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Numerical Simulation of Punching Shear Capacity of GFRP Bar Reinforced Concrete Slabs-on-Ground Designed for Shrinkage and Crack Width Control

Ground-supported structures such as slabs-on-ground, walkways, concrete pavements, storm-water channels, pipe supports, and industrial floors are exposed to harsh environmental conditions in the Middle East region, characterized by large temperature and humidity fluctuations. The highly varying temperature and humidity regimes accelerates moisture diffusion and the associated drying shrinkage in concrete slabs. The external restraint on these slabs by the subgrade and the internal restraint from the embedded reinforcement causes cracks on the surface of these slabs.

Product Number: MECC23-20047-SG
Author: Muhammad K. Rahman; Mesfer M. Al-Zahrani; Mohammed Fasil; Sami Al-Abdul Jabbar
Publication Date: 2023
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Reinforced concrete structures such as slabs-on-ground develop cracks due to drying shrinkage and thermal loading before concentrated vehicle loads are applied to them. These cracks are conduits for ingress of chloride, leading to corrosion of the steel and damage to the slabs. Grade supported slabs reinforced with non-corroding GFRP bars are an attractive alternative that could provide a maintenance free service life of over 100 years. The punching shear capacity of GFRP bars reinforced slabs-onground, which are primarily designed to control shrinkage and crack width, has not been investigated in the literature. This paper presents the results of numerical parametric studies conducted to investigate the performance of grade supported slabs reinforced with GFRP bars. The numerical model developed in the study was calibrated using data obtained from punching shear failure tests performed on the slabs by the authors. After validation of the numerical model, parametric studies were performed to investigate the effects of variables such as concrete strength, reinforcement ratio, and rebar grid location in the slab. Guidelines for the design of GFRP bar reinforcement for slabs-on-grade are provided.

Reinforced concrete structures such as slabs-on-ground develop cracks due to drying shrinkage and thermal loading before concentrated vehicle loads are applied to them. These cracks are conduits for ingress of chloride, leading to corrosion of the steel and damage to the slabs. Grade supported slabs reinforced with non-corroding GFRP bars are an attractive alternative that could provide a maintenance free service life of over 100 years. The punching shear capacity of GFRP bars reinforced slabs-onground, which are primarily designed to control shrinkage and crack width, has not been investigated in the literature. This paper presents the results of numerical parametric studies conducted to investigate the performance of grade supported slabs reinforced with GFRP bars. The numerical model developed in the study was calibrated using data obtained from punching shear failure tests performed on the slabs by the authors. After validation of the numerical model, parametric studies were performed to investigate the effects of variables such as concrete strength, reinforcement ratio, and rebar grid location in the slab. Guidelines for the design of GFRP bar reinforcement for slabs-on-grade are provided.