RETROFITTNG OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS USING GFRP OVERLAYS

For strengthening and rehabilitating of RCC beams, the utilization of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer sheets has been found effective. To increase the load carrying capacity of the structural beam as well as to increase the service life of the beam retrofitting with FRP sheets especially GFRP sheets found most suitable and economical. This paper is intended for experimental studies of damaged reinforced concrete beams repaired by bonding of Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) overlays to the beam. The three sets of beams has to be tested in this study: control beams (without GFRP overlays) and damaged and then repairing beams with GFRP overlays by varying different parameters (damage degree, GFRP overlay width,). All beams have to be tested under simply supported condition. The testing has to be done under two point loading using the load frame over a span of 1500 mm. The tests were carried out under displacement control. The most investigated parameter in this experimental study is to determine increase in load carrying capacity of strengthened beam. To evaluate the strength of damaged RC beams with externally bonded GFRP laminates was the target of this project.