Pretorius, Megan (2023) Impact Behaviour of Concrete Seawalls Reinforced with Different GFRP Bar Diameters. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
In Australia, coastal regions are some of the most highly populated regions in the country. Due to the increase of extreme weather events and growing population densities along the coastline, the demand for coastal protective structures in Australia has subsequently intensified. In addressing the need for protective measures against harsh waves conditions and impact collisions from vessels, vertical concrete seawalls have been identified as an optimal design solution due to their stability and capacity to counteract horizontal impact forces.
Traditionally, steel reinforcement is used to provide the necessary tensile strength in seawalls due to the weak nature of concrete in tension. However, deterioration of reinforcement in concrete seawalls affects the structural safety and serviceability in a harmful manner. This vulnerability to corrosion from chloride in seawater makes steel a challenging design component in concrete seawalls and has prompted alternative reinforcing materials to be developed, the most prevalent being Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars.
The primary objective of this dissertation is to provide insight into the structural performance of different GFRP bar diameters in seawalls when subjected to high impact forces during extreme weather events. This study involves experimentally testing the behaviour of concrete slabs with varying GFRP bar diameters (8mm, 10mm and 13mm) when impacted by a drop weight of 300kg. The aim is to assess the structural impact response and effectiveness of different GFRP bar diameters.
To test the slabs under simply supported conditions, an innovative test setup was designed to hold the specimens in place during the impact to reduce potential for rebound effects. The setup also allowed for the precise positioning of the 300kg drop weight directly above the slabs, ensuring consistent and centralised loading during the experiment.
To determine the optimal bar diameter, data regarding the strain, deflection, impact force and failure behaviour of the test samples were obtained and analysed. Results from this investigation were then used to conclude the impact and advantages of GFRP bar diameters with a focus on the resilience of the reinforced concrete slabs when subjected to impact loading conditions. Additionally, this research concerning the impact behaviour of GFRP reinforced concrete will further expand the applicability of this innovative material, paving the way for safer and more durable infrastructure in the future.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Manalo, Allan; Alajarmeh, Omar; Yetim, Ezgi Bal |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2025 03:50 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2025 03:50 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | seawalls; concrete; reinforcement; deterioration |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52992 |
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