Analytical truss model for concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars

A truss model supplementing the concrete contribution is introduced in this paper to predict the shear strength of concrete beams reinforced with various types of FRP bars. The contributions from truss and direct strut mechanisms are considered in the analytical model. The truss model which has struts at various angles considering concrete contribution is derived in this paper. The concept of equivalent transverse FRP reinforcement is applied to integrate the concrete contribution into the proposed truss model. The shear strengths of concrete and FRP transverse reinforcements in the proposed model are calculated based on El-sayed et al. and CSA S806, respectively. The validity and applicability of the proposed model are evaluated by comparison with available experimental database, which consists of concrete beams reinforced with glass, carbon, aramid and basalt FRP bars. The comparison has shown a good correlation between the experimental data and analytical results. The proposed model is also compared with ACI 440.1R and CSA S806’s shear strength models and the better correlation is found. The results from this research shows that the properly-treated truss analogy can be used to assess the shear strength of concrete beams reinforced with various types of FRP bars.