Calibration of Bond Coefficient for Deflection Control of FRP RC Members

 ABSTRACT

In 2006 the Italian Research Council (CNR) published a “Guide for the Design and Construction of Concrete Structures Reinforced with FRP Bars” (CNR-DT 203/2006); the approach followed is that of the limit states semi-probabilistic method; the model adopted for the design moment resistance of FRP RC sections is based on the design rules of Eurocode 2: it shall satisfy both strength and serviceability requirements. The present work developed in this context assesses the formulation suggested by the CNR-DT 203 for computing deflections of FRP RC members depending on FRP bars-to-concrete bond, by taking into account the bond coefficient “m”. A calibration analysis was conducted in order to determine an optimum value for “m”, based on a large experimental database available in literature, made of FRP RC elements subjected to four-points bending tests.