Deep Embedment (DE) FRP Shear Strengthening of Concrete Bridge Slabs under Loads Close to Supports

Shear forces are the most common governing failure mechanism of reinforced concrete bridge deck slabs subjected to loads close to their supports. This paper reveals a comprehensive study of the behaviour of concrete slabs shear-strengthened with a deep embedment fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) technique. In the experimental investigation, a series of eight full scale concrete slabs were created and tested up to failure. Several structural variables were changed to assess the effectiveness of this shear strengthening technique. The behaviour of test slabs is discussed and the influence of this strategy was evaluated by comparing the test results. It was shown that brittle shear failures could be avoided by using this strengthening strategy. The ultimate capacity and deflection at the failure were both enhanced by using the deep embedment strengthening method. Additionally, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was proposed to develop further investigation. This NLFEA model gave excellent predictions for the structural behaviour of the test concrete slabs. Finally, a two-way theoretical model was proposed to predict the loading-carrying capacity of concrete slabs strengthened with deep embedment FRP bars. The ultimate strength predicted by this theoretical method showed good agreement with that from the test results