The long-term and durability perfomlance of concrete beams reinforced with conventional steel
and GFRP bar reinforcement in a harsh environment and under sustained load was investigated.
Three simply supported beams (10Ox250x2700 mm) were reinforced using in-house manufactured
GFW bars and stirrups, while three beams (100x200x2700 mm) were reinforced with high tensile
deformed steel bars. One beam in each category was tested under fom point loading to determine
the initial flexural capacity. The second beam was tested under a uniformly distributed sustained
load in the laboratory atmosphere, while the third was fnrther subjected to wetfdry cycles and saIt
solutions. The results of monitoring the tensile and compressive strains, mid-span deflection and
cracking over a period of one year are presented. Signs of steel corrosion in the form of
longitudinal cracks and increased tensile strains have been observed after 31 weeks in the
prescribed harsh environment, while no damage was observcd in the similar GFRP reinforced
beam.