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Abstract:The structural behavior of a series of laboratory test specimens was investigated to determine the ultimate strength, the deformation characteristics, and the mode of failure of a trussed girder composed of glass fiber reinforced polyester resin. Computations based on classical theories of elasticity were made for comparison with experimental results. Reasonably good agreement was noted between the theoretical calculations and the experimental observations. Efforts to eliminate adhesive failures at the joints appeared to be successful in the last specimen fabricated and tested. A maximum live-load to dead-load ratio of 93 to 1 was achieved in the series of load tests. A study of the weathering characteristics of reinforced plastics indicated that rapid degradation of mechanical properties may occur under normal outdoor exposure conditions. There are no completely reliable means available at this time to accurately predict the service life of a given structure composed of reinforced plastics, but considerable effort and progress are continuing in several sectors to improve both materials and performance predictability.
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