Abstract
Composite materials, with their remarkable performance attributes, have emerged as pivotal components to increase energy efficiency. This work explores the utilization of polyurethane (PU) matrix composite materials as structural elements, with a focus on enhancing mechanical properties through fiber reinforcement. This research aims to investigate and develop lightweight structural materials designed to bear less load during earthquakes instead of conventional brick and reinforced concrete building systems. This study employs a systematic experimental approach, including the Taguchi experimental design methodology, to investigate the effects of glass, carbon, and basalt fibers on PU strength. The results provide insights into the mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced PU composites, highlighting the factors influencing their compressive and bending strengths. In the compression tests, the glass fiber-reinforced PU samples presented the highest compressive strength of 2460.15 ± 326.2 N, closely followed by the basalt fiber-reinforced samples at 2490.21 ± 210.2 N. In contrast, the carbon fiber-reinforced samples presented a lower strength of 2055.05 ± 74.6 N. Similarly, in the bending tests, the glass fiber-reinforced samples presented superior performance, with a peak force of 108.25 ± 16.9 N, compared to that of the carbon fiber-reinforced samples at 62.45 ± 4.1 N. Further analyses utilizing ANOVA and S/N ratio assessments elucidate the impact of varying parameters on material properties, emphasizing the role of the fiber dimension and material type. This study highlights the potential of glass fiber reinforcement for optimizing mechanical performance, whereas carbon fibers present challenges in maintaining structural integrity during casting. Analytical investigations through finite element modeling (FEM) provide additional insights into the behavior of glass fiber composites under compression and bending loads. The simulation results demonstrate the potential of glass fiber clusters to increase rigidity and reduce displacement in PU matrices. Overall, this study contributes to advancing the understanding of the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced PU composites, offering valuable insights for optimizing material selection and fabrication processes in pursuit of energy-efficient structural solutions.