MATERIAL CRUSHING BEHAVIOUR OF PULTRUDED GFRP STUB COLUMNS: EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

The lack of agreed design codes has been hindering the use of pultruded glass-fibre reinforced polymer (pGFRP) profiles. A gap in the literature is the unclear definition of “true” material crushing failure. Material properties used to estimate crushing resistance are based on coupon tests, but pGFRP profile behaviour differs at the full-section level. Understanding material crushing behaviour is crucial to develop precise and reliable design provisions. This paper presents an experimental study of material crushing in full-section pGFRP profiles of different shapes using axial compressive tests on stub columns to avoid second-order effects. Results can lead to new design guidelines for axial crushing strength and improved design curves for slender members.