Behaviour and Optimisation Study of GFRP Members

GFRP members such as plates and pipes were tested experimentally. Testing of Coupons was done for characterization of the material. According to the provisions of ASTM code coupons were tested in tension. Stiffness, Load and corresponding stress and strain of coupons which were from different plate specimens under tension were determined. Pipe was also tested experimentally having dimensions as 7000mm long, 230mm in diameter and 6mm thickness. Pipe testing was performed under flexure and compression (tested as Cantilever beam). Maximum load, Maximum stress as well as strain and Stiffness of all the four direction of pipe were determined. A comparison study of Young’s modulus obtained from pipe as well as from coupon testing was done. Optimization studies on 7000mm long pole was done. Orientation of fibre in mats and number of rovings were varied keeping volume fraction same to see the effect on stiffness of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic pole. Stiffness determination was governed by Longitudinal fibers which behaved better than any other fibers. Eight composite plates were prepared by infusion and hand layup technique. First composite plate was made with 10 mats and in other plates number of rovings and mats were varied and in the last plate no mats were used. Testing of coupon was done according to the fiber orientation in 0 and 90 degree and optimization of use of rovings i.e. 0-degree fiber was done based on stiffness and other parameters