Fatigue life prediction of GFRP composite material at coupon and component level.

摘要

In this study unidirectional, bidirectional glass fabric reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were tested under fatigue loads to determine their fatigue life. The experimental fatigue life of FRP coupons was compared with the predicted fatigue life which was evaluated based on the internal strain energy model proposed by GangaRao and Natarajan (2003). It was found from the strain energy model that the power law accurately describes the relationship between energy release rate, DeltaU and normalized strain, x (applied strain to ultimate strain) as DeltaU = ax b, where 'a' and 'b' are the fatigue coefficients.;Further rectangular single cell and multi-cell GFRP deck components (Prodeck 4) were also evaluated under fatigue to determine their strain energy loss per cycle. It was found that the fatigue coefficient 'a' depends on the energy release rate while 'b' depends on material constants such as damping and bond strength between fibers/fabrics and matrix. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)