ISIS Educational Module 3:

An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Prepared by ISIS Canada

A Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence
www.isiscanada.com
Principal Contributor: L.A. Bisby, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Civil Engineering, Queen’s University
Contributors: M. Ranger and B.K. Williams
March 2006

ISIS Education Committee:

N. Banthia, University of British Columbia

L. Bisby, Queen’s University
R. Cheng, University of Alberta
R. El-Hacha, University of Calgary
G. Fallis, Vector Construction Group
R. Hutchinson, Red River College
A. Mufti, University of Manitoba
K.W. Neale, Université de Sherbrooke
J. Newhook, Dalhousie University
K. Soudki, University of Waterloo
L. Wegner, University of Saskatchewan
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Objectives of This Module

The objective of this module is to provide engineering 2. to introduce general philosophies and procedures for
students with an overall awareness of the application and designing structures with FRP reinforcing materials;
design of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing 3. to facilitate the use of FRP reinforcing materials in the
materials in new concrete structures. It is one of a series of construction industry; and
modules on innovative FRP technologies available from 4. to provide guidance to students seeking additional
ISIS Canada. Further information on the use of FRPs in a information on this topic.
variety of innovative applications can be found at The material presented herein is not currently part of a
www.isiscanada.com. While research into the use of FRP national or international code, but is based mainly on the
materials as reinforcement for concrete is ongoing, an results of numerous detailed research studies conducted in
overall knowledge of currently available FRP Canada and around the world. Procedures, material
reinforcements, and design procedures for their use, is resistance factors, and design equations are based on the
essential for the new generation of structural engineers. The recommendations of the ISIS Canada Design Manual No. 3:
problems of the future cannot be solved with the materials Reinforcing Concrete Structures with Fibre Reinforced
and methodologies of the past. The primary objectives of Polymers. As such, this module should not be used as a
this module are: design document, and it is intended for educational use only.
1. to provide engineering students with a general Future engineers who wish to design FRP-reinforced
awareness of FRP materials and some of their potential concrete structures should consult more complete design
uses in civil engineering applications; documents (refer to Section 10 of this document).

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Additional ISIS Educational Modules

Available from ISIS Canada (www.isiscanada.com)

Module 1 – Mechanics Examples Incorporating FRP Module 6 – Application & Handling of FRP
Materials Reinforcements for Concrete

Nineteen worked mechanics of materials problems are presented Important considerations in the handling and application of FRP
which incorporate FRP materials. These examples could be used materials for both reinforcement and strengthening of reinforced
in lectures to demonstrate various mechanics concepts, or could be concrete structures are presented in detail. Introductory
assigned for assignment or exam problems. This module seeks to information on FRP materials, their mechanical properties, and
expose first and second year undergraduates to FRP materials at their applications in civil engineering applications is provided.
the introductory level. Mechanics topics covered at the elementary Handling and application of FRP materials as internal
level include: equilibrium, stress, strain and deformation, reinforcement for concrete structures is treated in detail, including
elasticity, plasticity, determinacy, thermal stress and strain, flexure discussions on: grades, sizes, and bar identification, handling and
and shear in beams, torsion, composite beams, and deflections. storage, placement and assembly, quality control (QC) and quality
assurance (QA), and safety precautions. This is followed by
Module 2 – Introduction to FRP Composites for information on handling and application of FRP repair materials
for concrete structures, including: handling and storage,
Construction
installation, QC, QA, safety, and maintenance and repair of FRP
systems.
FRP materials are discussed in detail at the introductory level.
This module seeks to expose undergraduate students to FRP
materials such that they have a basic understanding of the Module 7 – Introduction to Life Cycle Costing for
components, manufacture, properties, mechanics, durability, and Innovative Infrastructure
application of FRP materials in civil infrastructure applications. A
suggested laboratory is included which outlines an experimental Life cycle costing (LCC) is a well-recognized means of guiding
procedure for comparing the stress-strain responses of steel versus design, rehabilitation and on-going management decisions
FRPs in tension, and a sample assignment is provided. involving infrastructure systems. LCC can be employed to enable
and encourage the use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) and
Module 4 – Introduction to FRP-Strengthening of fibre optic sensor (FOS) technologies across a broad range of
Concrete Structures infrastructure applications and circumstances, even where the
initial costs of innovations exceed those of conventional
The use of externally-bonded FRP reinforcement for strengthening alternatives. The objective of this module is to provide
concrete structures is discussed in detail. FRP materials relevant undergraduate engineering students with a general awareness of
to these applications are first presented, followed by detailed the principles of LCC, particularly as it applies to the use of fibre
discussions of FRP-strengthening of concrete structures in flexure, reinforced polymers (FRPs) and structural health monitoring
shear, and axial compression. A series of worked examples are (SHM) in civil engineering applications.
presented, case studies are outlined, and additional, more
specialized, applications are introduced. A suggested assignment Module 8 – Durability of FRP Composites for
is provided with worked solutions, and a potential laboratory for Construction
strengthening concrete beams in flexure with externally-bonded
FRP sheets is outlined. Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs), like all engineering materials,
are potentially susceptible to a variety of environmental factors
Module 5 – Introduction to Structural Health that may influence their long-term durability. It is thus important,
Monitoring when contemplating the use of FRP materials in a specific
application, that allowance be made for potentially harmful
The overall motivation behind, and the benefits, design, environments and conditions. It is shown in this module that
application, and use of, structural health monitoring (SHM) modern FRP materials are extremely durable and that they have
systems for infrastructure are presented and discussed at the tremendous promise in infrastructure applications. The objective of
introductory level. The motivation and goals of SHM are first this module is to provide engineering students with an overall
presented and discussed, followed by descriptions of the various awareness and understanding of the various environmental factors
components, categories, and classifications of SHM systems. that are currently considered significant with respect to the
Typical SHM methodologies are outlined, innovative fibre optic durability of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in civil
sensor technology is briefly covered, and types of tests which can engineering applications.
be carried out using SHM are explained. Finally, a series of SHM
case studies is provided to demonstrate four field applications of
SHM systems in Canada.

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Section 1
Introduction and Overview
WHY USE FRPs? used in the past, they are looking to newer technologies,
such as non-corrosive FRP reinforcement, that will increase
the service lives of concrete structures and reduce
The population of the modern developed world depends on maintenance costs.
a complex and extensive system of infrastructure for FRPs have, in the last ten to fifteen years, emerged as a
maintaining economic prosperity and quality of life. The promising alternative material for reinforcement of concrete
existing public infrastructure of Canada, the United States, structures. FRP materials are non-corrosive and non-
Europe, and other countries has suffered from decades of magnetic, and can thus be used to eliminate the corrosion
neglect and overuse, leading to the accelerated deterioration problem invariably encountered with conventional
of bridges, buildings, and municipal and transportation reinforcing steel. In addition, FRPs are extremely light,
systems, and resulting in a situation that, if left unchecked, versatile, and demonstrate extremely high tensile strength,
may lead to a global infrastructure crisis. Much of our making them ideal materials for reinforcement of concrete
infrastructure is unsatisfactory in some respect, and public (refer to Figure 1-2).
funds are not generally available for the required
replacement of existing structures or construction of new
ones.

Fig. 1-2. FRP Reinforcing bars being installed in

the concrete deck of the Salmon River Bridge,
British Columbia prior to pouring of the concrete.
Fig. 1-1. Severely corroded reinforcing steel in this FRPs are particularly useful for reinforcing
bridge column has resulted in spalling of the concrete bridge decks which are highly
concrete cover and exposure of the steel susceptible to corrosion.
reinforcement.

One of the primary factors which has led to the current

unsatisfactory state of our infrastructure is corrosion of
reinforcing steel inside concrete (Fig. 1), which causes the
reinforcement to expand, and results in delamination or
spalling of concrete, loss of tensile reinforcement, or in
some cases failure. Because infrastructure owners can no
longer afford to upgrade and replace existing structures
using the same materials and methodologies as have been

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Section 2
FRP Materials
This section provides a brief overview of FRP materials and from the combination of fibres and matrix. The reader is
some of their important characteristics and properties when referred to ISIS EC Module 2 (ISIS, 2003) for further
used as reinforcing materials for concrete. A more complete information on fibres and matrices.
discussion of FRP materials and their applications in civil
engineering can be obtained from ISIS EC Module 2: FRP
Composites for Civil Engineering Applications, or from one
of a number currently available composite materials
textbooks.

GENERAL

FRP materials, originally developed for use in the

automotive and aerospace sectors, have been considered for
use as reinforcement of concrete structures since the 1950s.
However, it is really only in the last 10 years or so that
FRPs have begun to see widespread use in large civil
engineering projects, likely due to drastic reductions in FRP
material and manufacturing costs, which have made FRPs
competitive on an economic basis.
Many types and shapes of FRP materials are now Fig. 2-1. Various types and shapes of FRPs used in
available in the construction industry. For the purposes of the construction industry
tensile reinforcement of concrete, the currently available
reinforcing products include unidirectional FRP bars, which
have fibres oriented along the axis of the reinforcement Stress
only, and orthogonal grids, which have unidirectional bars [Mpa]
running in two (or sometimes 3) orthogonal directions. In
this document, the focus is on unidirectional FRP 1800-4900 fibres
reinforcing bars, since they are the most widely used of the
FRP reinforcing products currently available in North
America. Also, although it has been demonstrated through
research that FRP materials can be effectively used for 600-3000 FRP
prestressed reinforcement of concrete structures, this is a
matrix
specialized topic and is beyond the scope of this module. 34-130
Fig. 2-1 shows various types and shapes of currently
available FRP materials.
0.4 – 4.8 > 10 Strain
Constituents [%]

FRP materials are composed of high strength fibres

embedded in a polymer matrix. The fibres, which have very
Fig. 2-2. Stress-strain relationships for fibres,
small diameters and are generally considered continuous,
matrix, and FRP.
provide the strength and stiffness of the composite, while
the matrix, which has comparatively poor mechanical
properties, separates and disperses the fibres. The primary Manufacturing Process
function of the matrix is to transfer loads to the fibres Although a variety of techniques can be used to manufacture
through shear stresses that develop at the fibre-matrix FRP shapes, a technique called pultrusion is used almost
interface, although it is also important for environmental exclusively for the manufacture of FRP reinforcing rods. In
protection of the fibres. In concrete reinforcing this technique, continuous strands of the fibres are drawn
applications, the fibres are generally carbon (graphite), from creels (spools of fibres) through a resin tank, where
glass, or aramid (Kevlar), and the matrices are typically they are saturated with resin, pulled through a number of
epoxies or vinyl esters. Fig. 2-2 shows typical stress-strain wiper rings, and finally pulled through a heated die. This
curves for fibres, matrices, and the FRP materials that result process simultaneously forms and heat cures the FRP into a

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

reinforcing rod. To ensure a strong bond with concrete, a

surface treatment is normally applied consisting of a spiral
or braided wrap, or a coating of sand embedded in the outer
surface of the polymer matrix. The pultrusion process is
illustrated schematically below.

shaping and
heating die puller

creel
resin tank

Fig. 2-3. The pultrusion process. Fig. 2-4. ISOROD glass FRP reinforcement.

