Fire Performance of FRP-RC Flexural Members: A Numerical Study

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Structural Engineering

Background:

• Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars offer superior durability compared to steel in concrete structures.
• Assessing the fire performance of FRP-reinforced concrete (FRP-RC) members is crucial for indoor applications.
• Bond behavior between FRP bars and concrete significantly impacts structural performance under fire conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable 3D finite element (FE) model for FRP-RC flexural members exposed to fire.
• To quantify the effect of temperature-dependent bond degradation on FRP-RC members' fire performance.
• To accurately predict the structural responses of FRP-RC members under fire exposure.

Main Methods:

• A 3D finite element (FE) model was developed for FRP-RC flexural members.
• The model incorporates temperature-dependent bond degradation at the FRP bar-to-concrete interface.
• Thermal properties of concrete and FRP bars were included for heat transfer analysis.

Main Results:

• The FE model accurately predicts cross-sectional temperatures and structural responses of FRP-RC members.
• Validation against full-scale fire test results confirms the model's reliability.
• Temperature-dependent bond degradation significantly influences failure modes and deflection responses.

Conclusions:

• Accurate fire performance prediction of FRP-RC members necessitates considering temperature-dependent bond degradation.
• The developed FE model provides a robust tool for analyzing FRP-RC members under fire exposure.
• This research contributes to the safe design of FRP-RC structures in fire scenarios.