Temperature effects on GFRP reinforced thin concrete panels

This work presents an experimental investigation aiming at understanding the behavior of thin concrete panels reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars exposed to increasing temperatures. The considered low thickness of 4 cm is typical for low bearing function concrete components, like façade panels or slabs for pavements. The effects of elevated temperature on the mechanical response of the GFRP reinforced panels were measured assuming two concrete covers and two different external surfaces of rebars. The heating condition was such that the temperature of the internal GFRP rebars was about the transition temperature of the resins. A consequence of the imposed temperature was the reduction of the initial global stiffness, while the adhesion to the concrete and the mechanical response of the GFRP rebars were not compromised.