Replacement of steel rebars by GFRP rebars in the concrete structures

Abstract

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) has been confirmed to be the solution as a major development in strengthened concrete technology. Synthesis of GFRP rebars by using the longitudinal glass fibers (reinforcement material) and unsaturated polyester resin with 1% MEKP (matrix material) via manual process. GFRP rebars have diameter 12.5 mm (this value is equivalent to 0.5 inch; it's most common in foundations application). GFRP surfaces are modified by the inclusion of coarse sand to increase the bond strength of rebars with concrete. Then, the mechanical characterizations of reinforced concrete with GFRP rebars are performed and compared with that of steel rebars. Preparation of concrete samples (unreinforced concrete, smooth GFRP reinforced concrete, sand coated GFRP reinforced concrete and steel reinforced concrete) with fixed ratio of ingredients (1:1.5:3) and 0.5 W/C ratio were performed at two curing ages (7 and 28) days in ambient temperature. The value of volume fraction of GFRP and steel rebars in the reinforced concrete was (5 vol. %) equally distributed with specified distances in the mold. The results show the tensile strength of GFRP rebar is 593 MPa and bend strength is 760 MPa. The compressive strength was within reasonable range of concrete is 25.67 MPa. The flexural strength of unreinforced concrete is 3 MPa and reinforced concrete with GFRP rebar, especially sand coated GFRP RC exhibit flexural strength is 13.5 MPa as a result to increase bonding with concrete and higher strain is 10.5 MPa at 28 days than that of steel reinforced concrete at the expense of flexural modulus.