The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has developed guidelines for the design of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced concrete structures. Current guidelines require the application of environmental and flexural strength reduction factors, which have minimal experimental validation. Our goal in this research is the development of a Monte Carlo simulation to assess the durability of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete designed for flexure. The results of this simulation can be used to determine appropriate flexural strength reduction factors. Prior to conducting the simulation, long-term GFRP tensile strength values needed to be ascertained. Existing FRP tensile strength models are limited to short-term predictions. This study successfully developed a power law based-FRP tensile strength retention model using currently available tensile strength data for GFRP exposed to variable temperatures and relative humidity. GFRP tensile strength retention results are projected at 0, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 60-year intervals. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is then used to assess the influence beam geometry, concrete strength, fractions of balanced reinforcement ratio, reinforcing bar tensile strength, and environmental reduction factors on the flexural capacity of GFRP reinforced concrete beams. Reliability analysis was successfully used to determine an environmental reduction factor of 0.5 for concrete exposed to earth and weather. For simulations with higher GFRP bar tensile strength as well as larger beam geometry and fractions of the balanced reinforcement ratio, larger moment capacities were produced. A strength reduction factor of approximately 0.8 is calculated for all fractions of balanced reinforcement ratio. The inclusion of more long-term moisture data for GFRP is necessary to develop a more cohesive tensile strength retention model. It is also recommended that longer life cycles of the GFRP reinforced concrete beams be simulated. This research was conducted thanks to support from the National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education's Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Research and Traineeship (Award # DGE-0114342) Note: The opinions expressed herein are the views of the authors and should not be interpreted as the views of the National Science Foundation. / Master of Science

The primary objective of this research was to examine the strength degradation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars at high temperature and alkalinity and determine if an Arrhenius type relationship can be used as a means of projecting life. The work done includes a thorough literature review, experiments and development of strength prediction models. The experimental work involves exposure of GFRP bars incased in cement mortar to lime-water solution at 30, 45 and 57°C. Overall 100 specimens were included in the experimental program. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity retention after 180 days of exposure at 57°C was 57% and 82% respectively. The secondary objective was to determine the moisture absorption properties of GFRP bars. The moisture absorption data available is till 80 days from the immersion of the specimens in the tank. The collected data was used in the development of strength retention models. Two strength prediction models, Time Shift Method and Fickian Model for moisture absorption are formulated. Using the Fickian Model, strength is predicted for GFRP bars, if used in bridge decks in Roanoke, Virginia. The strength loss predicted was 45% after 50 years of exposure in real life environment. A linear relationship was observed when the moisture content and strength retention were plotted. The study estimates a strength loss higher than the ACI-440H recommended environmental degradation factor of 0.7 to calculate the design ultimate tensile strength. / Master of Science

O uso de novos materiais na construção civil combinado com a alta tecnologia dos processos construtivos pode conduzir à redução de custo e melhoria no comportamento da estrutura. Recentemente, em função da corrosão das barras de aço dentre outros fatores, muitos pesquisadores têm sugerido a utilização de barras não-metálicas como substituição das barras aço nas estruturas em concreto. Além das barras não-metálicas permitirem cobrimentos menores e possibilitarem menor custo de manutenção, outras vantagens no seu uso podem ser citadas, tais como: pequeno peso específico, alta resistência à tração, não condutibilidade elétrica, térmica e magnética, entre outras. Este trabalho analisa o comportamento da aderência entre barras de GFRP (barras de fibra de vidro impregnada por polímero) e o concreto, por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica