Investigation on the structural failure behaviour of pultruded circular tubular GFRP multiplanar truss bridges with non-metallic connections through finite element modelling

The finite element (FE) method was used to investigate the failure of member connections of five glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) multiplanar truss bridges (MTB) with non-metallic con-nections. Three-dimensional FE models for the MTBs were developed and validated against previous experimental results and were accompanied by multiple parametric studies. Adhesive failure of the brace occurs progressively around the perimeter of the brace and GFRP laminate wrapping failure was not observed before adhesive bond failure of the brace. Furthermore, the failure sequence of the GFRP laminate layer and the adhesive bonding between the brace and chord was found to be dependent on the brace wall thickness. Extent of the predicted fibre tensile rupture of the GFRP laminate was greater for cement mortar grouted GFRP rods than its non-GFRP grouted counterpart.

Automated summary

Finite element method was used to study the failure of member connections in GFRP multiplanar truss bridges. The adhesive failure of the brace was found to occur progressively around its perimeter, with GFRP laminate failure observed after adhesive bond failure. The failure sequence of the GFRP laminate and adhesive bonding was dependent on the brace wall thickness. The predicted fiber tensile rupture of the GFRP laminate was greater for cement mortar grouted GFRP rods than non-GFRP grouted rods.