The influence of sustained stress on the durability of GFRP bars embedded in concrete

Abstract

A new test equipment has been created to study the combined effect of environmental exposure and external stress on the durability of a GFRP (E-Glass/Vinyl ester) rebar. GFRP specimens embedded in moisture-saturated concrete have been conditioned at two temperatures and at two levels of sustained tensile stress (5% and 25% of the ultimate tensile strength). According to the preliminary results, stress levels up to 25% of the original tensile strength do not appear to have a negative influence on the durability of GFRP bars embedded in concrete