Effect of geometric parameters on the mechanical behavior of PFRP single bolted connection

In recent years, efforts have been made to use pultruded FRP (PFRP) materials in the construction industry. Although PFRP materials have numerous advantages, such as light weight, high specific strength, and better resistance to corrosion, PFRP materials are not frequently used for new civil construction due to some problems, such as the absence of a reliable reference standard and the vulnerability of the connections or joints of the PFRP member. In this paper, the results of an experimental investigation of the mechanical behavior of single-bolt PFRP connections under tension are discussed. Tests for mechanical properties of PFRP and single-bolt connection tests are conducted and reported. In the connection tests, average ultimate loads, average ultimate strengths, and failure modes for 134 connection test specimens are analyzed based on the variables such as geometric parameters. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.