Performance of concrete beams and slabs reinforced with FRP bars

This study determines the behavior of concrete beams and slabs reinforced with FRP bars. Seven beams and five slabs were tested. All beams were tested as simple span under two point loads. All slabs were clamped on two sides and remained free on the other two sides. The slabs were tested under concentrated load located at midspan. The concentrated load was distributed over simulated HS-20 tire contact area.; The main variables in the beam test were reinforced ratio and stirrup spacing. The beams with medium and low reinforcement ratios failed by slitting crack along the tensile reinforcement. The behavior was predicted using strain compatibility method considering slip and no slip conditions. It was found that the compatibility method predicted well the behavior of beams reinforced with FRP bars when slip is considered, and did not predict well when slip is not considered.; The main variable in the slab test was the reinforcement ratio. All slabs failed in punching shear during the test. The behavior of the slabs were predicted with elastic finite element analysis, simplified (ACI and AASHTO), arch actions, and plastic models. The elastic finite element analysis predicted well the load-deflection behavior in the elastic range. The simplified model predicted well the punching shear strength, and the arch action and plastic models overestimate the punching shear strength. For wheel load between girders the simplified model can be used to predict the punching shear strength of slabs reinforced with FRP bars.