e ensaios de arrancamento padronizados, segundo o RILEM-FIP-CEB (1973). Foram consideradas as influências dos parâmetros como a resistência à compressão do concreto e o diâmetro da barra de GFRP. Com base nos resultados experimentais, buscou-se comparar o comportamento de aderência barra de GFRP-concreto e barra de aço-concreto, além da verificação das formulações para previsão da resistência de aderência segundo códigos normativos e a literatura técnica, para estruturas armadas com barras de aço e barras de FRP. Posteriormente, realizou-se a análise numérica da aderência, por meio do método dos elementos finitos. Nos modelos experimentais de arrancamento pode-se perceber a influência das propriedades mecânicas e da conformação superficial das barras de GFRP no comportamento da aderência, apresentando menores resistências de aderência quando comparadas às barras de aço de diâmetro similar. O valor da resistência de aderência determinado experimentalmente foi maior que o valor proposto pelos códigos normativos. Os modelos numéricos não representaram satisfatoriamente o comportamento experimental, visto que se trata de uma simulação numérica linear e o comportamento experimental força x deslocamento é não-linear. / The use of new materials in civil construction combined with high technology processes leads to improvements in many aspects, like cost reductions and better structural behavior. Recently, due to corrosion of the steel bars, among other factors, many researchers have been suggesting the use of non-metallic bars as a substitution of the steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Besides, the non-metallic bars allow smaller clear cover and make possible lower maintenance cost, other advantages can be mentioned, such as: low specific weight, high tensile strength, electrical, thermal and magnetic non-conductivities, and others. This work analyzes the bond behavior between GFRP bars (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer bars) and concrete, through state-of-art and standard pull-out tests, according to RILEM-FIP-CEB (1973). The influence of some parameters, as compressive concrete strength and GFRP bar diameter, was considered. Based on the experimental results, it was aimed at comparing the bond behavior of the GFRP-concrete bar with the steel-concrete bar, in addition to the verification of bond strength formulations established by the standards codes and the bibliography for structures reinforced with steel bars and FRP bars. Further, the bond numerical analysis was carried out through finite elements. In the pull-out tests, the influence of mechanical properties and superficial conformation on the GFRP bars was observed in the bond behavior, presenting smaller bond strength than the steel bars of similar diameter. The value of the experimental bond strength was larger than the value proposed by standards codes. The numerical models did not represent well the experimental behavior given that a linear numerical simulation was considered, but, actually, the experimental load x slip behavior is non-linear.

O uso de novos materiais na construção civil combinado com a alta tecnologia dos processos construtivos pode conduzir à redução de custo e melhoria no comportamento da estrutura. Recentemente, em função da corrosão das barras de aço dentre outros fatores, muitos pesquisadores têm sugerido a utilização de barras não-metálicas como substituição das barras aço nas estruturas em concreto. Além das barras não-metálicas permitirem cobrimentos menores e possibilitarem menor custo de manutenção, outras vantagens no seu uso podem ser citadas, tais como: pequeno peso específico, alta resistência à tração, não condutibilidade elétrica, térmica e magnética, entre outras. Este trabalho analisa o comportamento da aderência entre barras de GFRP (barras de fibra de vidro impregnada por polímero) e o concreto, por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica e ensaios de arrancamento padronizados, segundo o RILEM-FIP-CEB (1973). Foram consideradas as influências dos parâmetros como a resistência à compressão do concreto e o diâmetro da barra de GFRP. Com base nos resultados experimentais, buscou-se comparar o comportamento de aderência barra de GFRP-concreto e barra de aço-concreto, além da verificação das formulações para previsão da resistência de aderência segundo códigos normativos e a literatura técnica, para estruturas armadas com barras de aço e barras de FRP. Posteriormente, realizou-se a análise numérica da aderência, por meio do método dos elementos finitos. Nos modelos experimentais de arrancamento pode-se perceber a influência das propriedades mecânicas e da conformação superficial das barras de GFRP no comportamento da aderência, apresentando menores resistências de aderência quando