Shear resistance of self-stressed elements without web reinforcement and with longitudinal bars made of polymer composites. Experimental studies. Verification of the proposed design model

Abstract

Introduction. The critical shear crack theory (CSCT) was applied to devise a modified model on the basis of theoretical research into shear resistance models of concrete elements reinforced with polymer composite bars. Experimental studies were conducted for various loading patterns and cases to verify provisions of the proposed model, to find the shear resistance of elements made of expansive concrete and concrete containing Portland cement, reinforced with steel bars and FRP.
 
 Materials and methods. The proposed modified shear resistance model was verified using the experimental data obtained both by the authors and other researchers (the database had 301 elements).
 
 Results. Given the results of a parametric study, a phenomenological shear resistance criterion was proposed for flexible elements, reinforced with polymer composite bars. Its mission was to simplify the model design to determine the shear resistance of concrete elements reinforced by FRP bars. Hence, no analysis of the shear force components was needed.
 
 Conclusions. The proposed simplified shear resistance model of flexible self-stressed elements, reinforced with polymer composite bars, adequately evaluates the shear resistance of elements exposed to the load distributed in a span; it shows good convergence with experimental data.