Characterization and Strength of New High-Strength GFRP Bent Bars by Developing New Testing Protocol

Corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete structures caused by aggressive environment in northern climates compromises the structures integrity and threatens the public safety. In Canada, the estimated infrastructure maintenance due to steel corrosion was approximately 57 billion dollars, while in Québec the infrastructure maintenance in 2014 amounted $1018.8 million dollars. The use of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement was emerging as cost-effective alternative reinforcing material to prevent corrosion problems. However, bending the GFRP reinforcement to form different shapes (such as bent bars for bridge barriers or stirrups as shear reinforcement for structural concrete) weakens their strength. Stirrups are mainly located as an outer reinforcement in structural elements and more susceptible to severe environmental effects, which accelerate the deterioration process and reduce the service life of the structure. Therefore, the strength and long-term performance of GFRP bent bars/stirrups shall be addressed to ensure quality/durability of the structure. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Brahim Benmokrane

Student:

Khaled Mohamed

Partner:

Pultrall

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

Program: