Experimental Research of Continuous Concrete Beams with GFRP Reinforcement

Continuous beams are often used within RC structures, which are exposed to aggressive environmental impact. The use of the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in these objects and environments has a big significance, taking into account tendency of steel reinforcement to corrode. The main aim of these research studies is to estimate ability of continuous beams with glass FRP (GFRP) reinforcement to redistribute internal forces, as a certain way of ductility and desirable behaviour of RC structures. This paper gives the results of experimental research of seven continuous beams, over two spans of 1850 mm length, cross-section of 150 × 250 mm, that are imposed to concentrated forces in the middle of spans until failure. Six beams were reinforced with different longitudinal GFRP and same transverse GFRP reinforcements, and one steel-reinforced beam was adopted as a control beam. The main varied parameters represent the type of GFRP reinforcement and ratio of longitudinal reinforcement at the midspan and at the middle support, i.e., design moment redistribution. The results of the research have shown that moment redistribution in continuous beams of GFRP reinforcement is possible, without decreasing the load-carrying capacity, compared to elastic analysis. The test results have also been compared to current code provisions, and they have shown that the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 440.1R-15 well predicted the failure load for continuous beams with GFRP reinforcement. On the contrary, current design codes underestimate deflection of continuous beams with GFRP reinforcement, especially for higher load levels. Consequently, a modified model for calculation of deflection is proposed.

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