USE OF GLASS FRP SHEETS AS EXTERNAL FLEXURE REINFORCEMENT IN RC BEAMS

Experimental data of strengthened or repaired (retrofitted) reinforced concrete (RC) specimens are presented in this study. Retrofitting was attained with the adhesion of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets to the tension side of the beams. The flexural capacity and central deflection of the strengthened groups of beams were compared with those of their counterpart specimens of the control group to evaluate the effectiveness of strengthening or repairing techniques. The results indicated that the flexural strength of RC beams can be increased by gluing GFRP sheets to the tension face. The increases in the load capacities of the beams due to retrofitting are discussed at service, yield and ultimate load levels. Furthermore, the influence of the retrofitting on the structural ductility and mode of failure are also presented. An analytical model is developed to predict the strength and deflection of RC beams strengthened with FRP sheets. The accuracy of the model is checked by comparing the predicted results with the corresponding measured experimental results