Beam-to-column adhesive connection between GFRP profiles

The feasibility of adhesively bonded connections in FRP frame structures is explored, for the first time, as an alternative to bolted connections. In particular, the influence of seat angles on the failuire load is analyzed experimentally. Three full-scale GFRP beam-column are tested and their failure mode, strength and rotational stiffness are investigated. A single pultruded GFRP I-profile is used for the two members. The beam-column assembly forms an inverted L-shape frame, with the column being fixed at the bottom and attached to the beam near the top. The beam, acting as a cantilever, is loaded by a point load near its free end, which subjects the connection to bending and shear. The test results reveal that increasing the stiffness of the seat angles there is a less abrupt fall of the load after the peak. Anyway, the connection can have at least the same strength as the corresponding bolted connection, irrespective of whether GFRP or steel bolts are used to make the connection, hence the current prohibition against the use of adhesive beam-column connections in GFRP frame structures may be unjustified.