Cyclic Performance of Splice Connections for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Members

This study investigates the cyclic performance of splice connections developed for hollow section fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) members. Splice connection specimens, each consisting of a steel bolted flange joint between two hollow section steel-FRP bonded sleeve joints, are prepared in three configurations with difference in bolt arrangement or bond length. Correspondingly, detailed finite element (FE) models are constructed with consideration of yielding of the steel components, damage in the adhesive bond, pre-tensioning of the bolts and contact between the bolt-fastened parts. Tested under a cyclic flexural loading, the specimens experience different levels of yielding in the steel flange-plates before ultimate failure in the FRP member or in the steel flange-plate. Ductility and energy dissipation capacity are demonstrated in a specimen where plastic deformation of the steel flange-plates is fully developed. The strain responses are also analysed to identify damage in the adhesive bond and yielding in the flange-plates. The FE modelling agrees with the experimental results in terms of moment-rotation and load-strain responses, and can also predict the initiation of the ultimate failure in the FRP using the Tsai-Wu failure criterion.