Application of Concentrated FRP Bars to Enhance the Capacity of Two-Way Slabs

The influence of the differences in the physical and mechanical properties between fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and conventional steel, concentrated reinforcement in the immediate column region, as well as using steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) in the slab near the column faces, on the punching behavior of two-way slabs were investigated. The punching shear capacity, stiffness, ductility, strain distribution, and crack control were investigated. Concentrating of the slab reinforcement and the use of SFRC in the slab enhanced the punching behavior of the slabs reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. In addition the test results of the slabs with concentrated reinforcement were compared with various code equations and the predictions proposed in the literature specifically for FRP-reinforced slabs. An appropriate method for determining the reinforcement ratio of slabs with a banded distribution was also investigated to allow predictions to properly reflect the benefit of the slab reinforcement concentration.