back to lab- Project CodeGFRP
- Project NameGlass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Design Concept
- LocationAachen, Germany
- TypeResearch
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) profiles are widely used in structural applications ranging from building facades to portable bridges due to their many advantageous characteristics, such as high strength to weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and high thermal insulation. In collaboration with BAZ Fiberline and RWTH Aachen University, a comprehensive study was conducted to understand the stability phenomena of lateral-torsional buckling of these thin-walled GFRP profiles and to supplement current national and international guidelines.
Additional Information
This applied research was conducted utilizing standard GFRP profiles, made by the polymeric composite process of pultrusion, to develop a coherent and consistent design approach based on the harmonized technical regulations for designing building structures to the Eurocodes. The work involved an extensive series of tests to obtain critical bucking loads to the instability mode of lateral torsional buckling. For this specific mode, bifurcation loads are determined, resistance models are derived, design checks are proposed, and a partial safety factor to these resistance models is evaluated using statistical evaluations in accordance with EN 1990. The design concept is supplemented by numerical analyses to complete and confirm the available physical test data.
Expertise Caption
Applied Research, Orthotropic Material Testing, Advanced Numerical Analyses, Statistical Evaluations, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
