Experimental investigation of HFRP composite beams

Abstract

This paper presents the development of composite beams using hybrid CFRP/GFRP (HFRP) I-beam and Normal Strength Concrete (NSC) slab and precast Ultra-High Performance fiber reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) slab. UHPFRC has high strength and high ductility allowing for a reduction in the cross-sectional area and self weight of the beam. A number of full-scale flexural beam tests were conducted using different dimensions of slab and with/without epoxy bonding between the slab and HFRP I-beam. The test results suggested that the flexural stiffness of composite beams with bolted and bonded shear connection is higher than that with bolted-only shear connection. Delamination failure was not observed in the compressive flange of the HFRP I-beam and the high tensile strength of CFRP in the bottom flange was effectively utilized with the addition of the UHPFRC slab on the top flange.