Numerical investigation of flexural behavior of hybrid concrete tee beams reinforced with GFRP

GFRP bars are a lightweight, non-corrosion material with high tensile strength. One of its drawbacks is that it has a low modulus of elasticity compared to steel bars. This research article demonstrates the nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) of 18 concrete tee beams reinforced with GFRP and normal steel bars using ABAQUS software to predict the effect of the GFRP bar on the flexural strength of hybrid beams. The main objective of the analysis is to compare the flexural theoretical behavior of beams reinforced with GFRP and steel with regard to serviceability, mode of failure and strength. The behavior of the concrete beams was modeled using concrete damage plasticity (CDP) theory. GFRP bars were considered an elastic linear material, while steel bars were considered an elastoplastic bilinear material. The beam specimens were simulated under a four-point bending test. The main parameters of the study were the type of bar and the different reinforcement ratios for steel and GFRP, hybrid concrete by considering different compressive strengths of the web and flange of the beam, and different stirrup spacing in the shear span. The result showed that the ultimate bearing capacity, width of the crack, and number of cracks for beams reinforced with GFRP bars are higher than those for beams reinforced with normal steel bars. Steel-reinforced beams produced an average deflection less than GFRP-reinforced beams by 80%. The failure load increased in with the increase of reinforcement ratio for both GFRP and Steel reinforced beams, the average failure load for GFRP-reinforced beams is higher by 33%.