Web crippling performance of pultruded GFRP C sections strengthened by fibre-reinforced epoxy composite

• Main Authors: Lakhiar M.T., Kong S.Y., Bai Y., Miah M.J., Syamsir A.
• Other Authors: 57205323875
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2024
• Subjects: ETF; Fibre-reinforced epoxy composite; GFRP; ITF; Strengthening; Web crippling; Fiber reinforced plastics; Fibers; Loading; C-sections; Exterior two-flange; Fiber reinforced epoxy composites; Glassfiber reinforced polymers (GFRP); Interior two flanges; Loading condition; Performance; Strengthened glass; Flanges

This study aims to improve the web crippling performance of pultruded glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) C sections using fibre-reinforced epoxy composite (FEC). The strengthened GFRP C sections were subjected to two loading conditions: interior-two-flange (ITF) and exterior two-flange (ETF). The parameters considered were bearing lengths, FEC strengthening length and thicknesses. Two failure modes, namely web-flange junction failure and web buckling failure were observed for the pultruded GFRP C sections under ETF loading conditions as the bearing length changed. While the combination of the web-flange junction and FEC crushing failures were observed under ITF loading conditions at 20 mm and 50 mm bearing lengths. Furthermore, the average web crippling capacity of strengthened GFRP C sections improved by up to 426 % and 488 %, in comparison to control samples under ETF and ITF loading conditions, respectively. The average web crippling capacity of pultruded GFRP C sections increased up to 45 % when the bearing length increased from 20 mm to 50 mm. The finite element (FE) outcomes showed an agreement with experimental results in the context of failure patterns, load-displacement profiles and web crippling capacities. Finally, equations were proposed to estimate the web crippling capacity of pultruded GFRP C sections strengthened with FEC. � 2023 Elsevier Ltd