Experimental and Numerical Behavior of Encased Pultruded GFRP Beams under Elevated and Ambient Temperatures

In this research, experimental and numerical studies were carried out to investigate the performance of encased glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) beams under fire. The test specimens divided into two peer groups be tested effect ambient elevated temperatures. first group was statically monotonic behavior specimens. second exposed fire loading then explore residual burned Adding shear connectors web stiffeners GFRP beam main parameter in investigation. Moreover, service loads applied during Utilizing connectors, stiffeners, both enhanced load-carrying capacities by 100.6%, 97.3%, 130.8%, respectively. Comparisons between unburned presented with losses capacity beams. These highest cases due obtained severe damage, which led more reductions Numerical analyses performed using general-purpose finite element (FE) ABAQUS package conduct a parametric study. investigated parameters included exposure duration temperature level. results FE analysis showed good agreement results. Additional fire-damaged observed longer durations. improvements relative reference same time decreased as increased. Furthermore, increasing 700 °C, 800 900 950 °C caused about 25%, 45%, 70%, 80%, respectively, for comparison their peers at temperature.