Deflection behaviour of FRP reinforced concrete beams and slabs: An experimental investigation

The flexural response of FRP RC elements is investigated through load–deflection tests on 24 RC beams and slabs with glass FRP (GFRP) and carbon FRP (CFRP) reinforcement covering a wide range of reinforcement ratios. Rebar and concrete strains around a crack inducer are used to establish moment–curvature relationships and evaluate the shear and flexural components of mid-span deflections. It is concluded that the contribution of shear and bond induced deformations can be of major significance in FRP RC elements having moderate to high reinforcement ratios. Existing equations to calculate short-term deflection of FRP RC elements are discussed and compared to experimental values.     

Assessment of available prediction models for the strength of FRP retrofitted RC beams

A reinforced concrete beam retrofitted with fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRP) to enhance its flexural capacity can experience several failure modes, namely flexural failure, end debond and midspan debond. The mechanism of those failures and available prediction models are first identified in this paper. The models are then assessed with an up to date database of beams reported in literature together with beams tested by the authors. The study verifies that beam theory can predict flexural failure well. The credibility of several methods to predict end debond and mid-span debond is also proved.     

混合配筋钢纤维增强混凝土梁受弯承载力试验及理论计算

为研究玻璃纤维增强聚合物复合材料(GFRP)筋与普通钢筋混合配筋钢纤维增强混凝土(SF/混凝土)梁的受弯性能及其受弯承载力计算方法,在考虑受拉区混凝土抗拉强度的基础上,给出混合配筋SF/混凝土梁的界限配筋率及受弯承载力计算公式;在此基础上设计制作了三种配筋方式的SF/混凝土梁,重点探讨了混合配筋率及筋材面积比(A_f/A_s)对试验梁失效模式和受弯承载力的影响;同时,借助已有相关试验结果,对比分析了混凝土强度对混合配筋SF/混凝土梁受弯性能的影响。试验和对比分析结果表明:混合配筋SF/混凝土梁正截面应变仍符合平截面假定;相同配筋形式下,混合配筋SF/混凝土梁的受弯承载力和跨中挠度随筋材面积比A_f/A_s的增加而增大;单层配筋梁的受弯承载力比双层配筋梁大;合理提高混凝土强度可在充分发挥GFRP筋抗拉作用的同时进一步提高混合配筋SF/混凝土梁的受弯承载力;采用本文给出的界限配筋率公式能有效预测混合配筋SF/混凝土梁的失效模式;梁受弯承载力建议公式的预测值与试验值吻合较好,具有良好的适用性。      

钢丝网复合砂浆加固混凝土受弯构件非线性分析

对用钢丝网复合砂浆加固的钢筋混凝土梁进行了正截面抗弯试验研究。试验包括16根用钢丝网加固的梁和两根未加固的对比梁,采用U形三面的加固方式(钢丝网复合砂浆包裹了梁的受拉面及两个侧面)。试验中对比了加固与未加固构件的裂缝开展情况、跨中挠度以及极限荷载。试验结果表明,钢丝网复合砂浆薄层可以明显地提高钢筋混凝土梁的抗弯承载力,提高抗裂性能,增强构件的抗弯刚度。理论部分采用非线性的方法得到加固构件的荷载-挠度曲线,与试验结果比较,有较好的吻合。     

Analytical approach for the flexural analysis of RC beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP

The objective of this paper is to propose a simplified analytical approach to predict the flexural behavior of simply supported reinforced-concrete (RC) beams flexurally strengthened with prestressed carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcements using either externally bonded reinforcing (EBR) or near surface mounted (NSM) techniques. This design methodology also considers the ultimate flexural capacity of NSM CFRP strengthened beams when concrete cover delamination is the governing failure mode. A moment–curvature (M–χ) relationship formed by three linear branches corresponding to the precracking, postcracking, and postyielding stages is established by considering the four critical M–χ points that characterize the flexural behavior of CFRP strengthened beams. Two additional M–χ points, namely, concrete decompression and steel decompression, are also defined to assess the initial effects of the prestress force applied by the FRP reinforcement. The mid-span deflection of the beams is predicted based on the curvature approach, assuming a linear curvature variation between the critical points along the beam length. The good predictive performance of the analytical model is appraised by simulating the force–deflection response registered in experimental programs composed of RC beams strengthened with prestressed NSM CFRP reinforcements.     

