Shear Response of BFRP-Reinforced Short Beams Using Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) composites are known for their high strength, lightweight and corrosion-resistance features. Adding basalt and synthetic microfibers in fiber reinforced concrete mixes (FRC) can improve the tensile strength, toughness and ductility as well as the post-cracking behavior of concrete element. This paper describes an experimental investigation to assess the shear behavior of fiber-reinforced short beams reinforced longitudinally with basalt fibers reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars. Three short beams without web reinforcement were constructed and tested under four-point loading test until failure. The ultimate shear capacity along with the load-deformation relationship and failure modes were studied. The experimental results showed a significant strength enhancement in beams reinforced with basalt and synthetic microfibers in comparing to plain concrete beam, as well as an improvement in overall beam ductility is noticed.