DefinePK

Abstract

Corrosion of steel reinforcements is one of the main problems in reinforced concrete structures that shortens their serviceability and reduces their strength. The RC structures in coastal environments are usually exposed to early deterioration and damage due to the existing extreme conditions that initiates corrosion. Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bar is regarded as a next generation substitute material to conventional steel bars. This paper focuses on the behavior of GFRP reinforcement bars and steel reinforcement bars in RC members in terms of bonding and flexure. The flexural behaviours were compared experimentally and using finite element analysis (ABAQUS). 6 beam specimens were used having dimensions 750x150x150mm and were subjected to four-point bending test until failure. Reinforcement ratios of 1%, 1.4% and 2.1% were adopted using each type of the reinforcement bar. The ultimate load capacity and flexural strength of the steel RC beams was higher than GFRP RC beams, the failure modes experienced in both beam are generally shear failures but the GFRP RC beams exhibited more flexural cracks. The crack width of GFRP RC beams was higher than steel RC beams but is independent of the reinforcement ratios. The finite element analysis results closely agree with the experimental results.