A Bio-Inspired, Cementitious Composite for High Energy Absorption

A Bio-Inspired, Cementitious Composite for High Energy Absorption

Soltan, D.; Ranade, R.; Li, Victor C.

Abstract:

Taking cues from nature’s mollusk shells, a cementitious composite has been designed to provide cementitious infrastructure with improved durability and resilience. Using a design analog to these shells’ hierarchical and multifunctional composite structure—as well as mimicking their deformation mechanisms—high energy absorption for impact and blast resistance is derived. The design consists of an extremely hard surface layer, behind which are several damage-tolerant layers, inspired by the shells’ nacre component. The experimental investigation focuses on the design and functionality of the nacre-inspired layers using both static and impact loading. Numerical parametric studies explore key factors, such as interfacial properties between layers, governing composite response. Civil infrastructural constraints (processing, cost, etc.) guide the composite development.

Taking cues from nature’s mollusk shells, a cementitious composite has been designed to provide cementitious infrastructure with improved durability and resilience. Using a design analog to these shells’ hierarchical and multifunctional composite structure—as well as mimicking their deformation mechanisms—high energy absorption for impact and blast resistance is derived. The design consists of an extremely hard surface layer, behind which are several damage-tolerant layers, inspired by the shells’ nacre component. The experimental investigation focuses on the design and functionality of the nacre-inspired layers using both static and impact loading. Numerical parametric studies explore key factors, such as interfacial properties between layers, governing composite response. Civil infrastructural constraints (processing, cost, etc.) guide the composite development.

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DOI:

Como citar:

Soltan, D.; Ranade, R.; Li, Victor C.; "A Bio-Inspired, Cementitious Composite for High Energy Absorption", p-4-4. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Multiscale, Multifunctional and Functionally Graded Materials [=Blucher Material Science Proceedings, v.1, n.1]. São Paulo: Blucher, 2014.
ISSN 23589337, DOI