Class 1a: FRP in Civil Infrastructure

1. Describe types of composites and the materials used in them.
2. Describe how composites are used in civil infrastructure.

 Class 1b: Stress-Strain

1. Calculate stress, strain, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio..
2. Draw and identify stress-strain curves for different materials (metal, polymer, ceramic, and composites).  Label the major points on each plot.
3. Emphasize how the stress strain plots of metals and polymers differ in terms of definitions of yield stress and tensile strength.
4. Describe the use of ASTM standards.

Class 2: Mechanical Properties of Composites

1. Define and give examples of particle, fiber, and structural composites.
2. Calculate the limits of the modulus of elasticity in a particle reinforced composite.
3. Calculate modulus and strength of a continuous fiber composite.

Class 3: Introduction to Polymers

1. Define a polymer and monomer.
2. Describe the process of addition polymerization.
3. Describe factors that control chain length.
4. Calculate the number average and weight average molecular weight of a polymer sample.
5. Classify a polymer based on linear, branched, cross linked and networked.
6. Classify a co-polymer based on how the sub-units are arranged.
7. Classify a polymer based on how the side groups are arranged.
8. List factors affecting the mechanical properties of polymers.

Class 4: Polymer Crystallinity

1. Describe the morphology of polymers.
2. Predict trends in crystallinity.

Class 5: Aging

1. List factors that influence aging in a polymer.
2. Explain why temperature accelerates aging..

Class 6: Steady-State Diffusion

1. Define diffusion
2. Perform calculations for steady-state diffusion.

Class 7: Non-Steady-State Diffusion

1. Perform calculations for non-steady-state diffusion.
2. Use the Arrhenius equation to predict long-term performance from accelerated aging data.
3. Predict the limits of accelerated aging from test data.