked to the designated spacing of the M10 Unistrut connections. The flexural rigidity and degree of interaction present in the assembly are determined from analysis of vertical deflections and longitudi- nal strains, as the beam is deformed. The influence of secondary effects, due to the poor tolerances achieved in the hand fabrication of the beam's assembly, are found to greatly affect the ability of the deflection analysis to give the required measured deflections. Comparison of the effective joint shear rigidities obtained from theory and testing indicates a higher individual connection stiffness in the prototype beam than previously determined by way of the individual Unistrut connector characterisation. It is found through the combined analytical and physical testing research that the M10 Unistrut connection method can only provide the necessary joint shear stiffness and resistance to the 400 mm deep beam if the connector spacing, along the four joints, is ≤ 50 mm. The total number of connectors this represents in the beam is likely to make this modular construction approach too expensive for it to be commercially viable. Although the M10 connector could be used to fabricate beams of lesser depths, since the number of connectors will then be reduced, these beams would find it difficult to compete with the available off-the-shelf PFRP beam shapes, of up to 300 mm deep. There is however scope to use the Unistrut method of connection to provide longitudinal shear resistance in building systems where, for example, a floor panel is to be stiffened by a channel shaped beam and the overall depth is ≤ 300 mm. The research work contained in this thesis has contributed to a radical change in the PFRP product offerings now proposed in the 2006 generation Startlink building system

The Professional Status of Teachers in the Southern Appalachian Region

The problem in this study was to investigate, analyze and assess the progress made toward the development of a teaching profession in the Southern Appalachian Region

Museum as ecology: A case study analysis of an ambient intelligent museum guide

This paper explores the usefulness of the ecology concept as an analytical framework for designing interactive technology in museums. We aim to describe and evaluate an ecological approach to understanding museums and to examine information and cultural ecologies as analytical tools for guiding the design of interactive systems. We focus on two related concepts of ecology, cultural ecology (Bell 2002) and information ecology (Nardi and O\u27Day 1999). Utilizing each of the two frameworks, we analyze observational and interview data we collected during the research for an ambient intelligent museum guide. We also discuss the design implications of our analysis. In this paper we found that an ecology framework is highly appropriate for representing the complexities of activities, relationships, technologies and people connected to museums. We also found the information

ORION - Crew Module Side Hatch: Proof Pressure Test Anomaly Investigation

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle program was performing a proof pressure test on an engineering development unit (EDU) of the Orion Crew Module Side Hatch (CMSH) assembly. The purpose of the proof test was to demonstrate structural capability, with margin, at 1.5 times the maximum design pressure, before integrating the CMSH to the Orion Crew Module structural test article for subsequent pressure testing. The pressure test was performed at lower pressures of 3 psig, 10 psig and 15.75 psig with no apparent abnormal behavior or leaking. During pressurization to proof pressure of 23.32 psig, a loud 'pop' was heard at ~21.3 psig. Upon review into the test cell, it was noted that the hatch had prematurely separated from the proof test fixture, thus immediately ending the test. The proof pressure test was expected be a simple verification but has since evolved into a significant joint failure investigation from both Lockheed Martin and NASA

Optimisation and durability in fabric cast ’Double T’ beams

By replacing orthogonal concrete moulds with a system formed of flexible sheets of fabric it is possible to construct optimised, variable cross section concrete elements that can provide material savings of up to 40% when compared to an equivalent strength prismatic member, and thereby offer the potential for significant embodied energy savings in new concrete structures. This paper presents the salient results of two sets of tests recently undertaken at the Building Research Establishment Centre for Innovative Construction Materials (BRE CICM) at the University of Bath that considered 1) the design, optimisation and construction of 4m span double ‘T’ beams and 2) the surface properties of concrete cast into a permeable fabric mould. The results of these tests demonstrate how a fabric formwork construction system may be used to facilitate a sustainable future for concrete construction, providing a design method by which structurally optimised elements may be cast in an economical manner while also providing significant durability and visual benefits that combined provide an advantageous whole-life performance for fabric formed concrete that is unmatched by many other construction systems

