Flexural behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars

The paper presents some of the results from a large experimental program undertaken at the Department of Civil Engineering of Salerno University. The static behaviour under service conditions of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP (Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer) as well as CFRP (Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer) bars and stirrups is examined. Within the whole experimental program concerning forty beams, two different concrete strengths and two different percentages of reinforcement are taken into consideration. The final aim is to investigate both deflections at midspan and crack widths. Moreover, the ultimate behaviour up to failure is also investigated. A part of this experimental program, concerning ten prototypes reinforced with GFRP bars, is here presented and discussed. Finally, comparisons with analytical predictions given by CNRDT 203/2006 are also shown