Performance of high-strength concrete one-way slabs with embedded BFRP bar reinforcement

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical study has been concluded using ANSYS-15 software to investigate the performance of reinforced concrete one-way slabs with embedded basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars under monotonic loads. Six slabs have been considered, two were simply supported, and four were continuous each with two-span. Several parameters have been studied, such as continuity condition, reinforcement ratio, the position of the reinforcement and the effect of replacement basalt bars by steel bars. It is found that the finite element analysis (FEA) agree with experimental results in a range of 1% - 9% in deflection compared with the maximum difference of ACI440 committee of 49%. For simply supported slabs, it is found that increasing the reinforcement from 0.2% to 0.5% resulted in increased capacity by 86%. For continuous slabs, it is observed that increasing the reinforcement for top and bottom from 0.2% to 0.5% resulted in increased capacity by 60% while the maximum deflection is reduced by 56%. Moreover, it is found that with an efficient distribution of bars a slab with a reinforcement ratio of 0.7%, the load capacity is improved by 12.5% and a reduction in maximum deflection 46%. Furthermore, it is found that for simply supported slabs, it is better to use higher ratios of BFRP reinforcement,0.5% instead of 0.2% due to a good improvement in capacity. Regarding dissipation in energy, it is found that the difference in predicting toughness by FEA by ANSYS was 1% - 15% for simply supported slabs while for continuous slabs the dissipation in energy was in the range of 20% - 50% compared with experimental results.