Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Committee Chair
Rakesh K. Gupta.
Abstract
The effectiveness of an external composite reinforcement in improving the strength and durability of a conventional CCA treated wood post was studied. A combination of HMR as primer and epoxy as adhesive was found to provide the best possible adhesion of a glass fibers to CCA treated wood. Wrapped samples, representing a scaled down version of the proposed posts were subjected to 6-cycle accelerated aging and freeze-thaw chemical aging (in acidic, alkaline, water and salt water solutions). The retention in mechanical properties was measured using flexure tests and DMTA. The performance in terms of modulus and rigidity was reduced the most by acidic medium, and the least by saltwater medium. It was concluded that under unaged conditions, the flexural rigidity of wood is improved by 162% due to composite wrapping. The technique of composite wrapping also shows a promise of improving the properties of guard-rail posts under actual field conditions.
Recommended Citation
Anegunta, Swetha, "Manufacture and rehabilitation of guard-rail posts using composites for superior performance" (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 1031.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1031