Academic literature on the topic 'FRP composite'

This thesis describes a method of development of a novel fibre based on fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), for use fibre reinforcement in concrete. Thermosetting epoxy resin matrix were reinforced with E-glass, S-glass, and Carbon fibre to produce different types of composite fibres. The FRP panels were produced using the Vacuum Infusion technique, and then cut to different fibre sizes. The volume fractions of reinforcements within the FRP fibre were controlled by using woven and unidirectional fabrics. The number of layers of reinforcing fibres were also changed, to obtain the optimal thickness of the fibres. The FRP material was characterized by means of tensile tests and microscope image analysis. Four different compositions of FRP were produced with tensile strengths ranging from 195 MPa to 950 MPa. The different combinations in geometry broadened the total number of fibres investigated to 12. Single fibre pullout tests were performed to obtain the fundamental fibre-matrix interfacial bond parameters for the different FRP fibres. The FRP fibres, being hydrophilic, along with having a unique rough surface texture, showed a good bond with cement matrix. A bond strength superior to industrially available straight steel fibres and crimped polypropylene fibres has been observed. The 3 best fibres were then chosen to examine the flexural behaviour FRP fibre reinforced concrete beams. The optimized FRP fibres, one each of Glass FRP and Carbon FRP were then further investigated to study the effect of matrix maturity, temperature, fibre inclination, and loading rate on the fibre-matrix interfacial behaviour using single fibre pullout tests. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to identify the effect of above-mentioned factors on the surface characteristics of the fibre. An attempt was also made to optimize the fibre-matrix interface to achieve an optimized failure mechanism by coating the fibre with oil. The ability of the fibre to transfer stresses across a cracked section over extended periods has been investigated by means of fibre-relaxation tests. Finally, to assess durability, the fibres were conditioned at high pH and high temperature after which single fibre pullout, direct tension tests, & SEM analysis were conducted.<br>Applied Science, Faculty of<br>Civil Engineering, Department of<br>Graduate

As fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) structures find application in highway bridge structures, methodologies for describing their long-term performance under service loading will be a necessity for designers. The designer of FRP bridge structures is faced with out-of-plane damage and delamination at ply interfaces. The damage most often occurs between hybrid plys and dominates the life time response of a thick section FRP structure. The focus of this work is on the performance of the 20.3 cm (8 in) pultruded, hybrid double web I-beam structural shape. Experimental four-point bend fatigue results indicate that overall stiffness reduction of the structure is controlled by the degradation of the tensile flange. The loss of stiffness in the tensile flange results in the redistribution of the stresses and strains, until the initiation of failure by delamination in the compression flange. These observations become the basis of the assumptions used to develop an analytical life prediction model. In the model, the tensile flange stiffness is reduced based on coupon test data, and is used to determine the overall strength reduction of the beam in accordance the residual strength life prediction methodology. Delamination initiation is based on the out-of-plane stress sz at the free edge. The stresses are calculated using two different approximations, the Primitive Delamination Model and the Minimization of Complementary Energy. The model successfully describes the onset of delamination prior to fiber failure and suggests that out-of-plane failure controls the life of the structure.<br>Master of Science

