Shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with web side bonded CFRP sheets

Abstract

The shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with web side bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets was measured experimentally. Nine reinforced concrete beams without stirrups; three control beams and six beams strengthened with minimal application of web side bonded CFRP sheets, were tested. The test variables were ratio of longitudinal reinforcement (1%, 1.4%, and 2.4%) and angle of application of CFRP sheets (450 and 900). The test results show that reinforced concrete beams strengthened with web side bonded CFRP sheets have higher shear capacity compared to the control beams. Shear capacity of strengthened beams with 450 angle of application of CFRP sheets is similar to that of beams strengthened with 900 angles. Beams with 1% of longitudinal reinforcement ratio failed in flexural mode indicated by concrete crushing in compression zone while beams with higher longitudinal reinforcement ratio (1.4% and 2.4%) failed in brittle mode as indicated by delamination of the concrete cover.