Contemporary Insights into GFRP-wrapped Concrete: A Review of Performance and Functional Enhancements
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 2 (June 2025) pp. 42-57
Abstract
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wrapping has emerged as a notably effective technique for enhancing the mechanical and structural attributes of concrete. Its remarkable tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties contribute to significant improvements in the concrete’s compressive strength, flexural resilience, shear resistance, and ductility. This review examines the most recent advancements in GFRP-wrapped concrete, highlighting its influence on structural behavior under various loading conditions, including load-bearing capacity, seismic resilience, and fatigue resistance. GFRP wrapping provides lateral confinement, enhances compressive strength, prevents microcracks, and improves load-bearing capacity, which is particularly advantageous for structures subjected to high axial forces. In bending applications, it bolsters beam stiffness, resists bending forces, and controls crack formation, while also increasing the shear strength by transforming failure modes from brittle shear failure to more ductile mechanisms. Moreover, GFRP wrapping enhances ductility, allowing structures to withstand larger deformations before failure, which is crucial for seismic performance and energy dissipation. Furthermore, it enhances fatigue resistance, thereby prolonging the durability of concrete structures subjected to cyclic loading. Despite these advantages, challenges such as elevated costs, long-term durability issues, and application complexities remain. However, GFRP presents a dependable, minimally invasive solution for strengthening and retrofitting concrete structures, especially in seismic-prone regions.
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