An Experimental Study on Shear and Flexural Strengthening of Concrete Beams Using GFRP Composites

Abstract

Maintaining and restoring buildings has nowadays gained special importance due to its high cost. Various different methods have been presented regarding this matter due to the above-mentioned reason and also the ever-growing demand for the engineers and the building-industry specialists for strengthening, restoring, and improving the concrete structures. The effect of FRP sheets on shear and flexural strengthening of simple concrete beams has been examined in this research. Four concrete beams containing concrete were constructed with a similar cross section and length and a common resistance level. They underwent the two-point flexural test and their exploitation conditions were studied. The results showed that if the FRP sheets are used appropriately and with proper bracing in strengthening the concrete beam samples, there will be a significant increase in their shear and flexural strength. Moreover, it was observed that relative deformation measured on the concrete surface and the GFRP sheet is proportional.