Experimental behaviour of reinforced concrete column models strengthened by CFRP materials

Abstract

Strengthening of the reinforced concrete structures is one of the most difficult and important tasks of civil engineering. The paper presents the problem of strengthening of reinforced concrete structures. Experimental tests of load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete columns strengthened with CFRP strips and wraps have been carried out. The first objective of this research was to determine the influence of the type of reinforcement on load-carrying capacity and strain. The second objective was to determine interdependence of the intensity of external reinforcement and load-carrying capacity of element. Tests results have shown that the subject was worth investigating. Relations between external reinforcement ratio and load-carrying capacity of small models of RC columns with various reinforcement ratio (from 1,4 % to 4,2 %) have been examined.