Performance of glass fiber reinforced plastic bars as a reinforcing material for concrete structures

The increasing use of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bars to reinforce concrete structures necessitates the need for either developing a new design code or adopt the current one to account for the engineering characteristics of FRP materials. This paper suggests some modifications to the currently used ACI model for computing flexural strength, service load deflection, and the minimum reinforcement needed to avoid rupturing of the tensile reinforcement. Two series of tests were conducted to check the validity of the suggested modifications. The first series was used to check the validity of the modifications made into the flexural and service load deflection models. The test results of the first series were also analyzed to develop two simple models for computing the service load deflection for beams reinforced with glass FRP (GFRP) bars. The second series was used to check the accuracy of the modification suggested into minimum reinforcement model.Test results of the first series indicate that the flexural capacity of the beams reinforced by GFRP bars can be accurately predicted using the ultimate design theory. They also show that the current ACI model for computing the service load deflection underestimates the actual deflection of these beams. The two suggested models for predicting service load deflection accurately estimated the measured deflection under service load, and the simpler of the two pertains better predictions than those of the models available in the literature. Test results of the second series reveal that there is an excellent agreement between the predicted and recorded behavior of the test specimens, which suggests the validity of the proposed model for calculating the required minimum reinforcement for beams reinforced by GFRP bars.     

Deflections of concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars

The aim of this study is to experimentally and theoretically investigate the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars. In this research, three types of experiments were made. First, the tensile properties of FRP and steel bars were tested, then the bond-slip behavior between bars and concrete was tested on standard specimens and, in the end, three series of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP, CFRP and steel bars were tested up to failure. The theoretical model for calculating deflections was developed, which included bond-slip behavior of FRP bars. The theoretical results were compared to the test results of beam deflections, as well to deflection results obtained by theoretical models developed by other authors.     

Effect of steel and synthetic fibers on flexural behavior of high-strength concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars

Six high-strength concrete beam specimens reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars were constructed and tested. Three of the beams were reinforced with carbon FRP (CFRP) bars and the other three beams were reinforced with glass FRP (GFRP) bars as flexural reinforcements. Steel fibers and polyolefin synthetic fibers were used as reinforcing discrete fibers. An investigation was performed on the influence of the addition of fibers on load-carrying capacity, cracking response, and ductility. In addition, the test results were compared with the predictions for the ultimate flexural moment. The addition of fibers increased the first-cracking load, ultimate flexural strength, and ductility, and also mitigated the large crack width of the FRP bar-reinforced concrete beams.     

Comparison between FRP and steel plating of reinforced concrete beams

Very advanced design rules have already been developed for adhesive bonding steel plates to reinforced concrete beams in order to prevent premature debonding by either shear peeling or flexural peeling. The aim of this study is to determine experimentally whether these design rules that were developed for steel plated beams and slabs, can be applied to fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) plated beams. This paper compares, with the help of test results, the shear and flexural debonding mechanisms of steel and FRP plated beams.     

Structural behaviour of RC beams with external flexural and flexural–shear strengthening by FRP sheets

This paper presents experimental research on reinforced concrete (RC) beams with external flexural and flexural–shear strengthening by fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets consisting of carbon FRP (CFRP) and glass FRP (GFRP). The work carried out has examined both the flexural and flexural–shear strengthening capacities of retrofitted RC beams and has indicated how different strengthening arrangements of CFRP and GFRP sheets affect behaviour of the RC beams strengthened. Research output shows that the flexural–shear strengthening arrangement is much more effective than the flexural one in enhancing the stiffness, the ultimate strength and hardening behaviour of the RC beam. In addition theoretical calculations are developed to estimate the bending and shear capacities of the beams tested, which are compared with the corresponding experimental results.     

An experimental technique for obtaining controlled diagonal tension failure of shear critical reinforced concrete beams

An energy absorbing ‘stiff’ test facility has been developed for obtaining stable and controlled diagonal tension failure in shear-critical reinforced concrete beams. The test facility allows the monitoring of the complete curve of load versus mid-span deflection (including the post-peak region) of the shear-critical beams. For stiffening the existing test facility and to provide the energy absorption capability, two kinds of test set-up have been developed: the parallel steel beam test set-up and the cross steel beam test set-up. The test set-up with a cross steel beam as the stiffening element is much stiffer than the parallel steel beam test set-up and hence more stable for obtaining a controlled and stable failure even for the higher strengh concrete beams. The results indicate the post-peak branch of the load versus mid-span deflection of the shear-critical high strength concrete beams is relatively steeper than that of normal strength concrete beams.     

