Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

P. V. Vijay

Committee Co-Chair

Hota GangaRao.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to verify/modify/develop standardized test methods for evaluating mechanical properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars by conducting limited complementary tests to determine/verify their mechanical properties. Both short and long-term tests were conducted as a part of this research. Short-term tests included tension, flexure, shear and bond property evaluations. Long-term tests included evaluation of moisture absorption and flexural tests on aged bars. A total of 229 FRP bars with different fibers (carbon, glass and aramid), varying diameters (# 3 to #8) and surface textures (ribbed, sand-coated, and sand-coated with helical wraps) were tested under this research.;Tension tests were conducted using grips made of split schedule 80 steel pipes that were bonded to the bars using a commercially available resin. Grip lengths based on diameter of FRP bars were established to be varying from 8&inches; to 13.3&inches; for #3 to #8 bars, respectively. Average tensile strengths of FRP bars were found to be 256 ksi (ribbed carbon ), 83 to 77 ksi (ribbed glass), 82 to 67 ksi ( sand coated glass), and 173 ksi (sand coated aramid). (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

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