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Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 16047

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tiejiong Lou

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Guest Editor

Hubei Key Laboratory of Roadway Bridge & Structure Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: FRP structures; structural concrete; external prestressing; finite element method; composite structures

Prof. Dr. Wei Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Collage of Civil Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
Interests: FRP reinforced concrete; novel FRP elements; FRP-concrete bond; FRP anchorage design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in strengthening and reinforcing various structures (e.g. concrete, wood, steel and masonry structures) has progressively increased since the 1980’s because of their attractive advantages such as high strength, light weight and non-corrosive property. This Special Issue aims to cover all state-of-the-art updates on FRP-concrete bond, FRP anchorage, FRP strengthening method, novel debonding/damage detection method, FRP reinforced concrete, FRP prestressing systems, and novel FRP elements. Special emphasis will be placed on novel updates to improve FRP-based bond performance, increase the capacity and stiffness of FRP reinforced elements, alert premature debonding failure, and develop design recommendations guiding the usage of novel FRP elements. Topics of interest include novel experimental, numerical and theoretical works on FRP reinforced/strengthened elements and structures under different loading (e.g. monotonic, cyclic, sustained, seismic and explosive loads) and environmental conditions (e.g. high temperature and marine environment). The last but not the least, this Special Issue is widely inclusive for a large number of works within the scope.

Prof. Dr. Tiejiong Lou
Prof. Dr. Wei Sun
Guest Editors

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Keywords

FRP reinforced structures
FRP-concrete bond
FRP anchorage
FE simulation
debonding detection
design
FRP strengthened structures

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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21 pages, 7208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Bonding Performance of BFRP Bars with Seawater Sand Concrete

by Guohao Guan, Xuezhi Wang, Ming Xin, Chuanwu Sun, Qingqing Zhang and Jingjing He

Materials 2024, 17(3), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030543 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 741

Abstract

A total of 66 sets of pullout specimens were prepared to investigate the bonding properties of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement (hereinafter referred to as BFRP) with seawater sand concrete (hereinafter referred to as SSC). The volume dosages of mono-doped glass fibers and mono-doped polypropylene fibers were 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%; the total volume dosage was set to be constant at 0.3%; and the doping ratios of the hybrid fibers were 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. The effect on the bonding performance of BFRP reinforcement with SSC was studied on the condition of the diameter D of the BFRP reinforcement being 12 mm; the bond length of SSC being 3D, 5D, and 7D; and the surface characteristics of the reinforcement being sandblasted and threaded. The research showed that due to internal cracks in the matrix, salt crystals in the pores, chloride salts with high brittleness and expansion, as well as sulfate corrosion products such as “Frederick salts” in SSC, the concrete became brittle, resulting in more brittle splitting failures during the pullout test. Doped fibers can increase the ductility effect of concrete, but the bonding effect between the threaded fiber reinforcement and the SSC was not as good as that of the sandblasting group. When the bond length was 5D, the bonding effect between the BFRP reinforcement and SSC was the best, and the bonding performance of the experimental group with doped fibers was better than that of the threaded group. Finally, by combining the ascending segment of the Malvar model with the descending segment of the improved BPE model, a constitutive relationship model suitable for the bond–slip curve between BFRP reinforcement and SSC was fitted, which laid a theoretical foundation for future research on SSC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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22 pages, 18085 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study and Numerical Analysis of the Seismic Performance of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic Tube Ultra-High Performance Concrete Composite Columns

by Xiaopeng Tan, Mingqiao Zhu and Wanli Liu

Materials 2023, 16(21), 6941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216941 - 29 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 901

Abstract

To investigate the impact of the filament winding angle of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) on the seismic behavior of GFRP tube ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) composite columns, this study designs two types of GFRP tube UHPC composite columns. Quasi-static tests are conducted on the specimens subjected to horizontal reciprocating load and axial force, and the skeleton curve characteristics of the structure are analyzed. Furthermore, a finite element analysis model of the composite column is established to explore the effects of the diameter-thickness ratio, circumferential elastic modulus of confined tubes, and tensile strength of concrete on the seismic performance of the composite column. The analysis includes a review of the skeleton curve, energy dissipation capacity, and stiffness degradation of the structure under different designs. The results indicate that the use of GFRP tubes effectively enhances the seismic performance of UHPC columns. The failure mode, peak load, and peak displacement of the composite columns are improved. The finite element analysis results are in good agreement with the experimental results, validating the effectiveness of the analysis model. Extended analysis reveals that the bearing capacity of the specimen increases while the energy dissipation capacity decreases with a decrease in the diameter-thickness ratio and an increase in the circumferential elastic modulus. Although the tensile strength of concrete has some influence on the seismic performance of the specimen, its effect is relatively small. Through regression analysis, a formula for shear capacity suitable for GFRP tube UHPC composite columns is proposed. This formula provides a theoretical reference for the design and engineering practice of GFRP tube UHPC composite columns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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16 pages, 6259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Tendon-Related Variables on the Behavior of Externally CFRP Prestressed Concrete Beams

by Tiejiong Lou, Han Hu and Miao Pang

Materials 2023, 16(14), 5197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16145197 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1036