Various FRP reinforcing products are currently available in

industry. Figs. 2-4 to 2-6 show some of the different
products currently being produced for use in North-
America.

Properties
Unidirectional FRP materials used in concrete reinforcing
applications are linear elastic up to failure, and they do not
exhibit the yielding behaviour that is typically displayed by
conventional reinforcing steel. This is shown in Fig. 2-7,
which demonstrates the significant differences in the tensile
behaviour of FRPs as compared with steel. FRP materials
generally have much higher strengths than the yield strength
of steel, although they do not exhibit yield, and have strains
at failure that are much less. The differences in behaviour
between FRPs and steel have important consequences for Fig. 2-5. LeadlineTM carbon FRP reinforcement.
the design of FRP-reinforced concrete members, as we shall
see, since yielding of reinforcement in steel-reinforced
concrete members is used implicitly to provide ample
warning of impending failure.
The specific properties of FRP materials vary a great
deal from product to product, and depend on the fibre and
matrix type, the fibre volume content, and the orientation of
the fibres within the matrix, among other factors. It is
beyond the scope of this module to discuss different FRP
reinforcing materials in detail. However, Table 2-1 and Fig.
2-7 give material properties for a number of typical FRP
reinforcing products. It is thus becomes important in the
design of FRP-reinforced concrete members to specify
which FRP material is to be used and what minimum
mechanical properties are required.
Fig. 2-6. NEFMAC grid-shaped FRP reinforcement.

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Table 2-1. Selected Properties of Typical Currently Available FRP Reinforcing Products
Diameter Area Tensile Strength Elastic Modulus
Reinforcement Type Designation
[mm] [mm2] [MPa] [GPa]
Deformed Steel #10 11.3 100 400* 200
V-ROD CFRP Rod 3/8 9.5 71 1431 120
V-ROD GFRP Rod 3/8 9.5 71 765 43
NEFMAC GFRP Grid G10 N/A 79 600 30
NEFMAC CFRP Grid C16 N/A 100 1200 100
NEFMAC AFRP Grid A16 N/A 92 1300 54
LEADLINETM CFRP Rod -- 12 113 2255 147
* specified yield strength

2500 high strength of these materials, they are often competitive

Steel on a cost-per-force basis. Furthermore, the excellent
ISOROD CFRP
ISOROD GFRP
durability of FRP reinforcing materials in concrete, which
2000 NEFMAC GFRP has the potential to increase the service lives of structures
NEFMAC CFRP
NEFMAC AFRP while reducing inspection and maintenance costs, makes
Stress [MPa]

1500 LeadlineTM CFRP them cost-effective when the entire life-cycle cost of a
structure is considered, rather than the initial construction
cost alone.
1000
Another often cited potential disadvantage of FRP
materials is their relatively low elastic modulus as compared
500 with steel. This means that FRP-reinforced concrete
members are often controlled by serviceability (deflection)
0 considerations, rather than strength requirements.
0 1 2 3
Strain [%] ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Fig. 2-7. Stress-strain plots for various reinforcing Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
materials The thermal properties of FRP reinforcing products are
substantially different than those of conventional reinforcing
steel and concrete, and can also vary a great deal in the
Advantages and Disadvantages
longitudinal and transverse directions. The characteristics
FRP materials for use in concrete reinforcing applications are highly variable among different FRP products, and it is
have a number of key advantages over conventional difficult to make generalizations regarding thermal
reinforcing steel. Some of the most important advantages expansion or other properties. The thermal properties of
include: any FRP reinforcing material should be thoroughly
• FRP materials do not corrode electrochemically, and investigated before it is used as reinforcement for concrete,
have demonstrated excellent durability in a number of since differential thermal expansion of FRPs inside concrete
harsh environmental conditions; has the potential to cause cracking and spalling of the
• FRP materials have extremely high strength-to- concrete cover.
weight ratios. FRP materials typically weigh less than
one fifth the weight of steel, with tensile strengths that Table 2-2. Typical Coefficients of Thermal
can be as much as 8 to 10 times as high; and Expansion for FRP Reinforcing Bars [×10-6/°C]
• FRP materials are electromagnetically inert. This
Direction Material
means that they can be used in specialized structures
such as buildings to house magnetic resonance imaging Steel GFRP CFRP AFRP
(MRI) or sensitive communications equipment, etc. Longitudinal 11.7 6 to 10 -1 to 0 -6 to –2
There are, however, some disadvantages to using FRPs, as Transverse 11.7 21 to 23 22 to 23 60 to 80
opposed to conventional reinforcing steel, as reinforcement
for concrete. The main disadvantage is the comparatively Effect of Elevated Temperature or Fire
high initial cost of FRP materials. Although prices have Elevated temperatures, as may be experienced in some
dropped drastically in recent years, most FRP materials industrial settings or in the case of fire, adversely affect the
remain more expensive than conventional reinforcing steel mechanical and bond properties of FRP reinforcing
on an initial material cost basis. However, because of the materials in concrete. Thus, special precautions are required

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

when FRPs are used in structures where elevated undesirable. The larger the ratio of the sustained (dead
temperatures or fire are concerns. In most cases, the load) stress to the transient (live load) stress in an FRP
temperature or the FRP reinforcement should be maintained reinforcing bar, the more likely creep-rupture becomes.
below the glass transition temperature (GTT) of the polymer Susceptibility to creep rupture is also influenced by UV
matrix. For currently available FRP reinforcing products radiation, high temperature, alkalinity, and weathering.
the GTT is generally in the range of 65 to 150°C. Different FRP types have different susceptibilities to
creep-rupture. Carbon FRPs are the least susceptible,
Bond Properties followed by aramid FRPs. Glass FRPs are the most
The properties of the bond between FRP reinforcing bars susceptible. To protect against creep-rupture, the material
and concrete depend on the surface treatment applied to the resistance factors suggested by ISIS Canada (ISIS, 2001) for
FRP reinforcing bar during manufacturing, the mechanical FRP reinforcements have been adjusted to account for the
properties of the FRP, and the environmental conditions to effect of sustained load. These resistance factors, Φfrp, are
which the bar is subjected during its lifetime. Again, given in Table 3-1.
generalizations are difficult to make, although the bond
between currently available FRP reinforcing materials and Durability
concrete appears equivalent (or superior in some cases) to The durability of FRP reinforcing bars in concrete is a
that between steel reinforcement and concrete. The bond of complex topic and research in this area is ongoing. Readers
FRP bars to concrete does not depend on the concrete seeking additional information on the durability of FRP
strength, as it does for steel reinforcement. materials are encouraged to consult ISIS Educational
Module #8, also available from ISIS Canada at
Creep and Relaxation www.isiscanada.com. To date, FRP reinforcing applications
When FRP materials are subjected to a constant elevated in concrete structures have performed well, and no failures
stress level they can fail suddenly and unexpectedly. This due to durability problems have been reported.
type of failure is referred to as creep-rupture and is highly

Section 3
Design for Flexure
PHILOSOPHY AND ASSUMPTIONS Assumptions
It is assumed that FRPs are perfectly linear-elastic materials.
The design of FRP-reinforced concrete in Canada should be Thus, failure of an FRP-reinforced section in flexure can be
conducted under the unified limit-states philosophy due to FRP rupture or concrete crushing. The ultimate
currently used by the existing design codes. For buildings, flexural strength for both of these failure modes can be
loads and load combinations for FRP-reinforced concrete calculated using a similar methodology as that used for
members should be determined in accordance with CSA- steel-reinforced sections. Hence, the following additional
S806-02. For bridges, the Canadian Highway Bridge Design assumptions are required:
Code, CSA-S6-05, should be used. Serviceability checks 1. the failure strain of concrete in compression is
for cracking and deflection must also be performed. 3500 × 10-6;
2. the strain in the concrete at any level is proportional to
Resistance Factors the distance from the neutral axis (plane sections
Following the recommendations of ISIS Canada Design remain plane);
Manual No. 3, the material resistance factor for concrete is 3. FRPs are linear elastic to failure;
taken as Φc = 0.60 for buildings, 0.65 for precast concrete, 4. concrete compressive stress-strain curve is parabolic
and 0.75 for bridges. The material resistance factor for and concrete has no strength in tension;
FRPs depends on the type of FRP material, and is based on 5. perfect bond exists between FRP reinforcement and
the variability of material characteristics, the effect of concrete; and
sustained load, and various durability considerations. Table 6. neglect FRPs’ strength in compression.
3-1 provides resistance factors for steel, concrete, and FRP
materials as specified by relevant Canadian codes.

