Flexural Repair of Pre-Loaded and Pre-Damaged RC Beams Using Anchored Hybrid FRP Composites

Al-Kamaki, Yaman Sami Shareef

doi:10.2478/cee-2025-0083

Abstract

External fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are the supreme recent approach for rehabilitating, repairing, and strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) members. FRP can substantially enhance deteriorated members’ shear and flexural capacity and extend their useful life. This experimental work addresses the flexural behavior of RC beams strengthened with hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates and fabrics (sheets) made of carbon, basalt, or glass fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP/BFRP/GFRP). The anticipated hybrid approach aims to enhance the characteristics of the strengthening beams by combining high-strength CFRP laminates with FRP sheets using epoxy adhesive. Five 230 mm × 260 mm × 1600 mm RC beams were pre-loaded up to 75% of the ultimate load of the reference beam (control beam), pre-damaged, strengthened, and tested under a 3-point bending scheme. One beam served as an un-strengthened control, while one was strengthened with a single CFRP laminate (plate) along the beam’s centreline. The rest three beams were strengthened with a CFRP plate, with additional anchorage at the ends using CFRP, BFRP, or GFRP sheets. The beams that were strengthened beams exhibited a remarkable improvement in load-bearing capacity associated with the unstrengthened control beam. CFRP strengthening with U-wrap anchorage increased the ultimate load of RC beams by up to 45% compared to the unstrengthened beam, while deflection was reduced by approximately 64%, indicating improved strength and stiffness.

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Flexural Repair of Pre-Loaded and Pre-Damaged RC Beams Using Anchored Hybrid FRP Composites

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