Characterization of Unistrut Connection Method with Pultruded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Channels
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents work to characterize the Unistrut steel connection method for M10 blind fixings using pultruded fiber- reinforced polymer (PFRP) profiles of channel section. Both the standard nut and a smooth nut (standard without the serrations), have been used in the series of tests to determine the degree of shear connection via load-slip behavior, under various applied bolt torques, and pure shear loading. It is shown that the standard nut provides adequate connection shear strength and stiffness, but with severe PFRP material damage that might be detrimental to the connection’s structural performance over or more. The smooth connection is shown to significantly reduce PFRP damage. However, this advantage is linked to a 35% reduction in the connection’s shear resistance, making it less suitable for the development of an economic connection. Preliminary hot/wet aging and creep tests are used to estimate the reduction in strength and stiffness with time. The test results are used to establish four Unistrut connection design parameters that are required for the development of lightweight modular systems of PFRP.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support to M. C. Evernden was given by EPSRC, U.K. The writers also thank P. Delhees of MITA Ltd., U.K., for providing materials and technical advice to the test program. The authors are grateful for the technical support from C. Banks of the School of Engineering, Warwick University.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 18 • Issue 5 • October 2006
Pages: 700 - 709
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 4, 2004
Accepted: Feb 16, 2005
Published online: Oct 1, 2006
Published in print: Oct 2006
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Laura De Lorenzis
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