ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is material with strength properties comparable to steel but it is 70-80% lighter than steel. Its weight varies from 1400-2500 kg/m3. Because of its high-strength and relatively low-weight, FRP is suitable to be used in reconstructions and for the strengthening of structures. Additionally, FRP has high durability and low life-cycle costs and therefore it may compete with steel structural design even in new structures. FRP has, however, one major disadvantage in comparison with steel and it is its low modulus of elasticity. This study describes the interaction between High Performance Concrete (HPC) and handmade FRP plate. Creating a composite action between FRP and concrete produces an additional increase of stiffness of the composite element. The selection of FRP and HPC ensures great performance throughout the lifecycle of the structure placed in aggressive environment. Suitable properties of FRP may be increased by hand lay-up process for connection by perfobond rib shear connectors. Three push tests on fiber-reinforced polymer were performed to investigate behavior of perfobond rib shear connectors.
