GFRP bars anchorage resistance in a GFRP-reinforced concrete bridge barrier

In the present paper, experimental and numerical investigations were conducted on concrete bridge barriers utilizing glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars with a hook at their ends. Implementation of these hooked bars instead of the bent bars or headed-end bars in the bridge barriers presented in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) was investigated on American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) test level 5 (TL-5) concrete bridge barriers. This research aimed to reach a cost effective and safe anchorage method for GFRP bars at the barrier-deck junction, compared to the conventional bend bars or headed-end bars. Therefore, an experimental program was developed and performed to qualify the use of the recently-developed, small radius hooked bars at the barrier-deck junction. The experimental findings were compared with the design factored applied transverse load specified in CHBDC for the design of the barrier-deck junction as well as factored applied bending moment obtained at the barrier-deck junction using a recently-conducted finite-element modeling. Satisfactory behavior for the developed hooked GFRP bars as well as their anchorage resistance was established and a reasonable factor of safety in design of barrier-deck joint was achieved.