Seismic resilience with GFRP reinforcement
An extensive ongoing research program connecting material behavior, structural experiments, system-level analysis, and future design provisions.
How can durable GFRP reinforcement be used in earthquake-resisting concrete systems while accounting for its material behavior and system-level demands?
McGill University · Ongoing program
Yi Shao, PI
Yazhou (Tim) Xie, Co-PI
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, Co-PI
Gregory G. Deierlein ↗
Stanford University
Five connected research phases
Progress summarized from the August–September 2026 project report.
01Nonlinear modeling and preliminary frame analysisCore work completed
A validated OpenSees modeling framework, including strain penetration, followed by preliminary nonlinear frame evaluation and design insights.
02Bond and anchorage under seismic loadingCore work completed
Beam-end experiments, test-setup development, and analytical investigation of GFRP-to-concrete bond under reversed cyclic loading.
03Beam–column connection experimentsTesting completed; extended analyses ongoing
Two experimental series covering 12 connections, including GFRP and hybrid reinforcement configurations. Extended numerical and parametric work continues.
04Component and system-level numerical studiesMain studies completed; hybrid cases ongoing
Moment-frame and shear-wall modeling, nonlinear time-history analysis, parametric studies, incremental dynamic analysis, and fragility assessment.
05Code-form models and design provisionsOngoing
Development-length models, design and detailing provisions, seismic performance factors, and procedures and acceptance criteria for structural analysis.
From component evidence to seismic design
Component tests alone cannot establish how complete GFRP-RC systems will perform during earthquakes. This program addresses the missing connection between member behavior, system response, seismic demands, and reliable design criteria. Its findings are intended to inform future design standards for GFRP-reinforced seismic force-resisting systems.
Evidence across materials, members, and systems
Member modeling
A practical framework for GFRP-RC members that captures reinforcement response, concrete behavior, joint distortion, and strain penetration. Published in Engineering Structures in 2026.
Bond and anchorage
Completed beam-end experiments and analytical work examining cyclic GFRP bond behavior and its implications for anchorage and development length.
Connection behavior
Completed connection tests investigating confinement, reinforcement ratio, hybrid GFRP–steel and GFRP–stainless-steel reinforcement, and initial pulse loading.
Moment-frame performance
Comparative frame analyses examining GFRP and steel reinforcement, drift demands, residual deformation, failure progression, and collapse behavior.
Shear-wall assessment
Model validation and parametric studies linking wall properties to response measures, limit states, and seismic fragility.
Design development
Ongoing translation of research evidence into design and detailing models, performance factors, and analysis acceptance criteria.
Topics for forthcoming research outputs
- Cyclic bond and development length of GFRP reinforcement
- Inelastic deformation and detailing of beam–column connections
- Shear-wall modeling and limit-state capacity prediction
- Frame and wall fragility, collapse assessment, and seismic performance factors
- Synthesis of reversed-cyclic component evidence for seismic design provisions
Publications
Seismic modeling of GFRP-reinforced concrete members including strain penetration effects
Hosseini, S. M., Chalabi, R., Xie, Y., and Shao, Y.
Engineering Structures, 367, 123558
System-level seismic performance of GFRP-reinforced concrete moment frames: Comparison with steel-RC frames
Hosseini, S. M., Xie, Y., and Shao, Y.
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
More papers from this project are expected in the near future.