Degradation of GFRP Bars with Epoxy and Vinyl Ester Matrices in a Marine Concrete Environment: An Experimental Study and Theoretical Modeling

Abstract

This paper aimed to study the compatibility between E-glass of chemical resistance (ECR-glass) fibers and the polymer matrix and the influence of different matrix types on the durability performance of ECR-glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in a marine concrete environment. Two types of matrices, epoxy and vinyl ester, were employed to fabricate GFRP bars, which were then subjected to accelerated exposure by immersion in a simulated seawater sea-sand concrete (SWSSC) pore solution. The degradation performance and damage mechanism were thoroughly investigated. The results indicated that hydrolytic degradation of the cured epoxy and vinyl matrices and subsequent chemical etching to glass fibers are the primary damage mechanisms affecting GFRP bars in the SWSSC environment. Based on these mechanisms, two damage models were proposed: a chemical etching-based model and a hydroxyl ion diffusion-based model. These models enabled the prediction of the residual tensile strength of GFRP bars in the SWSSC pore solution environment at different temperatures. The accuracy of the proposed models was validated through comparisons with experimental data.