Transverse impact and axial compression behaviors of glass/epoxy pipes subjected to seawater and impact loading

Abstract

This article investigates the effects of seawater and impact loading on the impact behavior and compressive strength of impacted glass/epoxy composite pipes. The specimens were immersed into artificial seawater at laboratory conditions for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. First, the impact tests were carried out on composite pipes at room temperature, and then, the axial compression tests were performed. The results of immersed samples were compared with that of reference specimens (dry). Seawater effect on the force–deflection behavior and failure mechanism is more than impact energy with increase in pipe diameter, while impact energy effect is more dominant than seawater effect for small diameters of the pipe. Compressive strength generally reduces with increase in seawater immersion time and specimen diameter except for the highest diameter.