comparadas às barras de aço de diâmetro similar. O valor da resistência de aderência determinado experimentalmente foi maior que o valor proposto pelos códigos normativos. Os modelos numéricos não representaram satisfatoriamente o comportamento experimental, visto que se trata de uma simulação numérica linear e o comportamento experimental força x deslocamento é não-linear. / The use of new materials in civil construction combined with high technology processes leads to improvements in many aspects, like cost reductions and better structural behavior. Recently, due to corrosion of the steel bars, among other factors, many researchers have been suggesting the use of non-metallic bars as a substitution of the steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Besides, the non-metallic bars allow smaller clear cover and make possible lower maintenance cost, other advantages can be mentioned, such as: low specific weight, high tensile strength, electrical, thermal and magnetic non-conductivities, and others. This work analyzes the bond behavior between GFRP bars (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer bars) and concrete, through state-of-art and standard pull-out tests, according to RILEM-FIP-CEB (1973). The influence of some parameters, as compressive concrete strength and GFRP bar diameter, was considered. Based on the experimental results, it was aimed at comparing the bond behavior of the GFRP-concrete bar with the steel-concrete bar, in addition to the verification of bond strength formulations established by the standards codes and the bibliography for structures reinforced with steel bars and FRP bars. Further, the bond numerical analysis was carried out through finite elements. In the pull-out tests, the influence of mechanical properties and superficial conformation on the GFRP bars was observed in the bond behavior, presenting smaller bond strength than the steel bars of similar diameter. The value of the experimental bond strength was larger than the value proposed by standards codes. The numerical models did not represent well the experimental behavior given that a linear numerical simulation was considered, but, actually, the experimental load x slip behavior is non-linear.

This thesis deals with junction points of construction used in transport infrastructure, which are made of FRP composite material. Main focus is on bonded joints. The material and geometrical criteria od FRP material and there influence to junctions are analyzed. In sequential steps the development of the design of joints applicable to reference constructions - pedestrian walkways is documented. There are also presented practical experiences from the tests of joints of overlapped and single-sided joints, as well as experience from the design, production and testing of two types of pedestrian bridges on a real scale. Furthermore, extensive comparison of joints, in particular T-joints with closed profiles for selected types of fasteners, is provided. From a simple connection, screws and rivets or plain bonding to combined joints. These are assessed both in terms of bearing capacity and their deformation behavior. These tests are performed for two material combinations, FRP-FRP and FRP-steel.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar o desempenho de colunas com seção I em polímeros reforçados com fibra de vidro (pGFRP) submetidas a cargas de compressão concêntricas de curta duração. Uma revisão bibliográfica acerca das teorias existentes é apresentada, incluindo os conceitos básicos de instabilidade, teoria de flambagem global e local, modos de falha de colunas perfeitas, bem como o comportamento de colunas reais. Um programa experimental foi conduzido, incluindo a caracterização dos materiais. Vinte e nova colunas – com três diferentes seções I e diferentes tipos de resina, propriedades mecânicas, bem como comprimentos – foram testadas. Do ponto de vista global, as colunas foram biengastadas. As placas constituintes, por sua vez, foram testadas com três diferentes condições de contorno: biengastadas (CC), biapoiadas (SS) e simplesmente em contato com as chapas de base da máquina de compressão (CB). Foi observado que a condição de contorno CB – a mais adotada em estudos anteriores -, se aproxima mais de um engaste do que de uma condição simplesmente apoiada. A distribuição não linear de deformações elásticas ao longo da seção também foi investigada. Finalmente, recomendações para um ensaio de flambagem local apropriado foram propostas. / [en] This work aims to investigate the performance of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (pGFRP) I-section columns subject to short term concentric compression. A review of existing theories is presented, including the instability concepts, global and local buckling theories, perfect columns failure