An experimental study on flexural strengthening method with AFRPs for stepped rebar arrangement area of RC piers

In order to establish a rational flexural strengthening method with Aramid Fiber Reinforced Plastic sheet (AFRPs) for stepped rebar arrangement area of RC piers, lateral monotonic and cyclic loading tests were conducted emphasizing determination of the strengthening area. The experiments are composed of two series: 1) for determination of the upper strengthening are under fixing the bonding area of AFRPs in the lower area from the stepped rebar arrangement; and 2) for determination of the lower are under bonding AFRPs in appropriate area of the upper area. From this study, following results are obtained; 1) appropriate bonding length in upward and downward direction from the stepped rebar arrangement will be appropriately determined adding rebar yielded length and a half height of the cross section; and taking a height of the cross section, respectively; 2) if bonding length of AFRPs in the downward direction was insufficient, AFRPs will be early debonded due to edge peeling of AFRPs