Structural behaviour of CFRP due to impact load under hygroscopic conditions

The selection of adhesively bonded composite materials to strengthen the existing concrete structures has increased due to fiber composites. The material we use in this here is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), is an extremely strong and light fibre reinforced polymer which contains carbon fiber as primary structural component. When these materials are used in long term applications there are effects due to loads and environmental effects like effects exposed to heat, moisture etc this leads to lose of strength and stiffness causes propagation of cracks and ultimately failure. Moisture-induced ageing is recognized as one of the main causes of the long-term failure of composites. There is a reduce in stress transfer efficiency and leads to a decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite material. In this study we analyse how the behaviour of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer changes at impact loads (3J) at different specimen locations (central impact and near edge impact) and with no impact conditions under different hygroscopic ageing conditions (3 days and 7 days ageing). 13 specimens were used for each ageing condition in this test. The mechanical characterisation of the material is carried out through the compression tests in ENEA laboratories located in Faenza. Numerical simulations are also done using simulation software by modifying properties of the material and compared with the standard one.