Title:
Durability of Fiberglass Pretensioned Beams
Author(s):
Rajan Sen, Daniel Mariscal, and Mohsen Shahawy
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
90
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
525-533
Keywords:
beams (supports); concretes; durability; epoxy; fiberglass; precracking; pretensioning; saltwater; ultimate strength; Structural Research
DOI:
10.14359/3947
Date:
9/1/1993
Abstract:
The durability of identical steel and S-2 glass/epoxy pretensioned beams subjected to wet/dry cycles simulating tidal effects was experimentally investigated. Eight identical steel and fiberglass pretensioned beams, half of them precracked at the critical midspan section, were placed in two tanks containing 15 percent saltwater solution. The ultimate capacity of the beams was determined at periodic intervals and compared against that of unexposed control specimens in air. The tests indicate a complete loss in the effectiveness of the fiberglass strands exposed to wet/dry cycles after an average of 6 months for the precracked beams and 15 months for the uncracked beams. There was no comparable loss of capacity in the identical steel pretensioned specimens.