Pamogas, Nathan (2018) Long-term Flexural Performance of Epoxy-coated GFRP Composite Laminates. [USQ Project]
Abstract
The use of glass fibre-reinforced polymers (GFRP) have gained mainstream acceptance due to its low production cost, high strength and stiffness to weight ratios, high corrosive resistance and low density compared to conventional steel or aluminium. In civil engineering applications, GFRP composites are exposed to high moisture and temperature which, long-term, can lead to severe degradations (Manalo et al, 2017). On the other hand, epoxy resin is known to possess superior mechanical properties and durability characteristics. The focus of this comparative research is to better understand the significance of coating GFRP with epoxy-resin in enhancing its long-term flexural behaviour under these accelerated environmental conditions.
An extensive experimental program was implemented to evaluate the long-term flexural performance of epoxy-coated GFRP composites, which can be divided into the following: o Specimen preparation: A total of 54 GFRP coupons were cut longitudinally and transversely to the desired dimensions. Half of the sample size were then coated with an epoxy resin mix. o Conditioning: GFRP samples were placed for 1000, 2000 and 3000 hrs in an environmental chamber and exposed to an RH of 98% and 60°C elevated temperature. o Flexural test: Three-point static bending test was implemented in accordance with the ASTM D790-15 standard to evaluate the flexural property of coated and non-epoxy coated GFRP composite specimens.
This investigation compared the strength deterioration of epoxy-coated and uncoated GFRP laminates subjected to accelerated environmental conditions as well as studied the significance of coating on strength degradation of GFRP. The results and mathematical analysis showed that the flexural properties of GFRP laminates deteriorate with increased long-term exposure to the elevated environments. In addition, epoxy-coated GFRP laminates possessed higher retention capabilities than its uncoated counterpart. These findings were compared to relevant studies conducted by other academic researchers. Furthermore, an empirical model, based on the experimental results, was proposed to help predict the long-term flexural behaviour of GFRP.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Manalo, Allan; Mehrinejad, Mojdeh |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Aug 2022 04:11 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jun 2023 02:26 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | glass fibre-reinforced polymers (GFRP); long-term performance |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40720 |
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