Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Structural Performance Evaluation of GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Poles for Electric Power Distribution Networks

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2 PhD Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3 Senior Engineer, Office of Engineering and Supervision, South Kerman Electric Power Distribution Company, Kerman, Iran
10.22065/jsce.2026.565655.3894
Abstract
Durability of rectangular reinforced concrete poles used in electric power distribution networks has become a significant environmental, structural, and economic challenge, primarily due to the corrosion of steel reinforcement. Considering the extensive utilization and vital role of these poles in national infrastructure, this study investigates the feasibility of using glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars as an alternative reinforcement to promote the service life of these poles. For this purpose, two poles reinforced with conventional steel reinforcements and five poles reinforced with GFRP reinforcing bars were fabricated and tested under flexural loading as per relevant guidelines. In addition to load-carrying capacity, crack propagation, deflection, failure mode, concrete and reinforcement strain, ductility, and stiffness of both types of poles were evaluated and compared together. The results indicated that the strength performance of GFRP-reinforced poles could successfully satisfy the required design criteria stipulated in relevant design guildeline for steel reinforced poles. However, serviceability criteria—namely cracking and deflection—necessitate enhancement in these poles. By increasing the reinforcement ratio, GFRP-reinforced poles were able to meet most of the existing code requirements established for steel-reinforced poles. Results of the current study can pave the road towards utilization of GFRP composite bars in reinforcing electric power concrete poles and developing related design guidelines.
Keywords
Subjects


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 June 2026

  • Receive Date 18 December 2025
  • Accept Date 03 June 2026