Pearson, Maximus (2013) Behaviour of BFRP reinforced beams with various levels of prestressing. (PhD thesis), Kingston University, .
Abstract
Through a series of tests and mathematical models this PhD project has accomplished indepth analysis on Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) for its use in prestressing applications. BFRPis a relatively new composite material with a high potential for use in construction; this is due to its good mechanical properties, ease of manufacture, lower costs in comparison to other FRPs and has a positive contribution towards sustainability as a non-corroding and durable material. BFRP in this project has been investigated in relation to tensile testing with varied durations of saturation in aggressive environments, which were both acidic and alkali environments. These samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-rays to see the chemical and physical changes in the BFRP samples. Creep testing has also been conducted for a one hundred day period to ascertain the longterm behaviour of BFRP under a constant prestressing load. Obtaining such experimental data and analysis has given information for further developing the design principles and procedure of prestressing BFRP.The creep behaviour was ultimately found to be similar to recent GFRP materials. The most significant area of testing in this thesis has focused on the prestressing of multiple samples of various levels of prestressing force to BFRP RC beams, both grouted and ungrouted. This area of investigation reduces the deformability of BFRP associated with unprestressed elements. In particular it was found that grouting the beams have a significant beneficial effect on reducing the deformability of the beams and that a higher level of prestressing also reduced the deformability of BFRP. Having completed these tests mathematical models have been calibrated and verified for further investigations. Work from this thesis is currently published in 4 publications and is included in the appendix.
Actions (Repository Editors)
 |
Item Control Page |