Shear Strengthening of RC Beam Using Jute Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Laminate

Abstract

AbstractShear strengthening of reinforced concrete beam using externally bonded plate is the most popular choice to retrofit existing concrete structure. Though synthetic fibre polymer laminate has been effectively used in this application, high cost and non-availability of the materials in local market are the main limitations. Thus, natural fibre- (i.e. jute) reinforced polymer laminate could be the suitable alternative of those synthetic fibre-reinforced polymer laminates for shear strengthening of RC beam. The main aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of jute fibre-reinforced polymer (JFRP) laminate in shear strengthening of RC beams. In the experimental program, three full scale RC beams were prepared. The beams were shear reinforced in one side of shear span using shear reinforcement, and another side was left without shear reinforcement. Two specimens were shear strengthened using epoxy-bonded JFRP laminates with and without anchor system. In addition, control beam was prepared to compare the results. Results exhibited that JFRP laminate strengthened beams with and without anchor system had shown 98% and 102% higher failure loads, respectively, as compared to un-strengthened control beam. The JFRP laminates also could enhance 53% shear crack loads than that of control beam. Un-anchored strengthened beam failed by debonding of laminate, and anchored strengthened beam failed by failure of anchor followed by debonding of laminate, whereas the control beam failed by premature shear.KeywordsReinforced concrete beamShear strengtheningJFRP laminateAnchor