Numerical analysis of GFRP rebar embedded concrete beam

Abstract

The use of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) in construction has several sustainability benefits that make it an attractive alternative to traditional reinforcement materials. One of the main sustainability problems faced by steel is its carbon footprint, 1.89 tonnes of CO2 is being released into the atmosphere for every tonne of steel produced. Another wellknown problem faced by steel in construction is corrosion which is the leading cause of failure of a building. the use of GFRP in construction offers several sustainability benefits that make it an attractive alternative for use in a variety of applications. The combination of improved performance, reduced waste, and lower carbon footprint make GFRP a sustainable choice for the construction industry. This paper presents a numerical analysis of a concrete beam reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar. The study aims to investigate the mechanical behaviours and performance of concrete beams embedded with GFRP rebar under 2-point loading conditions. Ansys 2023 software was utilised for the modelling and analysis of the developed model. Two models were created in the Ansys workbench, one with GFRP rebar as reinforcement and other with steel rebar reinforcement. The numerical results were then analysed to determine the load-carrying capacity and deformation behaviours of the GFRP-reinforced concrete beams compared to that of regular steel reinforced beam.