Investigation on load – deflection behavior of hybrid reinforced concrete beams

In this study, a numerical method was proposed for the analysis of multi-span continuously concrete beams reinforced with hybrid (FRP-steel) bars and a computer program was developed based on this method. Available models for stress – strain relationship of materials are used in the method. Moment – curvature relationship is considered in order to determine the effective flexibility of members in cracked state. Shear deformation is also considered in the method and available models are used for effective shear modulus of concrete due to cracking. In addition, two beam specimens reinforced with pure glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and six specimens with hybrid GFRP-steel bars were manufactured and tested under static loading condition and analyzed through the developed computer program in order to evaluate the accuracy of proposed model. A good level of accuracy has been observed between the experimental and the analytical results of the tested beam specimens.