Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Fabrics

Abstract

This paper explores the flexural behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams. For flexural strengthening of RC beams, total ten beams were cast and tested over an effective span of 3000 mm up to failure under monotonic and cyclic loads. The beams were designed as under-reinforced concrete beams. Eight beams were strengthened with bonded CFRP fabric in single layer and two layers which are parallel to beam axis at the bottom under virgin condition and tested until failure; the remaining two beams were used as control specimens. Static and cyclic responses of all the beams were evaluated in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility ratio, energy absorption capacity factor, compositeness between CFRP fabric and concrete, and the associated failure modes. The theoretical moment-curvature relationship and the load-displacement response of the strengthened beams and control beams were predicted by using FEA software ANSYS. Comparison has been made between the numerical (ANSYS) and the experimental results. The results show that the strengthened beams exhibit increased flexural strength, enhanced flexural stiffness, and composite action until failure.