Current Search: Kwok, Kawai (x)
View All Items
(1 - 10 of 10)
- Title
- EQUIBIAXIAL FLEXURAL STRENGTH TESTING OF ADVANCE CERAMICS.
- Creator
-
Jordan, Ryan T, Orlovskaya, Nina, Kwok, Kawai; Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Ceramics are very important materials with many unique properties used in numerous industrial applications. Ceramics could be very hard and very strong in comparison to metals; however, they are very brittle, thus they are prone to instantaneous and catastrophic failure. Therefore, their reliability is compromised and it is very important to have advanced techniques that allow evaluating their mechanical behavior in many unusual stress states. One of such testing methods is biaxial strength...
Show moreCeramics are very important materials with many unique properties used in numerous industrial applications. Ceramics could be very hard and very strong in comparison to metals; however, they are very brittle, thus they are prone to instantaneous and catastrophic failure. Therefore, their reliability is compromised and it is very important to have advanced techniques that allow evaluating their mechanical behavior in many unusual stress states. One of such testing methods is biaxial strength method, that allows to measure properties not only unidirectional, but also in a biaxial way. The research work for this thesis will be built on design and development of ring-on-ring test jigs that will measure a biaxial strength of thin ceramic disks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000386, ucf:45700
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000386
- Title
- The Effect of Martensite-Fractions Assumptions In Shape Memory Alloy Springs.
- Creator
-
Vazquez, Christian, Kauffman, Jeffrey L., Das, Tuhin, Kwok, Kawai, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research addresses various models of a spring-mass system that uses a spring made of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The system model describes the martensite fractions, which are values that describe an SMA's crystalline phases, via differential equations. The model admits and this thesis contrasts two commonly used but distinct assumptions: a homogeneous case where the martensite fractions are constant throughout the spring's cross section, and a bilinear case where the evolution of the...
Show moreThis research addresses various models of a spring-mass system that uses a spring made of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The system model describes the martensite fractions, which are values that describe an SMA's crystalline phases, via differential equations. The model admits and this thesis contrasts two commonly used but distinct assumptions: a homogeneous case where the martensite fractions are constant throughout the spring's cross section, and a bilinear case where the evolution of the martensite fractions only occurs beyond some critical radius. While previous literature has developed a model of the system dynamics under the homogeneous assumption using the martensite-fractions differential equations, little research has focused on the dynamics when considering the bilinear case, especially using the differential equations. This thesis models the system dynamics under both the homogeneous and bilinear assumptions and determines if the bilinear case is an improvement over the homogeneous case. The research develops a numerical approach of the system dynamics for both martensite-fractions assumptions. For various initial displacements and temperatures, plotting the resulting displacement, velocity, and martensite fractions over time determines the coherence of the assumptions. Not only did the bilinear assumption offer more reasonable plots, but the homogeneous assumption delivered bizarre results for certain temperatures and initial displacements. For future research, a fully nonlinear case can replace the homogeneous and bilinear assumptions. Additionally, future research can utilize other martensite-fractions evolution models, as opposed to differential equations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007381, ucf:52742
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007381
- Title
- Design, Development, and Testing of a Miniature Fixture for Uniaxial Compression of Ceramics Coupled with In-Situ Raman Spectrometer.
- Creator
-
Jordan, Ryan, Orlovskaya, Nina, Kwok, Kawai, Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to...
Show moreThis thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to apply compressive loads up to 14,137 N, with negligible off axis loading, achieving target stresses of 500 MPa for samples of up to 6.00 mm in diameter. The system will be used in the future to study the structural changes in ceramics and ceramic composites, as well as to study thermal residual stress redistribution under applied compressive loads. A broad variety of Raman active ceramics, including the traditional structural ceramics 3mol%Y2O3-ZrO2, B4C, SiC, Si3N4, as well as exotic materials such as LaCoO3 and other perovskites will be studied using this system. Calibration of the systems load cell was performed in the configured state using MTS universal testing machines. To ensure residual stresses from mounting the load cell did not invalidate the original calibration, the in-situ compression stage was tested once attached to the Renishaw Raman spectrometer using LaCoO3 ceramic samples. The Raman shift of certain peaks in LaCoO3 was detected indicative of the effect of the applied compressive stress on the ceramics understudy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007824, ucf:52809
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007824
- Title
- Piezoresistive Behavior of Carbon Nanopaper Polymer Composites for Strain Sensing.
- Creator
-
Beyrooti, Jayden, Kwok, Kawai, Gou, Jihua, Kauffman, Jeffrey L., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Carbon nanopapers made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon nanofibers (CNFs), possess unique electrical, thermal and mechanical properties and when integrated with a polymer matrix, can become a multifunctional composite capable of strain sensing and heat actuation. Smart structures such as these can be used in many applications including deployable space structures, human motion detection, and structural health monitoring as flexible, sensitive and stable strain sensors in addition to...
Show moreCarbon nanopapers made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon nanofibers (CNFs), possess unique electrical, thermal and mechanical properties and when integrated with a polymer matrix, can become a multifunctional composite capable of strain sensing and heat actuation. Smart structures such as these can be used in many applications including deployable space structures, human motion detection, and structural health monitoring as flexible, sensitive and stable strain sensors in addition to providing electrical heat actuation for the shape memory effect in polymers. This study focuses on strain sensing capabilities by developing a numerical model to predict piezoresistive behavior. The piezoresistive effect is a change in resistivity of a conductive network when a deformation is applied. This allows strain to be determined by simply measuring the electrical resistance. An equivalent resistor network can be formed to represent the fiber network. The proposed 2D model generates randomly oriented fibers inside a unit cell, determines their intersection points, and creates a mesh of the network for finite element analysis. Electrical conductivity is found for the initial and deformed fiber states by determining the current through the network for a known voltage. A piezoresistivity experimental study is conducted to investigate the strain sensing abilities of this material and validate model results. This simple model provides an initial framework that can be developed in future work. Despite its 2D nature, the model captures the governing mechanisms of piezoresistivity to a certain extent.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007788, ucf:52353
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007788
- Title
- Shape Recovery Behavior of Carbon Nanopaper Shape Memory Polymer Composite.
- Creator
-
Ozdemir, Veli Bugra, Kwok, Kawai, Gou, Jihua, Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis presents analytical, experimental and modeling studies of the shape recovery behavior of electrically activated Carbon Nanopaper (CNP) Shape Memory Polymer (SMP)composite. The composite structure studied consists of a CNP layer sandwiched by two SMP layers where the CNP layer acts as a ?exible electrical heater when a voltage difference is applied. The behavior of CNP/SMP composite presents a coupled electrical - thermal - structural problem. The governing equations for the...
Show moreThis thesis presents analytical, experimental and modeling studies of the shape recovery behavior of electrically activated Carbon Nanopaper (CNP) Shape Memory Polymer (SMP)composite. The composite structure studied consists of a CNP layer sandwiched by two SMP layers where the CNP layer acts as a ?exible electrical heater when a voltage difference is applied. The behavior of CNP/SMP composite presents a coupled electrical - thermal - structural problem. The governing equations for the multiphysics behavior are derived. Derived parameters as a result of multiphysics analysis and effects of these parameters on the shape recovery behavior are investigated. The mechanical properties of the carbon nanopaper and viscoelastic properties of the shape memory polymer are characterized. A nonlinear, fully coupled electrical -thermal-structural ?nite element model is developed, and shape recovery experiments are carried out to validate multiphysics analysis and ?nite element model of the shape recovery of the CNP/SMP composite. Finite element model captures the general behavior of shape recovery, but overpredicts shape ?xity and shape recovery rate.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007700, ucf:52417
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007700
- Title
- INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF EDGE-OXIDIZED GRAPHENE OXIDE (EOGO) ON THE PROPERTIES OF CEMENT COMPOSITES.
