Cracking and deflections in GFRP RC beams: An experimental study

Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have emerged as an alternative to steel for Reinforced Concrete (RC) elements in aggressive environments. The low modulus of elasticity of FRP bars can yield to large crack widths and deflections and, as a result, the design of FRP RC elements is often governed by serviceability limit state criterion. This paper presents the results of an experimental programme on the cracking and deflections of 14 Glass-FRP RC beams. The adequacy of the most representative prediction models for the serviceability limit states of cracking and deflections of FRP RC beams is investigated. The influence of the most relevant parameters is analysed, and the suitability of different prediction models, as well as the adjustment of empirical coefficients, is analysed and discussed.