Behaviour of RC beams strengthened with FRP strips under combined action of torsion and bending

Abstract

Many researchers worldwide have extensively used fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening materials to enhance the shear and flexural strengths of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. However, Studies on strengthening of RC beam subjected to combined torsion and bending moment using both spiral and vertical strip configuration of CFRP that explored in this study is rare. This study aims to demonstrate the behaviour of RC beams strengthened with FRP sheets (strips) with different configurations and subjected to combined actions of torsion and bending moment. Eight beams with a dimension of 15 × 25 × 200 cm were cast. One of the beams was not strengthened, but the others were strengthened with carbon FRP. The angle of twist at torque intervals, first cracking torque, ultimate torque and ultimate twist angle of the conventional and strengthened beams during the testing process were compared. Results showed a significant improvement in the torsional performance of RC beams using carbon FRP. The fully wrapped beams performed better than the beams with strip wrapping due to the influence of various wrapping configurations. Amongst the wrapping configurations of FRP fabrics, the 45° spiral strip wrapping configuration was the most effective for RC beam strengthening in terms of torsion resistance. Highlights Reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer composite were tested under combined bending and torsional moment; The effect of composite orientation, spacing and number of plies on the torsional response; Ultimate torsional moments of RC beams; Twist angle of rotation of control and strengthened beams; Analytical prediction for CFRP material contributions to the ultimate torsional moment of strengthened RC beam.