Experimental Investigation of Reinforced Concrete T-Beams Strengthened in Shear with Externally Bonded CFRP Sheets

Abstract

AbstractAn experimental investigation was undertaken into the effectiveness of unanchored and anchored externally bonded (EB) U-wrapped carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) shear strengthening for reinforced concrete T-beams at a range of realistic sizes. The T-beam sizes, geometry, and reinforcement were chosen to reflect existing slab-on-beam structures with low levels of transverse steel shear reinforcement. Geometrically similar reinforced concrete T-beams were tested across three sizes ranging from 360 to 720 mm in depth and with different amounts of EB CFRP shear reinforcement. The beams were subjected to three-point bending with a span-to-depth ratio of 3.5. All the beams failed in diagonal shear. The experimental results indicate significant variability in the capacity of unstrengthened control beams, and a number of these control beams showed greater shear capacity than their EB CFRP-strengthened counterparts. Greater thicknesses of CFRP reinforcement did not lead to increased shear capacity co...