| The performance of non-ferrous reinforcing material, in the form of GFRP bars, as the primary reinforcement of flat plates is investigated. In total, nine interior slab-column connections, that represent full scale specimens, were made and tested to failure at the structural laboratory of MUN. The 1900 x 1900 mm square slabs were simply supported along the four edges. The reinforcement ratio, concrete strength and effective depth were the main variables. Transverse central load was applied to the slabs through a central column stub. The load was applied in displacement control. The structural behaviour of the test specimens was investigated in terms of load-deflection relationship, crack pattern and width, deflection profile, concrete and FRP strains, failure mode and ultimate failure load. The effects of those variables on the behaviour were examined. Eight slabs were made with GFRP bars commercially known as ISORODRTM. One slab was made with traditional steel bars. Two slabs were with high strength concrete, over 85 MPa. The rest of the slabs were made with normal strength concrete. Two slabs were 200 mm thick with an effective depth of 150 mm. The other slabs were 150 mm thick with an effective depth of 100 mm. All GFRP slabs were designed with over reinforced section capacity.;The test results revealed that slabs reinforced with GFRP bars exhibit higher deflection and greater crack width compared to similar slabs with traditional steel bars. The failure loads are also lower than those of slabs with traditional reinforcement. Nevertheless, the structural performance of the GFRP reinforced slabs can be improved by increasing the slab depth. High strength concrete increases the ultimate failure load but does not significantly improve the serviceability of the slabs. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
