Tests on Deep I-Shape Pultruded Beams

The paper describes the full-scale tests conducted to study the behavior and recommend design criteria for deep I-shape reinforced plastic (RP) pultruded beams subjected to transverse loads in the plane of the web. The beam utilized in these experiments was made of a vinylester matrix reinforced with E-glass, and their cross sections consisted of a 610 mm x 9.5 mm (24 in. x 3/8 in.) web and 190 mm x 19 mm (7 1/2 in. x 3/4 in.) flanges. Beams were instrumented at various locations using strain gages, LVDTs and potentiometers. Both finite element analysis and approximate beam theory for composite sections predicted deflections within 5 percent of those observed. Engineering beam theory may be used for design of such RP beams.