Experimentally and numerically testing the behavior of FRP structural bars in composite columns
Zeeshan Ahmad,Abdellatif Selmi,Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni,Bilal Ahmed
Abstract
The applications of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars in columns have gained attention due to their superior durability and corrosion resistance. However, their structural behavior in composite columns remains inadequately explored. This study experimentally and numerically investigates the performance of various BFRP reinforcement configurations, including plate sections, angle sections, circular tubes, and conventional circular rebars, in square columns. A total of eight examples were tested under axial compression, incorporating different reinforcement types and stirrup spacings (50 mm and 100 mm) to assess their impact on strength, ductility, and failure mechanisms. Experimental results revealed that BFRP tube-confined examples exhibited the highest peak load capacity, reaching up to 1150 kN, a 25% increase compared to steel-reinforced counterparts. The inclusion of stainless-steel stirrups enhanced the confinement effect, improving ductility by approximately 30% over BFRP-reinforced examples without stirrups. Finite element analysis (FEA) using the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model demonstrated strong agreement with experimental results, with an average error of less than 5% in peak load predictions. A detailed parametric study highlighted the influence of reinforcement geometry and spacing on load-carrying capacity and failure modes. These findings provide valuable insights for adopting BFRP reinforcement in concrete columns, offering a viable alternative to conventional steel reinforcement for enhanced durability and serviceability in structural applications.
Zeeshan Ahmad — Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, 47050, Pakistan
Abdellatif Selmi — 1) Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, College of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Alkharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia, 2) Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis (ENIT), Civil Engineering, Laboratory, B.P. 37, Le belvédère 1002, Tunis, Tunisia
Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni — Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, PO Box 394, Abha 61411, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Bilal Ahmed — Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Doctoral School, Akademicka 2, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
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