Double linear strain distribution assumption of RC beam strengthened with external-bonded or near-surface mounted fiber reinforced plastic

Abstract

Rehabilitation of existing structures with fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) has been growing in popularity because they offer superior performance in terms of resistance to corrosion and high specific stiffness. The strain coordination results of 34 reinforced concrete beams (four groups) strengthened with different methods were presented including external-bonded or near-surface mounted glass or carbon FRP or helical rib bar in order to study the strain coordination of the strengthening materials and steel rebar of RC beam. Because there is relative slipping between concrete and strengthening materials (SM), the strain of SM and steel rebar of RC beam satisfies the double linear strain distribution assumption, that is, the strain of longitudinal fiber parallel to the neutral axis of plated beam within the scope of effective height (h0) of the cross section is in direct proportion to the distance from the fiber to the neutral axis. The strain of SM and steel rebar satisfies the equation ɛGCH=βɛsteel, where the value of β is equal to 1.1–1.3 according to the test results.