United Arab Emirates University

M.Sc. in Civil Engineering

THESIS PROPOSAL

Student ID: 201470082

Student Name: Ayman Farid Mahmoud Abu Obaida
Address: Al-Ain/Markhania
Tel: 050-3363382
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THESIS TITLE:

Behavior of Double-Sided Concrete Corbels Reinforced With Glass-Fiber

Reinforced Polymer Bars

‫سلوك الكراسى الخرسانية على جانبى االعمدة المسلحة بأسياخ تسليح من البليمرات المقوى بالياف الزجاج‬

ABSTRACT
Corbels are structural members that are widely used in practice for supporting beams
and girders. This research aims at investigating the structural performance of double-
sided concrete corbels reinforced with glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars.
The use of GFRP rods in reinforcing concrete corbels would eliminate corrosion
problems thus increasing the service life of the structure. The study encompasses
experimental testing and numerical simulation of twelve double-sided concrete corbel
specimens. The test parameters include the shear span-to-effective depth ratio, GFRP
reinforcement ratio, and concrete compressive strength. Three-dimensional (3D) finite
element (FE) models representing all test specimens will be developed. The study will
be accompanied by an analytical investigation to predict the strength of the corbels
using the strut-and-tie method (STM). The effect of test parameters on the structural
response of the double-sided concrete corbels will be highlighted. In-depth analysis
will be conducted. A comparison between the experimental and numerical results will
be carried out. Overall conclusions of the work along with recommendations for
future research studies will be documented.

1
INTRODUCTION

Steel-reinforced concrete structures are susceptible to corrosion damage and cracking.

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars for reinforcing concrete structures
would eliminate corrosion problems thus increasing their service life. Reinforced
concrete structures commonly involve the use of corbels projecting from faces of
columns to support beams and girders as shown in Figure 1 [1]. These members are
branded with small span-to-effective depth ratio (a/d) and constitute what is known as
disturbed/discontinuity regions (D-regions) in reinforced concrete structures where
the assumption of plane sections remains plane after loading is invalid.

Figure 1. Corbels in precast concrete connections [1]

Numerous studies were conducted to study the shear behavior of concrete slender
beams (a/d  2.5) reinforced longitudinally with FRP bars [2-9]. Results of these
studies indicated that the shear strength of such beams was typically lower than that of
concrete beams reinforced with similar reinforcement ratios of steel. This behavior
was attributed mainly to the relatively low modulus of elasticity of FRP bars
compared to that of steel. In contrast, little information is available in the literature on
the shear response of concrete deep beams or corbels (a/d < 2.5) reinforced
longitudinally with FRP bars.

Jang et al. [10] studied the effect of varying the type of composite reinforcement and
a/d ratio on the shear behavior of 10 concrete beams reinforced with FRP rods. The
a/d ratio was in the range of 1.5 to 4.5. Specimens with carbon fiber-reinforced
polymer (CFRP) reinforcement exhibited higher shear strength than that of their
counterparts reinforced with GFRP bars. Increasing the a/d ratio decreased the shear
strength. Based on test results, the researchers proposed an empirical formula that can
predict the shear strength of FRP-reinforced concrete beams having different a/d
ratios.

Elsayed et al. [11] reported that FRP-reinforced concrete deep beams showed
significant reserve of strength after development of inclined cracking because of the
arch action effect. The shear strength of the tested beams considerably increased by
decreasing the shear span-to-effective depth ratio. The beams reinforced with CFRP
bars showed increased shear strength compared with that of the beams reinforced with

2
the same amount of GFRP bars. This was attributed to the increased modulus of
elasticity of the CFRP reinforcing bars relative to that of the GFRP bars.

Abed et al. [12] reported that the shear capacity and the deflection of the FRP-
reinforced deep beams were significantly affected by the GFRP tensile reinforcement
ratio. GFRP-reinforced concrete deep beams featured greater midspan deflections
than that of similar beams reinforced with steel bars. Decreasing the a/d ratio
significantly increased the shear strength. GFRP-reinforced deep beams exhibited
wider cracks, less aggregate interlock, and lower shear resistance than those exhibited
by their counterparts reinforced with steel bars. Increasing the FRP reinforcement
ratio was found to improve the shear strength considerably yet had marginal effect on
the ultimate midspan deflection.