- Creator
-
Alharbi, Yousef, Nam, Boo Hyun, Chopra, Manoj, Zaurin, Ricardo, Kwok, Kawai, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The use of edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO), produced by a mechanochemical ?process that allow to deliver a product suitable for large-scale production at affordable cost, as ?an additive in cement composites was investigated. Comprehensive experimental tests were ?conducted to investigate the effect of EOGO on the properties of cement composites. The ?experimental tests were designed for three subtasks: (1) investigation of the performance of ?EOGO and its mixing method on the strength,...
Show moreThe use of edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO), produced by a mechanochemical ?process that allow to deliver a product suitable for large-scale production at affordable cost, as ?an additive in cement composites was investigated. Comprehensive experimental tests were ?conducted to investigate the effect of EOGO on the properties of cement composites. The ?experimental tests were designed for three subtasks: (1) investigation of the performance of ?EOGO and its mixing method on the strength, pore structure and microstructure of EOGO-?cement composites, (2) evaluation of the rheological and fluidity behavior of EOGO-cement ?paste and mortar, and (3) investigation of the mechanism of the enhanced workability of ?EOGO-concrete. EOGO content ranged from 0.01% to 1% and two mix design methods were ?employed for cement paste and mortar to explore an optimum and feasible mix design of ?EOGO. Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical ?performance of EOGO-cement composites. Total porosity and water sorptivity were performed ?to investigate the pore structure of EOGO-cement paste and mortar. Furthermore, petrographic ?analyses were conducted to characterize the microstructure of EOGO-cement composites. ?Imaged based-mini-slump and flow table tests were performed to measure the fluidity of ?EOGO-cement paste and mortar. The rheological properties of EOGO-cement paste were ?measured through viscometer test. The mechanism of the enhanced workability of EOGO-?concrete was investigated by performing slump and water absorption of aggregate in cement ?paste tests. The key findings are (1) the addition of EOGO into cement composites improves the ?compressive and flexural strength, (2) 0.05% of EOGO is the optimum content to improve the ?strength and pore structure of EOGO-cement composites, (3) the addition of EOGO reduces the ?fluidity and increases the viscosity of EOGO-cement composites, (4) the addition of EOGO ?improves the workability of concrete, and (5) dry-mix design is feasible and more practical for ?large-scale production.?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007425, ucf:52721
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007425
- Title
- Mechanical Properties of Brittle Ceramics: Case Study of Boron Rich Ceramics and Acropora cervicornis Coral Skeleton.
- Creator
-
Carrasco-Pena, Alejandro, Kwok, Kawai, Orlovskaya, Nina, Gou, Jihua, Uribe Romo, Fernando, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Ceramics are ubiquitous in man-made and natural structures. Their mechanical properties highly depend on their composition, microstructure and level of defects in the bulk of the material, the latter affecting the integrity of the components; such is the case of boron-rich ceramics where large agglomerates create high stressed regions, or coral skeleton where porosity determines their strength against hydrodynamic forces present in the ocean tides. Therefore, studying the properties of...
