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Structural Behavior and Failure Characteristics of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Concrete Composite Beams Incorporating
Ankit Singh Mehra1,2,3, Shamsher Bahadur Singh1, Venkatesh Kodur4
1Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India.
Polymers
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP)-concrete composite beams with discrete interfacial connections significantly enhance structural performance. These composite beams show tripled load capacity and improved stiffness compared to standalone GFRP profiles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Structural Engineering
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials offer excellent corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratios.
- GFRP-concrete composite structures can leverage the benefits of both materials, but effective interfacial connection is crucial.
- Standalone GFRP profiles may be susceptible to buckling and lack ductility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the structural response of GFRP-concrete composite beams with novel connector designs.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of discrete interfacial connections in enhancing load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and failure modes.
- To compare the performance of composite beams against standalone GFRP profiles and non-composite beams.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of connectors using GFRP dowels, epoxy resin-saturated E-glass roving, and/or adhesive layers.
- Testing of composite beams under a four-point bending configuration.
- Analysis of load-deformation characteristics, failure modes, and comparison with analytical predictions.
Main Results:
- Composite beams significantly outperformed standalone GFRP profiles and non-composite beams.
- Discrete interfacial connections prevented buckling, doubled initial stiffness, and tripled load capacity.
- Failure modes included web shear, concrete cracking/crushing, delamination, and web buckling/crushing.
- Epoxy-bonded beams showed highest stiffness; 45° inclined dowels yielded highest load capacity.
Conclusions:
- Discrete interfacial connections are highly effective in improving the structural performance of GFRP-concrete composite beams.
- The developed composite beam configurations offer enhanced stiffness, load capacity, ductility, and reserve capacity.
- Further refinement of analytical models is suggested based on experimental findings.
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