Testing and Characterization of Simply Supported Pultruded FRP Angle Beams Using Bending Tests

Abstract

Structural performance and buckling behaviors of pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (PFRP) angle profile beams under three-point bending tests are presented in this paper. The angle specimens were evaluated to investigate the effect of unbraced length of the beams on the buckling responses and critical buckling loads. In total, sixteen specimens, including eight span-to-width ratios (L/b) were tested. The dimension of the angle profile was commercially available 76x6.4 mm. The span-to-width ratios of the specimens were in the range of approximately 13 to 59. The constituent materials used for the angle profiles consist of unidirectional E-glass fibers and polyester resin. From the bending tests, the load-deformation relationships and failure modes of angle beams were reported. The experimental results indicated that the critical buckling load decreases as the span-to-width ratio increases. The degree of flexural-torsional buckling is directly related to span-to-width ratio. Furthermore, the comparison between the critical buckling loads obtained from experimental study and prediction using methods provided in AISC-LRFD design equation for PFRP angle profile beams showed an unsatisfactory correlation of the critical buckling loads.