EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON BEARING STRENGTH EVALUATION METHOD OF HYBRID FRP LAMINATES

Abstract

 The purpose of this study is to evaluate bearing characteristics of a bolted joint of hybrid FRP members. Therefore, in this study, the bearing test suggested by Mottram et al. and the pin joint bearing test were performed on five different hybrid FRP laminates consisting of both carbon fiber and glass fiber, CFRP laminate and GFRP laminate, and test results were compared. Then, the influence of different FRP types or stacking sequences on bearing strength was examined. Results showed that bearing strength could be about fifty percent of compressive strength depending on the type or the laminated structure of the reinforcing fibers. The bearing strength from the Mottram method was found to be smaller by about 20 percent than that from the pin joint method. Finally, the effect of bolt axial force on bearing strength was examined, and the significant increase of bearing strength due to the bolt axial force was confirmed.