Paper number 169

REPAIRING AND STRENGTHENING REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES USING FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS

Ibrahim Mahfouz¹, Shahram Sarkani², Tarek Rizk³

1 Vice Dean of Graduate Studies, Zagazig University, Banha Branch, Shoubra, Egypt.
2 Associate Dean for Research and Development, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052, USA.
3 Graduate Research Assistant, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052, USA.

Summary

This study reports on experimental and theoretical investigations of the behavior of concrete members that have been strengthened or repaired using externally bonded advanced composite materials. The experimental work begins with an investigation of the tensile properties of glass GFRP sheets, and proceeds to study concrete cylinders and columns strengthened using GFRP sheets, and beams repaired using GFRP sheets. Preliminary design formulas are developed to anticipate the loading capacity of the repaired members. The experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement. The results for beams indicate that GFRP, bonded externally to concrete members, improves both their strength limit state, in the form of increased flexural and shear load capacities, and their serviceability limit state, in the form of reduced cracks. The results for columns indicate that GFRP significantly increases the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete circular columns.

Keywords

concrete, repair, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP).