EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE CONTINUOUS RECTANGULAR AND FLANGED BEAMS AT SUPPORT REGION

While many methods of strengthening structures are available, strengthening by applying GFRP laminate has become popular. For strengthening purposes, application of GFRP laminate is more advantageous than other materials. Teng et al. (2002) pointed out that, there is increased demand for extensive research work to improve the characteristic behavior of FRP materials to establish their application acceptability in RC structures, beams, slabs and columns. In particular, their practical implementations for strengthening civil structures are numerous. Several researchers pointed out that most of the pragmatic works consist mainly of the rectangular beams. Furthermore, the design methodologies as well as guidelines are evolved mainly for the simply supported rectangular beams. Generally, the research works were conducted on RC rectangular sections which are not truly representative for the fact that most RC beams would have a T Section due to the presence of a top slab.