Papers by Author: G.J. Turvey

Abstract: Three Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer (PFRP) 152 x 152 x 6.4mm Wide Flange (WF) beams were fabricated with a central two-plate splice joint. The 6.4mm thick PFRP splice plates were 210, 410 and 610mm long. Each beam was tested in symmetric four-point bending about its major and minor-axis and deflections, rotations and surface strains were recorded. Beam transverse stiffnesses, support rotations and splice rotational stiffnesses were quantified and compared with theoretical predictions. Predicted deflections were 3.5% to 18.5% larger and support rotations were 10% smaller to 14.2% larger than the experimental values. Splice end rotations were generally poorly predicted.

Abstract: The results of axial compression tests carried out on four pultruded GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) WF (Wide Flange) short columns are presented. The longitudinal elastic modulus, buckling loads and collapse loads have been obtained. The experimental buckling loads have been evaluated from the load versus end shortening (axial displacement) relationship and Southwell plots of deflection and bending strain test data. FE (Finite Element) buckling analyses of the short column buckling tests have also been carried out. It is shown that a two-dimensional model is able to predict local buckling modes accurately and buckling loads reasonably accurately.