Splicing behaviour of GFRP, BFRP, and steel bars in reinforced concrete beams

Fiber-reinforced-polymers (FRPs) have gained popularity as a substitute for conventional steel bars in reinforced concrete, yet there remain specific knowledge gaps in the behavior of lap-spliced glass and basalt bars. This research addresses these gaps by investigating the behavior of these spliced FRP bars both experimentally and numerically using ANSYS. Twelve reinforced concrete beams were tested, divided into three groups with spliced steel and FRP bars, to analyze the effects of bar type, splice length, and transverse spacing. Key findings indicate that longer splice lengths significantly improve beam behavior, and non-contact splices exhibit better flexural resistance. Applying a modification factor of 1.3 to the development length of FRP bars notably enhances serviceability criteria, load capacity, deflection, crack pattern, and bond strength of non-contact splice specimens. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing specific insights and practical recommendations for the improved use of spliced FRP bars in concrete structures.