Influence of macro-synthetic fibers on the flexural behavior of high strength concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars

Authors

Maryam M. Koura, Researcher, Structural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptFollow
Ahmed M. Tahwia, Professor at Structural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Mohamed H. Matthana, Associate Professor in the Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Subject Area

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Rusting of steel reinforcement in marine environments causes the overall destruction of reinforced concrete constructions; steel rebars in concrete members have been replaced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars in recent years. To enhance the shear behavior of glass (GFRP) bars reinforced concrete (RC), macro-synthetic polyolefin (PO) fiber was added. These materials have a low modulus of elasticity, a high tensile strength, and a linear stress-strain response to full failure. This study investigates the effect of macro synthetic structural fibers on the post-cracking and deformability properties of high strength concrete reinforced with FRP bars without transverse reinforcement. Eight full-scale RC beams (without stirrups) are subjected to a two-point loading system by varying the presence of PO fiber and evaluated under flexural. The test specimens include (i) four beam GFRP reinforcement, one control beam without macro fiber and three beams with different PO fiber ratios (0.28%,0.44%,0.60%) (ii) four beam steel reinforcement, one control beam without macro fiber and three beams with different PO fiber ratio (0.28%,0.44%,0.60%) all beams have reinforcement ratio 0.4%. The addition of fiber to the concrete mix reduced slightly compressive strength by 5%, while the split tensile strength was greatly enhanced by 19%, the post-cracking action and flexural behavior increased by increasing the ductility level by 18.3%, according to the experimental results. Furthermore, as fiber dosage increased, crack widths at service loads decreased significantly and improved the deformability of GFRP and steel-reinforced concrete beams.

Keywords

macro synthetic fiber, high strength concrete, GFRP bars, beams, load carrying capacity.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Koura, Maryam M.; Tahwia, Ahmed M.; and Matthana, Mohamed H. (2024) "Influence of macro-synthetic fibers on the flexural behavior of high strength concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars," Mansoura Engineering Journal: Vol. 49 : Iss. 4 , Article 4.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58491/2735-4202.3205