The Effects of CFRP Strips for Improving Shear Capacity of RC Beams

Abstract

The method of strengthening concrete structures with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites has encountered rapid growth in recent years. The most common way to strengthen structures is in bending. However, there is also a need for strengthening in shear. Therefore, an experimental program was conducted to investigate the effects of CFRP on behavior and ultimate strength of shear deficient (without stirrups) reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Seven identical beams were fabricated and tested in the experimental program. One of the beams was tested in its virgin condition to serve as a reference, while the remaining beams were tested after strengthened by using L-shaped, U-jacketed, side-bonded, and ⊔-jacketed CFRP strips. The type and arrangement of CFRP strips and the anchorage used to fasten the strips to the concrete were the variables of this experimental work. The purpose was to obtain ductile behavior from the shear deficient reinforced concrete beams by using CFRP strips. The test result confirmed that all CFRP arrangements improved the strength and stiffness of the specimens at different levels. Afterwards, experimental results were compared with the analytical approaches to demonstrate the validity of them.