This dissertation presents findings from three separate investigations, a laboratory study and two field studies that evaluated the durability of the Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)-concrete bond. The laboratory study explored the role of porosity on CFRP-concrete bond following immersion in warm water. Two disparate field studies measured residual bond after 20 years outdoor exposure of FRP repairs of full-size masonry walls and after 12 years for partially submerged piles supporting the Friendship Trail Bridge, Tampa Bay. The ACI 440 code requires the same surface preparation for all externally bonded FRP concrete repairs. This disregards the role of porosity that is a function of the water / cementitious (w/c) ratio. Concretes with high w/c ratios are low strength concretes, have large voids and a more elaborate capillary pore network compared to low w/c, high strength concretes. Epoxies will therefore penetrate deeper into high porosity concretes. As a result, the performance of low strength, high porosity concrete under moisture exposure can be anticipated to be superior. The laboratory study was intended to determine whether this hypothesis was correct or not. Three different concrete mixes with water / cementitious ratios of 0.73, 0.44 and 0.25 representing high, medium and low porosities were used for the study. The corresponding target compressive strengths were 2,500 psi, 5,000 psi and 7,500 psi respectively. A total of eighteen, 9 in. x 9 in. x 2.5 in. thick slabs, three for each concrete porosity were tested. Slabs were allowed to cure for over 90 days before surfaces were lightly sand blasted to provide the required concrete surface profile (CSP 3). Specimens were then pre-conditioned in an oven for 48 hours to ensure uniform drying. Concrete porosity was characterized using mercury porosimetry, SEM, 3D surface scanning and images obtained using a portable microscope. Two commercially available CFRP materials were bonded to the oven-dried prepared slab surfaces and the epoxy allowed to cure at room temperature for 4 weeks. Twelve FRP bonded slabs were completely submerged in potable water at 30 oC (86 oF) as part of the aging program. The six remaining slabs were used for establishing baseline bond values through destructive pull-off tests. The twelve exposed slabs were similarly tested following 15 weeks of exposure. Results showed minimal degradation in the high porosity, low strength concrete but over 20% reduction in the low porosity, higher strength concrete. Analysis of the failure plane indicated that the lower porosity of the high strength concrete had limited the depth to which the epoxy could penetrate. This was confirmed from magnified images of the bond line taken using a microscope and from a careful assessment of the failure mode. Findings also suggest that the CSP 3 surface profile (light sand blasting) may be adequate for lower strength concrete but not so for higher strength concrete. For applications where FRP concrete repairs of higher strength concrete are permanently or intermittently exposed to moisture, alternative surface preparation may be needed to allow epoxy to penetrate deeper into the concrete substrate. The viscosity of the resin hitherto not considered may be a critical parameter. In 1995, two full-scale concrete masonry walls were repaired using three horizontally aligned 20 in. (508 mm) wide uni-directional carbon fiber sheets using different commercially available epoxies. Twenty years later the CFRP-CMU bond was determined through selective pull-off tests that were preceded by detailed non-destructive evaluation. Results showed that despite superficial damage to the top epoxy coating and debonding along masonry joints, the residual CFRP-CMU bond was largely unaffected by prolonged exposure to Florida’s harsh environment. Therein, 99% of samples exhibited in cohesive failure of the CMU or mortar. Pull-off strength was poorer at mortar joints but because the CFRP was well bonded to the masonry surface, its impact on structural performance of the repair was expected to be minimal. Overall, the repairs proved to be durable with both epoxy systems performing well. The Friendship Trail Bridge linking St. Petersburg to Tampa FL was demolished in 2016. This was the site of three disparate demonstration projects in which 13 corroding reinforced concrete piles were repaired using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) in 2003-04, 2006, and 2008. The repairs were undertaken using combinations of carbon and glass fiber, pre-preg and wet layup, epoxy and polyurethane resin, and were installed using either shrink wrap or pressure bagging. Residual FRP-concrete bond was evaluated after up to 12 years of exposure through 120 pull-off tests conducted on 10 representative repaired piles. Results showed a wide variation in the measured pull-off strength depending on the type of resin, the number of FRP layers, the prevailing conditions at the time the epoxy was mixed and the method of installation. Epoxy-based systems were found to be sensitive to ambient conditions at installation. Pressure bagging improved performance. The highest residual bond was recorded in pressure bagged piles repaired in 2008. The findings suggest that in marine environments epoxy-based systems installed using pressure bagging can lead to durable repairs.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002.<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 101 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-101).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 91 p. : ill. (some col.) Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-85).

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are considered very promising for infrastructure applications such as repair, rehabilitation and replacement of deteriorated bridge decks. However, there is lack of proper understanding of the structural behavior of FRP decks. For example, due to the localization of load under a truck tire, the conventionally used uniform patch loading is not suitable for performance evaluation of FRP composite deck systems with cellular geometry and relatively low modulus (compared to concrete decks). In this current study, a simulated tire patch loading profile has been proposed for testing and analysis of FRP deck. The tire patch produced significantly different failure mode (local transverse failure under the tire patch) compared to the punching-shear mode obtained using the conventional rectangular steel plate. The local response of a cellular FRP composite deck has been analyzed using finite element simulation and results are compared with full scale laboratory experiment of bridge deck and structure. Parametric studies show that design criteria based on global deck displacement is inadequate for cellular FRP deck and local deformation behavior must be considered. The adhesive bonding method is implemented for joining of bridge deck panels and response of structural joint analyzed experimentally. Strength, failure mode and fatigue life prediction methodologies for a cellular FRP bridge deck are presented in this dissertation.<br>Ph. D.