Title:
Flexural Behavior of Innovative Precast Concrete Bleacher-Seat Units Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars
Author(s):
Mahmoud Almughanni, Abdoulaye Sanni B., Hamdy M. Mohamed, and Brahim Benmokrane
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
123
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
115-129
Keywords:
design codes; experimental and theoretical investigation; fiber concrete; flexural behavior; glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars; moment capacity; normal concrete (NC); precast concrete; serviceability; stadium bleachers
DOI:
10.14359/51751797
Date:
9/1/2026
Abstract:
This study investigated the flexural behavior of innovative precast self-consolidating concrete stadium bleacher units with an L-shaped cross section and reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. Six full-size reinforced concrete stadium bleacher specimens with a width, height, and thickness of 950, 390, and 150 mm (37.4, 15.35, and 5.9 in.), respectively, and with a total length of 4200 mm (165.4 in.) were tested under four-point bending load up to failure. Six specimens were fabricated: three with normal concrete and sand-coated GFRP reinforcement with three different reinforcement ratios, and three with fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and sand-coated GFRP reinforcement. The test parameters included GFRP reinforcement ratio and concrete type. The test results were analyzed based on the cracking and ultimate moment specified in the existing FRP design codes. The comparison shows that the experimental moment capacities of the bleachers were generally conservative in the design standards. Moreover, the reinforcement ratio had a substantial impact on the serviceability performance of the bleacher specimens. Increasing the ratio of flexural reinforcement led to reduced crack widths and decreased deflections. Changing the concrete type from normal to fiber with the same bar size showed improved serviceability and moment capacity results. This research enhances the understanding of precast self-consolidating concrete stadium bleacher units with an L-shaped cross section reinforced with GFRP bars subjected to flexural load and supports their use in infrastructure.
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