Abstract

This research involves an experimental investigation into the effects of thermal characteristics of different types of FRP on the development of thermal stresses and on the control of thermal cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) and partially prestressed concrete (PPC) beams. A total of eleven RC and PPC beams using FRP rebars were tested. The test program consisted of two series; RC series and PPC series. The eleven beams had the same concrete cross-section dimensions. The RC series consisted of six beams. Three of the beams were reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) rods of different amounts. The other three beams were reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) grids known as NEFMAC. Different locations of the grid were used in the three beams. The PPC series consisted of two pretensioned beams and two post-tensioned beams using Leadline rods, in addition to one beam post-tensioned with prestressing steel strand. The Leadline rods and the steel strand were prestressed with the same force but were located at different eccentricities from the cross-section centroid.