Retrofitting of RC Beams with CFRP Laminates and Sheets

Abstract

Now a days it is common observation that structures are unable to give service as much as they are expected as per design. This is because of deterioration of the concrete and reinforcements caused by environmental factors and the widespread application of deicing salts, or due to an increase in applied loads.

The Retrofitting can be used as a cost-effective alternative to the replacement of these structures and is often the only feasible solution. Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) sheets or plates are well suited to this application because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, good fatigue properties, and excellent resistance to corrosion.

A lot of research has been done on the FRP as reinforcement in concrete beams. However, the amount of research conducted on FRP as a sheet & laminate is quite less.

So in the thesis, effect of FRP on RC beams as a retrofitting material is studied. Also comparative effect of laminates with sheets having equivalent area is studied.