Development of GFRP and UHF composite girders

Abstract

In this paper, the development of a composite girder using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), ultra high strength fiber reinforced concrete (UHF) and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bolts is illustrated. Experiments were carried out previously with steel bolts which connect the UHF blocks to the GFRP beam. Because of the corrosion of the steel bolts, the life span of the composite girder is reduced. Therefore, in this test series FRP bolts were used. Four point bending tests were conducted for a number of I-beams of same cross-sectional dimensions having epoxy bonded and FRP bolted UHF blocks at the top flange. In order to check the performance of the FRP bolt connections between FRP beam and UHF blocks, different bolt diameters and bolt spacing were considered. Behavior of the strain variation of top flange was compared in order to check the utilization of the ultimate tensile strain of GFRP. In fact, the experiment results show that the failure load of the composite I-beam has reduced compared to similar steel bolt connection. However, failure load similar to steel bolt connection can be achieved with many FRP bolts. Therefore, the FRP bolts can be used in UHF and GFRP composite girder which increase the durability of the girder.