| dc.description.abstract |
Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars have been identified as an alternate construction material for reinforcing concrete
during the last decade primarily due to its strength and durability related characteristics. These materials have strength higher than steel,
but exhibit linear stress–strain response up to failure. Furthermore, the modulus of elasticity of GFRP is significantly lower than that of
steel. This reduced stiffness often controls the design of the GFRP reinforced concrete elements. In the present investigation, GFRP reinforced
beams designed based on limit state principles have been examined to understand their strength and serviceability performance. A
block type rotation failure was observed for GFRP reinforced beams, while flexural failure was observed in geometrically similar control
beams reinforced with steel rebars. An analytical model has been proposed for strength assessment accounting for the failure pattern
observed for GFRP reinforced beams. The serviceability criteria for design of GFRP reinforced beams appear to be governed by maximum
crack width. An empirical model has been proposed for predicting the maximum width of the cracks. Deflection of these GFRP
rebar reinforced beams has been predicted using an earlier model available in the literature. The results predicted by the analytical model
compare well with the experimental data |
en_US |