modes and the behavior of real columns. An experimental program including material characterization was conducted. Twenty-nine stubs – with three different I-sections geometries, having distinct flange width-to-section depth ratios (bf/d = 0.5; 0.75 and 1.0), mechanical properties, overall lengths and matrices – were tested. In a global point of view, the columns were fixed at both ends. The constituent plates, on the other hand, were tested with different end-conditions: clamped (CC), simply supported (SS) and simply in contact with base plates of the universal machine (CB). The third analyzed boundary condition, which is the most adopted in previous studies, was concluded to be closer to a clamped end-condition. The non-linear elastic strains distribution throughout the cross-section was also investigated. Finally, guideline recommendations for successful local buckling tests were proposed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:09:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAOJ.pdf: 6192010 bytes, checksum: fa94e00175e6f6ea0adcf64f7dcaee5f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-07-25 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This dissertation deals with the use of fiberglass as a concrete addition, in order to improve its mechanical properties such as better crack distribution, or as polymer reinforcement, in order to form a composite to be externally or internally used as reinforcement to other material as concrete or masonry or to use itself as a structural member. The literature review presented is believed to achieve the current state-of-art of the fiberglass use in civil construction applications. Next, usual approaches to dimensioning structural members in GFRP are presented. Construction systems and processes using this material are assessed focused to civil construction. Themes as the technology spread up, Brazilian applications and eventual difficulties are focused. With this research one expects to approach the text to the state-of-art up today. / Essa dissertação trata da utilização da fibra de vidro de duas formas distintas. A primeira como uma adição ao concreto para melhorar suas propriedades mecânicas num elemento estrutural qualquer, visando minimizar a propagação de fissuras por diversas ações. A segunda forma como reforço de polímeros diversos, os quais dão origem a elementos estruturais ou componentes de reforço estrutural interno ou externo de estruturas de concreto, em complemento ou substituição ao aço. É feita a revisão bibliográfica sobre as pesquisas e aplicações que representam hoje o estado-da-arte do uso desses materiais em construção civil. Em seguida, enumeram-se alguns processos de cálculo usuais para esse sistema construtivo. Posteriormente, são apresentados diversos exemplos de aplicação que fazem uso da fibra de vidro. do GRC ou dos GFRP como componentes estruturais, com enfoque para a construção civil. São abordados aspectos relativos à disseminação da tecnologia, aplicações no Brasil e dificuldades a serem transpostas. Com essa pesquisa espera-se aproximar o texto ao estadoda- arte até hoje.

Desde la aparición de los redondos de fibra de vidrio como armado del hormigón, las recomendaciones existentes sobre su uso, están en continua revisión al tratarse de un material innovador en el mundo de la ingeniería. Sin embargo, todos los códigos y guías de diseño existentes de elementos de hormigón armado con redondos de GFRP, no consideran en el diseño la resistencia a compresión de los redondos, al no existir métodos de ensayos contrastados, ni resultados homogéneos en los mismos, despreciándose su contribución debido a su bajo módulo de elasticidad, y a consideraciones económicas injustificables. Esta tesis se centra en definir un método de diseño y cálculo de elementos de hormigón armado con redondos de fibra de vidrio, incluyendo su uso como armadura a compresión, así como su posible resistencia frente al fuego. La tesis presenta una metodología adecuada a una investigación de los elementos de hormigón armado con este tipo de redondos, basándose principalmente en una amplia base experimental. Se realiza una recopilación bibliográfica y una elaboración de un estado del arte de las aplicaciones de los redondos de FRP como armado del hormigón, y de las directrices existentes en cada uno de los códigos o guías vigentes. Tras ello, se recoge el proceso y los resultados de los trabajos experimentales de los ensayos de tracción, compresión, cortante y adherencia ejecutados a las probetas de fibra de vidrio RTHp, con el fin de obtener de sus características mecánicas, para posteriormente lograr su ratificación por el CSIC, a través del Instituto "Eduardo Torroja", dando pie a la comprobación de su uso como armadura a compresión en elementos de hormigón armado. Conocido el comportamiento de los redondos, se elabora unas directrices de diseño para elementos de hormigón armado bajo estados limites, cumpliendo con los preceptos marcados por la EHE-08 con respecto a la compatibilidad de tensiones y deformaciones. / Almerich Chulia, AI. (2011). Diseño, según estados límites, de estructuras de hormigón armado con redondos de fibra de vidrio GFRP [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/9744 / Palancia

