Title:
Finite Element Modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Pretensioned Elements Subjected to Environmental Loads
Author(s):
Rajan Sen, William Carpenter, and David Snyder
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
96
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
766-773
Keywords:
carbon; durability; piles
DOI:
10.14359/730
Date:
9/1/1999
Abstract:
This paper presents results from a two-dimensional finite element analysis that was used for determining the effect of environmental loads on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) pretensioned piles driven in tidal waters. Two types of FRP material—aramid and carbon— were investigated, with temperature change and FRP moisture absorption being the principal environmental loads. A smeared crack model was used and a nonlinear analysis carried out using the com-mercially available finite element program ANSYS. Crack predictions from the finite element model showed good agreement with experi-mental results from a multi-year study. The analysis also indicated that, for the FRP material tested, the effects of moisture absorption were potentially more detrimental than temperature variation. The study suggests that two-dimensional finite element analysis may be suitable for predicting and extending qualitative results obtained from long-term durability studies.