Abstract
Despite the growing adoption of glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) as an alternative to steel reinforcement, there is limited research addressing the fatigue performance of GFRP bars in reinforced concrete structures. Existing literature presents contradictory experimental data and conclusions regarding the fatigue behaviour of GFRP rebars embedded in concrete. This study investigates the fatigue life of ribbed GFRP bars embedded in concrete beams through an experimental program, considering factors such as concrete strength and fatigue stress levels. Additionally, it introduces a testing protocol utilizing a displacement-controlled scheme to conduct fatigue testing, addressing many issues associated with force-controlled fatigue testing. Furthermore, the paper discusses cracking behaviour, deflection, and slippage, providing insights into the interaction between GFRP rebars and concrete under fatigue loading. The results of this study demonstrated that ribbed GFRP bars can withstand 2 million cycles of fatigue loading at a 40% stress ratio. The obtained fatigue life exceeds findings in existing literature, emphasizing the impact of stress ratio and bar surface profile on fatigue performance.
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