Response of GFRP bars at different temperatures
Farid Abed
Abstract
Abstract. Owing to their numerous advantages, industries have been adopting fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars as reinforcement in concrete members due to their superior mechanical properties and high durability. More specifically, glass FRP (GFRP) bars have been increasingly adopted for use in harsh environmental conditions due to their excellent corrosion resistance. However, the compressive response of the GFRP bars at high temperatures has yet to be studied. This paper presents the results of an experimental study that aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) bars subjected to compressive loads at various elevated temperatures and deformation rates. Four different temperatures, ranging between ambient and 150°C, and two deformation rates were considered. The compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity for each bar sample are measured and the failure modes are demonstrated. It was observed that the compressive strength of GFRP bars is similar under both loading rates for all temperature conditions. However, the elastic modulus of the bars showed a slight discrepancy between the different load rates, especially at an elevated temperature of 150°C. The test results indicate a linear degradation in the mechanical properties as the temperature is raised. In addition, the observed failure mode for the tested samples is splitting of the bars.