Punching of Two-Way Concrete Slabs with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars or Grids

摘要

Where corrosion of steel reinforcement is a concern, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing bar or grid reinforcement provides an alternative reinforcement for two-way slabs and plates. The existing provisions for punching of two-way slabs in the American and British design standards for reinforced concrete are based on tests of steel reinforced slabs. The elastic stiffness and bonding characteristics of FRP reinforcement are sufficiently different from those of steel to affect punching strength. This paper presents four tests that compare the behavior of steel and FRP-reinforced slab-column connections. It also summarizes existing test results for punching of FRP-reinforced slabs. Two approaches for predicting the punching strength of a slab-column are examined. The first is an empirically based fit of the available data following the same format of design equation as is presented by Matthys and Taerwe. The second is an adaptation of an equilibrium-based model for slab-column connection behavior proposed by Alexander and Simmonds. Both methods give acceptable results when compared with available test data.