Comparison of steel stirrup and GFRP stirrup with specific reference to structural feasibility, self-weight,and cost using ‘Ansys’ software.

Abstract

To get in collaboration with modern infrastructure; various research studies indicate for sustainable replacement of steel rebar with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars. In standard column, share of steel is up to 8%. The steel reinforced structures create problems such as handling of steel, transportation, self-weight of steel, and importantly its cost whereas GFRP rebar has properties like high strength, corrosion resistance, durability, and light weight & cost effective in nature. This research paper enhances replacing the steel stirrups in Column with GFRP stirrups, investigates the feasibility through structural behaviour using ANSYS Software, checks reduction of self-weight & Cost and is ultimately targeted to light weight structures or floating offshore structures.

To check the feasibility of replacement, reduction of self-weight and cost, this research is divided into three stages. In first and second stage, it shows selection of GFRP as replacement material and structural feasibility. In further stage, it shows comparison between square, rectangular and circular column having conventional reinforcement, Semi GFRP and full GFRP reinforcement, to check effective self-weight and cost reduction.

When Conventional Column compared with Semi GFRP and full GFRP reinforced column, effective reduction showed in full GFRP column and self-weight reduced up to 6 % and cost decreased by 42%. The effective reduction percentage was noticed in rectangular column as compared to other shapes where slightly less reduction is observed.