Behavior of Glass Fiber–Reinforced Polymer Reinforced Concrete Continuous T-Beams

Abstract

In this paper, test results of six large-scale glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) RC continuous T-beams are presented. The test specimens include one steel RC beam to serve as reference, one GFRP RC beam designed to meet the serviceability criteria at the service load level calculated for the reference beam, and four GFRP RC beams designed to achieve the same theoretical ultimate load of the reference beam. The test variables included the assumed percentage of moment redistribution, the spacing of lateral reinforcement in flange, and the arrangement of shear reinforcement. The test results showed that moment redistribution from the hogging to the sagging moment region occurred in GFRP RC beams with T-sections and that a small spacing of stirrups enhanced the moment redistribution percentage. In addition, decreasing the spacing of lateral reinforcement in the flange improved the moment redistribution through enhancing the stiffness of the sagging moment region.