Fiber Mesh Research Articles

Corrigendum to: “The ductility performance of concrete using glass fiber mesh in beam specimens”

Corrigendum to: “The ductility performance of concrete using glass fiber mesh in beam specimens”

Optimizing Dielectric Constants of Epoxy Composites Infused with Palmyra Palm and Nano Fillers using Response Surface Methodology

The study focuses on Palm fruit Fibers (PF) extracted from the palmyra palm tree (Borassus flabellifer) treated with 5% alkali solution (NaOH). This treatment eliminates impurities from the fiber surface and enhances bonding with the epoxy matrix. Epoxy composites, reinforced with PF/nanofillers (h-BN, Al2O3 and MWCNT), are developed by using the box Behnken method (BBD) and dielectric constant is investigated under high-frequency and electrical field conditions. Dielectric constants (K) of the nanocomposites are determined using various capacitor terminal setups. The electrical properties of the Epoxy/PF nanocomposite, based on fiber content (Wt. %), fiber mesh size (μm) and nanofillers are evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). Models, predicting nanocomposite dielectric constants, are established, fitting experimental values closely with R2 nearing 1 and residuals adhering to a normal probability plot. The optimized dielectric constant of 1.05 is achieved at 3 wt% palm fiber content, 150 μm fiber mesh size and 1 wt% nano h-BN.

Heat transfer enhancement in pressurized solar cavity receivers with densely packed metallic wire mesh

Pressurized solar receivers are promising candidates as heat sources for integration with high-efficiency closed-loop air and supercritical carbon-dioxide based Brayton cycles. This paper focuses on the heat transfer enhancement of such a solar receiver using inline stacked wire mesh fibers in the heat transfer fluid flow path. The study involves modelling, characterization, and performance evaluation of a cavity-receiver with densely packed wire meshes. A new experimentally validated hybrid numerical approach is presented for modelling the inline stacked wire mesh layers. Initially, a direct numerical simulation at the pore scale on a representative elementary volume (REV) of the wire mesh geometry is performed for determining the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of the medium. Subsequently, these hydrodynamic and thermal properties are used to define a volume-averaged macroscopic porous medium. Experiments are performed using a rectangular channel stacked with stainless steel wire meshes, heated using a plate heater, and pressurized air supplied using a reciprocating compressor. Both numerical and experimental studies are performed for a Reynolds number range of 28 to 213 resulting in a Nusselt number range of 7.2 to 213. The porous medium model predictions for pressure gradient are within 17 %, while predictions for outlet air temperature are within 5 % of the experimentally obtained values. The study predicts a maximum heat transfer enhancement of five times in a channel stacked with wire meshes compared to the case of a clear channel, but incurring a peak pressure drop of only about 1.1 kPa.

On-demand removable hydrogel film derived from gallic acid-phycocyanin and polyvinyl alcohol for fruit preservation

Postharvest spoilage of fruits accounts for significant losses ranging between 20 %–30 %, leading to considerable resource wastage and economic downturns. The development of an effective fresh-keeping packaging material is of paramount importance. This study introduces an innovative on-demand removable active fruit fresh-keeping film (GPP), created by embedding a GP (gallic acid-phycocyanin) fiber mesh hydrogel with functional properties into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The resultant GPP hydrogel-based film demonstrates outstanding UV and water vapor barrier capabilities, mechanical stability, resistance to external mechanical stress, universal surface adhesion, antibacterial efficacy, and on-demand removal attributes, while being devoid of potential toxicity hazards. Utilizing grapes and blueberries as representative fruits, it is shown that the GPP hydrogel film significantly preserves the fruits' hardness, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS), and minimizes the rate of weight loss, thereby prolonging the shelf life to 13 days for grapes and 20 days for blueberries at ambient temperature. These results underscore the potential of this hydrogel-based film as an invaluable material for fruit preservation within the food industry.

Firefly Algorithm-Driven Development of Resistive Ink-Coated Glass and Mesh Fibers for Advanced Microwave Stealth and EMI Shielding Applications

Firefly Algorithm-Driven Development of Resistive Ink-Coated Glass and Mesh Fibers for Advanced Microwave Stealth and EMI Shielding Applications

Enhancing the Fire Resistance of Ablative Materials: Role of the Polymeric Matrix and Silicon Carbide Reinforcement.

