Flexural behavior of <scp>PVA‐FRC GFRP</scp> reinforced concrete beams
Qiang Sun, Qingping Jin, Yonghong Gao, Hong Li, Yugui Cao
Abstract
Abstract Fiber reinforced concrete beams are a popular research topic because of the improvement in the performance of concrete beams with fibers. PVA‐FRC GFRP reinforced concrete beams have better mechanical properties than those of ordinary reinforced concrete beams when considering the combination of multidirectional material properties. This article presents the results of an experimental study on the flexural behavior of PVA‐FRC GFRP reinforced concrete beams. Seven GFRP concrete beams were tested. The test variables included the PVA fiber content and GFRP diameter. The test results indicated that the existence of GFRP bars is effective for enhancing the load‐carrying capacity of RC beams and that PVA fibers can substantially inhibit the development of cracks in PVA‐FRC GFRP reinforced concrete beams and increase the midspan deflection. The experimental midspan deflection and maximum crack widths are also compared with theoretical predictions using new guidelines from the American Concrete Institute. Finally, the maximum crack correction formula for PVA‐FRC GFRP reinforced concrete beams is proposed.