Damaged RC beams strengthened with near surface mounted technique using fiber reinforced polymers

Abstract

Strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is becoming an attractive alternative for repairing of damaged structures. In the case of reinforced concrete beams, reinforcement with FRP enhances the flexural capacity and shear strength. FRP strengthening can be applied as externally bonded FRP laminates or near surface mounted (NSM) FRP rods. The flexural behavior of damaged reinforced concrete beams repaired with NSM technique using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars is experimental studied in this work. Two set of beams were tested: control beams (without GFRP bars) and damaged and then repaired beams with GFRP bars by varying two parameters (damage degree and concrete strength class). Repairing damaged RC beams with NSM technique was successful for the two different damage degrees. A recovery and a significant increase of load capacity were obtained. The compressive strength of the concrete did not have influence on the results