Experimental investigations on rolled angle sections reinforced with CFRP plates

AbstractTelecommunication or power transmission lattice towers may be in need of strengthening due to enhanced operational requirements of 5G systems or extension and upgrading of existing power lines. The members of such towers are mostly angle sections that are conventionally strengthened by a second profile to become a built‐up member. As an alternative, hybrid strengthening of tower angle members with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) plates may be employed. The present paper provides experimental tests on hybrid angles that include bending tests and compression tests carried out in the frame of the RFCS research project ANGELHY. In 3‐point bending tests the specimens were subjected to loading along the principal and the geometric axes. They allow the definition of the bending capacity and the development of appropriate design rules for hybrid cross‐sections. The compression tests were performed on specimens of different length and loading eccentricity, with FRPs attached to one or both sides of the legs. Important parameters influencing the buckling capacity were detected.