Durability of Hybrid Composite Beam Bridges Subjected to Various Environmental Conditioning
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 20, Issue 6
Abstract
The hybrid composite beam (HCB) is a novel idea that combines conventional construction materials (i.e., steel and concrete) with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in a new configuration. This hybridization aims to optimize the beam’s structural performance and produce a structural element that is more durable than conventional members. This study examined the durability of a commercial glass FRP (GFRP) laminate that was used to encase the HCB elements in a recently constructed HCB bridge. The E-glass/vinyl ester laminate was subjected to five aging regimes. These conditioning regimes simulated an alkaline attack, a salt attack, a salt attack that was preceded by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation exposure, and sustained stresses that were accompanied by controlled thermal cycles and natural weathering. The durability of the E-glass/vinyl ester laminate was examined in terms of changes that occurred in the ultimate tensile strength. A microstructural analysis was performed on both unconditioned and conditioned specimens via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The microstructural analysis revealed that the hydroxide and chloride ions penetrated the laminate through the existing voids and cracks without causing hydrolysis to the vinyl ester resin. Both the alkaline and the salt solutions caused fiber-matrix debonding and reduced the glass fibers load-bearing through physico-chemical processes (leaching and the dissolution of fibers). The tensile strength was reduced greatly under the alkali attack. The mechanical testing and the microstructural analysis provided fundamental insight into the durability and stress corrosion mechanisms of the examined GFRP shell under different environmental effects. This information is valuable to enhance the GFRP shell’s durability.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the National University Transportation Center (NUTC) at Missouri S&T for sponsoring this research study. The authors would like also to thank the MoDOT chemical laboratory director and staff for their help in performing the UV and SF exposure regimes. The staff support from the Dept. of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, and Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (CIES) at Missouri S&T are also greatly appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 20 • Issue 6 • December 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 4, 2015
Accepted: Feb 1, 2016
Published online: Apr 25, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 25, 2016
Published in print: Dec 1, 2016
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