High-Strength End Fittings for FRP Rod and Rope

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Abstract
Improved structural end fittings of two basic types were developed for use with fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) rod and rope materials. Each type of end fitting is essentially a metal sleeve that is attached to the FRP material by a thick layer of potting material. Tensile tests demonstrated that the new end fittings can equal or approach the full tensile strength of E-glass-reinforced-plastic rod and rope. In tensile strength, the new fittings are superior to commercially available end fittings. An axisymmetric finite element analysis was developed to study the transfer of load from a rod or rope, through the potting material, to the metal fitting. In the analysis the FRP material and the potting material are assumed to be transversely isotropic. The results of both the analytical study and the laboratory tests indicate the importance of using a relatively thick layer of low-stiffness potting material with these fittings.

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