The primary characteristic of ablative materials is their fire resistance. This study explored the development of cost-effective ablative materials formed into application-specific shapes by using a polymer matrix reinforced with ceramic powder. A thermoplastic (polypropylene; PP) and a thermoset (polyester; UPE) matrix were used to manufacture ablative materials with 50 wt% silicon carbide (SiC) particles. The reference composites (50 wt% SiC) were compared to those with 1 and 3 wt% short glass fibers (0.5 mm length) and to composites using a 1 and 3 wt% glass fiber mesh. Fire resistance was tested using a butane flame (900 °C) and by measuring the transmitted heat with a thermocouple. Results showed that the type of polymer matrix (PP or UPE) did not influence fire resistance. Composites with short glass fibers had a fire-resistance time of 100 s, while those with glass fiber mesh tripled this resistance time. The novelty of this work lies in the exploration of a specific type of material with unique percentages of SiC not previously studied. The aim is to develop a low-cost coating for industrial warehouses that has improved fire-protective properties, maintains lower temperatures, and enhances the wear and impact resistance.

Suspension electrospinning of decellularized extracellular matrix: A new method to preserve bioactivity

Decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) have strong regenerative potential as tissue engineering scaffolds; however, current clinical options for dECM scaffolds are limited to freeze-drying its native form into sheets. Electrospinning is a versatile scaffold fabrication technique that allows control of macro- and microarchitecture. It remains challenging to electrospin dECM, which has led researchers to either blend it with synthetic materials or use enzymatic digestion to fully solubilize the dECM. Both strategies reduce the innate bioactivity of dECM and limit its regenerative potential. Herein, we developed a new suspension electrospinning method to fabricate a pure dECM fibrous mesh that retains its innate bioactivity. Systematic investigation of suspension parameters was used to identify critical rheological properties required to instill “spinnability,” including homogenization, concentration, and particle size. Homogenization enhanced particle interaction to impart the requisite elastic behavior to withstand electrostatic drawing without breaking. A direct correlation between concentration and viscosity was observed that altered fiber morphology; whereas, particle size had minimal impact on suspension properties and fiber morphology. The versatility of this new method was demonstrated by electrospinning dECM with three common decellularization techniques (Abraham, Badylak, Luo) and tissue sources (intestinal submucosa, heart, skin). Bioactivity retention after electrospinning was confirmed using cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and macrophage polarization assays. Collectively, these findings provide a framework for researchers to electrospin dECM for diverse tissue engineering applications.

Electrospun graphene oxide/polymeric nanocomposites for eardrum replacements

The development of structures and devices with enhanced acousto-mechanical properties is a topic of interest in engineering, especially in the biomedical field. A case study is the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane after partial or complete damage, such as from chronic suppurative otitis media, which is the leading cause of infectious diseases in children. In this work, we developed graphene-oxide (GO) nanocomposite polymeric scaffolds fabricated via electrospinning to assess their potential suitability as substitutes of the eardrum. To evaluate the structural influence of GO on the fibrous mesh, we performed a characterization in terms of wettability, mechanical properties, and surface morphology. Moreover, a finite-element model of the middle ear was employed to assess the acousto-mechanical behavior of the eardrum upon application of the developed scaffolds. We observed that GO influenced the morphology of the fibrous scaffolds by increasing the mean diameter of the fibers, their stiffness and strength, while decreasing the water contact angle, thus making the structures more hydrophilic. From the acoustic standpoint, the simulations showed that GO does not significantly affect sound transmission, except for PVDF-based structures, for which GO slightly improves the behavior only up to 2 kHz, but with a suboptimal performance at higher frequencies. Our results open to the development of fibrous nanocomposite polymeric scaffolds with an enhanced acoustic behavior for structural applications not limited to bioengineering.

Mechanical properties of Kenaf textile-reinforced concrete

This study aims to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of Kenaf Textile Reinforced Concrete (KTRC) specimens to address the growing interest in sustainable construction materials. The research investigated various parameters, including modulus of rupture, total toughness, and toughness indices, while also exploring the impact of polypropylene (PP) chopped – fibre, the number of textile layers (3 and 5), and their arrangement (symmetric and asymmetric) on the mechanical properties of KTRC. The results demonstrated that Kenaf meshes could be used as natural and cost-effective reinforcement in TRC. Increasing the number of reinforcement layers significantly enhanced total energy absorption, and the combination of chopped fibre and Kenaf meshes contributed to maintaining the crack strength of the composites. The results of the three-layer specimens demonstrate that as the percentage of PP fibres increases from 0% to 0.5% and 1%, there is a noticeable increase in toughness compared to the reference samples. Specifically, the toughness of the samples increased by 978.6, 1381.1, and 1520.7, respectively. Eventually, the behavior of the specimens until the moment of complete rupture mostly depends on the number of layers in the thickness of the specimen.

