Analysis of hybrid beams composed of GFRP profiles and polymer concrete

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical approach for the analysis of a new type of hybrid composite beams is presented. Such beams are composed of composite materials that resist shear and tensile stresses, and polymer concrete acommodating compression stresses.The beams offer an optimized configuration in terms of stiffness and strength, with much potential for mechanical and civil engineering structures.The current numerical model is based on a finite element formulation for layered shell-like structures. The model accounts for a polymer concrete material model, orthotropic material model, and considers the analysis of geometric and material nonlinearities. The first-order shear deformation theory is used in order to describe the shell deformation under a total Lagrangian formulation. The model is validated experimentally and a close agreement with experimental results makes this model an attractive solution method for this type of composite hybrid beams.