Experimental investigation of innovative hybrid composite girders with GFRP and CFRP

Abstract

This paper focuses on flexural behavior of innovative hybrid I-shaped girders consisting of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics. The experimental investigation revealed that the delamination at the interface of glass and carbon fibers in the compressive flange caused a sudden failure and lead to smaller loading capacity than the expected in the case of girders with smaller flange width. In the case of wider flange width, the local buckling of flange in compressive side was observed. It was experimentally found that the appropriate installation of web stiffeners is an effective way to prevent the local buckling of wide flange sections but that FRP materials cannot also exhibit their intrinsic material strength due to the delamination. In order to utilize the materials properties of FRP effectively, it is recommended that further study is conducted with a section having neutral axis towards the upper side of the section.