Behaviour of hybrid FRP–UHPC beams subjected to static flexural loading

This paper provides the experimental results of a new hybrid beam intended for use in bridge applications. The hybrid beams were made up of pultruded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) hollow box section beams strengthened with a layer of Ultra-High-Performance-Concrete (UHPC) on top and either a sheet of Carbon FRP (CFRP) or Steel FRP (SFRP) on the bottom of the beam. Four hybrid FRP–UHPC beams were tested along with one control GFRP hollow box beam under four-point static flexural loading. Two types of beams were tested (Phase I and Phase II), which incorporated different connection mechanisms at the GFRP–UHPC interface. It was concluded that the hybrid beams had higher flexural strength and stiffness than the control beam, where the beams reinforced with SFRP showed greater percent cost effectiveness than beams reinforced with CFRP. In addition, the improved connection mechanism used in Phase II beams was found to provide adequate interface bond strength to maintain full composite action until ultimate failure.