形状记忆合金混凝土梁力学性能试验研究

将超弹性形状记忆合金(简称SMA)绞线作为主筋埋入到混凝土梁中,制成SMA混凝土梁。采用跨中单点加载试验对其进行力学性能测试,并利用同尺寸、同配筋率的钢筋混凝土梁作为参照,比较了各试验梁的承载力、残余变形和残余裂缝,分析了SMA的预应力及SMA与混凝土的粘结情况对试验梁力学性能的影响。结果表明,超弹性SMA绞线可以减小混凝土梁的残余变形和残余裂缝,提高混凝土梁的自修复能力。与普通钢筋混凝土梁相比,开裂后SMA混凝土梁的承载力增加的幅度更大,且粘结情况对梁的承载力有较大的影响。此外,对于无粘结SMA混凝土梁,对SMA绞线施加预应力可以提高混凝土梁的承载力和耗能能力。     

智能CFRP加固RC梁荷载效应的实时模拟与测评

制备了4 根炭纤维复合材料(CFRP) 加固钢筋混凝土(RC) 实验梁, 并在梁内钢筋、混凝土及加固CFRP中预置了布拉格光栅光纤传感器(FBG) 和电阻应变片两种传感器。根据钢筋混凝土理论和ANSYS 有限元软件编制了实验梁受弯荷载效应模拟计算程序。实验表明, 实验梁在受弯承载过程中, 布拉格光栅光纤传感器与传统应变片有完全一致的线性关系; 模拟计算出的实验梁受拉钢筋、压区混凝土应变值及挠度与荷载的关系与CFRP 中FBG的实测值吻合较好。由于对既成RC 结构不能在内部装置传感器(会破坏结构降低抗力) , 采用智能CFRP 加固RC 结构可实现加固和实时健康测评双重功能。      

钢绞线(丝)网-聚合砂浆加固钢筋混凝土梁受弯性能研究

钢绞线(丝)网-聚合砂浆加固技术是一项新型加固工艺,具有耐火、耐腐蚀、耐老化、施工速度快等优点,已被逐渐应用于钢筋混凝土结构的加固补强中。采用该技术抗弯加固钢筋混凝土梁的受力性能可分为三个阶段:未裂阶段、裂缝阶段和破坏阶段。已有研究多数集中于加固混凝土梁正常使用阶段的抗弯性能分析,对受力纵筋屈服后破坏阶段的抗弯性能分析则鲜有涉及。该文在以往试验研究的基础上,采用换算截面法计算加固钢筋混凝土梁屈服阶段和极限阶段的等效刚度,对加固梁在集中荷载作用下抗弯性能全过程进行受力分析,并通过10根加固梁的试验数据对其验证,吻合良好。     

Behavior of full-scale reinforced concrete beams retrofitted for shear and flexural with FRP laminates

Four full-scale reinforced concrete beams were replicated from an existing bridge. The original beams were substantially deficient in shear strength, particularly for projected increase of traffic loads. Of the four replicate beams, one served as a control and the remaining three were implemented with varying configurations of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) and glass FRP (GFRP) composites to simulate the retrofit of the existing structure. CFRP unidirectional sheets were placed to increase flexural capacity and GFRP unidirectional sheets were utilized to mitigate shear failure. Four-point bending tests were conducted. Load, deflection and strain data were collected. Fiber optic gauges were utilized in high flexural and shear regions and conventional resistive gauges were placed in eighteen locations to provide behavioral understanding of the composite material strengthening. Fiber optic readings were compared to conventional gauges.Results from this study show that the use of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) composites for structural strengthening provides significant static capacity increases approximately 150% when compared to unstrengthened sections. Load at first crack and post cracking stiffness of all beams was increased primarily due to flexural CFRP. Test results suggest that beams retrofit with both the designed GFRP and CFRP should well exceed the static demand of 658 kN m sustaining up to 868 kN m applied moment. The addition of GFRP alone for shear was sufficient to offset the lack of steel stirrups and allow conventional RC beam failure by yielding of the tension steel. This allowed ultimate deflections to be 200% higher than the pre-existing shear deficient beam. If bridge beams were retrofit with only the designed CFRP failure would still result from diagonal tension cracks, albeit at a 31% greater load. Beams retrofit with only the designed shear GFRP would fail in flexure at the mid-span at an equivalent 31% gain over the control specimen, failing mechanism in this case being yielding of the tension steel. Successful monitoring of strain using fiber optics was achieved. However, careful planning tempered by engineering judgement is necessary as the location and gauge length of the fiber optic gauge will determine the usefulness of the collected data.     

