The performance of plate girders reinforced with CFRP plates of various lengths

This paper presents an experimental study into the behavior of reinforced steel plate girders strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates subjected to three-point bending. The tests were conducted on six specimens, which utilized different lengths of CFRP plates, and of different ratios of top to bottom flange thickness (tr = ttf/tbf). It was concluded that the CFRP plates enhance the stiffness and resistance and change failure mechanism of the plate girders. Additionally, Finite element (FE) analyses were employed to verify the experimental results, and close correlation between the two was found.