Shear Capacity of RC Beams with Web Openings Strengthened with Multi Layers of CFRP

Abstract

In some cases a cut-out web opening in a reinforced concrete (RC) beam is required to facilitate the passage of electrical and mechanical pipes and ducting from one side to another. The presence of cut-out web openings will lead to decreasing in the load carrying capacity of these RC beams. Therefore, strengthening the vicinity of these openings by using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) will represent the best practical solution. In this study, thirteen RC beams with different sizes of cut-out web openings and with different layers of CFRP strengthening and also one solid RC beam (control) were prepared and tested to failure. The outcome of this experimental and analytical study showed that the modified Eurocode 2 model can reasonably be used in computing the shear forces of RC beams having the vicinity of their cut-out web openings strengthened with single/multi layers of CFRP. In addition, for safe design purposes, a reduction factor has been suggested as well.