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Effect of Harsh Environmental Conditions on the Bond-Dependent Coefficient of GFRP Bars in Concrete Beams

Fiber-reinforced polymer bars are considered a viable alternative to steel reinforcing bars in reinforced concrete structures due to their non-corrosive properties, higher tensile strength, light weight and high fatigue endurance. In this study, the bond-dependent coefficient of glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars (GFRP) in reinforced concrete beams, exposed to harsh environmental conditions, is investigated. A set of GFRP bars were exposed for a period of 6 months to harsh conditions of direct sunlight and seawater, and another set of GFRP bars were exposed to sunlight only. After the exposure period, a total of six beams were cast and tested, with three beams reinforced with GFRP bars exposed to sunlight only, and three beams reinforced with GFRP bars exposed to sunlight and seawater. Three different GFRP bar diameters of 11.2 mm, 17.2 mm and 24.2 mm, were used. Tensile tests were conducted on the GFRP bars after the exposure period to determine the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the bars. The crack widths of the beams were measured and recorded, and the bond-dependent coefficient values were evaluated at crack widths of 0.7 mm. The average value of the bond-dependent coefficient ranged between 0.7 and 1.0, which is within the range of values reported for bond-dependent coefficient for GFRP bars in the literature. This shows that the harsh exposure conditions had no significant effect on the bond between the GFRP bars and concrete.