Enhancement of bond characteristics of ribbed-surface GFRP bars with concrete by using carbon fiber mat anchorage

The bond of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement is expected to be more sensitive to the strength and geometry of the ribs than conventional steel reinforcement. In this study, the effect of carbon fiber mat anchorage on the pullout behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded in normal concrete is studied. The studied parameters were the compressive strength of the concrete (16 MPa, 24 MPa, and 37 MPa), and, the length and diameter of the anchorage. In total, 15 variables were studied. Ribbed GFRP bars with 10 mm nominal diameter and 80 mm embedment length, l_d, (which is 8 times the bar diameter) were considered. Based on the results for concretes with the compressive strengths of 24 MPa, and 37 MPa, the anchorage systems improved the developed tensile stress of GFRP bars by as much as 7–21% compared to un-anchored bars. As shown in the results, by decreasing concrete strength, the efficiency of the carbon fiber mat anchorage on the bond behavior of the GFRP bar was reduced. Finally, an empirical expression was proposed to predict the ultimate tensile stress and the slip at ultimate tensile stress with either an anchored or un-anchored GFRP bar.