Retrofitting of Concrete Beam Using Externally Bonded GFRP Wraps- An Overview

The research work related to retrofitting of building and civil structural elements had been done by many engineers. It is an essential medicine required to be applied for enhancing the structural health of a structural element over a serviceability period of life. In general a beam or slab needs to carry an additional load as the purpose of occupancy has been changed over a period of time for a specified area in a building and it needs to be replaced for a very short difference in its load carrying capacity; in such case the application of the externally bonded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wraps can be a remedy or solution over the problem. There are many new types of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wraps available recently for the effective use in enhancing the load carrying capacity and mainly meant for the retrofitting of the various structural elements. Non Crimped Fibres (NCF) had been evolved as a result of rigorous research and new technology in the area of GFRP over crimped fibres used in routine practice. These new fabrics are woven as unidirectional, bi-directional and multi-directional forms. This paper focuses on the new material i.e. Non crimped fibres and the various pattern, thickness i.e. number of layers and results of the previous attempts made to strengthen the beams by the application of externally bonded GFRP wraps, mats etc.