Show moreCeramics are ubiquitous in man-made and natural structures. Their mechanical properties highly depend on their composition, microstructure and level of defects in the bulk of the material, the latter affecting the integrity of the components; such is the case of boron-rich ceramics where large agglomerates create high stressed regions, or coral skeleton where porosity determines their strength against hydrodynamic forces present in the ocean tides. Therefore, studying the properties of ceramic materials using invasive and non-invasive methods helps in the understanding of the link between the properties and the performance of the structures. The aim of this research was to test the novel ceramic component ZrB2-30wt%SiB6 and Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton using non-conventional techniques that allow for the study of their mechanical properties and their behavior when exposed to external loads present in their environments of application. The first part of this study focuses on understanding the effects of adding SiB6 to enhance the mechanical properties of ZrB2 ceramics for their ultra-high temperature use. The second part will emphasize in the behavior of Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton when exposed to compressive forces and the effects porosity has on this structure when subjected to such loads. It was found that the SiB6 phase was not stable after sintering of the composite and large agglomerates were present in the surface of the material acting as stress concentrators, thus compromising the biaxial strength of the component that resulted to be 224.9 MPa. It was also found that coral skeletons are highly susceptible to porosity which creates variability on the elastic modulus ranging from 60-1 GPa for simulated porosity of 0-90% respectively and a strength of 3.56 (&)#177; 0.31 GPa obtained through Vickers indentation. Finite element models were developed and validated against experimental results for the ZrB2-30wt%SiB6 and Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007440, ucf:52696
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007440
- Title
- A study on the plasticity and fracture of AISI 4340 steel under different loading conditions considering heat treatment and micromechanics.
- Creator
-
Ghazali, Sami, Bai, Yuanli, Kassab, Alain, Kwok, Kawai, Nam, Boo Hyun, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Accurate predictions of material strength under different loading conditions with large plastic deformation and ductile fracture are of great importance. This dissertation aims to develop an essential understanding of ductile fracture of AISI 4340 steel alloy using both empirical and micromechanics based models. For this purpose, 29 specimens of different geometries with different heat-treatments were designed to investigate the effects of stress states. These specimens are: (a) 13 round bars...
Show moreAccurate predictions of material strength under different loading conditions with large plastic deformation and ductile fracture are of great importance. This dissertation aims to develop an essential understanding of ductile fracture of AISI 4340 steel alloy using both empirical and micromechanics based models. For this purpose, 29 specimens of different geometries with different heat-treatments were designed to investigate the effects of stress states. These specimens are: (a) 13 round bars with different notches (axial symmetric tension); (b) 13 flat grooved specimens with different grooves; (c) 3 small round cylinders. Mechanical tests up to fracture were conducted on these specimens to characterize the influence of hydrostatic stress and Lode angle on material plasticity and fracture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations were performed on both original and fractured specimens to investigate different micromechanical revelations and features. The plasticity model with pressure and Lode angle effects (PPL model) and the modified Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) fracture criterion were used to predict plastic flow and fracture initiation behaviors under different loading conditions in finite element simulations. A model optimization method using ISIGHT was set up to achieve simulation results that were well correlated with experimental data. The effects of heat-treatment on material strength and ductility of AISI 4340 steel were also discussed. This work was further carried onto the microvoids based metal plasticity theory. The well-known Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model was calibrated for AISI 4340 steel. It is found that the GTN model is not sufficient in simulating test data for the 16 Rockwell hardness plane strain specimens. Therefore, The GTN model is modified to include the Lode angle dependence on matrix material plasticity. It is also found that using afixed or constant microvoid volume fraction at failure (ff) for all loading conditions is inadequate. Following a similar derivation of the MMC fracture model, the microvoid volume fraction at failure (ff) becomes a function of both stress triaxiality and Lode angle. This new criterion is named (GTN-MMC). The proposed plasticity and fracture models were implemented into ABAQUS through a user-defined material subroutine (VUMAT) for FE simulations. Good correlations were achieved between experimental results and numerical simulations
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007004, ucf:52026
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007004
- Title
- Assessment of Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Phases Observed in Low-Enriched Uranium Monolithic Fuel Plates After Fabrication.
- Creator
-
Newell, Ryan, Sohn, Yongho, Florczyk, Stephen, Fang, Jiyu, Keiser, Dennis, Kwok, Kawai, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Low enriched uranium (LEU) fuels are being developed to reduce the use of highly enriched uranium in power generation to reduce proliferation risks. Challenges arise in providing sufficient fissile U in LEU without reactor redesign. As such, a novel monolithic fuel plate design employs LEU alloyed with 10 wt. % Mo. Throughout fabrication of these fuel plates, metallurgical transformations and reactions take place as a result of elevated temperatures during processing. The transformations...
