The performance of laminated pin-loaded looped tensile structural elements made from unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) straps, these being models for possible bridge deck suspender cables, is investigated at elevated temperatures. This paper focuses on the effects of elevated temperature on the tensile performance of pretensioned, pin-loaded straps. The elevated temperature tests are both steady state thermal and transient state thermal tests. In the former case, eight target temperatures in the range of 24°C to 600°C were chosen based on results from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The latter case consists of three different tensile load levels (10kN, 15kN, 20kN); once the target load was reached the temperature was increased at a specified rate from 24°C to 600°C until the ultimate failure of the strap. At least three repeat tests per category will be conducted.
展开▼
