All Outputs (18)

The Intra-Ply Shear Behaviour of Non-Isothermal Thermoplastic Composite Laminates (2023)
Journal Article

During the thermoforming of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (FRTP) organosheets, the desire to minimise tool temperatures leads to non-isothermal temperature profiles through the laminate thickness. The aim of this study was to understand the influenc... Read More about The Intra-Ply Shear Behaviour of Non-Isothermal Thermoplastic Composite Laminates.

Hybrid vacuum-robotic forming of reinforced composite laminates (2022)
Journal Article

A methodology is presented to implement robotic actuators into diaphragm forming of composite laminates. This Hybrid Vacuum-Robotic (HyVR) process is specifically targeted to prevent ‘bridging’ type defects. Examples are presented of successfully for... Read More about Hybrid vacuum-robotic forming of reinforced composite laminates.

Laminated beams/shafts of annular cross-section subject to combined loading (2022)
Journal Article

A novel stress analysis method is developed for the efficient design of radially laminated annular beams/shafts subject to arbitrary load combinations. The analysis is conducted using classic laminate theory (CLT) in conjunction with a mechanics of m... Read More about Laminated beams/shafts of annular cross-section subject to combined loading.

A vision for a lightweight railway wheelset of the future (2022)
Journal Article

Rail vehicle lightweighting using fibre reinforced polymer composite materials is essential for the future of rail. This is recognised as a means of reducing carbon dioxide production through lower energy consumption, as well as reducing the impact o... Read More about A vision for a lightweight railway wheelset of the future.

Structural analysis for the design of a lightweight composite railway axle (2022)
Journal Article

The unsprung masses associated with the axles of a railway vehicle result in costly impact damage to the rail infrastructure. A hybrid metallic-composite (HMC) railway axle is evaluated using finite element analysis. The axle mass is 74 kg, 63% light... Read More about Structural analysis for the design of a lightweight composite railway axle.

Optimization of a Filament Wound Hybrid Metal Composite Railway Axle Design Concept (2022)
Journal Article

This paper presents a numerical design method to develop a mass-minimized winding sequence for carbon fiber reinforced tubes to be manufactured by filament winding. This method combines the use of Altair Optistruct Finite Element Solver and CADWIND V... Read More about Optimization of a Filament Wound Hybrid Metal Composite Railway Axle Design Concept.

Controlling mass loss from RTM6 epoxy resin under simulated vacuum infusion conditions (2022)
Journal Article

A certified aerospace resin (RTM 6) normally utilised for resin transfer moulding is considered for vacuum infusion. The resin was subjected to simulated vacuum infusion conditions by using a specialised thermogravimetric analysis that enables contro... Read More about Controlling mass loss from RTM6 epoxy resin under simulated vacuum infusion conditions.

Impact resistance of fibre reinforced composite railway freight tank wagons (2021)
Journal Article

The use of fibre reinforced composite materials is one method by which the lightweighting of rail vehicles can be achieved. However, the issue of impact damage, amongst other challenges, limits their safety certification. This issue is accentuated by... Read More about Impact resistance of fibre reinforced composite railway freight tank wagons.

Parametric sizing study for the design of a lightweight composite railway axle (2021)
Journal Article

The potential for lightweighting of railway axles was investigated to primarily reduce the unsprung mass of a rail vehicle. The reduction of unsprung mass equates to an overall lighter train which will help to reduce track damage, energy consumption... Read More about Parametric sizing study for the design of a lightweight composite railway axle.

Design of a Lightweight Multifunctional Composite Railway Axle Utilising Coaxial Skins (2021)
Journal Article

The rising economic and environmental pressures associated with the generation and consumption of energy necessitates the need for lightweighting of railway vehicles. The railway axle is a prime candidate for lightweighting of the unsprung mass. The... Read More about Design of a Lightweight Multifunctional Composite Railway Axle Utilising Coaxial Skins.

Selection and ranking of rail vehicle components for optimal lightweighting using composite materials (2020)
Journal Article

Current performance requirements for the global rail industry demand that trains are more reliable, efficient and can accommodate an increased capacity for more passengers. Lightweight construction of rail vehicles is thus required to meet these requ... Read More about Selection and ranking of rail vehicle components for optimal lightweighting using composite materials.

Lightweighting of railway axles for reduction of unsprung mass and track access charges (2019)
Journal Article

The potential for lightweighting of railway axles was investigated to primarily reduce the unsprung mass of rail vehicles. The reduction of unsprung mass equates to an overall lighter train, which will help to reduce track damage, energy consumption... Read More about Lightweighting of railway axles for reduction of unsprung mass and track access charges.

Long discontinuous carbon fibre/polypropylene composites for high volume structural applications (2017)
Journal Article

A processing route is presented to manufacture discontinuous carbon fibre reinforced polypropylene (CF.PP) composites, using much longer fibre lengths (25mm) and higher volume fractions (up to 45%) than previously reported in the literature. Carbon f... Read More about Long discontinuous carbon fibre/polypropylene composites for high volume structural applications.

The usability of recycled carbon fibres in short fibre thermoplastics: interfacial properties (2016)
Journal Article

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of combining discontinuous recycled carbon fibres with polypropylene, to produce a low-cost, high specific stiffness material for high-volume applications. The inherent low affinity of ca... Read More about The usability of recycled carbon fibres in short fibre thermoplastics: interfacial properties.

The flexural properties of composite repaired pipeline: Numerical simulation and experimental validation (2015)
Journal Article

Heterogeneity of discontinuous carbon fibre composites: damage initiation captured by Digital Image Correlation (2014)
Journal Article

This paper aims to identify architectural features which lead to damage initiation and failure in discontinuous carbon fibre composites formed from randomly orientated bundles. A novel multi-camera digital image correlation system was used to simulta... Read More about Heterogeneity of discontinuous carbon fibre composites: damage initiation captured by Digital Image Correlation.

Burst strength of carbon fibre reinforced HDPE strip pipeline repair system: a numerical and experimental approach (2014)
Journal Article

Oil and gas pipelines are susceptible to various forms of damage where repair mechanisms have since been developed for rehabilitation. Once installed, structural health monitoring often incurs excessive costs and defects rectification of the repaired... Read More about Burst strength of carbon fibre reinforced HDPE strip pipeline repair system: a numerical and experimental approach.

A combined theoretical/experimental approach to the dynamic characterization of viscoelastic materials (1992)
Journal Article

This research combines theoretical and experimental approaches to the dynamic mechanical characterization of viscoelastic materials. A detailed derivation is presented for the dynamic response of a typical viscoelastic rod sample. Particular attentio... Read More about A combined theoretical/experimental approach to the dynamic characterization of viscoelastic materials.