Trupti Amit Kinjawadekar

Corrosion continues to be a major challenge affecting the service life, safety and durability of steel-reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The deterioration of steel not only reduces structural capacity but also increases long-term maintenance costs. To address this limitation, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) is being investigated as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement, particularly in aggressive environments. This work examines the behavior of composite columns reinforced with GFRP bars with steel stirrups. Sixteen square columns of 150 × 150 × 850 mm dimensions, cast with M30 grade concrete, were reinforced using either GFRP or steel, while varying stirrup spacing and bar diameters. Experimental observations showed that GFRP reinforcement contributed about 10–12% of the ultimate capacity of the columns. A marked enhancement in load carrying capacity of GFRP-RC columns was obtained with closer stirrup spacing. The axial strength of GFRP-reinforced columns was comparable to steel-reinforced ones with the same main reinforcement ratio. Ductility increased by 12% when stirrup spacing was reduced. The difference between analytical and experimental values ranged between 12% and 15%, whereas experimental and numerical results differed by 10–12%. Based on these results, a modification factor derived from IS 456:2000 is proposed for predicting the capacity of ‘GFRP-reinforced’ columns. The outcomes clearly highlight the potential of GFRP reinforcement as a durable, sustainable and practical substitute for conventional steel reinforcement.

The use of glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars is an innovative approach to replace traditional reinforcement of steel into concrete structures. GFRP bars provide notable benefits like corrosion resistance, electromagnetic neutrality, higher tensile stress by weight ratio, sustainability, and cost‐effective construction reducing maintenance cost. However, challenges like brittleness, reduced ductility, and lower elastic modulus limit their practical applications. This research examines the flexural behavior of GFRP‐reinforced concrete beams using experimental and numerical methods. Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEM) was performed in ABAQUS, employing a three‐dimensional deformable model, concrete damage plasticity (CDP) theory, and detailed material properties for concrete, steel and GFRP. Four‐point flexural load conditions were simulated, and mesh sensitive analysis was conducted to ensure model accuracy. Experimental results demonstrated that GFRP‐reinforced beams had higher load‐bearing capability, but wider cracks and larger deflections compared to steel‐reinforced beams. Failure of flexural members primarily due to concrete crushing was observed. Numerical simulations closely exhibited experimental load deflection performance, stress distributions, and failure patterns with accuracy variation of ~10%–16%. This study highlights the potential of FEM for correctly simulating the performance of GFRP‐reinforced concrete beams and comparing the numerical outcomes with experimental studies. It was observed that GFRP‐reinforced beams had 20% more load‐carrying capacity compared to steel‐reinforced beams based on grade of concrete and size of reinforcement. Deflection values for GFRP‐reinforced beams were higher compared to steel‐reinforced beam leading to requirements for serviceability considerations. The outcome of the study exhibited the potential of GFRP as a superior reinforcing material for specific applications.

Urban waterfronts have evolved into vibrant centres of recreation, tourism, and economic activities, becoming focal points for social, cultural, and religious gatherings in modern cities. The historical development of riverfronts sought to elevate the economic status and image of neighbouring cities during the industrial era. However, with the growing emphasis on riverfront revitalization projects in recent times, it has become imperative to prioritize environmental sustainability and ecological considerations in the planning and execution of these initiatives. This paper delves into the revitalization plans of the Sabarmati and Patna riverfronts in India, undertaking a comparative assessment of their development strategies and challenges encountered in ecological preservation. The study seeks to explore the interplay between the river and environmental concerns and analyse the positive impacts of ecological improvements on the social and economic dimensions of these urban waterfronts. Additionally, the research scrutinizes the alignment of these various aspects with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, presenting an integrated approach towards fostering holistic and sustainable urban riverfront development. The study on riverfront development projects revealed that successful projects prioritize social inclusivity, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability, contributing to the long-term success and well-being of both communities and ecosystems. The research demonstrates the potential for holistic and sustainable urban development through riverfront revitalization, offering valuable insights and case studies for future urban redevelopment projects.

Since the nineteenth century, reinforced concrete was evolved as a crucial material for construction. This popular composite material is broadly used in different building typologies. However, the decaying of steel rebar due to corrosion is identified as a hindrance that can affect the quality of reinforced concrete structures. In reference to this, the glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bar is essential because of corrosion-resistant properties. The researchers performed various tests and numerical analysis to know the response of GFRP-reinforced flexural members in shear and bending. Based on studies over the last decade, this study critically analyzes the response of flexural member reinforced using glass fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars. Understanding the behavior of the FRP bar as the alternating reinforcing material will be aided by this review. Since the GFRP bar has high strength and no yield point, the conventional characterizations of ductility may not be applicable to determine whether GFRP-reinforced concrete components are ductile. Hence, a detailed study is needed to understand the behavior of such structures. This paper explores various properties of GFRP-reinforced beams to appreciate the applications of GFRP reinforcement in flexural members.