Structural evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer shapes

Presented in this thesis is an evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pul- truded Fibre Reinforced Polymer (PFRP) shapes. The flat-pack modular beam system consists of separate PFRP flange and web shapes joined together with a new method of mechanical fastening. It is based on the first generation Star- tlink building system, conceived by UK engineers in 1999. The Startlink building system is introduced, and classified within the scope of Modern Methods of Con- struction (MMC), and its merits are discussed. In the context of MMC a critical review by the author finds that, although the proposed 1999 generation Startlink system offers design flexibility, it will probably have a limited market potential. The novel use of the steel MlO Unistrut connection method as a means of fastening distinct PFRP shapes in a building system is characterised. Individ- ual connector design parameters for joint stiffness and resistance are identified and determined, under pure shear loading. The results of a series of physical tests show no significant loss of stiffness or strength with long term environmen- tal exposure. Values of key mechanical properties for design calculations are recommended. A 400 x 200 x 2848 mm prototype PFRP box beam assembly is fabricated from two flange and two web panel-type shapes, cut from existing off-the-shelf PFRP shapes. This is 60 mm deeper than the largest single PFRP shape that could be used as a beam. The assembly is joined at the web-flange junction with M10 Unistrut connectors set at various spacing's, in the range 50 to 400 mm. These connectors carry the longitudinal shear that is generated between the joined shapes when the modular assembly is in flexure, Theoretical deflections, cal- culated using a modified form of a partial-interaction analysis model developed for composite concrete and steel structures, are predicted for the assembly ac- counting for the finite shear stiffness of the web-flange connection. A series of 16 four-point bending load tests on the beam assembly, across two load arrange- ments, show that its performance is linked to the designated spacing of the M10 Unistrut connections. The flexural rigidity and degree of interaction present in the assembly are determined from analysis of vertical deflections and longitudi- nal strains, as the beam is deformed. The influence of secondary effects, due to the poor tolerances achieved in the hand fabrication of the beam's assembly, are found to greatly affect the ability of the deflection analysis to give the required measured deflections. Comparison of the effective joint shear rigidities obtained from theory and testing indicates a higher individual connection stiffness in the prototype beam than previously determined by way of the individual Unistrut connector characterisation. It is found through the combined analytical and physical testing research that the M10 Unistrut connection method can only provide the necessary joint shear stiffness and resistance to the 400 mm deep beam if the connector spacing, along the four joints, is ≤ 50 mm. The total number of connectors this represents in the beam is likely to make this modular construction approach too expensive for it to be commercially viable. Although the M10 connector could be used to fabricate beams of lesser depths, since the number of connectors will then be reduced, these beams would find it difficult to compete with the available off-the-shelf PFRP beam shapes, of up to 300 mm deep. There is however scope to use the Unistrut method of connection to provide longitudinal shear resistance in building systems where, for example, a floor panel is to be stiffened by a channel shaped beam and the overall depth is ≤ 300 mm. The research work contained in this thesis has contributed to a radical change in the PFRP product offerings now proposed in the 2006 generation Startlink building system.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Structural evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer shapes

Presented in this thesis is an evaluation of a novel box beam system of Pul- truded Fibre Reinforced Polymer (PFRP) shapes. The flat-pack modular beam system consists of separate PFRP flange and web shapes joined together with a new method of mechanical fastening. It is based on the first generation Star- tlink building system, conceived by UK engineers in 1999. The Startlink building system is introduced, and classified within the scope of Modern Methods of Con- struction (MMC), and its merits are discussed. In the context of MMC a critical review by the author finds that, although the proposed 1999 generation Startlink system offers design flexibility, it will probably have a limited market potential. The novel use of the steel MlO Unistrut connection method as a means of fastening distinct PFRP shapes in a building system is characterised. Individ- ual connector design parameters for joint stiffness and resistance are identified and determined, under pure shear loading. The results of a series of physical tests show no significant loss of stiffness or strength with long term environmen- tal exposure. Values of key mechanical properties for design calculations are recommended. A 400 x 200 x 2848 mm prototype PFRP box beam assembly is fabricated from two flange and two web panel-type shapes, cut from existing off-the-shelf PFRP shapes. This is 60 mm deeper than the largest single PFRP shape that could be used as a beam. The assembly is joined at the web-flange junction with M10 Unistrut connectors set at various spacing's, in the range 50 to 400 mm. These connectors carry the longitudinal shear that is generated between the joined shapes when the modular assembly is in flexure, Theoretical deflections, cal- culated using a modified form of a partial-interaction analysis model developed for composite concrete and steel structures, are predicted for the assembly ac- counting for the finite shear stiffness of the web-flange connection. A series of 16 four-point bending load tests on the beam assembly, across two load arrange- ments, show that its performance is linked to the designated spacing of the M10 Unistrut connections. The flexural rigidity and degree of interaction present in the assembly are determined from analysis of vertical deflections and longitudi- nal strains, as the beam is deformed. The influence of secondary effects, due to the poor tolerances achieved in the hand fabrication of the beam's assembly, are found to greatly affect the ability of the deflection analysis to give the required measured deflections. Comparison of the effective joint shear rigidities obtained from theory and testing indicates a higher individual connection stiffness in the prototype beam than previously determined by way of the individual Unistrut connector characterisation. It is found through the combined analytical and physical testing research that the M10 Unistrut connection method can only provide the necessary joint shear stiffness and resistance to the 400 mm deep beam if the connector spacing, along the four joints, is ≤ 50 mm. The total number of connectors this represents in the beam is likely to make this modular construction approach too expensive for it to be commercially viable. Although the M10 connector could be used to fabricate beams of lesser depths, since the number of connectors will then be reduced, these beams would find it difficult to compete with the available off-the-shelf PFRP beam shapes, of up to 300 mm deep. There is however scope to use the Unistrut method of connection to provide longitudinal shear resistance in building systems where, for example, a floor panel is to be stiffened by a channel shaped beam and the overall depth is ≤ 300 mm. The research work contained in this thesis has contributed to a radical change in the PFRP product offerings now proposed in the 2006 generation Startlink building system.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo