Classification and regression tree (CART) modelling for analysis of shear strength of FRP-RC members

Abstract

The shear behaviour of concrete members that are reinforced with fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars varies from that of steel reinforced concrete members. The use of non-parametric techniques, which can explain the relationship between different properties of FRP members in more detail, has not yet been well researched in this area. This study utilized a non-parametric technique, namely Classification and Regression Tree (CART) to predict the shear capacity of FRP reinforced concrete members. The members were only reinforced lengthways without vertical reinforcement. A total of 216 experimental results are used to train and test the CART model. The outcomes from CART were compared to traditional models and equations, as well as another non-parametric model from previous research. The comparison showed that CART has better accuracy than other models. It can therefore be used to develop guidelines for the design of FRP concrete members.

Keywords

• cart model
• shear capacity
• frp bars
• concrete