Reinforced concrete beams coated with fiberglass-reinforced polymeric profiles as partial substitutes for the transverse reinforcement

Abstract

The use of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers) structural profiles in the construction sector is growing due to their attractive properties, such as high mechanical strength and durability in aggressive environments. With this, it is necessary to conduct studies that deepen the knowledge about the performance of these materials in structural applications. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete beams coated with GFRP profiles, in comparison to reinforced concrete beams, by analyzing groups with different spacing between transversal reinforcement. In all groups there was no change in the longitudinal reinforcement, and the D and Q groups were, respectively, made up of transverse reinforcement spaced twice and quadruple the one calculated for the reference beams, and presented the GFRP profiles in their constitution. All beams were tested at four-point bending, and strain gauges were installed in one of the beams of each group studied. The results obtained in the tests showed an increase in strength of 83.67% in the beams of group D, and 79.91% for group Q, in relation to the references. The analysis of longitudinal deformations made it possible to verify increases in stiffness and the moment of cracking in composite beams. Thus, based on this study, the composite structures studied may constitute future solutions for constructions exposed to aggressive environmental conditions, in order to increase their durability and also to contribute to the design of such structural elements with lower reinforcement rates.