Performance of GFRP under tropical climate

Abstract

In this study, two types of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were subjected to both outdoor weathering and accelerated weathering in a chamber to evaluate the durability of the composites under tropical climate. Engineering properties of GFRP laminates were evaluated after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for outdoor exposure, as well as after equivalent exposure times in the accelerated weathering chamber. The results from the two exposure tests were correlated and confirmed that similar material deterioration as under outdoor exposure could be achieved at an accelerated rate of 6 times in the chamber. In addition, the mechanical properties of GFRP laminates obtained from weathering tests were used to predict the ultimate moment capacity and failure mode of GFRP-strengthened RC beams which were also exposed to the same weathering conditions. Test results showed that the tensile and bond strength of GFRP laminates decreased with the period of weathering. Failure modes of the GFRP-strengthened beams were varied by weathering under actual or simulated tropical climate, and these were adequately predicted using an analytical model incorporating weathering test data of the material.