Textile Types, Number of Layers and Wrapping Types Effect on Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Textile-Reinforced Mortar versus Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Abstract

In the scope of this study, the strengthening of reinforced concrete beams with different types of composite materials was investigated experimentally and analytically. For the experimental part of the study, a total of seventeen reinforced concrete beams, one with high shear strength and sixteen with low shear strength, were fabricated. The beam with high shear strength and one of the beams with low shear strength were chosen as reference beams. The remaining fifteen beam specimens were strengthened with textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). While light and heavy carbon mesh were used for strengthening with TRM, unidirectional carbon textile was used for strengthening with CFRP. Other experimental parameters were the spacing of strips, the number of layers (one or two) and the way of wrapping (strip or full). Simply supported beam specimens were tested under three-point loading. Beam specimens were compared in terms of failure mode, ultimate load capacity, ductility index and energy dissipation capacity.