Experimental Investigation on the Seismic Performance of Beam-Column Joints Reinforced with GFRP Bars

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars were used recently as main reinforcement for concrete structures. The noncorrodible GFRP material exhibits linear-elastic stress-strain characteristics up to failure with relatively low modulus of elasticity compared to steel. This raises concerns on GFRP performance in structures where energy dissipation, through plastic behavior, is required. The objective of this research project is to assess the seismic behavior of concrete beam-column joints reinforced with GFRP bars and stirrups. Two full-scale exterior T-shaped beam-column joint prototypes are constructed and tested under simulated seismic load conditions. One prototype is totally reinforced with GFRP bars and stirrups, while the other one is reinforced with steel. The experimental results showed that the GFRP reinforced joint can sustain a 4.0% drift ratio and can recover its deformation without any significant residual strains. This indicates the feasibility of using GFRP bars and stirrups as reinforcement in the beam-column joints subjected to seismic-type loading.