Characterization of the bond behaviour between glass and gfrp

In this study the bond behavior between glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) and glass is studied. The GFRP is used to compensate for the brittle behavior of glass and the corresponding reduced strength under tensile stresses. In this paper, a numerical study is presented based on data collected from experimental tests conducted by the authors. The finite element method is used to model the bond between glass and GFRP pultruded laminates by means of an epoxy resin. For this purpose, a discrete crack approach based on non-linear fracture mechanics is adopted. The bond between glass and GFRP is modeled by means of zero thickness interface elements. The material properties that characterize the interface, namely the shear stiffness, the cohesion and the mode-II fracture energy, are evaluated from a parametric study performed with the objective of approximating the experimental results obtained from testing double lap joints in tension. The obtained parameters, describing the bond-slip law between glass and GFRP, are used to model a glass beam strengthened with GFRP. The obtained results are compared with experimental data. This work is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the stress transfer mechanisms between the glass and GFRP, particularly with respect to the qualitative and quantitative definition of mode-II fracture. P. Neto, J. Alfaiate, R. Graça-e-Costa, D. Dias-Da-Costa, L. Valarinho, J. R. Correia, F. A. Branco and J. Vinagre