Behavior of Interfaces between Fiber-Reinforced Polymers and Sands

Abstract

Conventional construction materials used in foundations can encounter serious durability problems in contaminated subsurface or marine environments. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are potentially suitable for these harsh environments due to their chemical and corrosion resistant properties. Quantification of the interface behavior between FRP composites and soils is a necessary precursor to the adoption of these new materials in geotechnical engineering practice. This paper describes the results of an experimental study that was conducted to investigate the behavior of sand-FRP interfaces. Tests showed that the interface shear behavior between FRP composites and granular materials depended on the relative roughness (surface roughness/particle mean size), the normal stress level, the initial density of the soil mass, and the angularity of the particles. The soil specimen preparation method, the rate of shearing, and the thickness of the soil specimen had little influence on the measured interface friction coefficients. The characteristics of FRP-sand and steel-sand interfaces were compared.