A suggested model for European code to calculate deflection of FRP reinforced concrete beams

The theoretical deflection behaviours of concrete beams reinforced with fibre-reinforced polymer bars were investigated and compared with the experimental data. The Eurocode 2 Part 1-1 deflection model, which is used for conventional steel-reinforced structures, was tried for theoretical predictions. Experimentally recorded deflections of 75 simply supported specimens (beams and slabs), including the beams tested by the authors, were compared with the Eurocode 2 method of deflection calculation. This method was found to be inaccurate for beams/slabs with different fibre-reinforced polymer bar elastic moduli and reinforcement ratios. An appropriate modification for theoretical beam deflection is proposed. The suggested expression includes effects of reinforcement amount relative to the balanced condition and ratio of modulus of elasticity of fibre-reinforced polymer/steel bar. The results of the proposed equation compared well with the recorded deflection for every fibre-reinforced polymer bar type.