Details are presented in the preparation of T-section specimens for determining the tensile tearing strengths of web–flange junctions of two sizes of pultruded glass reinforced plastic GRP wide flange (WF) profiles. Two simple test rigs, used to carry out the tension tests on the web–flange junctions, are described. The tensile tearing strengths derived from 43 tests are presented and the characteristic failure mode of the web–flange junction is explained. It is shown that the tearing strengths of the junctions of the smaller WF profile are larger than those of the larger WF profile and, moreover, that they are only about one-quarter to one-third of the minimum transverse tensile strength of the material given the manufacturer's design manual.
This is one of a quartet of papers by the same authors that deal with previously uncharacterised failure modes that occur within the structure of pultruded GRP sections under various loading conditions. Strongwell (the major US pultruder) has recognised the importance of this work in influencing efforts to enhance the structural performance of their structural grade profiles by utilising specific directional reinforcements and other means to address these failure modes. (contact: DWitcher@Strongwell.com, Chief Structural Engineer). The work has also impacted on the design of the world's first Deep-sea Environmental Long Term Observatory System (DELOS) - (contact: John.Hartley@exel.net). RAE_import_type : Journal article RAE_uoa_type : General Engineering
