Factors governing the fire response of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars

This paper presents results from a set of numerical studies on the influence of critical factors on the fire response of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars. The macroscopic finite element model used in the analysis accounts for high temperature properties of constitutive materials, realistic load and restraint conditions, as well as temperature induced slip between FRP rebars and concrete. The validity of the model is established by comparing predictions from numerical analysis with measured data in fire test. Results from parametric studies indicate that rebar type, concrete cover thickness, and fire scenario have significant influence on the fire response of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars, while the presence of axial restraint in the beam has moderate influence on fire resistance. These results from parametric studies are utilized to propose an optimum insulation scheme for enhancing the fire response of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars.