Punching Shear Behaviour of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections

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The use of the non-corrodible fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars to reinforce concrete structures built in harsh environments, such as bridges and parking garages is beneficial to avoid the costly steel-corrosion problems. In North America, a large number of parking structures and industrial buildings is constructed using flat plate system in which concrete slabs are directly supported on columns. The most critical element in such structural system is the slab-column connection where punching shear stresses are the largest. Punching shear failures are usually brittle, sudden and catastrophic in nature and should be avoided. Since FRP bars have linear-elastic behaviour till failure with low stiffness and reduced compressive strength, there are concerns regarding the ductility performance, shear capacity and the integrity of such joints when FRP bars are used, especially under seismic loads. Very limited to no data is available on that topic. This research program investigates the behaviour of FRP-reinforced concrete slab-column connections. The proposed work is divided into four projects, which will be conducted by four graduate students (2 Ph.D. and 2 M.Sc.). Each project has two phases; experimental and analytical. The experimental work will be conducted on full-scale slab-column specimens covering all three types; interior, edge and corner connections. While the analytical phase includes nonlinear finite element modelling considering the complex distribution of stresses and strains in the slab near columns as well as the mechanical and bond characteristics of FRP bars. This model will be verified against experimental results then used to run parametric studies to investigate a wide range of key parameters known to affect the behaviour of such connections. The test results will be formulated into design equations and guidelines for deformable and integral slab-column connections. By avoiding steel-corrosion and better understanding the structural behaviour of such elements, this research leads to new structures with improved performance, better durability and reduced life-cycle cost.