Research on deformation characteristics and design method of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars

Two different glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars were produced to reinforce concrete beams, including plain GFRP bars and ribbed surface GFRP bars. The flexural property of GFRP reinforced concrete beams was studied by testing four specimen beams under two point vertical loads. The crack development and stain distribution of beam cross section during loading were recorded, and the deformation characteristics and failure mode were also analyzed in this experiment. According to the test results, the bond property of plain GFRP bars was too poor to serve as reinforcement bars, while the ribbed surface GFRP bars showed good bond performance and worked well with concrete before final failure. The test beam reinforced with ribbed surface GFRP bars exhibited a uniform crack distribution, and the strain agreed with the assumption of plane cross section. Moreover, calculation method for bending capacity of concrete beam strengthened with GFRP bars was deducted based on this experiment.