Conventional fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) require polymers such as epoxies that are not biodegradable, which have a significant impact on the environment. The first phase of the thesis aims at replacing conventional polymers with sustainable bio-polymers. The tensile mechanical properties of glass-FRP (GFRP) laminates using two types of organic furfuryl alcohol bio-resins extracted from renewable resources, such as corncobs, were investigated. Results are compared to control specimens fabricated using conventional epoxy resin. It was shown that by careful selection of viscosity of bio-resin, and type and dosage of catalyst, similar mechanical properties to epoxy-GFRP can be achieved. The second and third phases consisted of durability testing of the bio-resin GFRP. A total of 160 tension coupons and 81 unconfined and confined concrete cylinders wrapped with bio-resin-GFRP were studied. Conditioning was achieved by immersion of the specimens in saline solutions with 3% salt concentration, at 23, 40 and 55 degrees Celcius, for up to 300 days. Specimens were compared to epoxy-GFRP specimens aged in the same environment. Deterioration was quantified by tensile testing of the coupons and compression testing of the cylinders at various stages of exposure. The bio-resin-GFRP showed 33% less tensile strength retention than the epoxy-GFRP. The epoxy-GFRP and bio-resin-GFRP wrapped cylinders had the same un-aged confined axial compressive strength (fcc’), essentially a strengthening ratio (fcc’/fc’) of 2.24. After 300 days, the (fcc’/fc’) ratio retentions for the bio-resin-GFRP was 73% at all temperatures. Using the Arrhenius model, it was predicted that 61% retention in tensile strength of the bio-resin-GFRP and 65% retention of the compressive strength of wrapped cylinders would occur after 100 years in an environment with a mean annual temperatures of 10 degrees Celcius. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-24 00:02:25.683

The first part of the thesis addresses the fatigue performance of concrete bridge decks with GFRP stay-in-place structural forms replacing the bottom layer of rebar. The forms were either flat plate with T-up ribs joined using lap splices, or corrugated forms joined through pin-and-eye connections. The decks were supported by simulated Type III precast AASHTO girders spaced at 1775mm (6ft.). Two surface preparations were examined for each GFRP form, either using adhesive coating that bonds to freshly cast concrete, or simply cleaning the surface before casting. For the bonded deck with flat-ribbed forms, adhesive bond and mechanical fasteners were used at the lap splice, whereas the lap splice of the unbonded deck had no adhesive or fasteners. All the decks survived 3M cycles at 123kN service load of CL625 CHBDC design truck. The bonded flat-ribbed-form deck survived an additional 2M cycles at a higher load simulating a larger girder spacing of 8ft. Stiffness degradations were 9-33% with more reduction in the unbonded specimens. Nonetheless, live load deflections of all specimens remained below span/1600. The residual ultimate strengths after fatigue were reduced by 5% and 27% for the flat-ribbed and corrugated forms, respectively, but remained 7 and 3 times higher than service load. The second part of the thesis investigates the performance of bridge deck overhangs reinforced by GFRP rebar. Overhangs of full composite slab-on-girder bridge decks at 1:2.75 scale were tested monotonically under an AASHTO tire pad. Five tests were conducted on overhangs of two lengths: 260mm and 516mm, representing scaled overhangs of 6ft. and 8ft. girder spacing, respectively. The 260mm overhang was completely reinforced with GFRP rebar while the 516mm overhang consisted of a GFRP-reinforced section and a steel-reinforced section. The peak loads were approximately 2 to 3 times the established equivalent service load of 24.3kN, even though the overhangs were not designed for flexure according to the CHBDC but rather with lighter minimum reinforcement in anticipation of shear failure. The failure mode Abstract ii of each overhang section was punching shear. The steel-reinforced overhang section exhibited a greater peak load capacity (13.5%) and greater deformability (35%) when compared to the GFRP-reinforced overhang section. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-09-17 18:54:18.131