Behavior of FRP Reinforced Panels Subjected to Early-Age Environmental Conditioning

Controlling the width and pattern of concrete cracks are important for two primary reasons: durability and aesthetic appearance. Due to rebar corrosion accelerating the deterioration of concrete bridge decks, emphasis has been placed on conserving the service life of structures through adequate crack control. Volume changes due to shrinkage and temperature alone can produce tensile stresses large enough to produce cracks if subjected to sufficient restraint. Reinforcement can not prevent cracks, yet with proper design crack widths are smaller and less likely to contribute to durability problems. Limitations and problems associated with epoxy-coated rebar have led to efforts of trying nonmetallic rebar, such as glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP). This paper examines the cracking behavior of panels subjected to early-age conditioning.