Cable-stayed structures have become popular worldwide as one of the main alternatives for bridge designs with spans from 200 to 1000 m. Due to the dimensions of the structural elements that typically compose such bridges and their nonlinear structural behavior, it is usually employed in the designing

The cover image is based on the Research Article Finite element numerical simulation of a cable-stayed bridge construction through the progressive cantilever method by Igor Hoffman et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202100662 The Bridge of Knowledge (Ponte do Saber) is in Rio de Janeiro City (Brazil). It was designed by Alexandre Shan and was opened to traffic in February 2012. The structural project was carried out by V.Garambone.

The use of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers) structural profiles in the construction sector is growing due to their attractive properties, such as high mechanical strength and durability in aggressive environments. With this, it is necessary to conduct studies that deepen the knowledge about the performance of these materials in structural applications. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete beams coated with GFRP profiles, in comparison to reinforced concrete beams, by analyzing groups with different spacing between transversal reinforcement. In all groups there was no change in the longitudinal reinforcement, and the D and Q groups were, respectively, made up of transverse reinforcement spaced twice and quadruple the one calculated for the reference beams, and presented the GFRP profiles in their constitution. All beams were tested at four-point bending, and strain gauges were installed in one of the beams of each group studied. The results obtained in the tests showed an increase in strength of 83.67% in the beams of group D, and 79.91% for group Q, in relation to the references. The analysis of longitudinal deformations made it possible to verify increases in stiffness and the moment of cracking in composite beams. Thus, based on this study, the composite structures studied may constitute future solutions for constructions exposed to aggressive environmental conditions, in order to increase their durability and also to contribute to the design of such structural elements with lower reinforcement rates.