Fire testing of RC beams strengthened with NSM reinforcement

The weak performance of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthened members in fire is a primary factor hindering the widespread implementation of FRP strengthening technology in the construction industry. An investigation was undertaken to examine and document the performance of NSM FRP strengthened concrete beams under fire conditions. Six reinforced concrete beams were strengthened in flexure with NSM FRP bars and insulated with different insulation systems. The specimens were subsequently exposed to a standard fire under service load. The testing parameters of these elements include the use of different thermal protections (including different materials and geometric layouts of the protection) of the glued reinforcement. Member deflections and temperatures throughout the section were measured during fire testing. Tests results indicated that insulated NSM FRP strengthened beams can achieve a fire endurance of at least of two hours.