Research Information System
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Joint design is critical in determining the performance of fiber-reinforced polymer structures. When the edge distance is limited, joint capacity can be significantly reduced due to the low shear and tensile strength of fiberreinforced polymers, which can lead to catastrophic failure. Strengthening is essential for joints to prevent such failures, enhance mechanical performance, and improve the overall reliability and resilience of structures. This paper first proposes enhancing joint performance through the hand lay-up of glass and carbon fiber fabrics, as well as the use of steel and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates on pultruded GFRP sections. The mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of unstrengthened and strengthened joints were then experimentally evaluated under tensile loading by considering failure modes, load capacity, stiffness, and load-displacement curves. Additionally, the effects of end distance, fiber fabric type, number of plies, and strengthening edges were analyzed and quantified. A detailed discussion of the performance and failure mechanisms of strengthened joints was provided, addressing both potential advantages and disadvantages. Finally, a design methodology for the proposed strengthening techniques has been presented.