| Pultrusion is an easy molding method of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) to obtain a long composite material with a uniform cross section at relatively low cost. Hence, pultruded FRP is now a major structural material used in construction and is often used in bridges and deck projects. Although the application of pultruded FRP as a structural material is increasing, there is still a lack of information on the durability of pultruded FRP under outdoor conditions. Some studies have shown that although pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) exhibits a slight, yet clear, reduction in mechanical properties, a surface coating protects the GFRP from outdoor exposure. However, the mechanism and the effect of the difference of laminate system is not well known and further studies are required. The authors carried out an outdoor exposure test on pultruded GFRPs for ten years. Three types of pultruded GFRPs, which have different laminate systems, including painted specimens of each type were tested. Changes of mechanical properties, such as tensile strength at 0° and 90° and in-plane shear strength are measured. This report shows the main results of these studies. |
