15-11-2014, 02:07 PM
Abstracts: Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials are used in different configuration and techniques for strengthening of Reinforced concrete (RC) elements to ensure their longer service life. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement has emerged as a potential candidate as an alternative reinforcement to conventional steel reinforcing bars for concrete structures. GFRP reinforcing bars are non-corrosive, have high tensile strength, are lightweight, and have high strength to weight ratios. The use of GFRP reinforcing bars has increased significantly in many infrastructure applications, including bridge decks, pavements, walls, and other systems. However, there still is a reluctance to use GFRP reinforcing bars; this reluctance mostly results from the lack of long-term performance data of GFRP reinforcing bars embedded in concrete. GFRP reinforcing bars present many unique advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratio, electromagnetic neutrality, and ease of handling. Most beneficial is that, they are not affected by the electro-chemical corrosion. They can offer a great potential for use in reinforced concrete under conditions where conventional steel reinforced concrete has resulted in unacceptable serviceability problems. Unfortunately, the surface deformation and mechanical properties of GFRP reinforcing bars are dissimilar to those of steel reinforcing bars. Therefore, the design guideline for steel reinforcing bars may not fully manifest the case for GFRP reinforcing bars. A total of 12 concrete columns were tested to study the influence of adding steel fibers (SF) on the ductility of the concrete columns reinforced with fiber reinforced plastic bars (FRP- columns) and the tests will be carried out as compression test and the results of each columns will be compared with each other and conclusion will be made.