Flexural Behavior of Continuous FRP-Reinforced Concrete Beams

Abstract

Continuous concrete beams are commonly used elements in structures such as parking garages and overpasses, which might be exposed to extreme weather conditions and the application of deicing salts. The use of the fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) bars having no expansive corrosion product in these types of structures has become a viable alternative to steel bars to overcome the steel-corrosion problems. However, the ability of FRP materials to redistribute loads and moments in continuous beams is questionable due to the linear-elastic behavior of such materials up to failure. This paper presents the experimental results of four reinforced concrete beams with rectangular cross section of