Performance of GFRP Bars in Flexural Members: A Comparative Study with Metal Bars Using FEA and Experimental Study

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 02 | Page : 262 267
    By

    Siddharth Agrawal,

  • Rajendra Khapre,

  • Chetan Pawar,

  • Anuj Shendre,

  1. Post Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur, Maharshtra, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur, Maharshtra, India
  3. Structural Head, Arch Bridge Technologies, Nagpur, Maharshtra, India
  4. Structural Engineer, Power Arch Infratech, Nagpur, Maharshtra, India

Abstract

In recent years, GFRP bars have been introduced as a replacement for metal bars as reinforcement in flexural members. This study evaluates the use of GFRP bars as the main reinforcement in flexural members such as beams through computer simulations and experimental work. A 4-meter beam from a sample structure, analyzed as per IS 875 (1987) Part 2, was considered for the study. This beam was designed considering both metal and GFRP bars to resist the designed bending moments. Finite element models of these beams were developed and analyzed in ANSYS. An experimental setup was prepared for beams with a 500 mm length, reinforced with 6 mm and 20 mm GFRP bars. These beams were tested for flexure as per IS 516 (2021): Part 1. Finite element models of these beams were also developed and analyzed using ANSYS. These models were further analyzed by replacing GFRP bars with their equivalent metal bars for comparison purposes. Simulation results showed that models with metal bars exhibited slightly lower deformation, resulting in higher stresses in the concrete and metal bars compared to those with GFRP bars. The experimental results demonstrated that larger GFRP bars provide greater strength. The findings suggest that GFRP bars are a viable alternative to metal bars for reinforcing beams, particularly for applications requiring high strength and reduced stress.

Keywords: Composite concrete, GFRP rebar, finite element modelling, ANSYS simulation, experimental validation.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

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How to cite this article:
Siddharth Agrawal, Rajendra Khapre, Chetan Pawar, Anuj Shendre. Performance of GFRP Bars in Flexural Members: A Comparative Study with Metal Bars Using FEA and Experimental Study. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):262-267.
How to cite this URL:
Siddharth Agrawal, Rajendra Khapre, Chetan Pawar, Anuj Shendre. Performance of GFRP Bars in Flexural Members: A Comparative Study with Metal Bars Using FEA and Experimental Study. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):262-267. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=203727


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Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Special Issue 02
Received 26/07/2024
Accepted 20/08/2024
Published 27/01/2025
Publication Time 185 Days
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