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Table 3-1. Resistance Factors for FRP Bars Compression failure is the most desirable of the above
Material Notation Factor failure modes. This failure mode is less violent than tension
Building Components: CSA-S806-02 failure, and is similar to the failure of an over-reinforced
section when using steel reinforcement.
Concrete cast in situ Φc 0.60
Tension failure is less desirable, since tensile rupture of
Precast concrete Φc 0.65
FRP reinforcement will occur with less warning. Tension
Steel reinforcement Φs 0.85
failure will occur when the reinforcement ratio is below the
Carbon FRP Φf 0.75
balanced reinforcement ratio for the section. This failure
Glass FRP Φf 0.75
mode is permissible with certain safeguards.
Aramid FRP Φf 0.75
Bridge Components: CSA-S6-05
Concrete 0.75
Balanced Failure
Φc
Carbon FRP Φf 0.75 As mentioned above, balanced failure will occur when
Aramid FRP Φf 0.60 concrete crushing occurs simultaneously with FRP tensile
Glass FRP Φf 0.50 rupture. It is important to remember that the balanced
failure condition is drastically different for FRP-reinforced
Stress concrete than it is for members reinforced with steel.
Because FRPs will not yield at the balanced condition, an
ffrpu FRP-reinforced concrete member at the balanced condition
will fail suddenly, although accompanied by cracking and a
significant amount of deflection. At balanced failure, the
strain in the concrete reaches its ultimate value, εcu =
0.0035, while the FRP reinforcement simultaneously
Efrp
reaches its ultimate strain, εfrpu. The ultimate strain of the
1 FRP depends on the specific FRP reinforcing material being
Strain used (refer to Table 2-1), and is determined from the FRP
ultimate stress, ffrpu, and tensile elastic modulus, Efrp, using:
εfrpu
f frpu
Fig. 3-1. Assumed stress-strain behaviour of FRP. ε frpu = (Eq. 3-1)
Stress
E frp

f’c Using strain compatibility, for a rectangular cross-section

with a single layer of FRP reinforcement, the distribution of
strains across the member can be illustrated as shown in Fig.
fc 3-3a. Thus, the ratio of the balanced neutral axis depth, cb,
to the effective depth of the section, d, at the balanced
Ec reinforcement ratio, ρfrpb, can be expressed in terms of
known quantities as follows:
1 Strain
cb ε cu
εc ε’c εcu = (Eq. 3-2)
d ε cu + ε frpu
Fig. 3-2. Assumed stress-strain behaviour of
concrete. To determine the balanced reinforcing ratio, force
equilibrium over the cross-section is utilized, and the
FAILURE MODES compressive and tensile stress resultants, C and T, are
equated as follows:
There are three potential flexural failure modes for FRP-
reinforced concrete sections: C =T (Eq. 3-3)
• Balanced failure – simultaneous FRP tensile rupture
and concrete crushing The true distribution of stress in the concrete in the
• Compression failure – concrete crushing prior to FRP compression zone is non-linear, as shown in Figure 3-3a.
tensile rupture However, as is the case for steel-reinforced concrete
• Tension Failure – tensile rupture of the FRP prior to members, we can replace the non-linear stress distribution
concrete crushing with an equivalent rectangular stress-block. To do this, the

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

same stress-block parameters, α1 and β1, are used as those

suggested in CSA A23.3-94/CHBDC for steel-reinforced A complication in the analysis arises from the fact that FRP
concrete, namely: reinforcement does not yield, and hence the stress in the
FRP at compression failure of the member, ffrp, is unknown.
α 1 = 0.85 − 0.0015 f ' c ≥ 0.67 (Eq. 3-4) Equating the tensile and compressive stress resultants
yields:
β 1 = 0.97 − 0.0025 f ' c ≥ 0.67 (Eq. 3-5)
φ frp A frp f frp
Thus, the compressive stress resultant is: β 1c = a = (Eq. 3-11)
α 1φ c f c' b
C = α 1φc f 'c β1cb b (Eq. 3-6)
And from strain compatibility (refer to Fig. 3-3b) we can
derive the following:
The tensile stress resultant is determined from the FRP
ultimate stress and the cross-sectional area of FRP
reinforcement: ε frp d − c
=
ε cu c
T = φ frp ε frpu E frp A frp (Eq.3-7)
β 1 d − β 1c
⇒ ε frp = ε cu (Eq. 3-12)
Now, equating the compressive and tensile stress resultants β 1c
and rearranging, the balanced failure reinforcement ratio, β d −a
ρfrpb, is obtained: ⇒ f frp = E frp ε cu 1
a
A frpb φ f 'c ⎛⎜ ε cu ⎞
⎟ (Eq. 3-8)
ρ frpb = = α 1 β1 c
bd φ frp f frpu ⎜⎝ ε cu + ε frpu ⎟
⎠ Now, substituting Eq. 3-11 into Eq. 3-12, and solving for
the stress in the FRP reinforcement at compressive failure,
gives:
For a given FRP-reinforced concrete member, an FRP
reinforcement ratio less than ρfrpb will result in tension
failure, and an FRP reinforcement ratio greater than ρfrpb ⎡ 1
⎤
1 ⎢⎛ 4α 1 β1φc f c' ⎞2 ⎥
will result in compression failure. Next, we will examine f frp = E frp ε cu ⎢⎜1 + ⎟ − 1 (Eq. 3-13)
⎥
the two potential failure modes that are of practical interest. 2 ⎜ ρ φ Efrpε ⎟
⎢⎣⎝ frp frp cu ⎠ ⎥⎦
Compression Failure
If an FRP-reinforced concrete section contains sufficient Once the stress in the FRP reinforcement is known, Eq. 3-11
tensile reinforcement, then failure of the section will be can be used to determine the depth of the equivalent
induced by crushing of the concrete in the compression zone rectangular stress block, a, and the flexural capacity, Mr, can
before the FRP reaches its ultimate strain. This type of be obtained in a similar fashion as for steel-reinforced
failure is highly unlikely for a T-section in positive bending, concrete:
since the width of the compression zone, b, is very large,
and so only rectangular sections are considered. ⎛ a⎞
For the case of compression failure, the strains in the M r = φ frp A frp f frp ⎜ d − ⎟ (Eq. 3-14)
⎝ 2⎠
cross-section can be illustrated as shown in Figure 3-3b.
Again, the strain in the extreme compression fibre is
NOTE:
assumed to be εcu = 0.0035, and the non-linear stress
Rather than using Eq. 3-13 to determine the stress in the
distribution in the concrete can be replaced by the CSA
FRP at compressive failure, an iterative procedure can be
A23.3-94/CHBDC equivalent rectangular stress block
performed using Eqs. 3-9, 3-10, and 3-11 by assuming a
(using parameters α1 and β1 as defined previously).
neutral axis depth, calculating the compressive and tensile
The compressive and tensile stress resultants can be
stress resultants using strain compatibility, and checking if
determined as follows:
C = T. If C ≠ T, the neutral axis depth is updated and the
procedure is repeated until convergence of the neutral axis
C = α 1 φ c f c ' β 1 cb (Eq. 3-9) depth is achieved within a suitable tolerance.

T = φ frp A frp f frp (Eq. 3-10)

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

b α1Φcf’c

εcu

a = β1cb C
cb
(a)
d
BALANCED
FAILURE Afrpb
εc = εcu
εfrpu ffrpu T
εfrp = εfrpu

α1Φcf’c

εcu

a = β1c C
c
(b)
d
COMPRESSION
FAILURE Afrp
εc = εcu εfrp < εfrpu ffrp T
εfrp < εfrpu

αΦcf’c

εc < εcu

c a = βc C

(c)
d
TENSION FAILURE
εc < εcu Afrp
εfrp = εfrpu
εfrpu ffrpu T

Cross-section Strain Distribution Stress Distribution Equivalent

Stress Distribution

Fig. 3-3. Flexural failure modes for FRP-reinforced concrete beams.

Tension Failure strain in the concrete at failure is less than εcu = 0.0035, and
If the FRP reinforcement ratio is less than the balanced the strain in the FRP reinforcement is given by:
failure reinforcement ratio, then the section will fail by FRP
tensile rupture before the concrete in the compression zone f frpu
crushes (Fig. 3-3c). This situation is different from an
ε frpu = (Eq. 3-15)
E frp
under-reinforced concrete member with steel reinforcement
in that there is no yielding of the FRP. In this case, the
Because the concrete in the compression zone is not at
ultimate, the stress distribution in the concrete cannot be

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

described using the equivalent rectangular stress block C = αφ c f c' β cb (Eq. 3-17)
parameters used previously. The α1 and β1 parameters
suggested by CSA A23.3-94/CHBDC are valid only for the
case of εc = εcu. Thus, modified stress block parameters are Again, for equilibrium it is required that:
required. These modified parameters, α and β, can be
determined either from tabulated values available in ISIS C =T (Eq. 3-18)
Design Manual No. 3, or from Figs. 3-2 and 3-3 below,
which give α and β as functions of the strain in the concrete If the above equation is not satisfied, then a new value of the
for a variety of concrete strengths. neutral axis depth is assumed, α and β are reevaluated, and
Eq. 3-18 is checked. This process is repeated in an iterative
fashion until Eq. 3-18 is satisfied. For each iteration, the
updated neutral axis depth, c, can be determined using:

φ frp A frp ε frpu E frp

c= (Eq. 3-19)
αφ c f c' βb

where α and β are determined at the following concrete

strain (from strain compatibility, Fig. 3-3c):

c
ε c = ε frpu (Eq. 3-20)
d −c
Once the tensile and compressive stress resultants are
known, the moment resistance of the member can be
determined by taking moments about the compressive stress
Fig. 3-2. Equivalent stress-block parameter α for resultant. Thus:
concrete.
⎛ βc ⎞
M r = φ frp A frp f frpu ⎜ d − ⎟ (Eq. 3-21)
⎝ 2 ⎠

Due to the brittle failure associated with failure by rupture

of the FRP reinforcement, it is recommended that and
additional safety requirement of:

M ≥ 1.5M (Eq. 3-22)

r f

be applied when failure is by tensile rupture of the FRP.

