Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Edge Connections.

Because of the limited experimental evidence on slab-column edge connections reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars, the FRP design codes call for further experiments to examine the ultimate punching capacity equations. This paper summarizes the test results of four full-scale edge slab-column connections reinforced with glass FRP (GFRP) bars. The main investigated parameters were the flexural reinforcement ratio, moment-to-shear ratio (M/V), and concrete strength. In addition, nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) was used to perform an in-depth investigation with ANSYS software. Then, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted to cover a wide range of the investigated parameters and assess their influence on the punching strength and performance of such connections. The numerical FEA results were quite consistent with the experimental results in terms of ultimate load, cracking patterns, reinforcement strains, and load-deflection relationships. The FEA and test results confirm the significant detrimental effect of M/V on punching-shear strength and behavior, increasing the likelihood of brittle punching-shear failure. The test results as well as the results from other investigations were employed to assess the accuracy of the available design provisions in Canada, the United States, and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]