Detailing considerations on RC beams strengthened with CFRP bars embedded in mortar overlay

Most recent studies on strengthening materials and methods for concrete structures have focused only on external bonded plates. Fiber reinforced polymer rod similar to reinforcing steel bars have rarely been considered. In this study, an experiment was performed using beams strengthened with rod-type Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer and high-strength mortar overlay. The beams received static and cyclic loads, and their structural behavior was compared with a non-strengthened beam. The test results show that the strengthened beams not only had improved endurance limits but also improved load-carrying capacities, stiffness values, and cracking loads as compared to a non-strengthened beam. Strengthened beams anchored with bolts throughout their entire span had more efficient structural behaviors, including composite behavior on the interface between the concrete and mortar and load-carrying capacity, than a strengthened beam anchored only on the end block.