Farghaly and Benmokrane [13] investigated the shear behavior of four full-scale deep
beams reinforced FRP bars. The primary test variables included the longitudinal FRP
reinforcement ratio and the reinforcement type. The shear strength of the deep beams
increased with an increase in the longitudinal FRP reinforcement ratio. Increasing the
reinforcement ratio had a more pronounced effect on the strength of the beams
reinforced with CFRP rather than GFRP. Increasing the reinforcement ratio by 80%
increased the shear strength of the beams reinforced by CFRP and GFRP bars 75%
and 24%, repressively. The formation of the arch action was confirmed by the nearly
uniform strain distribution in the longitudinal FRP reinforcement. The results were
compared to predictions of a strut-and-tie model (STM), demonstrating the necessity
of including the effect of web reinforcement and the importance of considering the
effect of axial stiffness of the longitudinal reinforcement on the shear strength.

Design of concrete corbels reinforced with conventional steel bars requires sound
engineering judgment and experience to achieve a safe solution. The problem
becomes more complex when the internal steel reinforcement is supplemented or
replaced by FRP bars [14]. This is because FRP and steel bars have different moduli
of elasticity, transverse strengths, and bonding characteristics.

The shear behavior of concrete deep beams or corbels (a/d < 2.5) has not yet been
fully understood. There is a lack of experimental evidences and numerical simulation
on shear behavior of FRP-reinforced D-regions. This research aims at filling this gap
and providing insight into the performance of such members through an experimental
testing, numerical simulation and strut-and-tie modeling

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study is to investigate the structural response of double-
sided concrete corbels internally reinforced with GFRP rods through experimental
testing and numerical simulation. The strut-and-tie method will also be employed to
predict the shear strength of the corbels. The specific objectives are listed below.
 Perform experimental testing to study the effect of varying the shear span-to-
effective depth ratio (a/d), GFRP reinforcement ratio (), and concrete grade
(fc’) on the shear response of double-sided concrete corbels reinforced with
GFRP rods.
 Develop three-dimensional FE models that can predict the shear response of
the tested corbels.

3
  Examine the accuracy and validity of the STM to predict the strength of
double-sided concrete corbels reinforced with GFRP bars.

METHODOLOGY

State-of-art literature review

A comprehensive literature search will be conducted to summarize the available
experimental studies and theoretical models on shear response of concrete D-regions
internally-reinforced with FRP bars. Available guidelines and design standards on the
subject such as ACI 440.1R-06 [15] and CSA S806-12 [16] will be reviewed.
Commercial GFRP bars will be surveyed to secure the materials needed for the
experimental part of the proposed research program

Experimental program
A total of 12 double-sided GFRP-reinforced concrete corbels will be tested in the
present study. The specimens will include short vertical portion representing a
column, as shown in Figure 2. The corbels will have a width 150 mm, a depth of 300
mm, an effective depth of 250 mm. The specimens are categorized in two groups;
group [A] and group [B], as indicated in Table 1. Group [A] will have six specimens
of normal strength concrete (NSC) of 30 MPa, while group [B] is composed of six
specimens of high strength concrete (HSC) of 60 MPa. Each group is divided in two
subgroups according to the shear span-to effective depth ratio (a/d). Three specimens
in each group will have a/d = 1 and the other three specimens will have a/d =1.5.
Available guidelines and design standards (e.g. ACI 440.1R-06 [15] and CSA S806-
12 [16]) recommend concrete sections internally reinforced with GFRP bars to be
designed as over-reinforced to avoid sudden rupture of GFRP. Therefore, three
different GFRP reinforcement ratios of 2ρb, 3ρb, and 4.5ρb will be employed in each
group, where ρb is the balanced GFRP reinforcement ratio. The specimens will be
tested to failure under displacement control using a MTS 500 kN actuator. A Linear
Variable Displacement Transducer (LVDT) will be used to measure the displacement
at the mid of the bottom soffit of the vertical portion of the specimen. Strain gauges
will be attached to the GFRP reinforcing bars and concrete at appropriate locations to
measure the strains during testing. Propagations of cracks will be monitored and final
crack pattern pattern/failure mode will be recorded.

