LAUSR

Abstract Stainless steel (SS) is gaining popularity as a reinforcement of structural elements in many countries, primarily due to its enhanced corrosion resistance, improved performance against fire, and resilient behavior. This paper investigates the flexural response of concrete beams reinforced with plain stainless steel rebars. Considering variations in two concrete strength and three reinforcement ratios, this experimental program included a total of eight SS and four conventional mild steel (MS) reinforced concrete beams under four points bending test. The experimental results of SS reinforced beams of each category are presented in terms of force–displacement relation, failure pattern, beam deformation, and force-strain response. The experimental results suggest that the moment capacity of concrete beams can be improved by applying SS rebars when a low reinforcement ratio is used. Apart from common flexural and shear failure, rebar debonding failure at the beam ends was observed in SS reinforced beams. The ratios of experimental cracking moment capacity to the code recommended value are found in a range of 1 ± 0.3 for SS reinforced beams. The ultimate moment capacity of SS reinforced beams is observed 12–36% smaller than the code recommended capacity. The overall outcome of this study allows the engineers to think and apply SS as an alternative to MS as reinforcement of concrete beams.