Failure Investigation of Single bolt Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Angle member with Gusset Plate under tensile loads

Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) is a versatile material with many applications. It’s strength, lightweight and corrosion resistance make it a popular choice in various industries. GFRP is resistant to many chemicals and weathering conditions, making it suitable for outdoor and harsh environments. This study investigates the tensile behaviour of GFRP members with hybrid joints, combining the advantages of both bolted and adhesive connections. GFRP angle sections size 50x50x6 mm are joined using a combination of adhesive bonding and bolts with varying e/d ratios of 3, 4, 5 and 6. The focus is on the influence of edge distance to bolt diameter ratio (e/d) on the joint’s performance for different combinations such as A type (Steel bolt), B type (GFRP bolt), C type (Steel bolt with resin) and D type (GFRP bolt with resin). Tensile tests are conducted to determine the ultimate tensile strength, failure modes and behaviour of the joint combinations. This research aims to investigate the performance of GFRP angle connections with gusset plates under tensile loads for the different connections. The experimental results reveal the effect of the e/d ratio on the load-carrying capacity and failure mechanisms of the different connections. Increasing the e/d ratio is expected to improve the joint’s strength by reducing stress concentrations around the bolt holes.