Durability Assessment of Glass FRP Solid and Hollow Bars (Rock Bolts) for Application in Ground Control of Jurong Rock Caverns in Singapore
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 21, Issue 3
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the durability of two types of vinyl-ester/glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rock bolts [solid and hollow (tubular) GFRP bars] that were subsequently used for ground control of the Jurong rock caverns in Singapore. The testing program aimed to assess the long-term durability characteristics of unstressed hollow and solid GFRP rock bolts subjected to a saline solution (simulating the subsea cavern water of the Jurong rock caverns in Singapore) and predicting their long-term tensile strength in such environments. The study simulated rather aggressive conditions by immersing the hollow and solid GFRP bars (rock bolts) in the solution at different elevated temperatures (20, 40, and 50°C) in climate chambers for different exposure times of 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000 h. Arrhenius plots were applied to the test results, extrapolating the project’s life to 50 years at a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 32°C. The predicted tensile strength at a MAT of 32°C is 96.8 and 97.3% for a service life of 50 years for solid and hollow GFRP bars, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the tested GFRP rock bolts were recommended as alternatives to stainless-steel rock bolts and successfully used as ground control in the Jurong rock caverns in Singapore.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, Hyundai Engineering and Construction (Singapore), and Firep International AG (Switzerland). The authors thank the technical staff at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada) for their assistance in fabricating and testing the specimens.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 21 • Issue 3 • June 2017
Copyright
©2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 3, 2016
Accepted: Sep 20, 2016
Published online: Nov 18, 2016
Discussion open until: Apr 18, 2017
Published in print: Jun 1, 2017
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