Flexural behavior of GFRP reinforced concrete members with CFRP grid shear reinforcements

Abstract

Nowadays, the investigations relating to the FRP re-bars have been increased due to their superior physical and mechanical properties such as environmental resistance, electro-magnetic transparency, and high specific strength and stiffness. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental investigation pertaining to the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP re-bar bundles for tension and CFRP grids for shear. A total of eight specimens, two pairs of four different shear reinforcement spaces, is loaded to failure under the 4-point bending test set-up. In addition to the experimental investigation, theoretical evaluation is also conducted according to the ACI Committee 440 for all beam specimens. Both experimental and theoretical results such as failure modes and load-deflection relations are compared and good agreements are observed.