Synergistic effects of graphene oxide, steel wire mesh and fibers on the impact resistance of preplaced aggregate concrete

Graphene Oxide (GO) has become a focal point of interest in civil engineering due to its exceptional mechanical and functional properties, making it a novel and promising carbon-based nanomaterial. However, the improvement in impact resistance of fibrous concrete by incorporating GO has not been explored until now. The novelty of this research is rooted in its pioneering analysis of the impact resistance of preplaced aggregate fibrous concrete, achieved through the combined incorporation of GO and steel wire mesh (SWM). This study uniquely investigates the effects of three different dosages of GO (0.1 %, 0.15 %, and 0.2 %) and three variations in the diameter of the steel wire mesh (50 mm, 100 mm, and 150 mm), alongside a fixed dosage of 3 % for steel fibers. Thirty-two distinct mixtures were prepared, with the steel wire mesh strategically placed at the midpoint of the specimen depth in each case. The specimens underwent drop-weight impact testing, with investigations conducted into their compressive strength, impact numbers related to cracking and failure, ductility index, and failure mode. The specimens incorporating a 0.2 % GO dosage with a 150 mm diameter of SWM displayed the highest observed cracking and failure impact numbers compared to those with 50 mm and 100 mm diameters of SWM. The observed increments ranged from 1.07 to 1.18 times for cracking and from 1.38 to 2.45 times for failure, compared to specimens containing 0.2 % GO without SWM. The identical specimens demonstrated the highest ductility values, ranging from 9.34 to 10.61. It is crucial to emphasize that adding GO does not induce an evolution from brittle to ductile failure of the specimen under impact loading, unlike the effect observed with steel wire mesh and steel fibre.

Fibro-porous materials: 3D-printed hybrid porous materials for multifunctional applications

This work demonstrates the additive manufacturing of fibro-porous materials—hybrid materials with a fiber mesh integrated within the open cells of a base porous scaffold. The presented method allows seamless incorporation of fibers, with precise control of the fiber diameter and mesh density, into the scaffold without requiring any additional postprocessing steps. Here, using a gyroid pore architecture as the base scaffold, this study fabricates the fibro-porous materials using an extrusion-based additive technique and investigates their resultant sound absorption, pressure drop, mechanical stiffness, and energy absorption properties. Two-microphone normal incidence impedance tube measurements reveal significant improvements in the sound absorption performance compared to that of denser, fiberless porous material counterparts while maintaining a 33 % lighter weight. Additional tests, including pressure drop and static airflow resistivity measurements, indicate that fiber integration reduces the effective pore size and increases flow resistance, boosting sound absorption at lower frequencies. The mechanical properties are also markedly improved, with stiffness and yield stress increasing by 27 % and 37.85 %, respectively. The fibro-porous samples provide 30 % more energy absorption per unit volume due to their increased resistance to deformation. This research demonstrates that additively manufactured fibro-porous materials provide substantial multifunctional performance gains without significant weight increase. The adaptable manufacturing process is compatible with various extrudable materials and opens a new route to designing complex, customized engineering structures with application-specific functionalities.

Shear Performance of Deep Concrete Beams with Openings Using Waste Tyre Steel Fibres: FEM and ANN Analysis

The creation of transverse openings in beams triggers the shear performance. The dual impact of height and length on the overall shear performance and strain variations in reinforcements of deep concrete beams with and without fibres was assessed to investigate the effect of opening in the beam. This effect of opening was explored and modelled using finite element software Abaqus and predicted using an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The data set for ANN was 56 deep concrete beams, while for the finite element model (FEM), 12 deep concrete beams were used. The effect of input parameters in the ANN model was assessed through sensitivity analysis. Results show that with an increase in opening depth, the strain in top steel reinforcement shifted to tensile strain, resulting in premature beam failure. In addition, experimental and FEM shear resistance had a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.1, 5.0, and 20.6% for deep beams without fibres, with fibres and fibre mesh, respectively. Compared to available analytical models, the ANN model reasonably predicts the shear resistance with an R2of 0.84 and a mean square error (MSE) of 0.01. The use of the ANN and FEM models is recommended as they save time, and the prediction does not involve degradation of the environment, hence demonstrating sustainable construction practices. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-02 Full Text: PDF

Advancements in Flexible Nanogenerators: Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Based Nanofiber Utilizing Electrospinning.

