ABSTRACT
Reinforced concrete structures subjected to extreme environmental conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles, temperature fluctuations, and varying climatic influences, are prone to crack formation, which facilitates the ingress of moisture and chlorides, thereby initiating the corrosion of steel reinforcement. GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) bars, known for their excellent corrosion resistance, offer significant advantages over conventional reinforced concrete structures in terms of durability and maintenance. For these reasons, GFRP bars are gaining recognition as a viable alternative to steel reinforcement, particularly in the context of reducing carbon emissions and improving durability. This study aims to analyze the punching shear behavior of slab-column connections reinforced with GFRP bars by conducting experiments on 3 slab-column connection specimens. The test parameters include reinforcement ratio, column size, and reinforcement bar size. The failure modes, load-deflection responses, crack patterns, and strain distributions were analyzed to evaluate the punching shear behavior of slab-column connections reinforced with GFRP bars. The test results were compared with the punching shear strength predictions from various design codes and guidelines, including ACI 440.11-22.
