الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract There are many existing structures, which do not fulfill specified requirements. This for example may be due to upgrading of the design standards, increased loading, corrosion of the reinforcement bars, construction errors or accidents such as earthquakes. To remedy for insufficient capacity the structures need to be replaced or strengthened. Different types of strengthening materials are available in the market. Examples of these are Ferro cement, steel plates and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate. Strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) structures by bonding external steel and FRP plates of sheets is an effective method for improving structural performance under both service and ultimate load conditions. It is both environmentally and economically preferable to repair or strengthen structures rather than to replace them totally. With the development of structurally effective adhesives, there have been marked increases in strengthening using FRP laminates. FRP has become increasingly attractive compared to steel plates due to its advantageous low weight, high stiffness and strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, lower maintenance costs and faster installation time. Earlier research has demonstrated that the addition of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminate to reinforced concrete beams can increase stiffness and maximum load of the beams. |