MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF RC BEAMS WITH AFRP SHEETS UNDER A SUSTAINED LOAD

Abstract

In this research, an attempt was made to find the permeability of an RC beam with AFRP by making use of the hydraulic conductivity test and a double-ring infiltrometer. Based on the state-of-the-art methodology, three different AFRP samples, Kelvar 29, Kelvar 49 and Kelvar 149, were considered as the laminates to prevent the deflection of the beams. Accelerated corrosion was carried out using impressed current, and induced corrosion was calculated using the galvanostatic method. In this project, nine RCC beams were strengthened with aramid FRP sheets. Novel results were obtained using three different layers and three different patterns of AFRP sheets. Experimental investigation showed that the mechanical properties of the reinforced concrete beams were enhanced (by 10 %) with Kelvar 149. The durability and corrosion resistance of concrete were achieved due to the increased number of layers of the AFRP sheet. The entire research shows that three layers of Kelvar 149 allow better performance of the concrete specimens. No other results based on the abrasion resistance and hydraulic conductivity of beams with AFRP laminates are available in the literature.