CFRP stiffened GFRP continuous beams – a simple closed-form analysis and its experimental verification for serviceability limit deformations

The small deflection analysis of equal two-span continuous simply supported GFRP beams with CFRP flange stiffening is presented for the case of equal mid-span point loads. The analysis is based on a combination of the methods of Influence Coefficients and Transformed Sections and leads to closed-form equations for tractions and deformations. Symmetric mid-span load tests on five beams – one all-GFRP and four CFRP stiffened GFRP beams – are described and mid-span deflections, support rotations are used to establish the accuracy of the analysis for predicting their deflection serviceability limits and, hence, their possible utility for the preliminary design of such beams