2026-09-21T14:09:22Zhttps://api.mountainscholar.org/server/oai/request

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/826302025-12-30T03:13:01Zcom_10217_100532com_10217_100000com_10217_100369com_10217_100303col_10217_100538col_10217_100381

Peterson, Kirsten LaRhea, author Heyliger, Paul, advisor Atadero, Rebecca, committee member Leisure, Robert, committee member 2007-01-03T06:43:01Z 2007-01-03T06:43:01Z 2014 Peterson_colostate_0053N_12325.pdf http://hdl.handle.net/10217/82630 https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018309 This thesis presents an initial investigation of the mechanics of I-beams developed with plastic-aluminum composite technology. Plastic-aluminum composites in structural beam/frame/truss elements are a relatively new concept that has seen little, if any, application in modern construction. This technology has considerable potential to add innovative choices to the array of materials currently available in the construction industry. Several new tests were designed and performed on different portions of the beams, including Push-Through and Knit-Line Pull tests, and tensile tests per ASTM D638-10. The results of these tests showed increased strength with an increase of talc filler content and also showed that the addition of a metal deactivator additive to the plastic results in a slight increase in strength. Duration of Load tests were performed per ASTM D7031-04 and none of the beams tested exhibit tertiary creep. The I-beams investigated here use an internal shear connector (deboss) which acts as a mechanical fastener between the aluminum and the flange plastic. A numerical finite element model was developed in ABAQUS to better understand the underlying physics of the deboss and was compared with a Push-Through test specimen. The results from the model closely match experimental results and the model can be used to predict within 10% the load per deboss region that can be resisted before the plastic begins to yield and extensively deform. This model can be used for differing deboss geometries and any plastic with known material properties. Overall, the results of this research support potential future research involving a more in-depth investigation of this innovative, new class of material technology for use as a structural material. born digital masters theses English eng Colorado State University. Libraries 2000-2019 Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. beam mechanics structures plastic-metal composites I-beams composite materials The mechanics of plastic-aluminum composite I-beams Text Master of Science (M.S.) Masters Civil and Environmental Engineering Colorado State University This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). open.access