Experimental and theoretical analysis for behavior of R. C. continuous beams Strengthened by CFRP laminates

Abstract EN

This research presents an experimental program conducted to study the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete continuous beams strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets.

The test program consists of nine RC continuous (two-span) beams each span has length 1500mm with cross section 150x250 mm divided into two groups.

The first group has six continuous RC beams with roller support in the ends.

The second group has three continuous RC beams with rigid joint ends supports (jointed to columns in the ends).

All the reinforced concrete beam specimens were designed of the same steel reinforced identically to fail in flexure under static load .The main parameters including type of end support, location of the CFRP sheets and type of end anchorage for CFRP.

The experimental results showed that the externally strengthened reinforced concrete beams with bonded CFRP sheets showed significant increases in thei ultimate loads.

An increase in ultimate load reached up to (42.1 % for group 1 and 35.18 % for group 2).

The CFRP anchor is very effective more than the U-warp in increasing ultimate load and reduced beams deflection.

Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis is used to investigate the performance of reinforced concrete continuous beams strengthened with CFRP sheets.

The results obtained from the finite element analysis show very good agreement with the results obtained from the experimental study with maximum difference in ultimate loads is about (10 %).