Abstract

This work assesses the flexural performance of prestressed concrete beams with external carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons, focusing on tendon-related variables. A finite element analysis (FEA) method is verified. A numerical parametric analysis of prestressed concrete beams with external CFRP tendons is carried out. Four tendon-related variables are considered, namely, the area, initial prestress, depth and elastic modulus of tendons. The analysis shows that flexural ductility decreases as the tendon area, initial prestress or elastic modulus increases but is insensitive to the tendon depth. The ultimate tendon stress increment (Δσ_p) is influenced by all of the four variables investigated. JGJ 92-2016 (Chinese technical specification for concrete structures prestressed with unbonded tendons) significantly underestimates Δσ_p and, hence, is over-conservative for the strength design of these beams. An equation is proposed for calculating Δσ_p, taking into account all four variables investigated. An analytical model is then developed to estimate the flexural strength (M_u) of prestressed concrete beams with external CFRP tendons. The proposed analytical model shows good agreement with FEA, i.e., the mean discrepancy for Δσ_p is 0.9% with a standard deviation of 11.1%; and the mean discrepancy for M_u is −1.6% with a standard deviation of 2.1%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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17 pages, 6677 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Structural Behavior of Continuous Reinforced Concrete Beams with Hybrid CFRP-Steel Bars

by Miao Pang, Yi Dong, Xing Liu, Wei Sun and Tiejiong Lou

Materials 2022, 15(21), 7542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217542 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1204

Abstract

The present investigation aims to identify the flexural performance of two-span concrete beams reinforced with hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel bars. By applying a finite element analysis, a comprehensive numerical assessment is performed. The investigated variables are A_f/A_r (A_f = area of CFRP bars; A_r = total area of CFRP/steel bars), load pattern (symmetrical and unsymmetrical loading) and load type (center-point, third-point and uniform loading). The results show that beams with A_f/A_r of 0.25 show 16.0% and 11.3% higher ultimate load at symmetrical and unsymmetrical loading, respectively, than beams with A_f/A_r of 0.0 (i.e., beams with steel bars), but the change in ultimate load is not apparent when varying A_f/A_r between 0.25 and 1.0. Unsymmetrical loading causes 6.0–15.0% greater deflection capacities than the symmetrical one. When A_f/A_r increases from 0.0 to 1.0, moment redistribution at symmetrical loading is decreased significantly by 62%, while the redistribution variation is marginal at unsymmetrical loading. In addition, the applicability of two equations based on the ultimate strain in tensile bars for predicting moment redistribution is evaluated. It is generally shown that these equations can account for the influence of A_f/A_r and load type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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24 pages, 4820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basalt Fibers Reinforced Concrete: Strength and Failure Modes

by Buthainah Nawaf AL-Kharabsheh, Mohamed Moafak Arbili, Ali Majdi, Saleh M. Alogla, A. Hakamy, Jawad Ahmad and Ahmed Farouk Deifalla

Materials 2022, 15(20), 7350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207350 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

The low tensile capacity of concrete often results in brittle failure without any warning. One way to cope with this issue is to add fibers and essentially improve the tensile strength (TS) behavior of concrete and offset its undesirable brittle failure. In recent investigations, basalt fibers (BFs), as compared to a variety of other kinds of fiber, have attracted the attention of researchers. In that respect, BFs exhibit several benefits, such as excellent elastic properties, great strength, high elastic modulus, higher thermal stability, and decent chemical stability. Although many researchers have reported that BFs can be embedded in concrete to improve the tensile capacity, a more profound understanding of its contribution is still needed. However, the information is scattered and it is difficult for the reader to identify the benefits of BFs. Therefore, a detailed assessment is essential to summarize all relevant information and provide an easy path for the reader. This review (part Ⅰ) summarizes all the relevant information, including flow properties, strength properties, and failure modes. Results reveal that BFs can greatly enhance the strength properties and change the brittle nature of concrete to one of ductility. However, it unfavorably impacts the flowability of concrete. Furthermore, the optimal proportion is shown to be important as a higher dose can adversely affect the strength of concrete, due to a deficiency of flowability. The typical range of the ideal incorporation of BFs varies from 0.5 to 1.5%. Finally, the review also indicates the research gap for future research studies that must be cautiously explored before being used in the real world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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18 pages, 7111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing and Evaluation of Flexural Tensile Strength of Prestressed CFRP Cables

by Jiajun Xia, Zhirong Xu, Ping Zhuge, Bing Wang, Wanyun Cai and Jiaping Fu

Materials 2022, 15(20), 7065; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207065 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1680