4
 Figure 2. A schematic drawing of a typical specimen from group [A] with a/d = 1

Table 1: Test Matrix

Concrete
GFRP Tensile
compressive a/d
Group reinforcement reinforcing Name
strength ratio
ratio (ρf) bars
(fc’)
2ρb 4 No. 10 NS-R1-G2
1.0 3ρb 4 No. 12 NS-R1-G3
NSC† 4.5ρb 6 No. 12 NS-R1-G4.5
A ’
f = 30 MPa
c 2ρb 4 No. 10 NS-R1.5-G2
1.5 3ρb 4 No. 12 NS-R1.5-G3
4.5ρb 6 No. 12 NS-R1.5-G4.5
2ρb 6 No. 10 HS-R1-G2
1.0 3ρb 6 No. 12 HS-R1-G3
HSC‡ 4.5ρb 5 No. 16 HS-R1-G4.5
B
fc’ = 60 MPa 2ρb 4 No. 10 NS-R1-G2
1.5 3ρb 4 No. 12 NS-R1-G3
4.5ρb 6 No. 12 NS-R1-G4.5
†
Normal Strength Concrete
‡
High Strength Concrete

Finite element modeling

Twelve 3D FE models representing the test specimens will be developed using the
software ATENA® [17]. The 3D nonlinear cementitious material model of the FE
package (CC3DNonLinCementitious2) will be used to simulate the concrete. The
model combines constitutive laws for tensile (fracturing) and compressive (plastic)

5
behavior as shown in Figure 3. The fracture model is based on the classical
orthotropic smeared crack formulation and crack band model. It employs Rankine
failure criterion and exponential softening based on crack opening. The
hardening/softening plasticity model is based on Menétrey-Willam failure surface.
The model uses return mapping algorithm for the integration of the constitutive
equations [17]. A mesh sensitivity analysis will be conducted to decide the optimal
mesh size to be employed in the model. Figure 4 shows the deformed shape and the
crack patterns predicted numerically by a preliminary FE model.

finite element
ftp ftp

Lt

f
Gf wt = Lt
fcp
wtc
(a) (b)

Figure 3. Concrete model: (a) uniaxial stress-strain curve, (b) tension-softening law

Figure 4. Deformed shape and crack pattern of the preliminary FE model

Strut-and-Tie Model
The experimental work and FE analysis will be supplemented by an analytical
investigation to examine the accuracy and validity of the STM to predict the strength
of concrete corbels reinforced with GFRP rods. The strut-and-tie model must be in
equilibrium with the applied loads. The strengths of the struts, ties and nodal zones
must equal or exceed the forces in these members. The widths of the struts, ties, and
nodal zones and support regions will be considered when laying out a strut-and-tie
model. The smallest angle between a strut and a tie that are joined at a node will be
set at 25°. A preliminary STM of the double-sided corbels of the present study is

6
shown in Figure 5. Members of STM with axial tensile stresses are referred to as ties
and they usually represent the reinforcement force and location. STM members
subjected to axial compressive stresses are referred to as struts. The joints between
strut and tie members are referred to as nodes. With the accomplishment of the
boundaries and geometry of the STM, the forces in each of the truss members at a
given value of load can be calculated using truss analysis. The computed forces will
be used to determine the maximum load the corbel can resist using an iterative
process.

P P

Rectangular-shaped strut

P P
Node Tie

Figure 5. STM of a double-sided corbel

EXPECTED IMPACT OF THIS WORK

To date, very little information is available in the literature on the structural response
of D-regions reinforced with GFRP bars. The structural behavior of double-sided
GFRP-reinforced concrete corbels, in particular, has not been investigated. This
research aims at filling this gap and providing insight into the performance of such
members through an experimental testing, numerical simulation and strut-and-tie
modeling. Research findings will advance the development of design guidelines on
reinforcing of D-regions with composite rods. The widespread use of composite bars
for reinforcing concrete structures will eliminate corrosion problems, and hence, will
protect substantial investments in the construction industry.

NEEDED RESOURCES

The experimental work will be carried out in the Structural and Concrete laboratories
of the CEE Department at the UAEU. The numerical simulation will be carried out
using the software ATENA® and personal computer and/or laptop. A total of 10,000

7
Dhs are needed to cover the cost of materials and consumables that will be utilized in
this project in addition to the cost of printing of thesis copies. The materials and
consumables include but not limited to wooden formworks, GFRP bars, steel plates,
ready-mix concrete, strain gauges, burlap/polyethylene sheets, etc.

REFERENCES

[1] http://www.peikko.com/product-categorye/cat=Precast+Concrete+Connections
accessed October 31, 2015.

[2] Yost, J.R., Gross, S.P., and Dinehart, D.W. (2001). Shear strength of normal
strength concrete beams reinforced with deformed GFRP bars. Journal of
Composites for Construction, 5(4): 268–275. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-
268(2001)5:4(268).

