Mechanical Damage Assessment of GFRP Rebars with Different Resins due to Hydrothermal Aging

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of hydrothermal aging on the properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars manufactured with isophthalic polyester or vinylester resin and glass fiber type E. The GFRP rebars were immersed in an alkaline solution (pH 12.6) for 1000 h at different temperatures (23 and 60 ºC), and their deterioration was evaluated based on microstructural and chemical changes (using SEM, DSC, XRF, and FTIR techniques), moisture absorption, and variation in mechanical properties. The results indicated an increase in the presence of voids and water absorption of the rebars with accelerated aging, with a reduction in the glass transition temperature of the resin and alteration of the chemical composition of the glass fiber. The comparison between the experimental results indicates that the rebars with matrix in vinylester resin present greater chemical resistance than the rebars with a polyester matrix. The degradation of the rebar also resulted in a reduction of approximately 6% in the tensile strength of the rebar and 2% in the modulus of elasticity. Using the damage model, it was possible to identify that the reduction in mechanical strength was associated with the simultaneous degradation of the resin and glass fiber due to the alkaline attack.

Keywords:
GFRP rebars; Durability; Polymeric matrix; Glass fiber; Alkaline environment; Environmental reduction factor