Abstract

To expand the application scope of prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) cables in civil engineering, the ultimate tensile strength of these cables was tested and evaluated under bending conditions. First, the study analyzed the tensile failure mechanism of CFRP cables under bending conditions based on elastic bending analysis theory. Thereafter, the ultimate stress state of individual tendons and cables was derived and a calculation model for the tensile strength of bent CFRP cables was established. Second, 14 sets of test conditions were created for CFRP cables under bending angles of 20–40° and bending radii of 1.5–3 m. Then, bending tensile tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of the above factors on the ultimate tensile strength, and the correctness of the computational model was verified using experiments. Finally, the ultimate performance of CFRP cables was theoretically predicted using the established model. The results showed that the cable bending tensile strength was associated with the radius r, tensile strength f, and elastic modulus E of the reinforced material and the bending radius R, but was not correlated with the interface buffer material or the bending angle of the steering system. Moreover, the flexural tensile residual strength was only affected by R/r and E/f. When E/f involved conventional material parameters, the residual strength increased nonlinearly with increased R/r. When R/r ≥ 600, the residual strength reached more than 80%. Therefore, R/r at 600 could be used as the design basis for a safe critical radius. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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16 pages, 5659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexural Response of Axially Restricted RC Beams: Numerical and Theoretical Study

by Han Hu, Sergio M. R. Lopes, Adelino V. Lopes and Tiejiong Lou

Materials 2022, 15(17), 6052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15176052 - 1 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1215

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame beams are subject to axial restriction at the ends, which plays an important role in the nonlinear behavior of these beams. This paper presents a numerical and theoretical investigation into the flexural behavior of RC beams axially restricted with external steel or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement. A numerical procedure for RC beams axially restricted with external reinforcement has been developed and it is verified against available experimental results. A numerical parametric study is then performed on axially restricted RC beams, focusing on the effect of type, area, and depth of external reinforcement. The results show that axial restriction increases the post-cracking stiffness and ultimate load-carrying capacity but reduces the flexural ductility. The ultimate stress in external reinforcement is substantially impacted by reinforcement type, area, and depth. A simplified model is developed to predict the ultimate load of RC beams axially restricted with external steel/FRP reinforcement. The predictions of the proposed simplified model agree favorably with the numerical results. The correlation coefficient for the ultimate load is 0.984, and the mean difference is −2.11% with a standard deviation of 3.62%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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22 pages, 11836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Temperatures on the Performance of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite Cables Protected with Fire-Retardant Materials

by Ping Zhuge, Guocheng Tao, Bing Wang, Zhiyu Jie and Zihua Zhang

Materials 2022, 15(13), 4696; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134696 - 4 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2009

Abstract

In this study, the safe critical temperature that can be tolerated by CFRP tendons under normal working conditions was derived through tensile tests at room and high temperatures. Next, the times required to reach a safe critical temperature for CFRP cables protected with different types of fire-retardant materials of various thicknesses were determined through fire resistance tests, Finally, fitting the surface of the finite element simulation results allowed the establishment of the temperature rise calculation model of CFRP tendons under the protection of fire-retardant materials. The results showed that 300 °C can be regarded as the safe critical temperature. Both high-silica needled felt and ceramic fiber felt exhibited high fireproof performance. With an increase in the thickness of the fire-retardant material, the time for the CFRP tendon to reach the inflection point of the heating rate increased, and the safe fire resistance time increased exponentially. According to the HC temperature rise curve, the fire resistance time of CFRP tendons protected by 24 mm thick high-silica needled felt was 45 min, and that for CFRP tendons protected by 24 mm thick ceramic fiber felt was 39.5 min. Under the action of fire corresponding to the hydrocarbon temperature rise model, the safe fire resistance time of CFRP tendons protected by 45 mm high-silica needled felt or 50 mm ceramic fiber felt was more than 2 h, sufficient to meet the specification. The proposed model of fire resistance performance enables the determination of the thickness of the fire resistance material required to obtain different degrees of fire resistance for CFRP cables for structural use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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Review

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22 pages, 4382 KiB

Open AccessReview

Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Compressive Review on Durability Aspects

by Buthainah Nawaf Al-Kharabsheh, Mohamed Moafak Arbili, Ali Majdi, Saleh M. Alogla, Ahmad Hakamy, Jawad Ahmad and Ahmed Farouk Deifalla

Materials 2023, 16(1), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010429 - 2 Jan 2023

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3144

Abstract

The creation of sustainable composites reinforced with natural fibers has recently drawn the interest of both industrial and academics. Basalt fiber (BF) stands out as the most intriguing among the natural fibers that may be utilized as reinforcement due to their characteristics. Numerous academics have conducted many tests on the strength, durability, temperature, and microstructure characteristics of concrete reinforced with BF and have found promising results. However, because the information is dispersed, readers find it problematic to assess the advantages of BF reinforced concrete, which limits its applications. Therefore, a condensed study that provides the reader with an easy route and summarizes all pertinent information is needed. The purpose of this paper (Part II) is to undertake a compressive assessment of basalt fiber reinforced concrete’s durability features. The results show that adding BF significantly increased concrete durability. The review also identifies a research deficiency that must be addressed before BF is used in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Technologies for Structures)

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