Evaluating the shear design equations of FRP-reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement

Back in the 90?s, the shear design of FRP-reinforced concrete beams was developed based on the shear design of conventional steel reinforced concrete beams. Since then, significant changes were implemented in the shear design provisions of internationally recognized design codes for conventional beams as well as being inconsistent and lack the agreement. In addition, a much large number of FRP reinforced concrete beams without stirrups were tested, which included beams with different cross section shape as well as deep and shallow beams. Therefore, it is our mandate to update, refine, unify the current shear design of FRP reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. The purpose of this study is to examine the design of the shear strength of FRP-reinforced concrete beams without stirrups in an attempt to refine and unify that design. An extensive experimental database was gathered and compiled with a total of 510 FRP-reinforced beams without stirrups from over 67 investigations. In addition, selected design codes and available models were used to calculate the shear strength of the tested beams. These design codes and available models were assessed, and recommendations were outlined. Moreover, a unified model was proposed. The strength predicted using the proposed model, which was compared with that measured during testing and that calculated using selected models from the literature. The proposed model was found to be more refined and unified, compared to the available models from the literature.