Fire resistance of concrete slabs reinforced with FRP bars. Part I: Experimental investigations on the mechanical behavior

In the present paper the experimental programme is extensively reported, giving detailed information on tests to highlight the practical significance of the experimental research. The results of investigations are discussed with particular reference to the structural behavior of concrete members once the glass transition temperature in the bars is attained and resin softening reduces adhesion at the FRP-to-concrete interface. Results are shown with the aim of providing suggestions for updating design codes. In a companion paper the pattern of temperatures recorded during the tests by means of thermocouples applied both on the surface of bars and in the concrete are presented in depth and compared with results of numerical simulations.