Experimental study on GFRP pipes under axial compression

Abstract

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is suitable for structures in corrosive environment and long-span light-weight structures due to its high-strength, light-weight, and anti-corrosive qualities. The behavior of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) pipes, which are the members of long-span lattice structures, under axial compression was investigated by tests. Short GFRP pipes were first tested to determine the basic mechanical properties. Then the stability of long GFRP pipes was studied by axially compressive tests in four groups with different slenderness ratios, twelve specimens totally. Based on the results of the tests and literature, the formula of the buckling load of composite pipes under axially compressive load was presented based on Perry formula. It can well predict the buckling failure load GFRP pipe under axial compression.

Keywords

stability, buckling, corrosion resistance, long-span structure, light-weight structure