Innovative and Sustainable Materials in Architectural Engineering

Abstract

The advantages of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material have attracted architectural engineers as alternative construction materials. FRP materials are noncorrosive, lightweight, exhibit high tensile strength, and stiffness, are easily fabricated and constructed. For architectural applications, FRP materials are fabricated using a polymer matrix, such as epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester, and reinforced with various grades of carbon, glass, and/or aramid fibers. In this study, FRP coupons have been tested under axial tensile load to evaluate the strength of these materials for architectural application. Coupon specimens were cut from two different types of glass-FRP (GFRP) tubes namely: Type I and II, the two types had constant internal diameter equal to 152 mm. The GFRP tubes Type I consist of six layers with (±60°) fibers angles oriented mainly in the hoop direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubes, the total thickness is 2.65 mm. While GFRP tubes I consist of fourteen layers with different fibers angles (±65, ±45, ±65) and the total thickness are 6.4 mm. The test results were presented and discussed. The strength of the coupon showed an acceptable level to be used for architectural application. Some of the FRP composites successful applications are briefly presented and discussed to provide the appropriate background for the application of FRP composites in architectural engineering. The promising results presented for the GFRP materials represent a further step toward architectural application.