Advanced Active Prestressed CFRP in RCC Structures

Abstract

. The need for rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures is rapidly increasing. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials for concrete structures have high strength-to-weight ratios that can provide high prestressing forces while adding minimal additional weight to a structure. They also have good fatigue properties and exhibit low relaxation losses, both of which can increase the service lives and the load carrying capacities of reinforced concrete structures. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite system is integrated system based on carbon fibres and epoxy resins. By prestressing the CFRP laminates, the material is used more efficiently as a part of its tensile capacity is utilised and it contributes to the load bearing capacity under both service and ultimate load condition. This is an ideal technique as it combines the advantage of using noncorrosive and lightweight advanced composite material in the form of FRP laminates with high efficiency offered by external prestressing. An innovative mechanical anchorage system was developed to prestress the FRP laminates directly by jacking and reacting against the RCC structure.This paper describes the use of Prestressed CFRP laminates for strengthening of RCC structures including practical applications on slabs and bridges. Also it elucidates the post strengthening testing carried out for the validation of this technique.