[3] Tureyen, A.K., and Frosch, R.J. (2002). Shear tests of FRP-reinforced concrete
beams without stirrups. ACI Structural Journal, 99(4) 2002: 427–434.

[4] Razaqpur, A.G., Isgor, B.O., Greenaway, S., and Selley, A. (2004). Concrete
contribution to the shear resistance of fibre reinforced polymer reinforced
concrete members. Journal of Composites for Construction, 8(5): 452–460.
doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0268 (2004)8:5(452).

[5] El-Sayed, A.K., El-Salakawy, E.F., and Benmokrane, B. (2005). Shear strength
of one-way concrete slabs reinforced with FRP composite bars. Journal of
Composites for Construction, 9(2): 147–157. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-
0268(2005)9:2(147).

[6] El-Sayed, A.K., El-Salakawy, E.F., and Benmokrane, B. (2006). Shear strength
of FRP-reinforced concrete beams without transverse reinforcement. ACI
Structural Journal, 103(2): 235–243.

[7] El-Sayed, A.K., El-Salakawy, E.F., and Benmokrane, B. (2006). Shear capacity
of high-strength concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars. ACI Structural
Journal, 103(3): 383–389.

[8] Bentz, E., Massam, L., and Collins, M. (2010). Shear strength of large concrete
members with frp reinforcement. Journal of Composites for Construction, 14(6),
637–646.

[9] Mahmoud, K. and El-Salakawy, E. (2015). Effect of transverse reinforcement

ratio on the shear strength of GFRP-RC continuous beams. Journal of
Composites for Construction, 10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000583,
04015023.

[10] Jang, H., Kim, M., Cho, J., and Kim, C., (2009). Concrete shear strength of
beams reinforced with FRP bars according to flexural reinforcement ratio and
shear span to depth ratio. Pros. of FRPRCS-9 Sydney, Australia.

8
[11] El-Sayed, A.K., El-Salakawy, E.F., and Benmokrane, B. (2012). Shear strength
of fibre-reinforced polymer reinforced concrete deep beams without web
reinforcement. Can. J. Civ. Eng. 39: 546–555.

[12] Abed, F., El-Chabib, H., and AlHamaydeh, M. (2012). Shear characteristics of
GFRP-reinforced concrete deep beams without web reinforcement. Journal of
Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 31(16), 1063-1073.

[13] Farghaly, A. S., and Benmokrane, B. (2013). Shear behavior of FRP-reinforced

concrete deep beams without web reinforcement. Journal of Composites for
Construction.

[14] El-Maaddawy, T. A., and Sherif, E. S. I. (2014). Response of concrete corbels

reinforced with internal steel rebars and external composite sheets: experimental
testing and finite element modeling. Journal of Composites for Construction,
18(1), 04013020.

[15] ACI 440.1R-06 (2006). Guide for the design and construction of concrete
reinforced with FRP bars., American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills,
Mich.

[16] CAN/CSA S806-12 (2012). Design and construction of building components

with fibre reinforced polymers. Canadian Standards Association, Rexdale,
Ontario.

[17] Červenka V., Jendele L., and Červenka J. (2012). ATENA program
documentation Part 1: Theory, Cervenka Consulting Ltd., Prague, Czech
Republic.

9
TRANSCRIPTS FOR GRADUATE COURSES

Credit Grade
Course Course No. Title
Hrs.

Fall 2014

1 CIVL 615 Bridge Engineering 3 A

2 CIVL 620 Construction and Cost Estimating 3 A

Spring 2015
1 CIVL 600 Graduate Seminar 0 P
2 GENG 721 Numerical Methods in Eng. 3 A
3 CIVL 616 Rehabilitation of Structures 3 B+
4 A
GENG 605 Project Management 3

Fall 2015

1 GENG 602 Environmental Impact Assessment 3

2 CIVL 631 Indep. Studies in Civil Eng. 3

Spring 2016

1 CIVL 650 Research Thesis 3

2 STAT 715 Design/Analysis of Experiments 3
Fall 2016
1 CIVL 650 Research Thesis 3

Total credit hrs 30

Student Name: Ayman Abu Obaida Signature: Date:

Supervisor Name: Bilal El-Ariss Signature: Date:
Co-supervisor Name: Tamer El Maaddawy Signature: Date:

APPROVAL

Program Coordinator:

Name: Dr. Aman Mwafy Signature: Date:

Assistant Dean for Research & Graduate Studies:

Name: Dr. Ali Al-Marzouqi Signature: Date:

10