Beam-Testing Method for Assessment of Bond Performance of FRP Bars in Concrete under Tension–Compression Reversed Cyclic Loading

Abstract

This paper presents a novel beam-testing method to assess the bond performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars in reinforced-concrete resisting systems subjected to tension–compression reversed cyclic loading. Special attention was paid to ensuring the stability of the proposed test setup, limiting all unwanted forces generated in the system and allowing for the application of tension and compression forces to the FRP bar without premature bar buckling. Preliminary test results are presented specifically for the cyclic bond stress-slip relationship under different loading conditions—tension–tension and tension–compression cyclic loading—in addition to the monotonic-tension loading to assess the suitability of the novel testing method.