Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are currently successfully implemented to strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams improving their structural response to frequent loading conditions. The most utilized techniques are based on prefabricated composite plates bonded to the tension side with adhesives or by bonding quasi-unidirectional fabrics made of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites or glass fibres fabrics impregnated with polymeric resins.

An experimental program has been carried out at The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services Iaşi, to verify a number of strengthening solutions and reveal the working conditions, failure types and the structural efficiency of the proposed systems. The structural response has been evaluated through testing the RC beams under four points loading scheme. The difference in structural behaviour of unstrengthened and strengthened beams has been revealed on both loading bearing capacity and stiffness. The experimental results have been compared to those obtained by numerical modeling.

 

 

 

Back to contents