Experimental Study on Tensile Properties of GFRP Bars Embedded in Concrete Beams with Working Cracks

Abstract

This paper presents the test results of an experimental study carried out to investigate the tensile properties of GFRP bars embedded in concrete beams with working cracks. The specimens were conditioned with sustained loading in 50°C alkaline solution and tap water for 6, 12, 18 months. The tensile test results show that the degradation rate of GFRP bars embedded in the concrete specimens with work cracks is larger than that of non-work cracks, while the effect of working cracks on the elastic modulus is not significant. The microstructure of GFRP bar surface before and after the test was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential-scanning calorimetry (DSC), the degree of hydrolysis reaction and glass transition temperature is also analyzed. Compared with the hydrolysis of resin matrix, it can be found that the deterioration of glass fiber and the delamination at the interfacial is more pronounced for the GFRP bars embedded in concrete beams. As a result, the mainly reason that caused the degradation of GFRP bars embedded in concrete environments are the deterioration of glass fiber and the delamination at the interfacial.