Numerical Simulation of GFRP-reinforced Rectangular Concrete Beams and Proposed Design Expressions

Abstract

Rebar corrosion, which has emerged as a primary detrimental factor, significantly impacts the structural performance, durability, and overall serviceability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In response to this issue, the growing use of GFRP, which offers superior corrosion resistance compared to steel, highlights the need to compare its performance with traditional steel-reinforced beams. To address this need, this study aims to evaluate the flexural behavior of beams reinforced solely with GFRP rebar and assess their structural performance relative to steel-reinforced beams. To achieve this, finite element models of both steel-reinforced and GFRP-reinforced beams were developed using ANSYS software. The analysis focused on load-bearing capacities, displacement characteristics, and crack patterns, and included the calculation of strain energies corresponding to collapse prevention performance limits. Overall, the study concludes that these modifications enhance design guidelines for GFRP-reinforced beams, offering improved practical applications in structural design. Significant findings include the proposed modification to the minimum reinforcement ratio equation in ACI 440.1R-15 for GFRP-reinforced concrete, the introduction of a suggested strain reduction factor for GFRP rebar, and the revision of the effective moment of inertia equation with coefficients of 0.05 and 0.95. These revisions improved the general performance indicator to 1.17, yielding better results compared to other equations in the literature. The study concludes that these modifications enhance design guidelines for GFRP-reinforced beams, offering improved practical applications in structural design.