Flexural behavior and a modified prediction of deflection of concrete beam reinforced with a ribbed GFRP bars

This study experimentally investigated the flexural capacity of a concrete beam reinforced with a newly developed GFRP bar that overcomes the lower modulus of elasticity and bond strength compared to a steel bar. The GFRP bar was fabricated by thermosetting a braided pultrusion process to form the outer fiber ribs. The mechanical properties of the modulus of elasticity and bond strength were enhanced compared with those of commercial GFRP bars. In the four-point bending test results, all specimens failed according to the intended failure mode due to flexural design in compliance with ACI 440.1R-15. The effects of the reinforcement ratio and concrete compressive strength were investigated. Equations from the code were used to predict the deflection, and they overestimated the deflection compared with the experimental results. A modified model using two coefficients was developed to provide much better predictive ability, even when the effective moment of inertia was less than the theoretical $I_{cr}$. The deformability of the test beams satisfied the specified value of 4.0 in compliance with CSA S6-10. A modified effective moment of inertia with two correction factors was proposed and it could provide much better predictability in prediction even at the effective moment of inertia less than that of theoretical cracked moment of inertia.