| Title |
Experimental Studies of Effect of Beam Sizes and CFRP Layers on Structural Behaviors of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRPs (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers) |
| Keywords |
Reinforced Concrete Beam ; CFRP ; Flexural Strengthening ; Beam Size ; Numebr of CFRP Sheets |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to investigate beam size effect on structural behaviors of RC beams strengthened with CFRPs. Toward this goal, RC beams having different sizes are fabricated and strengthened with CFRPs. Beam lengths are 3200mm and 4600mm. Amount of steel bar and CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers) reinforcements are controlled in order to unify reinforcing ratios of tested beams. From the tests, structural behaviors such as cracks and beam failure modes are observed. Also, displacements and strains on FRPs and reinforcing steel bars are measured from the tests. The experimental results show that CFRP sheet is able to increase load capacity of reinforced concrete beams by 30~50%, however strengthening effect significantly decreases as number of CFRP sheets increases due to debonding failure of the CFRPs. Also, no significant influence by beam sizes can be found from beginning of normalized load-deflection curves. In relatively small sized beams, slight differences are found such that first crack is delayed and interfacial stresses is reduced. |