Characterisation of C-shape pultruded fibre reinforced polymer for bridge structures

Abstract

The development of polymer technology has been increased for the past 20 years. Most of the polymer based product is available for aviation, automotive, industrial, and infrastructure purposes include bridges. But, information concern with the used of polymer materials for bridge structures are scattered. In this paper, characterisation was made to investigate the applicability of pultruded fibre reinforced polymer (PFRP) for bridges as structural elements. Several experiments test was then carried out to determine the physical and mechanical properties of PFRP. Some results are compared with the available pre-standard of PFRP for structures. Afterwards, an ageing test was undertaken to observe the effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of PFRP. Comparison with the pre-standard of PFRP for structures show that the physical characteristics are satisfied the minimum requirements. In the mechanical part, the tensile and flexural properties of tested PFRP are conform with the pre-standard of PFRP, whereas the compressive strength was below the recommendation of the pre-standard. From ageing test under high temperature, the PFRP strength is possible to increase or decrease. Enhancement of mechanical strength could be generated by polymer cross-linking reactions which takes place after the production of PFRP and accelerated by high temperature. While, the decreasing of strength is related to the delamination process of the fibre.