ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASS-FRP AND ARAMID-FRP REBARS

摘要

In the paper, the experimental results on the effect of temperature and moisture on the mechanical properties of FRP(Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) reinforcements are presented. FRP rebars made from glass and aramid fibers were subjected to cyclic thermal actions at temperatures ranging between 20 and 70 deg C, typical of natural hot-climate environments. Tensile tests were also carried out on FRP rebars. The effect of moisture was investigated by cyclic wetting and drying the FRP rebars in the laboratory conditions before their testing in tension. At last, the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the FRP rebars exposed to these cyclic actions were compared with those obtained for unexposed ones, in order to evaluate the mechanical damage caused by environmental conditions.