Seismic behavior of concrete moment frame reinforced with GFRP bars

In this research, four types of concrete moment frame were designed with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars according to ACI 440.1R-15 and the seismic behavior was assessed using pushover analysis. The frames were three and five stories with two and three bays. A computer code was developed to calculate the amount of fiber reinforced polymer bars in beams of the frames. In order to evaluate nonlinear behavior in plastic hinge regions, sections of beams and columns were analyzed on the basis of moment-curvature diagram and also P-M interaction curve for columns. Performance levels of frames were determined considering ATC-40 criteria. Behavior of concrete moment frames reinforced with GFRP bars in terms of strength and ductility compared with frames reinforced with steel bars. Based on the results of analysis, it is concluded that frames reinforced with GFRP bars show higher strength than frames reinforced with steel bars under seismic loads. Besides, in comparison to five story moment frames, three story moment frames reinforced with GFRP bars provide higher ductility.