This study investigates the structural performance and sustainability of alkali-treated abaca fiber reinforced polymer (AbFRP) laminates as a low-carbon alternative to glass FRP (GFRP) for shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Six RC beams (150×300×2300 mm, a/d=2.6) were tested under four-point
bending: two controls, two GFRP-strengthened, and two AbFRP-strengthened in fullU-wrap configuration. AbFRP laminates achieved tensile strength of 83.85 MPa and elastic modulus of 5027.1 MPa, with coefficients of variation below 8%. Both systems enhanced structural performance: ultimate load increased by 34.2% (GFRP) and 35.7% (AbFRP), with failure mode shifting from brittle shear to ductile flexure. Ductility index improved from 1.3 to 3.4 (GFRP) and 2.8 (AbFRP). Unlike GFRP, AbFRP exhibited pseudo-ductile strain hardening through progressive fiber rupture and fiber-matrix interfacial heterogeneity, producing a higher ultimate FRP strain (6384 με vs. 950 με) and enhanced energy dissipation. Theoretical validation against ACI 440.2R-17 confirmed that the bond-controlled strain limit (εfrp=0.004) yields conservative predictions, while using the measured rupture strain (εfu=0.017) overestimated shear capacity by 204%, confirming bond-controlled effective strain governs design. Cradle-to-gate assessment showed AbFRP reduced embodied energy by 63-85%, CO₂ emissions by 88%, and material cost by 71% relative to GFRP. These findings establish AbFRP as a structurally reliable, code-compatible, and environmentally efficient alternative for RC shear strengthening.
Fakhruddin — Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, 92171, Indonesia; Research Center for Structural Strength Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Rudy Djamaluddin — Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, 92171, Indonesia
Rita Irmawaty — Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, 92171, Indonesia
Luna Nurdianti Ngeljaratan — Research Center for Structural Strength Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Pornpen Limpaninlachat — Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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