9.3.2 Loading considerations—Loading conditions uniquely affect different fibers of FRP systems. The licensed design professional should select an FRP system based on the known behavior of that system in the anticipated service conditions.
Some important loading considerations that relate to the nature of the specific systems are given below. Specific information should be obtained from material manufacturers.
• Impact tolerance—AFRP and GFRP systems demonstrate better tolerance to impact than CFRP systems; and
• Creep-rupture and fatigue—CFRP systems are highly resistive to creep-rupture under sustained loading and fatigue failure under cyclic loading. GFRP systems are more sensitive to both loading conditions.