Study on the fire resistance of RC beams reinforced with BFRP and HFRP bars

Abstract

For non-metallic reinforcement to be successfully integrated into residential and commercial construction, extensive research is required to understand the structural performance of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforced concrete (RC) elements in various conditions, including the effect of elevated temperatures on structural performance. To accomplish this, a full-scale investigation was performed on the structural performance of FRP-RC elements subjected to elevated temperatures. The study involved conducting fire tests on beams, where the midsection was heated from below (tension zone) and the sides while being simultaneously loaded with 50% of their ultimate loads. The beams were reinforced with Basalt FRP (BFRP) bars and a hybrid composite of Carbon and Basalt Fibers (HFRP) bars. The HFRP-RC beams showed better resistance to the combined effect of loading and elevated temperatures compared to BFRP-RC beams. This study provides insights into the behavior of FRP materials in RC structures subjected to high temperatures, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in this field.