Long-Term Durability Assessment of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Bars: An Experimental Study
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Doh, Jeung-Hwan
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Ong, Dominic E.L.
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Abstract
The global construction industry is at a pivotal moment, as efforts toward sustainability are prompting a transition from traditional reinforced concrete to innovative and eco-friendly materials. This transformation is particularly vital in coastal regions, such as those in Australia, where corrosive marine environments significantly threaten the longevity of steel-reinforced structures. Among the materials leading this change, Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars stand out for their remarkable properties, including superior strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to environmental degradation. GFRP bars offer a promising solution to the challenges of corrosion and weight in traditional construction materials. Their lightweight nature significantly reduces the load on structures, while their resistance to corrosion makes them ideal for use in harsh environmental conditions, including those prevalent in marine and coastal settings. Despite their advantages, the use of GFRP bars faces several obstacles. The material's brittleness and the lack of early warning signs before failure present significant safety concerns. These challenges underscore the need for comprehensive research and development efforts to establish robust standards and specifications that ensure the safe application of GFRP in construction. The durability of GFRP materials in diverse environmental conditions is a complex matter, influenced by factors like moisture, chemical exposure, and physical stress. Traditional methods of evaluating material durability, focused on corrosion, are inadequate for GFRP bars. Instead, accelerated aging testing has emerged as a vital tool for simulating the long-term effects of environmental exposure on these materials. Such tests are crucial for understanding the degradation processes affecting GFRP bars, including the hydrolysis reactions that compromise their structural integrity over time. Despite the recognized potential of GFRP bars for enhancing the sustainability and durability of construction projects, research into their long-term performance, particularly in marine environments, remains limited. The variability of environmental conditions, including differences in seawater composition and microbial activity, complicates the extrapolation of findings and necessitates a more nuanced approach to durability studies. The research presented addresses critical gaps by thoroughly examining the resilience of GFRP bars under various environmental conditions. This study encompasses comprehensive literature reviews, rigorous experimental investigations, and the development of predictive models to provide valuable insights into the performance of both solid and hollow GFRP bars. Specifically, the experimental work involves immersing both types of GFRP bars in water baths maintained at 20°C, 40°C, and 50°C. At each temperature, samples are subdivided into three groups and submerged for 1000, 3000, and 5000 hours, respectively. Following immersion, tensile strength and elastic modulus tests are conducted to assess the materials' performance. By analysing the data obtained from these accelerated aging tests, the research aims to predict the long-term durability of GFRP materials. This investigation significantly enhances the understanding of the environmental impacts on GFRP bars and enables more accurate predictions of their lifespan and reliability in construction applications.
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Master of Philosophy
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School of Eng & Built Env
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The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
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glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP)
tensile strength
Arrhenius model
durability