Course detail

Composite Materials

FAST-NJA028-AAcad. year: 2026/2027

Development of composite materials, distribution of composite materials into basic types and their characteristics. Definition of composite materials and interpretation of composite effects. Variables defining properties of composites. Particle composites and their distribution. Fibre composites, fibres, matrices. Metal, glass, polypropylene, cellulose, carbon, basalt, and other fibres. Composite materials made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres (FRP) , production, durability. Composite materials with cement matrix reinforced with fibres, steel fibre reinforced concrete. Glassfibre reinforced concrete. Fibre-cement composite materials. Wood-cement composite materials. New materials for structure reinforcement, lamellae , reinforcement fabrics. Materials with an alkali-activated matrix. Unidirectional composites – representation of relative phase, thermal expansion, and transport properties. Lectures are supplemented with laboratory assignments as exercises.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Lenka Bodnárová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components (THD)

Entry knowledge

Physics.
Chemistry.
Building materials.
Concrete technology.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit: mandatory participation in exercises, preparation and submission of exercise protocols in the required scope, form, quality and time.

Exam: Oral and written form of examination.

Aims

Professional knowledge

The student analyzes the properties of composite building materials and is able to define the requirements for specific applications of composite building materials.

Professional skills

The student evaluates and compares the properties of composite building materials, specifies the conditions of use of composite building materials and the required properties of the materials. Based on the knowledge gained, the student is able to optimally select a composite material for a specific application, is able to define the required properties of the composite and the conditions of its use.

Professional competences

The student is able to use knowledge and skills in the context of design of properties and production technology of composite materials.

Study aids

BODNÁROVÁ, L. Kompozitní materiály, Composite materials, study support, Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, 2007. (CS)

Clyne, D. Hull An Introduction to Composite Materials, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 10 0521860954, 2019 (EN)

ACI Committee 440, ACI 440R-07 Report on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, ISBN: 9780870312595, 2007 (EN)
BHAGWAN D. AGARWAL, LAWRENCE J. BROUTMAN, K. CHANDRASHEKHARA, Analysis and Performance of Fiber Composites, 4th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-38998-9, 2017 (EN)
VISTASP M KARBHARI, Durability of Composites for Civil Structural Applications, Woodhead Publishing in Materials, ISBN: 0849391091, 2007 (EN)

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BODNÁROVÁ, L. Kompozitní materiály, studijní opora, Brno, Vysoké učení technické v Brně, Fakulta stavební, 2007. (CS)
W. Clyne, D. Hull An Introduction to Composite Materials, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 10 0521860954, 2019 (EN)

Recommended reading

ACI Committee 440, ACI 440R-07 Report on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, ISBN: 9780870312595, 2007 (EN)
BHAGWAN D. AGARWAL, LAWRENCE J. BROUTMAN, K. CHANDRASHEKHARA, Analysis and Performance of Fiber Composites, 4th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-38998-9, 2017 (EN)
VISTASP M KARBHARI, Durability of Composites for Civil Structural Applications, Woodhead Publishing in Materials, ISBN: 0849391091, 2007 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-SIM Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Lenka Bodnárová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Development of composite materials, distribution of composite materials, definitions.
  • 2. Variables defining composites’ properties, structural classification, design, specifics of design.
  • 3. Fibre composites, fibres, matrices.
  • 4. Composite materials with cement matrix reinforced with fibres (steel, polymer, glass, cellulose, basalt fibres).
  • 5. Glassfibre reinforced concrete (GRC) .
  • 6. Fibre cement.
  • 7. Wood-cement composite materials.
  • 8. Materials with an alkali-activated matrix.
  • 9. Composite materials with polymer matrix reinforced with fibres (FRP), properties of input materials, production technology.
  • 10. Composite materials with polymer matrix reinforced with fibres, properties, durability, application.
  • 11. New materials for structure reinforcement, lamellas, reinforcement fabrics.
  • 12. Particle composites, resistance of composites to high temperatures.
  • 13. Unidirectional composites, fibre representation. Mechanism of unidirectional composites, longitudinal strength, modulus of elasticity and strength, thermal expansion, and transport properties.

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Martin Sedlmajer, Ph.D.
Ing. Jindřich Melichar, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Introductory exercise, safety training, laboratory rules.
  • 2. Cement-matrix composites – effects of particulate aggregates on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.
  • 3. Cement-matrix composites – influence of the quantity and type of polymer fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.
  • 4. Cement-matrix composites – influence of the quantity and type of steel fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.
  • 5. Cement-matrix composites – influence of the addition of glass, cellulose, and basalt fibres on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.
  • 6. Composite materials with an alkali-activated matrix, preparation of particulate and fibrous composites.
  • 7. Polymer binder-based composites – polymer concrete and polymer mortar, special types, use.
  • 8. Field trip – production of composites with polymeric matrix reinforced with fibres (FRP), long- and short-fibre composites, pultrusion.
  • 9. Field trip – production of wood-cement composite materials.
  • 10. Field trip – production of steel fibres into concrete.
  • 11. Field trip – production of composites with polymer matrix.
  • 12. Presentation of seminar papers.
  • 13. Checking protocols. Credit.