Mode of failure for reinforced concrete beams with GFRP bars

Abstract

Crack propagation in concrete structures is a very complicated process. An experimental method to predict the stress distribution of a cracked GFRP reinforced concrete flexural beam is presented. The beam subjected to four-point bending is internally reinforced with unidirectional GFRP bars. The aim of this investigation is to study the flexural performance of reinforced concrete members strengthened using GFRP bars. For the flexural tests performed on reinforced concrete beams strengthened with GFRP bars, the ultimate load of the beams strengthened with GFRP was reasonably increased. The mode of failure for beams reinforced with GFRP sections is slightly different compared with the traditional beam. The GFRP reinforced concrete beams fail either by concrete crushing at the compression zone or rupture of the GFRP reinforcement.