MINIMUM FLEXURAL RESISTANCE

Three criteria are suggested by ISIS Canada Design Manual

No. 3 to provide minimum tensile reinforcement for an
Fig. 3-3. Equivalent stress-block parameter β for FRP-reinforced concrete member.
concrete. Failure of a member immediately after cracking, which
occurs suddenly and without warning, should be avoided.
Once α and β have been determined, the tensile and Thus, the moment resistance of an FRP-reinforced concrete
compressive stress resultants can be determined for an member, Mr, should be at least 50% greater than the
assumed value of the neutral axis depth using: cracking moment, Mcr. Hence:

T = φ frp A frp f frpu = φ frp A frp ε frpu E frp (Eq. 3-16) M r ≥ 1.5M cr (Eq. 3-23)

11
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

The cracking moment is determined from the modulus of permitted (refer to Figure 3-4). Members can be easily
rupture of the concrete, fr, the moment of inertia of the designed on the basis of the strain in the outermost layer of
transformed section, It, and the distance from the centroidal FRP reinforcing bars by assuming strain compatibility.
axis of the transformed section to the extreme tension fibre,
yt, using:

fr It
M cr = where f r = 0.6 f 'c (Eq. 3-24)
yt

As the minimum reinforcement condition is usually

governed by tensile rupture of the FRP reinforcement, the
moment resistance, Mr, must be at least 50% greater than
the moment due to the factored loads, Mf. Thus:
Fig. 3-4. Lumping of reinforcement is not
M ≥ 1.5M (Eq. 3-25) permitted.
r f
Beams with Compression
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Reinforcement
FRP reinforcing materials are generally weak in
Beams with FRP Rebars in Multiple compression. Although these materials may be used as
layers compression reinforcement, their contribution to the flexural
For the case of FRP-reinforced concrete beams with strength of FRP-reinforced concrete members should be
reinforcement in two or more layers, the strain in the outer neglected.
layer of FRP reinforcement is the critical strain. This means
that “lumping” of reinforcement, as is commonly performed
in the analysis of steel-reinforced concrete beams, is not

Section 4
Serviceability
GENERAL primarily for aesthetic reasons, as well as to control service
load stresses in the reinforcement (to prevent creep-rupture).
Serviceability considerations, relating both to cracking and If there is a need to calculate the crack width at service
to deflection, are crucial factors in the design of FRP- load levels for an FRP-reinforced concrete member,
reinforced concrete flexural members. FRP reinforcing bars guidance is available in Section 7.4.1 of ISIS Design
generally have much higher strengths than the yield strength Manual No. 3. The limiting crack width for FRP-reinforced
of conventional steel reinforcement. However, the modulus members is recommended by CHBDC (CSA, 2005) to be
of elasticity of FRP materials is generally less than that of 0.7 mm, except for members subjected to aggressive
reinforcing steel, and this can lead to the formation of large environments where 0.5 mm is recommended. Alternatively,
cracks or to unserviceable deflections. The result is that, in as a conservative approach, the ISIS design guidelines
many cases, serviceability considerations may control the suggest, to control cracking, that the maximum strain in
design of FRP-reinforced concrete members. tensile FRP reinforcement at service should not exceed
0.2%. Thus:
CRACKING
ε frps ≤ 0.002 (Eq. 4-1)
In steel-reinforced concrete members, it is necessary to
control crack widths both for aesthetic reasons and to
The strain in the FRP at service load levels can be
prevent corrosion of reinforcing steel. For FRP-reinforced
determined using the concept of transformed sections in
members, there is no such corrosion requirement (FRP bars
either cracked or un-cracked sections.
are non-corrosive) and so cracking must be limited

12
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

If there is a need to calculate the crack width at service The ratio (ln/h)s is the equivalent ratio for steel-reinforced
load levels for an FRP-reinforced concrete member, concrete and is obtained from Table 9-1 of CSA A23.3-94.
guidance is available in Section 7.3.1 of ISIS Design
Manual No. 3. EFFECTIVE MOMENT OF INERTIA

DEFLECTION If a member remains uncracked under service loads, then

deflection requirements can be checked using the concept of
Since the modulus of elasticity of FRP reinforcement is transformed sections. However, if the member is cracked
generally substantially lower than for conventional steel under service load, the effective moment of inertia should
reinforcement, FRP-reinforced members typically display be calculated (for a rectangular section) using the following
significantly more deflection than equivalent steel- equation, which was empirically derived from test data on
reinforced members. This means that the minimum FRP-reinforced concrete members:
thickness (overall member depth) requirements used in CSA
A23.3-94 or CSA S6-05 for steel-reinforced concrete are I t I cr
unconservative, and are thus not directly applicable to Ie = (Eq. 4-3)
members reinforced with FRPs. Furthermore, deflections ⎛ ⎛M ⎞
2
⎞
for FRP-reinforced concrete members must be checked I cr + ⎜1 − 0.5⎜⎜ cr ⎟⎟ ⎟( I − I )
⎜ ⎝ Ma ⎠ ⎟ t cr
against the requirements of CSA A23.3-94 or CSA S6-05 ⎝ ⎠
using the effective moment of inertia, as described below.
where: Icr is the moment of inertia of the cracked section
MINIMUM THICKNESS transformed to concrete with concrete in tension
ignored, calculated using the Eq. 4-4 below [mm4]
For steel-reinforced concrete structures, CSA A23.3-94 It is the moment of inertia of a non-cracked section
recommends span-to-depth ratios for a variety of member transformed to concrete [mm4]
types and end conditions to ensure adequate deflection Mcr is the cracking Moment [N·mm]
control. For FRP-reinforced concrete members, the Ma is the maximum moment in a member at the
following equation should be used to ensure similar span to load stage at which deflection is being calculated
deflection ratios as for steel-reinforced beams: [N·mm]

αd b(kd ) 3
⎛ ln ⎞ ⎛l ⎞ ⎛ ε ⎞ I cr = + n frp A frp d (1 − k ) 2 (Eq. 4-4)
⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ n ⎟ ⎜⎜ s ⎟
⎟
(Eq. 4-2) 3
⎝ h ⎠ frp ⎝ h ⎠ s ⎝ ε frp ⎠
where: b is the width of the compression zone [mm]
where: ℓn is the member length [mm] d is the effective depth of the section [mm]
h is the member thickness [mm] nfrp is the modular ratio Efrp/Ec
εs is the maximum strain allowed in the steel
reinforcement in service The neutral axis depth, kd, can be calculated using the
εfrps is the maximum strain allowed in the FRP following equation:
reinforcement in service
αd is a dimensionless coefficient taken as 0.50 for
a rectangular section
k = ⎡− n frp ρ frp +
⎢⎣
(n frp ρ frp )2 + 2n frp ρ frp ⎤⎥
⎦
(Eq. 4-5)

where: ρfrp is the FRP reinforcement ratio.

13
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Section 5
Deformability
In the past, the concept of a balanced section was used to reinforcement ratio, provided that the curvature at service
implicitly design steel-reinforced concrete structures for loads is an acceptably low proportion of the curvature at
ductile behaviour. Traditionally, a balanced section is one ultimate. This concept is referred to as deformability and
in which the steel reinforcement reaches the yield strain can be summarized, for rectangular and T-beams in flexure,
simultaneously with the crushing strain being reached in the by the following equation:
concrete. It was recognized that an under-reinforced design,
having reinforcement less than the balanced condition, gave ⎛ψ M ⎞
ductile behaviour, with very large curvature observed prior DF = ⎜⎜ u u ⎟⎟ ≥ 4 for rectangular sections (Eq. 5-1)
to failure. Conversely, an over-reinforced design, with ⎝ψ sM s ⎠
reinforcement above the balanced condition, gave a very
safe structure with comparatively less deformation observed
prior to failure. Thus, a trade-off between ductility and ⎛ψ M ⎞
DF = ⎜⎜ u u ⎟⎟ ≥ 6 for T-sections (Eq. 5-1)
safety was recognized.
⎝ψ s M s ⎠
Unlike steel, FRP reinforcement has a linear strain-
stress relationship. For FRP reinforcement there is no
In the previous expressions, ψu and Mu are the curvature and
plastic phase. However, because of the comparatively low
moment at ultimate conditions, respectively, and ψs and Ms
modulus of elasticity of FRP reinforcing materials, an FRP-
are the curvature and moment at service conditions, but not
reinforced member will also exhibit sufficiently large
exceeding the condition where the maximum concrete
curvature at failure. Because of this important difference in
compressive strain = 0.001.
the characteristics of FRP reinforcement, in comparison
The concept of deformability, while extremely
with steel, it is important that issues of deformability and
important, is rather complex and is not discussed further.
safety be thoroughly investigated.
Deformability is discussed in significant detail in Chapter 9
ISIS Canada Design Manual No. 3 suggests that the
of ISIS Design Manual No. 3.
FRP reinforcement ratio can be less than the balanced FRP

Section 6
Spacing and Cover
Concrete Cover
Adequate concrete cover to the FRP-reinforcement is CSA-S806-02 provides additional information on concrete
required to prevent cracking due to thermal expansion, cover requirements if fire rating requirements area design
swelling from moisture, and to protect the FRP consideration.
reinforcement from fire. Due to the wide variety of FRP
reinforcing products available, it is difficult to make Bar Spacing
generalizations as to the required concrete cover for various To ensure that concrete can be placed properly and that
types of FRP reinforcing materials. CHBDC (CSA, 2005) temperature cracking will be avoided, the minimum bar
recommends that the minimum clear cover shall be 35 mm spacing for longitudinal reinforcing bars in FRP-reinforced
with a construction tolerance of ±10 mm. The overall concrete members should be taken as the maximum of:
guidelines suggested by ISIS Canada Design Manual No. 3 • 1.4 db
are as follows; • 1.4 times the maximum aggregate size (MAS)
• 30 mm
Table 6-1. Cover to Flexural Reinforcement • the concrete cover obtained above
Exposure Beams Slabs The maximum spacing of flexural reinforcement should
Interior 2.5db or 40mm 2.5db or 20mm be taken, in the same manner as suggested by CSA A23.3-
Exterior 2.5db or 50mm 2.5db or 30mm 94 for steel-reinforced concrete, as the smaller of:
* db is the bar diameter in mm • 5 times the slab thickness
• 500 mm

14
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Constructability • FRP reinforcement is light and must be tied, with

The following are additional considerations which must be plastic ties, to formwork to prevent it from floating
accounted for when designing with FRP reinforcement: during concrete placing and vibrating operations.
• All FRP materials should be protected against UV • Care must be taken when vibrating concrete to ensure
radiation. that the FRP reinforcement is not damaged (plastic
• Storage and handling requirements for FRPs may vary protected vibrators should be used).
significantly depending on the specific product being Additional information on the appropriate handling and
used. application of FRP materials is given in ISIS Educational
• FRPs should not come into contact with reinforcing Module 6.
steel in a structure.

