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  4. Effect of Natural Weathering on Durability of Pultruded Glass Fiber-Reinforced Bridge and Building Structures
 
research article

Effect of Natural Weathering on Durability of Pultruded Glass Fiber-Reinforced Bridge and Building Structures

Keller, Thomas  
•
Theodorou, Nikolaos A.
•
Vassilopoulos, Anastasios P.  
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2016
Journal of Composites for Construction

After 17 and 15years of use, respectively, a detailed inspection of a pedestrian bridge and a 5-story building structure composed of partly adhesively bonded pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) profiles was conducted accompanied by full-scale serviceability and destructive coupon testing on exchangeable profiles. The bridge is exposed to a harsh Alpine climate and the building to a mild plateau climate. The system and material stiffness of the bridge remained unchanged during the 17years. The material strength of the bridge, however, was significantly affected by combined freeze-thaw cycles and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The latter accelerated the strength degradation by uncovering the fibers (fiber blooming) and thus inducing humidity ingress into the material by wicking effects. A large majority of the small-area adhesive bonds in the bridge were intact, although a few small cracks were observed in some joints at the surface. The large-area bonds of the building did not show any damage. Based on results of the inspection of the bridge, the application of an appropriate coating on pultruded GFRP structures exposed to harsh environments is recommended. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.

  • Details
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Type
research article
DOI
10.1061/(Asce)Cc.1943-5614.0000589
Web of Science ID

WOS:000370080100015

Author(s)
Keller, Thomas  
Theodorou, Nikolaos A.
Vassilopoulos, Anastasios P.  
De Castro, Julia  
Date Issued

2016

Publisher

American Society of Civil Engineers

Published in
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume

20

Issue

1

Article Number

04015025

Subjects

Natural weathering

•

Durability

•

Pultrusion

•

Profiles

•

GFRP

•

Inspection

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
CCLAB  
GIS-GE  
Available on Infoscience
April 1, 2016
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/125398
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