Experimental Response and Code Modelsof GFRP RC Beams in Bending

The use of composite materials in structural engineering is recent, and researchers need to investigate their behavioral features. Design criteria and methods have to be redefined, and several countries have already established design procedures specifically for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) use. Generally the proposed code modifications are conservative and the strength capacity of FRP materials is not efficiently used. This limitation is due to the low number of experimental tests on concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars. In this paper, experimental tests on beams reinforced with glass FRP bars are presented and discussed. Significant features of the structural behavior are pointed out regarding curvature, deflection, and crack spacing and width. Furthermore the verifications at ultimate and serviceability conditions are analyzed. Code formulations for deflection and crack width calculation are examined considering the American Concrete Institute and the Eurocode 2 approaches.