Novel fiber reinforced polymers (FRP)-ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) hybrid beams with improved shear performance

Abstract

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) and ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) are two durable and high strength construction materials. FRP-UHPC hybrid beam is a durable and efficient bridge superstructure, however, its capacity is limited by the low shear strength of FRP profiles. This paper investigated two ways to improve the shear performance of FRP-UHPC hybrid beams: externally bonded (EB) carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets to the webs of glass FRP (GFRP) profiles, and increasing the number of webs of FRP profiles. Nine FRP-UHPC hybrid beams were tested under bending loads, which indicates: (i) EB CFRP sheets to GFRP webs substantially increased the shear capacity and the rigidity of FRP-concrete hybrid beams. (ii) the built-up II-shaped FRP profiles had almost doubled the shear capacity of FRP-concrete hybrid beams using I-shaped profiles. (iii) With UHPC height increased from 30 mm to 80 mm, the failure mode changed from the shear fracture of UHPC slab to the interfacial disconnection. (iv) With the decrease of shear span length from 700 mm to 120 mm, the shear capacity was largely improved. In summary, EB CFRP sheets and using double web GFRP profiles are two effective ways to improve the shear performance of FRP-UHPC hybrid beams.