Dissipate and Recentre (D&R) experimental campaign on real scale GFRP composite frame structures: data set

In the scope of the Dissipate&Recentre project, which was granted access to the ELSA Reaction Wall of the Joint Research Centre physical research infrastructure of the European Commission, large scale composite frame structures were tested under lateral loading. The test specimens, comprising pultruded glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) profiles, connected with stainless steel elements, had two longitudinal (test direction) bays, two storeys and a shorter transverse bay. Concrete slabs were provided as flooring system, simulating a quasi-permanent load level - as that used in seismic design. A total of 4 full-scale specimens were tested, two including a bracing system, also comprising pultruded GFRP profiles, and two without bracings. For each configuration, one specimen was tested under monotonic loading and the other under cyclic loading. The aim of this paper is to disseminate the experimental data obtained in these tests. To that end, the experimental campaign is thoroughly described, including all the relevant details of the test specimens, the construction process, the setup and instrumentation, and the test programme. Additionally, a brief description of the test observations is also provided. The test results showed that the structural integrity of these GFRP frames was maintained up to 2% inter-storey drifts, for both braced and unbraced configurations, presenting very limited damage. These results indicate that GFRP frame structures may be designed to withstand significant seismic actions.