With the gradual miniaturization of electronic devices and the increasing interest in wearable devices, flexible microelectronics is being actively studied. Owing to the limitations of existing battery systems corresponding to miniaturization, there is a need for flexible alternative power sources. Accordingly, energy harvesting from surrounding environmental systems using fluorinated polymers with piezoelectric properties has received significant attention. Among them, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF co-polymers have been researched as representative organo-piezoelectric materials because of their excellent piezoelectric properties, mechanical flexibility, thermal stability, and light weight. Electrospinning is an effective method for fabricating nanofibrous meshes with superior surface-to-volume ratios from polymer solutions. During electrospinning, the polymer solution is subjected to mechanical stretching and in situ poling, corresponding to an external strong electric field. Consequently, the fraction of the piezoelectric β-phase in PVDF can be improved by the electrospinning process, and enhanced harvesting output can be realized. An overview of electrospun piezoelectric fibrous meshes composed of PVDF or PVDF co-polymers to be utilized is presented, and the recent progress in enhancement methods for harvesting output, such as fiber alignment, doping with various nanofillers, and coaxial fibers, is discussed. Additionally, other applications of these meshes as sensors are reviewed.

Bending analysis of textile reinforced concrete sandwich panels: Experimental and numerical evaluation

Textile reinforced concrete (TRC) is a combination of a cementitious matrix and a textile reinforcement that has good mechanical properties. This makes a highly promising composite material for a wide range of construction practices. One notable application of this innovative composite deals with the production of thin sandwich panels. Hence it is noteworthy to examine the control parameters (depth & number of layers) that affect the mechanical properties of TRC sandwich panels with chosen fibre meshes and core material.Initially, 24 different TRC panels were cast and modelled with varying depths (45 mm, 55 mm and 65 mm) and layers (3, 4, 5 and 6), incorporating two different fibre mesh reinforcements. The flexural behavior of these panels was studied both experimentally and numerically using ABAQUS software. The optimized control parameters was obtained from the results was TRC panel of 5 layers of Aramid fibre mesh having 55 mm depth.Further exploration focused on the effect of overall depth variation on the flexural behavior of TRC sandwich panels. A panel with Aramid fibre reinforcement and a calcium silicate board core, featuring a 55 mm overall depth, exhibited a remarkable 69.49 % increase in bending stress compared to a panel with a depth of 118 mm. These findings underscore the significance of optimized control parameters, showcasing the potential for enhancing the mechanical performance of TRC sandwich panels in construction practices.

Experimental and numerical investigations of the shear performance of reinforced concrete deep beams strengthened with hybrid SHCC-mesh

This paper investigates the shear strengthening of simply supported deep beams using welded wire mesh and glass fiber mesh filled with strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) concrete. Nine reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams were tested in this study to investigate different shear-strengthening techniques including the type of mesh (glass fiber mesh and welded steel wire mesh), number of layers (single and double), and the effects of additional anchor using high-strength bolts on the shear performance of RC deep beams. The results showed the SHCC-mesh jackets increased the ultimate load of the deep beams by up to 82 %, cracking load by up to 73 %, elastic stiffness by up to 457 %, and energy absorption by up to 380 % compared to the unstrengthen control beam. Furthermore, the welded wire mesh provided greater enhancements of strength, stiffness, and energy absorption than the glass fiber mesh. In addition, anchoring the jackets further improved the strengthening efficiency. Advanced nonlinear three-dimensional finite element models were also simulated to capture the structural responses of the RC deep beams strengthened using welded wire mesh and glass fiber mesh. It was found that the numerical models accurately predicted the behavior of the beams upon validation against the experimental results.

Effect of pore structure regulation on the properties of 3D cellulose nanofiber electret filtration materials

The properties, electret property and purification performance, of electret filter materials are closely associated with its pore structure, but the effect mechanism of pore structure on its electret property has not been clarified. Herein, the pore structure of 3D electret fiber materials which were prepared by freeze-drying technology and corona polarization technology based on dialdehyde cellulose nanofibers (DAMCC) and ethyl cellulose nanofibers (EC) was regulated by changing the DAMCC/EC mass ratio, solvent system, pre-freezing temperature and fiber concentration to explore the influence of pore structure on its electret properties and purification performance. The results show that the charge trapping and storage properties can be altered by the regulation of pore structure, and the 3D fiber material, prepared under the conditions of DAMCC/EC nanofiber mass ratio of 1/2, TBA content of 10 %, pre-freezing temperature of −40 °C and fiber concentration of 1.5 w/v%, presents a cellular porous structure with a complete fiber mesh wall. This structure is not only beneficial to the migration of space charge to the interior of the fiber material, but also can effectively prevent the escape behavior of space charge inside the material by extending the tortuous pore channel length, thereby improving the initial and stable surface potentials from 0.72 kV and 0.02 kV to 1.19 kV and 0.47 kV respectively. Moreover, the purification time of 3D electret fiber materials can be reduced from 51 min to 13 min owe to the improvement of electret property and pore structure. These will provide guidance for the investigation of pore structure regulation to alter the properties of electret fiber material for air purification.