Section 7
Additional Topics
DEVELOPMENT LENGTH AND members. FRPs have been used successfully as shear
reinforcement in full-scale field applications, although the
ANCHORAGE topic is not covered in any significant detail in this manual.
If steel stirrups are used in an FRP reinforced concrete
For concrete to be reinforced with FRPs, there must be force member, and the shear design is conducted according to
transfer from the FRP to the concrete through bond. The existing standards, such as CSA A23.3-94, then no
required development length for FRP reinforcement is problems with the shear capacity of the member are
dependent on the bond between FRP and concrete, which in expected.
turn depends on the bar diameter, surface condition, Further information on the shear design of concrete
embedment length, and bar shape. Because the bond of members reinforced with FRPs for both flexure and shear
FRP bars to concrete differs depending on the specific FRP can be found in Chapter 11 of ISIS Design Manual No. 3.
reinforcement being used, the development length for any
specific product should be determined from experimental
tests. Most FRP reinforcement manufacturers can provide
guidance in this regard for any specific FRP product.

FLEXURAL DESIGN AIDS

To assist in the flexural design of FRP-reinforced concrete

members, ISIS Canada has produced a series of designs
aids. The design aids consist of a series of charts that were
developed for rectangular sections with a specific type of
reinforcement in a single layer. They were developed based
on the serviceability requirement that the strain in the FRP
at service load levels should not exceed εfrp = 0.002, and
they can be used for the design of section dimensions and
reinforcement details to satisfy both serviceability and
ultimate limit states requirements. The design charts have
not been included herein, but are available in Chapter 10 of
ISIS Design Manual No. 3.

DESIGN FOR SHEAR Fig. 7-1. CFRP stirrups for shear reinforcement of
a prestressed concrete bridge girder.
FRP are widely used in a variety of shapes and
configurations for flexural reinforcement of concrete

15
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Section 8
Examples
EXAMPLE 1
Moment Capacity Analysis of a Rectangular Beam with FRP Reinforcement
(Tension Failure)

Problem:

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, for a precast mm diameter LeadlineTM stirrups and that the beam has an
(φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete section with the interior exposure condition.
following dimensions: Given information:
Section width b = 350 mm Concrete compressive strength, f’c = 35 MPa.
Section depth h = 600 mm ISOROD GFRP tensile strength, ffrpu = 617 MPa
The tensile reinforcement consists of eight 12.7 mm ISOROD GFRP tensile modulus, Efrp = 42 GPa
diameter GFRP ISOROD bars (bundled in pairs) in a single The area of one 12.7 mm bar, Abar = 129 mm2
layer. Assume that the shear reinforcement consists of 5

Solution:

1. Determine the concrete cover and the effective depth of Where:

the section.
α1 = 0.85 − 0.0015 f 'c = 0.80 (Eq. 3-4)
The required concrete cover to the flexural reinforcement is
(Table 6-1): β 1 = 0.97 − 0.0025 f ' c = 0.88 (Eq. 3-5)
f frpu 617
2.5d b = (2.5)(12.7) = 32 mm or 40 mm ε frpu = = = 0.0146 (Eq. 3-1)
E frp 42 × 10 3
∴ 40 mm governs.
4. Check if the section will fail by tension failure or
The effective depth, d, is calculated from: compression failure. In this case:

db 12.7 ρ frp = 0.00532 < ρ frpb = 0.0125

d = h − cover − = 600 − 40 − = 554 mm
2 2
Therefore, we have TENSION FAILURE, and the strain
2. Calculate the FRP reinforcement ratio: distribution is as shown in Fig. 9-1.

A frp 5. Perform an iterative strain-compatibility analysis:

8 ×129
ρ frp = = = 0.00532
bd 350 × 554 Assume the neutral axis depth, c = 50 mm. The value of 50
mm is arbitrary, but is likely a reasonable first guess. Now,
3. Calculate the balanced FRP reinforcement ratio (Eq. 3-8): using strain compatibility:

A frpb ⎛ φc f 'c
ε cu ⎞ εc ε frpu
ρ frpb = = α 1 β1⎜ ⎟ =
bd ⎜ε +ε
φ frp f frpu⎟ c d −c
⎝ cu frpu ⎠

0.65 35 ⎛ 0.0035 ⎞ which gives:

= 0.80(0.88) ⎜ ⎟
0.4 617 ⎝ 0.0035 + 0.0146 ⎠
= 0.0125

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

0.0146 Now we must check for equilibrium of the stress-resultants

ε c = 50 on the cross-section:
554 − 50
= 1448 × 10 −6 C = 206 < T = 255

350 mm Since C < T, further iteration is required. We will try

εc < εcu increasing (guessing) the neutral axis depth to 55 mm. In
the same manner as above, the following can be determined:
c
0.0146
ε c = 57
554 − 57
d= 554mm
= 1674 × 10 − 6

T = 0.4(8 × 129 )(617 ) = 382 046 N

= 255 kN
0.0146
The stress block parameters, α = 0.80 and β = 0.69, are
again determined from Figs. 3-2 and 3-3. Giving:
Fig. 9-1. Strain compatibility analysis.
C = 0.8(0.65 )(35 )(0.69 )(57 )(350 ) = 2505532 N
The tensile stress resultant can be calculated directly using = 251 kN
Eq. 3-16:

T = φ frp A frp f frpu C = 251 ≈ T = 255 → OK

= 0.4(8 × 129 )(617 ) = 254698 N This time, C and T are approximately equal, and we can
continue to determine the moment capacity using Eq. 3-21:
= 255 kN
⎛ βc ⎞
where Φfrp is determined according to Table 3-1. M r = φ frp A frp f frpu ⎜ d − ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
The compressive stress resultant is more difficult to obtain.
⎛ 0.69 × 57 ⎞
It is given by Eq. 3-17: = 0.4(8 × 129)(617 )⎜ 554 − ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
C = αφ c f c' β cb = 136.1× 10 N ⋅ mm = 136.1 kN ⋅ m
6

Because the strain in the extreme concrete compression Thus, the moment capacity of the section is 136.1 kN·m.
fibre is less than ultimate, the equivalent rectangular stress Finally, we must check that the minimum flexural
block factors, α and β, must be determined from Figs. 3-2 capacity requirements are satisfied. Using Eq. 3-23:
and 3-3.
From Fig. 3-2, with a concrete strain of εc = 1448 × 10-6 M r ≥ 1.5M cr
and interpolating between the curves for 30 and 40 MPa
concrete, we find that α = 0.75. Using Fig. 3-3, with the
The cracking moment is determined using Eq. 3-24:
same concrete strain as above, we find β = 0.69.
Now, the compressive stress resultant can be obtained:
fr It
M cr =
C = αφ c f β cb
c
'
yt
= 0.75(0.65)(35)(0.69 )(50 )(350 ) = 206 030 N
=
(0.6 35 )(6.30 ×10 )
9

= 206 kN 302
= 74.0 × 10 6 N ⋅ mm = 74.0 kN ⋅ m
where:

17
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

f r = 0.6 f ' c Thus, the beam has satisfactory capacity to avoid failure
upon cracking.
I t = transformed section moment of inertia The reader should note that the beam in the preceding
analysis may not be adequate with regard to serviceability
yt = distance from N.A. to extreme tension fibre requirements, particularly given that the modulus of
ISOROD GFRP reinforcement is less than that of
Thus we have: conventional steel reinforcement. Serviceability
requirements for cracking and deflection should also be
M r = 136 kN ⋅ m ≥ 1.5M cr = 1.5 × 74.0 = 111 kN ⋅ m investigated, although they are not covered here.
→ OK

EXAMPLE 2
Moment Capacity Analysis of a Rectangular Beam with Tension Reinforcement
(Compression Failure)

Problem:

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, for a precast stirrups and that the beam has an interior exposure
(φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete section with the condition.
following dimensions: Given information:
Section width b = 300 mm Concrete compressive strength, f’c = 35 MPa.
Section depth h = 500 mm ISOROD CFRP tensile strength, ffrpu = 1596 MPa
The tensile reinforcement consists of six #10 ISOROD ISOROD CFRP tensile modulus, Efrp = 111 GPa
CFRP bars in a single layer. Assume that the shear The area of one #10 bar, Abar = 71 mm2
reinforcement consists of 5 mm diameter LeadlineTM The diameter of one #10 bar, db = 9.3 mm

Solution:

1. Determine the concrete cover and the effective depth of A frpb φc f 'c ⎛⎜ ε cu
⎞
⎟
the section. ρ frpb = = α 1 β1
bd φ frp f frpu ⎜⎝ ε cu + ε frpu
⎟
⎠
The required concrete cover to the flexural reinforcement is
0.65 35 ⎛ 0.0035 ⎞
= 0.80(0.88)
(Table 6-1):
⎜ ⎟
0.8 1596 ⎝ 0.0035 + 0.0144 ⎠
2.5d b = (2.5)(9.3) = 23 mm or 40 mm
= 0.00245 = 0.245%
The effective depth, d, is calculated from:
Where:
db 9. 3
d = h − cover − = 500 − 40 − = 455 mm α1 = 0.85 − 0.0015 f 'c = 0.80 (Eq. 3-4)
2 2
2. Calculate the FRP reinforcement ratio: β1 = 0.97 − 0.0025 f ' c = 0.88 (Eq. 3-5)

ρ frp =
A frp
=
(6 × 71) = 0.00312 = 0.312% ε frpu =
f frpu
=
1596
= 0.0144 (Eq. 3-1)
bd 300(455) E frp 111× 10 3

3. Calculate the balanced FRP reinforcement ratio 4. Check if the section will fail by tension failure or
(Eq. 3-8): compression failure. In this case:

18
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

ρ frp = 0.00312 > ρ frpb = 0.00245 7. Determine the flexural capacity, Mr (Eq. 3-14):

Therefore, we have COMPRESSION FAILURE, and the ⎛ a⎞

M r = φ frp A frp f frp ⎜ d − ⎟
strain distribution is as follows: ⎝ 2⎠
⎛ 87 ⎞
300 mm = 0.8(6 × 71)(1396)⎜ 455 − ⎟
εcu = 0.0035 ⎝ 2⎠
= 196 × 10 N ⋅ mm = 196 kN ⋅ m
6

c
Thus, the moment capacity of the section is 196 kN·m.

