№83-16

Methodological principles for selecting glass fiber composite materials in reinforced structures

Ye. Piliuhin¹ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3639-0085

¹Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine

Coll.res.pap.nat.min.univ. 2025, 83:183–191

Full text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Purpose. To provide a materials-science-driven comparison between steel and glass fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement in concrete structures, with emphasis on how chemical composition, fiber fraction, and interfacial engineering influence mechanical behavior, durability, fatigue, and heat resistance, thereby identifying microstructural strategies to enhance glass fiber reinforced polymer performance.

Methodology. Integrates a comparative materials-science analysis using micromechanical modeling (rule of mixtures, strength efficiency factors), normalized property metrics, and durability data, combined with literature-based experimental evidence on mechanical, thermal, and fatigue performance of steel and glass fiber reinforced polymer.

Findings. The findings show that while steel maintains superior stiffness, ductility, and fire resistance, glass fiber reinforced polymer offers higher tensile strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion immunity, and electromagnetic neutrality. Mechanical modeling confirms that fiber chemistry, fraction, and matrix selection govern glass fiber reinforced polymer performance, upgrading to S- or AR-glass, adopting high thermal transition matrices, nanoscale modifiers, and hybrid fiber architectures significantly improve fatigue life and thermal stability.

Originality. The originality of this research lies in framing the comparison between steel and glass fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement not only at the structural scale, but at the microstructural and chemical levels, linking fiber composition, polymer matrix selection, and interfacial engineering to mechanical performance, fatigue, and thermal stability. Unlike conventional studies that assess only as a corrosion-resistant alternative, identified targeted material design strategies, such as high-transition matrices, nanoscale tougheners, and hybrid fiber architectures, that can systematically extend the serviceability and safety of glass fiber reinforced polymer in reinforced concrete, thereby positioning composites as a scientifically optimized, rather than merely substitute, reinforcement solution.

Practical value. Value of this research is in guiding engineers toward microstructurally optimized glass fiber reinforced polymer rebars with improved fatigue and heat resistance, enabling safer, longer-lasting concrete structures in aggressive environments where steel rapidly degrades

Keywords: reinforced concrete, steel reinforcement, GFRP, microstructural design, durability.

References

1. Piliuhin, Ye.D., & Rott, N.O. (2024). Perspektyvy zastosuvannia kompozytnoi armatury v budivelnii haluzi. Visnyk Kharkivskoho natsionalnoho avtomobilno-dorozhnoho universytetu, 107, 62–68. https://doi.org/10.30977/BUL.2219-5548.2024.107.0.62

2. Hremliak, I.P., Tymoshenko, O.V., & Kulak, V.V. (2020). Porivniannia vlastyvostei metalevoi ta skloplastykovoi armatury dlia dorozhnoho budivnytstva. Zbirnyk naukovykh prats Ukrainskoho instytutu stalevykh konstruktsii imeni V.M. Shymanovskoho, 25–26.

3. Baliram, S., Nithisha, G., Ganesh, S., Divya, Y., & Kumar, M. P. (2021). Characterization of GFRP material. Journal of Ceramics and Concrete Technology, 6(3), 25–37.

4. Muhammad, M. S. (2019). Comparative study of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and steel bars in reinforced concrete (RC) members (Master’s thesis). Near East University, Graduate School of Applied Sciences, Nicosia.

5. Porter M.L., & Barnes B.A. (1998). Accelerated aging degradation of glasses fiber composites, Proceeding of the Second International Conference on Composites in Infrastructure ICCI’ 98, 2, 446–459.

6. Hosseini, S.M., Mousa, S., Mohamed, H., & Benmokrane, B. (2024). Long-term durability of nonpultruded curvilinear GFRP bars exposed to an alkaline environment: experimental studies and modeling. J. Compos. Constr., 28(3), 04024005, https://doi.org/10.1061/JCCOF2.CCENG-4454

7. Lei, Z., Luo, J., Zhang, S., Wang, E., & Huang, H. (2024). Mechanical properties of GFRP bars exposed to natural erosion environment: A case study. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21, e03734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03734

8. Sathishkumar, T. P., Satheeshkumar, S., & Naveen, J. (2014). Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites – A review. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 33(13), 1258–1275. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684414530790

date of first submission of the article to the publication – 10/06/2025
date of acceptance of the article for publication after review – 11/08/2025
date of publication – 12/29/2025