FRP筋混凝土T形和矩形截面梁抗弯承载力计算方法

为建立纤维增强复合材料(fiber-reinforced polymer,FRP)筋混凝土T形和矩形截面梁抗弯承载力简化计算方法,根据平衡破坏状态下的截面分析,定义了等效FRP配筋率ρ_ef和相应的平衡配筋率ρ_{ef, b}。在此基础上,基于257根FRP筋混凝土梁试验结果的统计分析,改进了受拉破坏和受压破坏皆可能发生的过渡区范围(ρ_{ef, b} <ρ_ef≤1.5ρ_{ef, b})。编制了受拉破坏控制截面的非线性分析程序,考虑多个设计参数的影响,开展了25 344个截面的参数分析。通过对参数分析结果的多元回归分析,推导了受拉破坏控制截面的抗弯承载力简化计算公式。此外,基于截面内力平衡和协调条件,推导了受压破坏控制截面的抗弯承载力计算公式。以国内外257根梁抗弯承载力试验结果,验证了所提方法的适用性。     

Experimental investigation on fire endurance of insulated concrete beams strengthened with near surface mounted FRP bar reinforcement

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are known to be susceptible to deterioration at elevated temperature. To evaluate the feasibility of achieving a fire-rated FRP system an investigation was undertaken to examine and document the performance of near surface mounted (NSM) FRP strengthened concrete beams under fire conditions. Twelve reinforced concrete beams were strengthened in flexure with NSM FRP bars and insulated with different insulation systems. The specimens were subsequently exposed to a standard fire while subjected to full service load. Tests results on fire indicated that insulated NSM FRP strengthened beams can achieve a fire endurance of at least 2 h. Moreover structural testing to failure at room temperature of the fire testes beams has shown that well insulated members are able to retain (part of) their original strengthened flexural capacity.     

Slip effects in reinforced concrete beams with mechanically fastened FRP strip

This investigation concerns the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with a mechanically fastened pultruded FRP strip (MF-FRP beams). Twelve small size MF-FRP beams and two control RC beams were tested under flexural loading. The main failure mode observed in this experimental program was nail rotation and bearing damage under increasing flexural load, which resulted in FRP slip with respect to the soffit of the RC-beam and loss of stress transfer. Strain gage data and visual observations obtained during the experiments provided useful insight for developing a new procedure for estimating the nominal moment capacity of the MF-FRP beams. The proposed method is guided by experimental evidence pointing to the significance of nail rotation associated with flexural cracking in RC beams. The developed procedure, based on a “strain reduction factor” of 24%, is able to estimate the nominal moment capacity of the MF-FRP beams with good accuracy.     

Strength and fracture resistance of FRP reinforced concrete flexural members

A theoretical method to predict the loading capacity and fracture resistance of FRP reinforced concrete flexural beams is developed. No slip between FRP rods and plain concrete matrix is assumed and only Mode I fracture propagation is considered. The model is valid for any crack length and for any span-to-depth ratio larger than 2.5. The influence of the bridging stresses provided by the fracture process zone at the tip of fictitious fracture is examined. The numerical results are compared with existing experimental results which were obtained for steel reinforcement.     

Behaviour of hybrid FRP–UHPC beams subjected to static flexural loading

This paper provides the experimental results of a new hybrid beam intended for use in bridge applications. The hybrid beams were made up of pultruded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) hollow box section beams strengthened with a layer of Ultra-High-Performance-Concrete (UHPC) on top and either a sheet of Carbon FRP (CFRP) or Steel FRP (SFRP) on the bottom of the beam. Four hybrid FRP–UHPC beams were tested along with one control GFRP hollow box beam under four-point static flexural loading. Two types of beams were tested (Phase I and Phase II), which incorporated different connection mechanisms at the GFRP–UHPC interface. It was concluded that the hybrid beams had higher flexural strength and stiffness than the control beam, where the beams reinforced with SFRP showed greater percent cost effectiveness than beams reinforced with CFRP. In addition, the improved connection mechanism used in Phase II beams was found to provide adequate interface bond strength to maintain full composite action until ultimate failure.