Experimental Behavior of Hybrid Wood-Plastic Composite Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Structural Members for Use in Sustained Loading Applications

摘要

In the design and construction of waterfront structures, there is a need for the development of a corrosion-resistant, lightweight, cost effective, and environmentally friendly structural material. Hybrid structural members made of wood-plastic composites (WPC) with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement would be corrosion-resistant and relatively lightweight. An additional advantage is that the WPC portion can be produced from recycled plastics and wood residuals. Before using WPCs in structural applications, a better understanding of the material properties and behavior under sustained loads must be realized. In this study, a quasi-static and long-term experimental program based on material coupon and full-sized beam bending specimens is presented. Material coupon testing in tension, compression, and shear is conducted with the aid of a three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) system, which allows a full-field, non-contact measurement of surface strains. Full-sized, hybrid WPC-FRP members are also characterized experimentally in bending. The material experimental response under uniaxial tension and compression is related to the short- and long-term beam bending response.