Flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with BFRP bars – experimental and numerical analysis

Resumo

This study focuses on numerical and experimental analysis of reinforced beams with Basalt Fiber
Reinforce Polymer (BFRP) bars used as longitudinal and transversal reinforcements. The main characteristics of
BFRP are a linear stress-strain relationship and the elasticity modulus which is lower than the conventional steel
bars. Numerical analysis is conducted by carrying out nonlinear tridimensional FE models in the software DIANA
TNO to study load-deflection curves of beams with BFRP as longitudinal and transversal reinforcement. In an
initial analysis are established the more suitable mesh size and load step. Then, a parametric analysis considers the
use of different values for compressive fracture energy and crack orientation. All the results are compared with
experiments. From the obtained results, it is possible to conclude that the numerical models were capable of predict
load-displacement curve for beams with BFRP reinforcement.