Volume 02, Issue 7
Published on: July 2026
DURABILITY ASSESSMENT AND FLEXURAL RESPONSE OF GFRP-REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS SUBJECTED TO ACIDIC AND ALKALINE EXPOSURE CONDITIONS
R. S. Ingalkar
Dr. P. S. Pajgade
Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology and Research, Badnera - Amravati 444701, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract
The durability of reinforced concrete structures is significantly affected by aggressive environmental conditions that accelerate the deterioration of conventional steel reinforcement. Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars have emerged as a promising alternative owing to their high corrosion resistance, lightweight nature, and superior tensile properties. This experimental investigation evaluates the flexural performance and deformation characteristics of GFRP-reinforced concrete beams exposed to acidic, alkaline, and neutral environments. A total of eighteen reinforced concrete beam specimens measuring 150 mm × 150 mm × 700 mm were fabricated and cured for 21 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Three steel-reinforced beams were maintained under neutral conditions and used as control specimens, while fifteen beams reinforced with GFRP bars were subjected to exposure media with pH values of 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13. The structural response of the beams was assessed through flexural testing, including measurements of ultimate load, flexural strength, and load–deflection behavior. The experimental results revealed that steel-reinforced specimens exhibited superior stiffness and load-carrying capacity under neutral conditions. However, GFRP-reinforced beams demonstrated remarkable stability and durability when exposed to chemically aggressive environments. The maximum flexural strength of 14.51 N/mm² was recorded for specimens exposed to pH 13, while beams subjected to pH 4 exhibited a comparable strength of 14.31 N/mm². Although GFRP-reinforced beams experienced relatively larger deflections due to their lower elastic modulus, all specimens maintained stable structural performance without sudden failure. The findings highlight the potential of GFRP reinforcement as a durable and sustainable substitute for steel reinforcement in structures exposed to harsh chemical environments.
Keywords: Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Reinforced Concrete Beams, Chemical Durability, Flexural Capacity, Load–Deflection Response, Corrosion-Resistant Reinforcement
Keywords: Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Reinforced Concrete Beams, Chemical Durability, Flexural Capacity, Load–Deflection Response, Corrosion-Resistant Reinforcement
How to Cite this Paper
Ingalkar, R. S. (2026). Durability Assessment and Flexural Response of GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Acidic and Alkaline Exposure Conditions. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(7). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.057
Ingalkar, R.. "Durability Assessment and Flexural Response of GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Acidic and Alkaline Exposure Conditions." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 7, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.057.
Ingalkar, R.. "Durability Assessment and Flexural Response of GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Acidic and Alkaline Exposure Conditions." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 7 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.057.
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