Abstract
The use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is increasing in construction as an alternative to conventional steel rebars. This thesis investigates the bond behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded in high performance concrete (HPC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). In this study, the bond characteristics of sand coated GFRP bars embedded in 70-175 MPa concrete were explored. Beam and pullout tests were performed to determine the effects of the concrete strength, bar diameter, embedment length, and concrete cover on the bond behaviour of GFRP bars. Based on the analysis, the development lengths for the GFRP bars were determined and then compared to requirements provided by design codes. It was concluded that the design code lengths could be reduced by 20% while still maintaining a factor of safety of two over the development lengths determined through this study. This reduction can be applied when the GFRP bar is surrounded by sufficient transverse reinforcement, such that adding additional reinforcement would not affect the bond strength. Reducing the amount of GFRP reinforcing material needed, results in a lower overall cost of construction.
Highlights
Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) have emerged as a promising solution since they have been used successfully in other industries such as automotive, aerospace and sports manufacturing industries where their high strength and light weight characteristics are used to their advantage
The bar diameter used in Equation 2.2 was determined by averaging 10 diameter readings measured with a micrometer accurate to 0.001 mm for each glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bar
Based on the results presented in this chapter, the main conclusion drawn was that the bond behaviour of GFRP bars embedded in high strength and ultra-high strength concrete is very similar to the bond behaviour of GFRP bars embedded in conventional concrete
Summary
1.1 Problem StatementSteel reinforced concrete is the most widely used structural material for construction in the world. In the presence of corrosive environments, it is well known that the corrosion of steel rebar reinforcement may lead to the deterioration, or even the collapse, of structural elements. Some of the commonly noted advantages of FRP materials over steel are their durability in various environments, non-corrosiveness, high strength-to-weight ratio, superior fatigue resistance, low thermal conductivity, nonmagnetic electrical insulation, small creep deformation, and specific gravity (Newhook and Svecova, 2006; Hao et al, 2006). The use of high performance concrete (HPC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) in construction is an emerging technology. The use of FRP as reinforcing materials in HPC and UHPC resolves the typical issues associated with steel reinforced conventional concrete such as: corrosion of steel leading to premature deterioration, increased reinforcement requirement, and larger dimensions needed for structural elements.
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