Abstract:
In order to investigate the blown-sand erosion resistance of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips, the erosion tests on the GFRP strips were conducted taking the erosion angles and velocities as the variables. And then, the residual mechanical properties of GFRP materials were also tested. The scanning electron microscope test indicates that as the erosion angles and velocities increase, the probabilities of epoxy adhesive deformation and internal fibers fracture continue to go up. When the erosion angle is 90°, the tensile strength of the GFRP strips decreases about 16.5%, and the corresponding decrease is 28.0% when the erosion velocity is 31 m/s. The erosion angle and velocity would have adverse effects on the tensile strength of the GFRP strips. The results of strain analysis denote that the deformation and damage of the materials near the erosion center area are more severe and the failure occurs first. The strain figures of GFRP strips during the tensile tests show that with the increase of erosion angle and velocity, the stress concentration phenomenon near the erosion center area becomes prominent, and the damage and failure accumulate. The blown-sand erosion would lead to the degradation of the mechanical properties of GFRP strips.