BEHAVIOUR OF R.C. BEAMS STRENGTHENED WITH GFRP LAMINATE

Abstract

Repairing and strengthening of the existing structures is an important issue. Apart from the conventional methods of rehabilitation, the fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) strengthening technique is being preferred nowadays. In the present study experimental investigation has been done to study the behaviour of RC beans strengthened with GFRP laminate and the analytical model including orthogonal properties of the laminate has also been proposed for the evaluation of load carrying capacity of strengthened beam. Two point load testing scheme was adopted. Then beams were strengthened with one and two layers of GFRP laminates for improving their flexural strength. The load-deflection behaviour, stress-strain behaviour, and the increased load capacity along with the effect of percentage of steel and strength of concrete on strengthened beams are reported here. The obtained failure modes give additional information regarding the behaviour of FRP (GFRP) strengthening.