Finally, we must check that the minimum flexural capacity

d= 455 mm
requirements are satisfied. Using Eq. 3-23:

M r ≥ 1.5M cr

The cracking moment is determined using Eq. 3-24:

εfrp < εfrpu fr It

M cr =
yt
(0.6 35 )(3.20 ×10 )
Fig. 9-1. Strain compatibility analysis.
9

5. Determine the tensile stress in the FRP reinforcement at =

compressive failure of the section (Eq. 3-8):
248
= 45.8 × 10 6 N ⋅ mm = 45.8 kN ⋅ m
⎡⎛ ⎞
1
⎤
4α 1 β1φc f c'
2

f frp = 0.5 E frp ε cu ⎢⎜1 + ⎟ − 1⎥ where:

⎢⎜⎝ ρ frpφ frp Efrpε cu ⎟
⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
f r = 0.6 f ' c
= 0.5(111000 )(0.0035 )
I t = transformed section moment of inertia
⎡⎛ 4 (0 . 80 )(0 . 88 )(0 . 65 )(35 ) ⎞ 2 ⎤
1

⎢⎜⎜1 + ⎟ − 1⎥ yt = distance from N.A. to extreme tension fibre

⎢⎝ 3.12 × 10 −3 (0.8)(111000 )(0.0035 ) ⎟⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
Thus we have:
= 1396 MPa
M r = 196 kN ⋅ m ≥ 1.5M cr = 1.5 × 45.8 = 68.7 kN ⋅ m
6. Determine the stress block depth, a (Eq. 3-11):
→ OK
φ A f
β1c = a = frp frp ' frp
α 1φc f c b Thus, the beam has satisfactory capacity to avoid failure
upon cracking.
0.8(6 × 71)(1387 ) The reader should note that the beam in the preceding
=
0.80(0.65)(35)(300 ) analysis may not be adequate with regard to serviceability
requirements, particularly given that the modulus of
= 87 mm ISOROD CFRP reinforcement is less than that of
conventional steel reinforcement. Serviceability
requirements for cracking and deflection should also be
investigated, although they are not covered here.

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Section 9
Field Applications
The following case studies provide examples of field stainless steel tension bars were used for the connection
applications where FRP reinforcement has been used between the barrier wall and the deck slab.
successfully for reinforcement of concrete. Further The bridge incorporates a complex embedded fibre
information on a variety of additional field applications can optic structural sensing system that will allow engineers to
be obtained from the ISIS Canada website compare the long-term behaviour of the various materials.
(www.isiscanada.com). This remote monitoring is an important factor in acquiring
long-term data on FRPs that is required for widespread
TAYLOR BRIDGE acceptance of these materials through national and
international codes of practice.
A significant research milestone was achieved on October 8,
1998 when Manitoba’s Department of Highways and
Transportation opened the Taylor Bridge in Headingley,
Manitoba. The two-lane, 165.1-metre-long structure has
four out of 40 precast concrete girders reinforced with
carbon FRP stirrups. These girders are also prestressed with
carbon FRP cables and bars. Glass FRP reinforcement has
been used in portions of the barrier walls.

Fig. 10-2. Placing the FRP-reinforced concrete

deck of the Taylor Bridge.

JOFFRE BRIDGE
Fig. 10-1. The Taylor Bridge, in Headingly Early in August of 1997, the province of Québec decided to
Manitoba, during construction. construct a bridge using carbon FRP reinforcement. The
Joffre Bridge, spanning the Saint Francois River, was
As a demonstration project, it was vital the materials be another contribution to the increasing number of FRP-
tested under the same conditions as conventional steel reinforced bridges in Canada. A portion of the Joffre Bridge
reinforcement. Thus only a portion of the bridge was concrete deck slab is reinforced with carbon FRP, as are
designed using FRPs. portions of the traffic barrier wall and the sidewalk.
Two types of carbon FRP reinforcements were used in The bridge is outfitted extensively with various kinds of
the Taylor bridge. Carbon fibre composite cables produced monitoring instruments including fibre optic sensors
by Tokyo Rope, Japan, were used to pretension two girders, embedded within the FRP reinforcement (these are referred
while the other two girders were pretensioned using to as smart reinforcements). Over 180 monitoring
Leadline bars produced by Mitsubishi Chemical instruments are installed at critical locations in the concrete
Corporation, Japan. deck slab and on the steel girders, to monitor the behaviour
Two of the four FRP-reinforced girders were reinforced of the FRP reinforcement under service conditions. The
for shear using carbon FRP stirrups and leadline bars in a instrumentation is also providing valuable information on
rectangular cross section. The other two beams were long-term performance of the concrete deck slab reinforced
reinforced for shear using epoxy coated steel reinforcement. with FRP materials.
The deck slab was reinforced by Leadline bars similar
to those used for prestressing. Glass FRP reinforcement
produced by Marshall Industries Composites Inc. was used
to reinforce a portion of the barrier wall. Double-headed

20
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Fig. 10-5. Placement of GFRP and CFRP

reinforcement in the Wotton Bridge deck.

Fig. 10-3. Placement of FRP grid for Joffre Bridge’s

concrete deck reinforcement (yellow coils are
sensor lead wires).

Fig. 10-6. The completed Wotton Bridge.

Fig. 10-4. Aerial view of Joffre Bridge during

construction.

WOTTON BRIDGE
Wotton Bridge, in the municipality of Wotton, Québec, is a
single span prestressed concrete girder bridge with a total
length of 30.6 metres and a width of 8.9 metres. The deck
slab rests on four prestressed concrete girders, spaced at 2.3
metres, with a cantilever slab of one metre on either side.
The deck slab is reinforced internally with ISOROD GFRP
and CFRP reinforcing bars with diameters of 15 mm and 10
mm respectively. FRP reinforcement is used both for top Fig. 10-7. The GFRP-reinforced Morristown Bridge
and bottom slab reinforcement. deck just before placement of the concrete deck
slab.
MORRISTOWN BRIDGE
The Morristown Bridge, in the State of Vermont, USA, is a
single-span integral abutment bridge with a total length of
43 metres and a width of 11.3 metres. The deck slab has a
thickness of 230 mm and rests on 5 steel girders spaced at
2.4 metres. The deck slab cantilevers on either side of the
bridge are 0.92 metres in length. Top and bottom deck
reinforcement consists of ISOROD GFRP reinforcing bars.

21
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Fig. 10-8. Close-up of the Morristown Bridge

deck’s GFRP reinforcement just before placement
of the concrete (bars were “bundled” in this
application).

Section 10
References and Additional Guidance
Additional information on the use of FRP materials can be obtained in various documents available from ISIS Canada:

• ISIS Design Manual No. 4: Strengthening Reinforced Concrete Structures with Externally-Bonded Fiber Reinforced
Polymers.
• ISIS Design Manual No. 5: Prestressing Concrete Structures with FRPs.
• ISIS Educational Module 1: Mechanics Examples Incorporating FRP Materials.
• ISIS Educational Module 2: An Introduction to FRP Composites for Construction.
• ISIS Educational Module 4: An Introduction to FRP-Strengthening of Concrete Structures.

Due to the increasing popularity and use of FRP reinforcements in the concrete construction industry, a number of design
recommendations have recently been produced by various organizations for the design of concrete structures with internal
FRP reinforcement. The following documents should be consulted for additional information or if design with FRP materials
is being contemplated.

• ISIS Design Manual No. 3: Reinforcing Concrete Structures with Fiber Reinforced Polymers.
Published by Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures Canada, Winnipeg, MB. 2001
• CAN/CSA-S806-02: Design and Construction of Building components with Fibre Reinforced Polymers.
Published by the Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa, ON. 2002.
• CAN/CSA-S6-05: Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.
Published by the Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa, ON. 2005.
• ACI 440.1R-03: Guide for the design and construction Concrete Reinforced with FRP Bars.
Published by the American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. 2003.

Notation
Afrp cross-sectional area of FRP reinforcement in tension (mm2)
Afrpb cross-sectional area of FRP reinforcement at the balanced failure condition (mm2)
Afrpmin minimum area of FRP required (mm2)
a depth of the equivalent rectangular stress block (mm)
b width of the compression zone for a rectangular section (mm)
C compressive stress resultant (N)

22
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Cn nominal compressive stress resultant (N)

c depth of neutral axis (mm)
cb depth of the neutral axis at the balanced failure condition (mm)
d effective depth of the section (mm)
db diameter of the reinforcement (mm)
Ec elastic modulus of the concrete (MPa)
Efrp elastic modulus of the FRP (MPa)
f’c compressive strength of the concrete (MPa)
ffrp stress in the FRP reinforcement at failure (MPa)
ffrpu ultimate tensile strength of the FRP (MPa)
fr modulus of rupture of the concrete (MPa)
h overall member depth (mm)
Icr moment of inertia of the cracked section transformed to concrete with concrete in tension ignored (mm4)
It moment of inertia of the transformed section (mm4)
ℓn member length (mm)
Ma maximum moment in a member at the load stage at which deflection is being calculated (N·mm)
Mcr cracking moment of the cross-section (N·mm)
Mf moment due to the factored loads (N·mm)
Mr factored moment resistance of the cross-section (N·mm)
nfrp modular ratio Efrp/Ec
T tensile stress resultant (N)
Tn nominal tensile stress resultant (N)
yt distance from the centroidal axis of the transformed section to the extreme tension fibre (mm)
α stress-block parameter for concrete at a strain less than ultimate
α1 CSA A23.3-94 stress-block parameter for concrete at ultimate
αd dimensionless coefficient taken as 0.50 for a rectangular section
β stress-block parameter for concrete at a strain less than ultimate
β1 CSA A23.3-94 stress-block parameter for concrete at ultimate
εcu ultimate concrete strain
εfrp strain in the FRP reinforcement at compression failure
εfrps strain in the tensile FRP reinforcement at service load
εfrpu ultimate strain of the FRP in tension
εs maximum strain allowed in the reinforcement in service
φc material resistance factor for concrete
φfrp material resistance factor of FRP reinforcement
ρfrpb balanced failure reinforcement ratio
ρfrp FRP reinforcement ratio

23
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Appendix A:
Suggested Student Assignment

250 mm

Problem #1:

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, in positive 2 – 9.3 mm diameter

bending, for the precast (φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete carbon ISOROD bars
section shown below. Assume that the beam has an interior

500 mm
exposure condition:

