Strengthening of Multi-bolted Connections in Pultruded GFRP by Glass Fiber Sheets: An Experimental Study

The capacity of connection in pultruded glass fiber reinforcement polymers (PGFRP) is usually considered a significant factor in the design of the composite structure. Pasting glass fiber sheets (GFS) can be used to strengthen new structures or enhance existing PGFRP connections' serviceability. This study presented experimental results when a bolted connection in PGFRP was strengthened by glass fiber sheets (GFS). There were 72 specimens of multi-bolted in the connection strength experiment. The test parameter was divided into three series of GFS types that were made from woven roving laminate or chop strand mat. The specimens were also constructed from other parameters: end distance and the number of bolts. The strengthening PGFRP connection by GFS resulted in up to 177% increase in the capacity in compare with non-strengthening connection. On the other hand, the equations used to estimate the joint strength after being strengthened by GFS were proposed. The method's effectiveness and suggested calculating formula can provide to designers trying to enhance PGFRP multi-bolted connections.