Beam-column connections in GFRP-RC moment resisting frames: A review of seismic behaviour and key parameters
Date
2025
Authors
El-Naqeeb, M.H.
Hassanli, R.
Zhuge, Y.
Ma, X.
Bazli, M.
Manalo, A.
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Journal article
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Structures, 2025; 71(108109)
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Abstract
Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars have emerged as an effective alternative to steel as internal reinforcements in concrete structures. Its application in individual reinforced concrete (RC) members has been widely implemented. However, the use of GFRP bars for structures built in regions with high seismic activities is very limited because of the linear elastic behaviour of this reinforcing material. The major reason contributing to this is the lack of seismic provisions for connections in GFRP-reinforced moment-resisting frames (GFRP-RC MRFs) in available design standards because of the limited understanding of its seismic performance. This comprehensive review will provide a thorough understanding of the performance of GFRP-RC MRFs in seismic regions, the challenges and the potential advantages and disadvantages. The design parameters governing the connection response were identified and evaluated to help in the appropriate design of the connections of MRFs. This state-of-the-art review found that the GFRP-RC beam-column sub-assemblages can reach a 4 % drift without strength reduction, resulting in a pseudo-ductile behaviour that provides warnings of impending failure. However, at the drift allowance of 2.5 % for conventional RC structures, it was recognized that the design capacity may not always be reached. Additionally, the GFRP-RC beam-column subassembly can demonstrate minimal damage after earthquakes and can withstand repeated earthquake loads without requiring repair, thereby minimizing repair costs. However, this resilience comes at the expense of ductility and energy dissipation capacity reduction. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent joint failure and employ well-over reinforced structural elements to facilitate a more gradual failure by keeping the reinforcement's stress of the beams well below its capacity. Besides, incorporating replaceable external damping systems can enhance the energy dissipation capacity, especially considering the nearly elastic behaviour of GFRP-RC and their low level of damage. The study also outlined design guidelines for beam-column connections, including joint shear strength, anchorage details, and the column-to-beam flexural capacity ratio. This synthesis of existing literature points to the potential use of GFRP-RC MRFs in seismic regions and highlights their shortcomings, current issues, the gaps regarding the better understanding of GFRP-RC MRFs performance as well as guiding future research toward establishing seismic provisions for GFRP-RC MRFs.
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Copyright 2025 The author(s) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Access Condition Notes: This is an open access article