Experimental investigation of thermal expansion and concrete strength effects on FRP bars behavior embedded in concrete

In this study, the thermal expansion coefficient was determined for FRP bars with four different fiber types (Glass, Carbon, Aramid, and Basalt), and their behavior within concrete was examined. Firstly, the thermal expansion coefficients of FRP bars were determined through experiment. In order to find the compatibility of the bars with concrete under heat change effect, prismatic concrete samples of three different strength classes were produced, and FRP were placed inside of these samples together with the steel bars. Concrete samples reinforced with bars were repeatedly exposed to increasing temperatures in order to observe any deformations formed in concrete. Thus, we determined how fiber type, concrete strength, and temperature change periods affected FRP bar-embedded concretes under the effect of thermal expansion, and compared that with steel bar-embedded concrete.