Material Properties:
Concrete Compressive Strength, f’c = 45 MPa 3 – 9.3 mm diameter
FRP Ultimate Strength, ffrpu = 1596 MPa carbon ISOROD bars
FRP Elastic Modulus, Efrp = 111 MPa
Area of FRP Bars, Abar = 71 mm2

300 mm

Problem #2:

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, in positive

bending, for the precast (φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete
section shown below. Assume that the beam has an interior
400 mm

exposure condition: 6 – 12 mm diameter

TM
carbon Leadline bars
Material Properties: in two layers
Concrete Compressive Strength, f’c = 40 MPa
FRP Ultimate Strength, ffrpu = 2255 MPa
FRP Elastic Modulus, Efrp = 147 MPa
Area of FRP Bars, Abar = 113 mm2

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Appendix B:
Assignment Solutions
Problem #1: 250 mm

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, in positive

bending, for the precast (φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete
2 – 9.3 mm diameter
section shown below. Assume that the beam has an interior carbon ISOROD bars
exposure condition:

500 mm
Material Properties:
Concrete Compressive Strength, f’c = 45 MPa
FRP Ultimate Strength, ffrpu = 1596 MPa
FRP Elastic Modulus, Efrp = 111 MPa 3 – 9.3 mm diameter
carbon ISOROD bars
Area of FRP Bars, Abar = 71 mm2

Solution:

1. First, note that we always assume FRP reinforcement is Where:

ineffective in compression. Thus, we can completely ignore
the compression reinforcement for the purposes of this α 1 = 0.85 − 0.0015 f 'c = 0.78 (Eq. 3-4)
problem. Next, determine the concrete cover and the
effective depth of the section. β1 = 0.97 − 0.0025 f 'c = 0.86 (Eq. 3-5)
The required concrete cover to the main reinforcement is f frpu 1596
(Table 6-1): ε frpu = = = 0.0143 (Eq. 3-1)
E frp 111× 10 3
2.5d b = ( 2.5)(9.3) = 23 mm or 40 mm
4. Check if the section will fail by tension failure or
∴ 40 mm cover governs. compression failure. In this case:
The effective depth, d, is thus:
ρ frp = 1.87 × 10 −3 < ρ frpb = 3.02 × 10 −3
db 9 .3
d = h − cover − = 500 − 40 − = 455 mm Therefore, we have TENSION FAILURE, and the strain
2 2 distribution is as follows:
2. Calculate the FRP reinforcement ratio: 250

ρ frp =
A frp
=
(3 × 71) = 1.87 × 10 −3 εc < εcu

bd 250(455) c

3. Calculate the balanced FRP reinforcement ratio

(Eq. 3-8):
d = 455 mm

A frpb ⎛ ε cu
φc f 'c ⎞
ρ frpb = = α 1 β1 ⎜ ⎟
bd ⎜ε +ε
φ frp f frpu⎟
⎝ cu frpu ⎠

0.65 45 ⎛ 0.0035 ⎞
= 0.78(0.86) ⎜ ⎟ 0.0143
0.8 1596 ⎝ 0.0035 + 0.0143 ⎠
= 3.02 × 10 −3

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

5. Perform an iterative strain-compatibility analysis: Since C ≈ T, further iteration is not required.

Assume the neutral axis depth, c = 60 mm. Using strain 6. Determine the moment capacity using Eq. 3-21:
compatibility:
⎛ βc ⎞
εc ε frpu 0.0143 M r = φ frp A frp f frpu ⎜ d − ⎟
= ⇒ ε c = 60 = 2172 × 10 −6 ⎝ 2 ⎠
c d −c 455 − 60
⎛ 0.70 × 60 ⎞
The tensile stress resultant can be calculated directly using = 0.8(3 × 71)(1596)⎜ 455 − ⎟
Eq. 3-16: ⎝ 2 ⎠
= 118 ×10 N ⋅ mm = 118 kN ⋅ m
6
T = φ frp A frp f frpu
= 0.8(3 × 71)(1596 ) = 272000 N Thus, the moment capacity of the section is 118 kN·m.
7. Check that the minimum flexural capacity requirements
= 272 kN
are satisfied. Using Eq. 3-23:
where Φfrp is determined according to Table 3-1.
M r ≥ 1.5M cr
The compressive stress resultant obtained using Eq. 3-17:
The cracking moment is determined using Eq. 3-24:
C = αφ c f c' β cb
fr It
The strain in the extreme compression fibre is less than M cr =
yt
ultimate, α and β, must therefore be determined from Figs.
3-2 and 3-3. From Fig. 3-2, with a concrete strain of εc =
2172 × 10-6 and interpolating between the curves for 40 and =
(0.6 )(
45 2636.88 ×10 6 )
50 MPa concrete, we find that α = 0.90. Using Fig. 3-3 we 250
find β = 0.70. = 42 ×10 N ⋅ mm = 42 kN ⋅ m
6

The compressive stress resultant can be obtained: Thus we have:

C = αφ c f β cb
c
'
M r = 118 kN ⋅ m ≥ 1.5M cr = 1.5 × 42 = 63 kN ⋅ m
= 0.90(0.65)(45)(0.70 )(60 )(250 ) = 276412 N
→ OK
= 276 kN
Therefore, the flexural resistance of the carbon FRP-
Check for equilibrium of the stress-resultants on the cross- reinforced concrete beam is 118 kN·m.
section:
C = 276 ≈ T = 272

26
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Problem #2:
300 mm

Calculate the factored moment resistance, Mr, in positive

bending, for the precast (φc = 0.65) FRP-reinforced concrete
section shown below. Assume that the beam has an interior
exposure condition:

400 mm
Material Properties:
Concrete Compressive Strength, f’c = 40 MPa 6 – 12 mm diameter
TM
carbon Leadline bars
FRP Ultimate Strength, ffrpu = 2255 MPa in two layers
FRP Elastic Modulus, Efrp = 147 MPa
Area of FRP Bars, Abar = 113 mm2
Maximum aggregate size, MAS = 14 mm

Solution:
1. Determine the concrete cover and the effective depth of
the section. The required concrete cover to the flexural ρ frp =
A frp
=
(6 ×113) = 6.76 ×10 −3
reinforcement is (Table 6-1): bd 300(334 )
2.5d b = (2.5)(12) = 30 mm or 40 mm 3. Calculate the balanced FRP reinforcement ratio
(Eq. 3-8):
The bar spacing requirements dictate that the spacing
between layers of reinforcement must be the greater of: A frpb ⎛ ε cuφc f ' c ⎞
ρ frpb = ⎜
= α 1 β1 ⎟
1.4d b = (1.4)(12) = 17 mm ; bd ⎜ε +ε ⎟
φ frp f frpu
⎝ cu frpu ⎠
0.65 40 ⎛ 0.0035 ⎞
1.4 MAS = (1.4)(14) = 20 mm ; = 0.79(0.87 ) ⎜ ⎟
0.8 2255 ⎝ 0.0035 + 0.0153 ⎠
30 mm ; or
= 1.84 × 10 −3
the concrete cover of 40 mm → Governs
Where:
The effective depth to the bottom layer of reinforcement, d,
is (note that we may not “lump” the reinforcement as we α 1 = 0.85 − 0.0015 f ' c = 0.79 (Eq. 3-4)
would normally do for steel reinforced concrete):
β1 = 0.97 − 0.0025 f 'c = 0.87 (Eq. 3-5)
d 12
d bottom = h − cover − b = 400 − 40 − = 354 mm
2 2 f frpu 2255
ε frpu = = = 0.0153 (Eq. 3-1)
The depth to the top layer of reinforcement is: E frp 147 × 10 3
db 4. Check if the section will fail by tension failure or
d top = h − cover − − 40 compression failure. In this case:
2
12 ρ frp = 6.76 ×10 −3 > ρ frpb = 1.84 ×10 −3
= 400 − 40 − − 40 = 314 mm
2
Therefore, we have COMPRESSION FAILURE, and the
2. Calculate the FRP reinforcement ratio (here we will use strain distribution is as follows:
the average value of effective depth, THIS STEP ONLY!):

27
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

300 mm
εcu = 0.0035

400 mm

dtop = 314 mm
dbottom = 354 mm
εfrp,top

εfrp,bottom

εfrp < εfrpu

5. Assume the neutral axis depth, c = 115 mm (educated C = α 1φc f c' β cb

guess).
= 0.79(0.65)(40 )(0.87 )(115 )(300 )
6. Now we must determine the actual stresses in the
different layers of FRP reinforcement (NO LUMPING) and = 617000 N = 617 kN
check that the compression and tensile forces are equal.
From the strain profile shown above: Since C = 616 ≠ T = 531, we must try a different neutral
axis depth. Try c = 104 mm. As before:
ε cu ε frp ,bottom
= 0.0035
c d bottom − c ε frp ,bottom = (354 − 104 ) ⋅ = 8436 × 10 −6
104
0.0035
⇒ ε frp ,bottom = (354 − 115) = 7274 ×10 −6 0.0035
115 ε frp ,top = (314 − 104 ) ⋅ = 7088 × 10 −6
104
ε cu ε frp ,top Now, the tension force is calculated by summing the
=
c d top − c contributions of both layers of FRP:

⇒ ε frp ,top = (314 − 115)

0.0035
= 6057 × 10 −6
Tbottom = 0.8(3 × 113) 8436 × 10 −6 (147000 ) ( )
115 = 336000 N = 336 kN
Now, the tension force is calculated by summing the
contributions of both layers of FRP:
Ttop = 0.8(3 × 113) 7088 × 10 −6 (147000 )( )
= 282000 N = 282 kN
Tbottom = φ frp A frp ε frp ,bottom E frp
(
= 0.8(3 × 113) 7274 × 10 −6 (147000 ) ) So the total tensile force is T = 336 + 282 = 618 kN. Now,
the compression force is
= 290000 N = 290 kN
C = 0.87(0.65)(40 )(0.87 )(104 )(300 )
Ttop = φ frp A frp ε frp ,top E frp = 613000 N = 613 kN
(
= 0.8(3 × 113) 6057 × 10 −6 (147000 ) ) Since C = 613 ≈ T = 618, we will use a neutral axis depth of
c = 104 mm.
= 241000 N = 241 kN
7. We can now determine the flexural capacity, Mr (Eq. 3-
So the total tensile force is T = 290 + 241 = 531 kN. Now, 14):
the compression force is

