Title:
Challenges and Opportunities for the Seismic Design of Structural Concrete with GFRP Bars
Author(s):
Kent A. Harries, Carlos E. Ospina, M. Lee Marsh, Sergio M. Alcocer, and Ravi Kanitkar
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
47
Issue:
12
Appears on pages(s):
29-33
Keywords:
code, capacity, member, reinforcement
DOI:
10.14359/51749339
Date:
12/1/2025
Abstract:
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement is currently only allowed to be used in concrete structures in Seismic Design Category (SDC) A. An approach explored in this article is the use of GFRP reinforcement for structural elements that are not intended to be part of the inelastic (yielding) mechanism of the seismic force-resisting systems.
Related References:
1. ACI Committee 440, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars-Code and Commentary (ACI CODE 440.11-22),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2023, 260 pp.
2. 2024 International Building Code (IBC), International Codes Council Inc., Washington, DC, 2024, 753 pp.
3. ASCE/SEI 7-22, “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures,” American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 2022, 1036 pp.
4. ACI Committee 440, “Guide for the Design and Construction of Structural Concrete Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bars (ACI 440.1R-15),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2015, 84 pp.
5. ACI Committee 440, “Construction with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars—Specification (ACI SPEC-440.5-22),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2022, 10 pp.
6. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-19) and Commentary (ACI 318R-19),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2019, 623 pp.
7. ASCE/SEI 74-23, “Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Pultruded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Structures,” American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 2023, 110 pp.
8. ASCE/SEI 41-23, “Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings,” American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 2023, 752 pp.
9. Devaraj, R.; Olofinjana, A.; and Gerber, C., “Making a Case for Hybrid GFRP-Steel Reinforcement System in Concrete Beams: An Overview,” Applied Sciences, V. 13, No. 3, Article No. 1463, Jan. 2023, 23 pp.
10. CSA A23.3:24, “Design of Concrete Structures,” CSA Group, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2024, 342 pp.
11. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code for Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary (ACI CODE-318-25),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2025, 702 pp.
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