Material characterization and structural behaviour of GFRP pultruded profiles

Abstract

<p>This paper presents results of experimental and numerical investigations on GFRP pultruded profiles, developed to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the GFRP material and to investigate the structural behaviour of GFRP pultruded beams, regarding both their serviceability and failure behaviour. Experimental tests were first carried out on small scale specimens in order to determine the shear, flexural, tensile and compressive properties of the material. Full-scale flexural tests were then conducted on GFRP pultruded I-section simply supported beams and cantilevers, in order to evaluate their service behaviour and the most relevant failure mechanisms and respective ultimate loads.</p><p>Results from experimental tests are compared with results obtained from numerical models and analytical methods, in order to evaluate their relative accuracy.</p>