Behavior of concrete beams reinforced with FRP during bending

Abstract

Article describes methods and results of experimental research for strain behavior, crack formation and fracture of concrete beams reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars during bending moment action. 18 beams (3+3 series) reinforced with glass FRP (GFRP) and basalt (BFRP) 6, 10 and 14 mm in diameter were tested. Deflection in the middle of the beam, concrete and bars strain and ultrasonic transmission time for 4 routes were measured during tests besides visual inspection. Main crack formation occurred at 8-20% of the ultimate load for all beams. Crack formation was transition border to linear (elastic) straining at low bending stiffness. More than 15 times decrease in bending stiffness was seen for beam reinforced with two types of bars 6 mm in diameter compared to initial values. Existence of main cracks and major deflections is not allowed during design of bending elements. However small bending stiffness at linear elastic straining is a positive factor in case of «hard» loading and impact (pulsed) loading. It is possible to prevent structures collapse and people deaths at impact loading and cyclic «hard» loading by permitting crack formation in load bearing structures.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Steel Reinforcement Ration on the Cracking Behaviour of FRP-Strengthened RC Elements

“…This research has shown that failures in strengthened RC beams are obtained after large deflections and steel rebars yielding with FRP debonding. This debond can occur in the concrete part of the beam through intermediate debonding or through peeling-off at the end of the plate [18].…”