The structural design of the bolted fiber reinforced polymer elements is typically governed by the capacity of the joint rather than the fiber reinforced polymer member, while the joint capacity is typically governed by the shear strength of the fiber reinforced polymer. Here, the possibility of improving the shear strength of bolted joints is investigated in the unidirectional glass fiber reinforced polymer plates by incorporating the multiwalled carbon nanotubes during glass fiber reinforced polymer fabrication. Glass fiber reinforced polymer double-shear bolted lap joints were fabricated using up to 1.0 wt% multiwalled carbon nanotubes–-epoxy nanocomposites. Finite element modeling using multicontinuum theory and element deletion techniques was performed to explain the joint behavior. The experimental investigations show that incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes improved the shear strength, ductility, and energy absorption significantly. Microstructural analysis proves that a chemical reaction between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and epoxy improves the shear strength of the matrix.

Polymer concrete (PC) has been favoured over Portland cement concrete when low permeability, high adhesion, and/or high durability against aggressive environments are required. In this research, a new class of PC incorporating Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is introduced. Four PC mixes with different MWCNTs contents were examined. MWCNTs were carefully dispersed in epoxy resin and then mixed with the hardener and aggregate to produce PC. The impact strength of the new PC was investigated by performing low-velocity impact tests. Other mechanical properties of the new PC including compressive, flexural, and shear strengths were also characterized. Moreover, microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of PC incorporating MWCNTs was performed. Impact test results showed that energy absorption of PC with 1.0 wt% MWCNTs by weight of epoxy resin was significantly improved by 36 % compared with conventional PC. Microstructural analysis demonstrated evidence that MWCNTs significantly altered the chemical structure of epoxy matrix. The changes in the microstructure lead to improvements in the impact resistance of PC, which would benefit the design of various PC structural elements.

This research article investigated the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre architectures, namely short and 2D plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney–Nuismer Mathematical Model. The results showed that by using polyester matrix, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is higher than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios. On the other hand, on testing epoxy matrixes, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is lower than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios.

This research article investigated the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre architectures, namely short and 2D plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney–Nuismer Mathematical Model. The results showed that by using polyester matrix, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is higher than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios. On the other hand, on testing epoxy matrixes, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is lower than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios.

This research article investigated the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre architectures, namely short and 2D plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney–Nuismer Mathematical Model. The results showed that by using polyester matrix, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is higher than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios. On the other hand, on testing epoxy matrixes, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is lower than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios.

This research article investigated the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre architectures, namely short and 2D plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney–Nuismer Mathematical Model. The results showed that by using polyester matrix, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is higher than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios. On the other hand, on testing epoxy matrixes, the notch sensitivity of composites reinforced with plain-woven glass fibre is lower than that of short glass fibre at different D/W ratios.

This research compares the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre including short and plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen width with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney-Nuismer mathematical model. The results indicated that the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber polyester composites is lower than that of short glass fiber polyester composites composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven glass fiber polyester composites is higher than that of short glass fiber polyester composites. On the other hand, In epoxy-matrix composites, the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber epoxy composites is higher than that of short glass fiber epoxy composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven GF epoxy composites is less sensitive than short GF epoxy composites.

This research compares the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre including short and plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen width with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney-Nuismer mathematical model. The results indicated that the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber polyester composites is lower than that of short glass fiber polyester composites composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven glass fiber polyester composites is higher than that of short glass fiber polyester composites. On the other hand, In epoxy-matrix composites, the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber epoxy composites is higher than that of short glass fiber epoxy composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven GF epoxy composites is less sensitive than short GF epoxy composites.

This research compares the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre including short and plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen width with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney-Nuismer mathematical model. The results indicated that the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber polyester composites is lower than that of short glass fiber polyester composites composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven glass fiber polyester composites is higher than that of short glass fiber polyester composites. On the other hand, In epoxy-matrix composites, the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber epoxy composites is higher than that of short glass fiber epoxy composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven GF epoxy composites is less sensitive than short GF epoxy composites.

This research compares the notch sensitivity of two different glass fibre including short and plain-woven glass fibres reinforced with unsaturated polyester and epoxy matrix composites fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. This was carried out through open hole tension tests at different ratios of the specimen hole diameter to the specimen width with three different values (0.1, 0.2, 0.5) compared to the unnotched specimen. The notch sensitivity of these composites was evaluated using the residual tensile strength by the application of Whitney-Nuismer mathematical model. The results indicated that the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber polyester composites is lower than that of short glass fiber polyester composites composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven glass fiber polyester composites is higher than that of short glass fiber polyester composites. On the other hand, In epoxy-matrix composites, the characteristic distance of woven glass fiber epoxy composites is higher than that of short glass fiber epoxy composites for different D/W ratios. Therefore, the notch sensitivity of woven GF epoxy composites is less sensitive than short GF epoxy composites.