Show moreLow enriched uranium (LEU) fuels are being developed to reduce the use of highly enriched uranium in power generation to reduce proliferation risks. Challenges arise in providing sufficient fissile U in LEU without reactor redesign. As such, a novel monolithic fuel plate design employs LEU alloyed with 10 wt. % Mo. Throughout fabrication of these fuel plates, metallurgical transformations and reactions take place as a result of elevated temperatures during processing. The transformations include decomposition of the metastable body-centered cubic ? phase in the fuel and metallurgical interactions at interfaces between fuel plate components. This work aims to provide further understanding into physical and mechanical behavior of these constituents as they relate to fuel plate processing and performance. Fuel plate processing includes alloying the U, applying a Zr diffusion barrier, and cladding in AA6061 via hot isostatic press. Experimental Zr barriers were applied via electroplating, plasma-spraying, or roll-bonding and characterized using optical and electron microscopy, demonstrating that roll-bonded Zr exhibits the most favorable properties. During fabrication, regions of the ?-U decompose into ? and ?' which revert to ? during annealing or irradiation and heat treatments were designed to induce similar transformations and characterize them using x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, resulting in a model describing the reversion as a function of time and temperature. The mechanical properties of the fuel and other constituent phases were investigated via instrumented indentation of fuel plates. Phases that occurred in small, discontinuous regions were fabricated in diffusion couples for more reliable indentation. The kinetic and mechanical data produced from this study can be used to estimate the phase constitution of the fuel plates and subsequently, its behavior in response to fabrication and irradiation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007349, ucf:52109
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007349
- Title
- Mechanical Study on Edge-Oxidized Graphene Oxide (EOGO) Reinforced Concrete.
- Creator
-
Khawaji, Mohammad, Nam, Boo Hyun, Chopra, Manoj, Zaurin, Ricardo, Kwok, Kawai, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
It is known that graphene oxide (GO) has superior mechanical properties and can enhance mechanical properties of cement composites. However, Hummer produced conventional GOs have been limited to small-scale specimens (e.g., cement paste and mortar) and applications to concrete have not been implemented due to their high cost and large volume of concrete. Edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) is a low-cost, carbon-based nanomaterial produced by a mechanochemical process with ball milling and a...
Show moreIt is known that graphene oxide (GO) has superior mechanical properties and can enhance mechanical properties of cement composites. However, Hummer produced conventional GOs have been limited to small-scale specimens (e.g., cement paste and mortar) and applications to concrete have not been implemented due to their high cost and large volume of concrete. Edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) is a low-cost, carbon-based nanomaterial produced by a mechanochemical process with ball milling and a non-toxic oxidizing agent. The low cost (less than $50/kg) of EOGO enables its use in bulk-scale concrete materials/structures, which is a prerequisite for the field implementation. In this study, EOGO was applied to macroscopic concrete to investigate mechanical and workability performance of EOGO reinforced concrete. Interestingly, it was observed that the addition of EOGO to normal concrete increases concrete slump, which opposes the conventional GO study on cement paste. To maximize the benefits of the improved workability, EOGO was then applied to fiber reinforced concretes (FRCs) to compensate their low workability. Two different types of fibers were used, including basalt and steel fibers. The results indicated that EOGO is not effective in basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) perhaps due to the high absorption of basalt fibers. However, adding EOGO to steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) exhibited significant enhancement in workability and strength compared with control specimens. Subsequently, the effect of EOGO on flexural fatigue behavior of cement composite mixtures (cement mortar and concrete) was investigated. The flexural fatigue results show that adding EOGO to cement composites enhances flexural fatigue performance. Lastly, the impact of EOGO on pavement structure was investigated based on Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (MEPDG). The results show EOGO significantly extends service life and minimizes the required thickness of surface layer.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007826, ucf:52821
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007826
