Experimental and Analytical Study on Reinforced Concrete Beams in Bending Strengthened with FRP

摘要

The performance of the interface between fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and concrete is one of thekey factors affecting the behavior of strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Existing laboratory research hasshown that RC beams strengthened with FRP sheets usually fail because of either debonding of the impregnated fabricfrom the concrete substrate or fracture of the FRP. This work presents an experimental and analytical investigation of theeffectiveness of FRP strengthening sheets on RC beams aiming at increasing their flexural strength and stiffness. Experimentalresults obtained from beam specimens tested under four-point bending are examined with main parameters beingthe resin type and the anchoring system. In addition, the procedure suggested by the EC8 - Greek Assessment & RetrofittingCode (EC8-GARC) provisions is applied and compared with the experimental results.