Testing of large-scale two-way concrete slabs reinforced with GFRP bars

Abstract

Few studies were conducted to investigate the structural behavior of GFRP-reinforced concrete two-way slabs. This paper presents preliminary results of an extended research project aims to developing the FRP technology reinforcing bar for parking garage structures and to introducing design guidelines for such structures. The results of five full-scale isolated interior parking flat slabs which are part of a 20-specimen experimental program are presented and discussed. Four slabs were reinforced with GFRP bars and one reference slab was reinforced with steel. The test parameters are: (i) reinforcement type and ratio; (ii) slab thickness; (iii) column size; and (iv) compressive reinforcement. The test results showed that there was no significant difference between the specimens in term of general behavior and mode of failure. © Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.