Study of GFRP bars as Internal Reinforcement for Concrete Structures

ABSTRACT

Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete structures worldwide has cost a significant amount of resources over the past few decades. Glass fibre reinforcement polymer (GFRP) bars present a cost effective and feasible solution to the problem of steel corrosion. With the certification standard in Canada only recently developed, designers must be aware that the products from individual manufacturers vary greatly even when certified. Based on a comparison of mechanical, material and durability properties, bars from three manufacturers were verified as being quite different but nonetheless suitable for use as primary load carrying tensile reinforcement in concrete structures. Also, from testing of large beams, it was determined that the bond between GFRP and concrete plays a significant role in determining the member behavior and failure mode, particularly for higher strength bars which require larger anchorage length to develop their tensile capacity.