Title: Lateral Displacement Deformability of GFRP-RC Slab-Column Edge Connections

Author(s): Mohammed G. El-Gendy and Ehab F. El-Salakawy

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 327

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 52.1-52.20

Keywords: Drift ratio; flat plate; GFRP reinforcement; lateral displacement ductility/deformability; punching shear; reversed-cyclic loading; seismic loading; slab-column edge connection.

DOI: 10.14359/51713373

Date: 11/1/2018

Abstract:
The elastic nature of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement raises concerns about the feasibility of using this type of reinforcement in reinforced concrete (RC) structures in seismic regions. To date, no studies have been conducted to investigate the seismic response of GFRP-RC slab-column connections. This paper presents the results of an experimental program carried out to assess the lateral displacement deformability of slab-column edge connections reinforced with GFRP reinforcement. Two full-scale connections were tested under gravity and reversed-cyclic lateral loading. One connection was reinforced with steel reinforcement, while the other one was reinforced with the same reinforcement ratio of GFRP reinforcement. The GFRP-RC connection was able to sustain a 2.5% drift ratio, which is higher than the 1.5% minimum drift ratio for the steel-RC counterpart. This indicates the ability of GFRP-RC edge connections to undergo or exceed the suggested seismic drifts while maintaining their gravity load carrying capacity.