Assessment of FRP pultruded elements under static and dynamic loads

The critical buckling load of FRP pultruded columns of different shapes under static and dynamic load are presented. FRP columns with cross sections of sheet pile, square tube, I-section and T-section have been studied and the shape effect on the instability is discussed. The static buckling load calculated from the numerical simulations was then compared with the results from theoretical values and ratios reported for the different cross sections. The comparison shows that the outcomes of the FE analysis were more conservative than the theoretical values some cases. The simulation of dynamic buckling loads showed a considerable sensitivity to the model's boundary conditions. The simulation of the horizontal loading suggested that local buckling tends to occur close to the base of the column. Based on the results, it is suggested that full numerical analysis including dynamic and horizontal loading needs to be conducted for the safe design of thin-wall FRP elements.