Avaliação Do Comportamento Mecânico De Painéis Sanduíche Com Compósitos Laminados Reforçados Com Fibra De Curauá E Núcleo De Concreto Celular Autoclavado

Abstract

This present work aims to analyze the mechanical behavior of sandwich panels consisting of two outer layers of natural fiber-reinforced cementitious composites separated by a core layer of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). The molding of each composite layer was made directly on the surface of an AAC block, by manually arranging three layers of long unidirectional aligned curauá fibers in the mortar. In order to increase the composite durability, a matrix with a low content of calcium hydroxide was developed, where the Portland cement was partially replaced by pozzolanic materials. Characterization tests of the matrix, the curauá filaments and the AAC blocks were performed to obtain their independent properties. The composites were submitted to fabric pull-out tests, direct tensile tests and four-point bending to evaluate different aspects of their cracking mechanisms, strength and deformation capacity. Loading zones were indicated in each case to demonstrate the standard composite behavior. The sandwich panels, on the other hand, were analyzed in terms of interface, through pull-off tests and SEM images of the materials transition surface, and mechanical performance, by means of cyclic and monotonic four-point bending tests. The latter registered the rigidity, load capacity and deflection of the sandwich panels, as well as the main properties of their elements: for the core, shear strength and shear modulus, and for the skin layers, compressive strength and tensile strength. Cyclic tests evaluated the resistance of the material to loading-unloading cycles, while pull-off tests were used to verify the interface between the laminated composites and the AAC core. The results indicated a satisfactory performance of the sandwich panels, since the composite layers provided a strain/deflection hardening behavior to the material, PUC-Rio-Certificação Digital Nº 1712762/CA increasing its flexural strength and toughness. The adhesion between the layers and the core proved to be effective, so that the comprised materials displayed adequate interaction between each other, as well as complementary properties. Among the objectives of this work is the development of a sustainable, lightweight, resistant and tough material, in a way that it represents a promising and low-cost alternative to Engineering applications.