Title: Durability of GFRP grids for masonry structures

Authors: Luca Righetti; Marco Corradi; Antonio Borri; Giulio Castori; Romina Sisti; Adelaja Israel Osofero

Addresses: Mechanical and Construction Engineering Department, Northumbria University, Wynne-Jones Building, NE1 8ST, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK ' Mechanical and Construction Engineering Department, Northumbria University, Wynne-Jones Building, NE1 8ST, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via Duranti, 93 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via Duranti, 93 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via Duranti, 93 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via Duranti, 93 06125 Perugia, Italy ' School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Fraser Noble Building, Kings College, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK

Abstract: The application of Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRMs) may cause a significant increase of the lateral capacity of unreinforced masonry elements. This paper presents relationships between the durability and the governing material properties of GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymers) grids used to produce TRMs. Measurements of the tensile strength were made using specimens cut off from GFRP grids before and after ageing in aqueous solution and high cycle fatigue testing with a number of cycles of 60,000, 150,000 and 300,000. The tensile strength of two GFRP grids was tested after up to 210 days of storage in deionised water and NaCl solution. A degradation in tensile strength up to 30.2% and 10.8% was recorded for the specimens subjected to treatment in aqueous solution and to high cycle fatigue testing, respectively. This degradation indicated that extended storage in a wet environment may cause significant decreases of mechanical properties.

Keywords: GFRP grids; fatigue testing; ageing; long-term behaviour; masonry structures; composite materials; durability; textile reinforced mortars; TRMs; material properties; glass fibre reinforced polymers; tensile strength; aqueous solutions; extended storage; wet environments.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFE.2016.075990

International Journal of Forensic Engineering, 2016 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.164 - 179

Received: 28 Sep 2015
Accepted: 10 Jan 2016
Published online: 20 Apr 2016 *

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