Abstract
Strengthening structures via external bonding of advanced fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite is becoming very popular worldwide during the past decade because it provides a more economical and technically superior alternative to the traditional techniques in many situations as it offers high strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, high fatigue resistance, easy and rapid installation and minimal change in structural geometry. Although many in-situ RC beams are continuous in construction, there has been very limited research work in the area of FRP strengthening of continuous beams. In the present study an experimental investigation is carried out to study the behavior of continuous RC beams under static loading. The beams are strengthened with externally bonded glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. Different scheme of strengthening have been employed. The program consists of fourteen continuous (two-span) beams with overall dimensions equal to (150×200×2300) mm. The beams are grouped into two series labeled S1 and S2 and each series have different percentage of steel reinforcement. One beam from each series (S1 and S2) was not strengthened and was considered as a control beam, whereas all other beams from both the series were strengthened in various patterns with externally bonded GFRP sheets. The present study examines the responses of RC continuous beams, in terms of failure modes, enhancement of load capacity and load deflection analysis. The results indicate that the flexural strength of RC beams can be significantly increased by gluing GFRP sheets to the tension face. In addition, the epoxy bonded sheets improved the cracking behaviour of the beams by delaying the formation of visible cracks and reducing crack widths at higher load levels. The experimental results were validated by using finite element method.
Published Version
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