Development of Bamboo Composite: Application in UAV Structure

Due to the constant rise in the usage of non-renewable resources, composite materials made of natural fibres and plastic are now receiving a lot of attention. To maximise their performance and viability, bamboo composites for use in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) plate constructions confront several obstacles that must be overcome. This study was conducted to fabricate the UAV plate structure by using bamboo composite. Bamboo fibre, epoxy resin, epoxy hardener, and fibre mesh are the materials requiredto produce the sample. The tensile strength of the bamboo fibre evaluated by using Universal Testing Machine followed by ASTM standard D638. The density test of the bamboo fibre measured by using Mettler Toledo mode XS64. As the result of the study, the bamboo composite that weighted gram per area 15 g/150cm2has the highest tensile strength, which is 20.075 MPa and for the density test, bamboo composite that weighted per area 5 g/150cm2is denser than other conditions which is 1.115 g/cm3.

Relationship between deflection basin parameters and backcalculated pavement layer moduli

In the case analysed, a glass fibre mesh was applied under the asphalt layer during a rehabilitation treatment. Because only one lane was reinforced, the test section can be used to observe the influence of glass fibre mesh on the relationship between the selected deflection basin parameters (RoC, BLI, MLI, and LLI) and back-calculated pavement layer moduli. The FWD measures were used to determine the bowl of deflection indicators and to back-calculate the layer’s moduli. The values of DBP-s allowed confirmation of the technical condition of pavement construction. The first measures were carried out in 2019 and repeated in 2021; the results were then compared and analysed. Influence was observed on the relationship between the deflection basin and moduli, especially for the base course and subgrade. The reinforced lane showed a better coefficient of determination between DBPs and moduli in 2019, but in 2021 relationships were observed only for LLI and subgrade moduli. The unreinforced lane, however, showed the mentioned relationships in both 2019 and 2021. Because of a relatively small number of measurement points, the presented analyses and observations should be considered as preliminary. Presented results and relationships are another step into developing an alternative approach to determining the initial pavement moduli i.e. to use as a seed moduli.

Importance of Biopolymers in Pharmaceutical and Medical Fields

Biopolymers have gained significant traction in the pharmaceutical and medical fields due to their unique properties and versatile applications. These naturally derived polymers exhibit remarkable characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability, affordability, and availability. Their role in tissue engineering, wound healing, and biosensor development has been extensively explored. In tissue engineering, biopolymers serve as scaffolds or matrices, supporting cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation for both hard and soft tissue regeneration. Hard tissue scaffolds often incorporate biopolymers like collagen, chitosan, and gelatin, combined with bioactive ceramics like hydroxyapatite, mimicking the natural composition of bone. Soft tissue scaffolds employ biopolymers such as collagen, gelatin, elastin, and alginate, fabricated into hydrogels, fibrous meshes, or porous structures for applications like skin, vascular, cardiac, and nerve tissue regeneration. Biopolymers have demonstrated promising potential in promoting wound healing and tissue repair, creating moist wound dressings, absorbing exudates, and providing a favorable environment for tissue regeneration. Biopolymers like collagen, chitosan, and alginate have been investigated for this purpose. In biosensor development, biopolymers offer biocompatibility and the ability to immobilize biomolecules such as enzymes, antibodies, or nucleic acids, serving as matrices for biological recognition elements while maintaining their activity and stability

UTILIZING FIBER MESH AND NYLON ROPE AS NON-STEEL REINFORCEMENT FOR SANDWICH CONCRETE PLATE PRECAST IN COASTAL AREA STRUCTURES

Reinforced concrete, a popular construction choice, is often selected due to the limited availability of materials like wood and increased familiarity with concrete. However, coastal structures using steel bars in reinforced concrete usually face corrosion issues. Corrosion can be mitigated by increasing concrete compressive strength and enlarging the concrete cover to protect the steel from saltwater. These measures are challenging for small structures due to the small dimensions of columns, beams, and plates, making thick concrete covers difficult. Additionally, small structures are often built manually or semi-manually, complicating the achievement of higher compressive strength and watertightness. However, there is hope. Researchers have developed reinforced concrete with non-metal reinforcement, such as fiber mesh and nylon rope, and combined regular and lightweight concrete to reduce dead loads, creating a sandwich concrete slab. Test results show that the slab has sufficient strength for light construction, with a strong bond between mortar and foam concrete. Although fiber mesh and nylon rope do not yet increase the slab's flexural strength, nylon rope prevents brittle failure. This promising research paves the way for further studies and potential improvements in the future.