Performance of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars in Tropical Environments— Part II: Microstructural Tests

Abstract

In the first part of this study, the structural scale tests on the synergistic effects of moisture, temperature, alkalinity, and stress level on the performance and durability of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars in concrete have been discussed. In this part, investigations on microstructural studies, carried out to find out the nature, quantum, and mechanism of deterioration in the conditioned reinforcing bars, are reported. Micrographic investigations were carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to visualize the changes in the microstructure. The other tests that have been carried out are energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) to determine the chemical changes in the composite.