Experimental Study on Strengthening of RC Beam by using GFRP

Strengthening structures through external bond of advanced fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) fused is becoming very popular worldwide during the past decade because it provides a more economical and technically greater alternative to the traditional techniques in many situations as it offers high potency, low weight, corrosion resistance, high weariness resistance, easy and hasty installation and smallest change in structural geometry. Although many in-situ RC beams are uninterrupted in construction, there has been very limited research work in the area of FRP strengthening of uninterrupted beams. In the present study an experimental investigation is approved out to study the behavior of uninterrupted RC beams under static loading. The beams are strengthened on the exterior bonded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. Different scheme of strengthening have been employed. The program consists of four continuous (two-span) beams with overall dimensions equal to (150×250×1700) mm. Among this the first beam is tested conservatively whereas all other beams were strengthening in same pattern with diversity of externally bonded GFRP sheets. The present study examines the response of RC continuous beams, in terms of collapse modes, enhancement of load capacity and load deflection analysis. The results indicate that the flexible strength of RC beams can be significantly increased by gluing GFRP sheets to the flexible face. In addition, the epoxy bonded sheets enhanced the cracking behavior of the beams by delaying the construction of visible cracks and reducing crack widths at higher load levels.