Performance-based optimal design of compression-yielding FRP-reinforced concrete beams

The application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite in concrete structures has drawn worldwide interest recently. However, a critical drawback of the resulting structures is their poor ductility performance, due to FRP’s linear-elastic mechanical properties. “Unless ductility requirements are satisfied, FRP materials cannot be used reliably in structural engineering applications” [1]. To resolve this problem, the authors recently...