Experimental and analytical study on improvement of flexural strength of polymer concrete filled GFRP box hybrid members

The usage of fiber-reinforced polymer materials increases in the construction sector due to their advantages in terms of high mechanical strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, low density and high strength/density ratio, low maintenance and painting needs, and high workability. In this study, it is aimed to improve mechanical properties of GFRP box profiles, produced by pultrusion method, by filling the polymer concrete into them. Within the scope of study, hybrid use of polymer concrete produced with GFRP box profiles was investigated. Hybrid pressure and bending specimens were produced by filling polymer concrete (polyester resin manufactured with natural sand and stone chips) into GFRP box profiles having different cross-sections and dimensions. Behavior of the produced hybrid members was investigated under bending and compression tests. Hollow GFRPₓₓ profiles, polymer-filled hybrid members, and nominative polymeric concrete specimens were tested as well. The behavior of the specimens under pressure and bending tests, and their load bearing capacities, deformations and changes in toughness were observed. According to the test results; It was deduced that hybrid design has many advantages over its component materials as well as superior physical and mechanical properties.