Enhancing shear capacity of thin slabs with CFRP shear reinforcement: Experimental study

Abstract

Employing non-metallic reinforcement made of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) as textile grids is one promising extension of the utilization range of FRP in concrete construction, and thin planar elements reinforced in this manner have high application potential in bridge or parking garage decks, in façades, or in webs and flanges of hollow core cross-sections. Existing models for predicting the shear resistance of such elements were derived for solid cross-sectional dimensions similar to conventional steel-reinforced structures, and their application to thin slabs is debatable. This paper presents the results of an extensive experimental program on the one-way shear capacity of slabs without and with carbon FPR textile shear reinforcement. A variation of member height, shear slenderness, and shear reinforcement ratio allowed for analysis of the most relevant influencing factors on shear resistance. Both planar and preformed C-shaped grids enhance the shear capacity and are suitable as shear reinforcement in thin slabs. The experimental results are the foundation for the extension of shear models to thin slabs with FRP reinforcement and for derivation of new unifying shear models that are applicable to a wider range of reinforcement materials and member dimensions.