USING POLYETHER ETHER KETONE PARTICLES IN GFRP COMPOSITES FOR STRENGTHENING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

One of the most common strengthening methods of structural elements is the use of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite. The two major components of a GFRP composite material is resin and reinforcement. A cured thermosetting resin without any reinforcement is glass-like in nature and appearance, but often very brittle. By adding a reinforcing fiber such as carbon fiber, glass, or aramid, the properties are vastly improved. The change in the properties of each of the components affects the general characteristics of GFRP. This research includes experimental and numerical studies. In the experimental part, the effect of two types of epoxy and polyesters resin in the mechanical properties of GFRP composite has been investigated. Then use of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as an additive to modify the resin component in the GFRP and its effect on the mechanical properties of the composite is investigated. The strength and energy absorption of the samples were determined and compared. According to experimental results, a sample that has the best technical performance has been used in nonlinear finite element analysis. The aim of the numerical studies was to investigate the effect of GFRP composites on the overall behavior of a reinforced concrete beam. The analytical models include a reinforced concrete beam without strengthening, a reinforced concrete beam with GFRP strengthening, and a reinforced concrete beam with modified GFRP strengthening, with PEEK, are considered. The strength, ductility, and energy absorption of models were determined and compared.