Retrofitting of RCC Beams using FRP and Ferrocement Laminates

Presently most of structural components are unable to render their services for full service life, which is due to deterioration of concrete and reinforcements caused by aggressive environment. This results in requirement of rehabilitation of the members. Retrofitting can be used as cost effective alternative to the replacement of such members which is often the only solution. The main objective of this investigation is to find a feasible and most efficient strengthening alternative. In search of such solution, the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with Carbon Fibre Reinforce Polymer (CFRP), Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Ferrocement laminates have been studied. In this program, 24 beams of 1500 x 200 x150 mm were cast. These beams were load tested for flexural and shear modes of failure. For each mode of failure, there were four sets of beams (where each set consists of three beams), i.e. control beams, CFRP and GFRP strengthened beams and ferrocement strengthened beams. CFRP and GFRP strengthened beams along with ferrocement strengthened beams have enhanced first crack load by 17.3%, 33.1% and 9.4% respectively while ultimate load carrying capacity was enhanced by 19%, 31% and 10.4% respectively for CFRP strengthened, GFRP strengthened and ferrocement strengthened beams.