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

⎛ a⎞ fr It
M r = φ frp A frp ,bottom f frp ,bottom ⎜ d bottom − ⎟ M cr =
⎝ 2⎠ yt
⎛ a⎞
+ φ frp A frp ,top f frp ,top ⎜ d top − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠
(0.6 )
⎛ 300 × 400 3 ⎞
40 ⎜⎜
12
⎟⎟
= ⎝ ⎠
⎛ 104 ⎞ 200
= 336 ×10 3 ⎜ 354 − ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ = 30.3 ×10 N ⋅ mm
6

⎛ 104 ⎞ Thus we have:

+ 282 ×10 3 ⎜ 314 − ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
M r = 175 ≥ 1.5M cr = 1.5(30.3) = 45.5 → OK
= 175 ×10 6 N ⋅ mm
Thus, the beam has satisfactory capacity to avoid failure
Thus, the moment capacity of the section is 175 kN·m. upon cracking.
Finally, we must check that the minimum flexural capacity
Therefore, the flexural resistance of the carbon FRP-
requirements are satisfied. Using Eq. 3-23:
reinforced concrete beam is 175 kN·m.
M r ≥ 1.5M cr
The cracking moment is determined using Eq. 3-24:

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Appendix C:
Suggested Laboratory
The following laboratory procedure is given as an example deflection, used in reinforced concrete beam design and
of a reinforced concrete laboratory that can be given in analysis;
conjunction with an undergraduate course on reinforced • it forces students to consider and understand important
concrete design, and that includes both conventional mechanics concepts such as elasticity, plasticity, and
reinforcing steel and internal FRP reinforcement. Given the ductility; and
wide variety of laboratory and testing facilities available at • it exposes students to the state-of-the-art in reinforced
various Canadian universities, this laboratory is given concrete design and thus increases student enthusiasm
primarily as an example for professors of what can be done for the course content, subsequently, in many cases,
using FRP reinforcement to increase the impact and student increasing student participation and effort.
understanding of traditional reinforced concrete labs. The laboratory presented herein suggests the use of
Inclusion of FRP reinforcement into traditional glass FRP reinforcing bars, ISOROD, manufactured by
reinforced concrete laboratories is advantageous for a Pultrall Inc. It is important to recognize that the laboratory
number of reasons, including: procedures can be adapted to include the use of any specific
• it introduces students to a new and innovative material type of FRP reinforcement, and this specific type of
which is gaining acceptance within the reinforced reinforcement has been used here only as an example.
concrete industry;
• it increases student understanding of the fundamental
concepts and assumptions, including serviceability and

Caution:
FRP Materials
FRPs are linear elastic materials. As such, these materials that instructors, students, laboratory demonstrators, and
do not display the yielding behaviour observed when testing technical staff be made aware of the specific failure modes
steel and they provide little warning prior to failure. In to be expected when testing FRP materials, and that
addition, beams which fail in shear or due to FRP rupture appropriate safety precautions be taken in addition to
may fail suddenly and with little warning. It is important those precautions that are normally enforced.

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

Concrete Beam Laboratory

OVERVIEW 4. an under-reinforced beam with shear reinforcement
(glass FRP reinforcing bars); and
This laboratory is intended to increase students’ 5. an over-reinforced beam with shear reinforcement
understanding of the effects of various amounts and types of (glass FRP reinforcing bars).
internal reinforcement, both steel and fibre reinforced Dimensions and reinforcement details of the beams are
polymer (FRP), on the flexural and shear behaviour of given on the following page.
reinforced concrete beams. The laboratory consists of the
fabrication and testing of five concrete beams with varying Instrumentation and Testing
amounts and types of reinforcement. The laboratory All beams will be tested in four-point bending to failure, as
illustrates the following important concepts: shown in the figure below. Strain gauges will be mounted
1. the flexural and shear behaviour of reinforced concrete on the tensile reinforcement, prior to casting the concrete,
beams; and on the concrete compression fibre. Load, deflection,
2. under-reinforced versus over-reinforced concrete and reinforcement and concrete compressive strain will be
beams; measured and recorded during testing. Cracking patterns
3. the effect of shear reinforcement on the load capacity, will also be marked and photographed during testing. Any
deflection, ductility, and failure of reinforced concrete significant visual observations will be recorded throughout
beams; the tests.
4. the effect of reinforcement type (steel or FRP) on the
load capacity, deflection, ductility, and failure of Laboratory Report
reinforced concrete beams; and The laboratory report should consist of the following:
5. the concepts of cracking, yielding, and moment- 1. A title page giving the group name and number.
curvature. 2. An abstract, briefly stating the purpose and procedure
The class will be divided into five groups, and each of the lab and the major conclusions drawn.
group will be responsible for the fabrication and testing of 3. An introduction providing information on the material
one of the five beams. Experimental data obtained during properties, beam details, testing setup, instrumentation,
testing for all beams will be made available to all groups for procedures, etc.
use in writing the laboratory report. Each group will submit 4. A calculations and analysis section detailing all
one report only, but will comment on the results for all five calculations performed for the laboratory. Where a
beams. calculation has been performed more than once only a
sample calculation should be provided. A summary of
Beam Details theoretical calculations should be presented in tabular
All beams will be fabricated from concrete with a specified form.
28-day concrete strength of 35 MPa (compression tests will 5. An experimental results and discussion section,
be conducted to determine the true 28-day strength of the summarizing the test results obtained for all beams
concrete). Steel reinforcement will consist of deformed tested. This section should include photographs and
reinforcing bars with a specified yield strength of 400 MPa. plots showing beam behaviour along with a thorough
FRP reinforcement will consist of glass FRP reinforcing comparison of theoretical and observed results, and a
bars with a specified ultimate strength of 691 MPa and a comparison of the behaviour of the various beams.
tensile elastic modulus of 40 GPa. Note that the beams 6. A conclusion in which the major points of interest from
suggested herein are given as an example only, since GFRP the above sections are highlighted. The focus in the
bars should not directly contact steel bars in an actual field conclusion should be on the consequences of the
application of GFRP reinforcement. The five beams to be observed behaviour on the practical design of
tested in this laboratory are: reinforced concrete beams.
1. an under-reinforced beam without shear reinforcement 7. A list of references. All tests referenced during the
(steel reinforcing bars); course of the laboratory project should be listed using
2. an under-reinforced beam with shear reinforcement an accepted referencing format.
(steel reinforcing bars);
3. an over-reinforced beam with shear reinforcement (steel
reinforcing bars);

31
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

3000

2 – 20M bars
1 – 15M bar

BEAM #1
400

40 mm cover
to reinforcement
25
* all dimensions
in millimeters

200
100

2 – 20M bars
1 – 15M bar
10M stirrups
400

30 mm cover
to stirrups 25
BEAM #2
* all dimensions in
millimeters
200 Etc..
100100 150 150
25

4 – 25M bars
10M stirrups
30 mm cover
400

to stirrups
25 BEAM #3
35 mm vertical
spacing between
bars
* all dim. in mm
200 Etc..
100 150 150
25

2 – 25 mm ∅
glass FRP bars
10M stirrups
400

30 mm cover
25
BEAM #4
to stirrups

* all dimensions in
millimeters
200 Etc..
100 150 150
25

2 – 10 mm ∅
glass FRP bars
10M stirrups
400

30 mm cover BEAM #5
to stirrups 25

* all dimensions in
millimeters
200 Etc..
100 150 150
25

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ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

1 1 – Load cell
2 – Concrete compression strain gauge
3 – Reinforcement strain gauge
4 – Displacement transducer
2

1000 mm 900 mm 1000 mm

CALCULATIONS AND ANALYSIS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The calculation and analysis section of your report should In addition to presenting, through the use of graphs and
include calculations of the following parameters according tables, a summary of experimental data obtained for all five
to traditional reinforced concrete theory, as presented in beams, the results and discussion section of each report
class. Each group should perform the calculations for their should contain, for all five beams, discussions on the
specific beam and then forward their results to all other following topics:
groups: 1. A comparison of the theoretical calculations versus the
1. Issues related to flexural strength: results obtained during testing and a discussion of
a. The bending moment at first cracking of the discrepancies between theory and observation.
concrete in tension (cracking moment, Mcr). 2. Plots showing:
b. The bending moment at an extreme fibre concrete a. Load versus deflection for all 5 beams.
compressive stress of 0.4f’c. b. Midspan bending moment versus deflection for all
c. The nominal (predicted) moment capacity of the 5 beams.
section. c. Midspan moment versus strain in the reinforcement
d. The design (ultimate) moment capacity of the beam for all 5 beams.
according to CSA A23.3-94 for steel-reinforced d. Midspan moment versus concrete extreme
beams and according to ISIS Design Manual No. 3 compression fibre strain.
for FRP-reinforced concrete beams. Each plot should include points showing: the cracking
2. Issues related to strain and deformation: moment, steel yielding (where applicable), a
a. The strain in the reinforcement and in the concrete compressive fibre concrete stress of 0.4f’c, a
compression fibre at first cracking of the concrete compressive fibre concrete strain of 0.0035, and the
in tension. maximum load/moment. A bar chart should also be
b. The strain in the reinforcement and concrete at an included showing a comparison of the five beams based
extreme fibre concrete compressive stress of 0.4f’c. on selected important criteria (left to the discretion of
c. The strain in the reinforcement and concrete the student). Each plot should be followed by a brief
compression fibre at ultimate. commentary and discussion.
3. Issues related to curvature and deflection: 3. A comparison should be made between the calculated
a. The midspan curvature and deflection at first design ultimate load, the calculated nominal load
cracking of the concrete in tension. capacity, and the observed load capacity for all beams.
b. The midspan curvature and deflection at twice the What does this imply for the design of actual reinforced
cracking moment, 2⋅ Mcr. concrete beams in practice?
c. The midspan curvature and deflection at a concrete Students are expected to provide clear and concise
compressive stress of 0.4f’c. discussions of the above-listed topics and to add additional
d. The midspan curvature at ultimate. commentary and calculations as they see fit. The reports
will be graded in part on the quality of independent thought
and discussion brought to bear on the various concepts
demonstrated in this laboratory, and on the students’ explicit
recognition of the greater significance of the results
obtained.

33
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete

34