Manufacturing and axial compression performance of a novel composite cylindrical shell

Abstract It is challenging and expensive to manufacture composite cylindrical shells with characteristics such as large diameters and lengths and 0°‐fibers for applications such as bridge piers and wind power columns. In this study, a new type of cross section configuration of inner annular block and outer annular continuous fiber is proposed, and a low‐cost method is established First, the inner assembly block is pulled and extruded, and then, the outer continuous prestressed fiber is wound as the mold to apply annular compressive stress to the inner tube. Axial compression tests were carried out with Φ104 × 8 mm glass fiber‐reinforced polymer(GFRP) tubes made of pultruded standard blocks without integral forming, without external winding carbon fiber, and with an external winding layer. The results show that the mechanical properties of the pipe produced via piece‐assembling followed by winding are better than those produced via piece‐assembling without an external winding layer, which has mechanical properties similar to those of a one‐time forming member. Based on the obvious deterioration of mechanical properties, composite cylindrical shells with large diameters and lengths and 0°‐fibers can be produced at low costs.