Experimental study on bearing behavior of glass fiber steel composite plates (GSPs) for bolted connections

For easier installation and debonding prevention of the glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates in the developed composite floor system, the FRP strengthening method using bolted connections on a steel beam is proposed. A new composite plate, the glass fiber steel composite plate (GSP), was used for reinforcement, and experiments with various variables were performed to evaluate the bearing strength of GSP. Based on the test results of 45 specimens, a design equation for predicting the GSP bearing strength was derived from simple linear regression analysis. The proposed equation provided empirical bearing strengths for the GSPs that were, on average, 8% lower than the actual test results, which was appropriate for a conservative prediction of the actual GSP bearing strength. Additionally, a flexural test of the GSP reinforced steel beam, in which the GSP was connected by bolts, was performed to verify the applicability of the bolt-connected GSP to the developed composite floor beam. The results demonstrated that the load transfer between the steel beam and the GSP can be sufficiently accomplished through the bolted connections. Also, it was confirmed that the bolted connections for attaching the GSP to a steel beam can be conservatively designed by using the equations proposed in this study.