Automated System for Monitoring Mechanical Loading Parameters of Composite Reinforcement Samples

Abstract

In the beginning of the 19th century, reinforced concrete became widespread in construction and is still popular. Despite its advantages as a structural material with high strength and rigidity due to steel reinforcement, it has a number of disadvantages: high weight, high cost, susceptibility to corrosion, and etc. That is whytheresearches to improve the concrete properties and eliminate its disadvantages are carried out nowadays. Such researches include development of various additives to improve concrete self-healing properties, as well as the replacement of steel reinforcement with composite one. It is necessary to control the physical and mechanical characteristics of the resulting product liketensile strength, compression strength, ultimate stress in transverse shear, and etc. during reinforcement manufacturing. To determine the destructive load of fiberglass composite reinforcement at longitudinal shear, an experimental model of an automated system for monitoring loading parameters was developed. Its main functional elements are an actuator, a control device, and a personal computer. The mechanical part of the automated load parameter control system stand is made of a base where an actuator unit, a retractable rod, and a hydraulic cylinder with a pressure sensor installed at the end are mounted. The tested reinforcement sample is placed between the actuator couplings. The rod is set in motion by a hydraulic cylinder with a pressure sensor installed at the end. When the pressure created by the rod on the tested sample reaches the limit value, the reinforcement is destroyed. The destructive load is recorded in the program working window. The maximum load that the ASKPN can create is 2,000 N with an actuator stroke length of up to 200 mm.