Investigating the elastic and plastic behavior of I-steel beams by using carbon fiber laminates

Abstract

In this study, two prepared steel beam specimens subjected to concentrated load were examined. One of those beams is strengthened with using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. The examined specimens have the same physical properties in terms of area section and clear span length. Also, a cover plate was used at the top flange and intermediate stiffeners to reinforce them. Where, this plate was used to ensure the occurrence of failure in the bottom flange. The conducted examination was performed to investigate the influence of using CFRP laminates on various responses such as moment/load–deflection, moment/load–strain, yielding and ultimate load. From the obtained results, the deflection and tensile strain responses for the beam strengthened by CFRP indicated that it is stiffer than those of unstrengthen beam. This difference between the two beams is more obvious in the plastic range. Further, the yielding and ultimate capacities for the strengthened beam were increased as compared with the unstrengthen beam by 71.4% and 52.2%, respectively.