Flexural Testing of Steel-, GFRP-, BFRP-, and Hybrid Reinforced Beams

Authors

Yazeed Elbawab, The American University in Cairo
Youssef Elbawab, The American University in Cairo
Zeina El Zoughby, The American University in Cairo
Omar ElKadi, The American University in Cairo
Mohamed AbouZeid, The American University in Cairo
Ezzeldin Sayed-Ahmed, The American University in Cairo

Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Second Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Third Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Fourth Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Fifth Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Find in your Library

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152027

All Authors

Yazeed Elbawab Youssef Elbawab Zeina El Zoughby Omar ElKadi Mohamed AbouZeid Ezzeldin Sayed-Ahmed

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Polymers

Publication Date

8-1-2025

doi

10.3390/polym17152027

Abstract

The construction industry is exploring alternatives to traditional steel reinforcement in concrete due to steel’s corrosion vulnerability. Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP), known for their high tensile strength and corrosion resistance, are viable options. This study evaluates the flexural performance of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP, BFRP, and hybrid systems combining these materials with steel, following ACI 440.1R-15 guidelines. Twelve beams were assessed under three-point bending to compare their flexural strength, ductility, and failure modes against steel reinforcement. The results indicate that GFRP and BFRP beams achieve 8% and 12% higher ultimate load capacities but 38% and 58% lower deflections at failure than steel, respectively. Hybrid reinforcements enhance both load capacity and deflection performance (7% to 17% higher load with 11% to 58% lower deflection). However, GFRP and BFRP beams show reduced energy absorption, suggesting that hybrid systems could better support critical applications like seismic and impact-prone structures by improving ductility and load handling. In addition, BFRP beams predominantly failed due to debonding and concrete crushing, while GFRP beams failed due to bar rupture, reflecting key differences in their flexural failure mechanisms.

Recommended Citation

APA Citation

Elbawab, Y. Elbawab, Y. El Zoughby, Z. ElKadi, O. ... (2025). Flexural Testing of Steel-, GFRP-, BFRP-, and Hybrid Reinforced Beams. Polymers, 17(15), https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152027

MLA Citation

Elbawab, Yazeed, et al. "Flexural Testing of Steel-, GFRP-, BFRP-, and Hybrid Reinforced Beams." Polymers, vol. 17, no. 15, 2025
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152027