Nonlocal theoretical inquiry into pultruded GFRP plate dynamics: Integrating experimental and numerical analyses

Abstract

Few studies combining experimental and theoretical analyses of pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are available in the literature. In this study, experimental methods and a nonlocal theoretical approach were used to investigate the flexural performance of pultruded glass-FRP (GFRP) plates. In the theoretical method used, the Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory was adopted so that small-scale material effects on pultruded FRP composite plates were taken into account. Based on the plate theory of high-order shear deformation, the kinematic relationships of the composite plates were established. The stiffness matrix coefficients and tangential stiffness matrix were shown along with the nonlocal force vector. Also, finite element modeling was performed with the help of ABAQUS for the accuracy of experimental and theoretical results. For the analysis, a variety of laminated plate types were taken into consideration. The flexural performance was investigated utilizing flexural tests under point and distributed loads. To comprehend the behavior of the pultruded GFRP plates more fully, macro mechanical damage analyses were carried out. Numerical values were compared with experimental findings, theoretical solution results, and finite element simulation results which were found to be very similar.