Tests on reinforced concrete slabs with cut-out openings strengthened with fibre-reinforced polymers

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations on reinforced concrete slabs strengthened using fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP). Eight tests were carried out on four two-way slabs, with and without cut-out openings. Investigations on slabs with cut-outs revealed that the FRP can be placed only around the edges of the cut-out when retrofitting the slabs whereas, in the situation of inserting cut-outs combined with increased demands of capacity, it is necessary to apply FRP components on most of the soffit of the slab. The proposed strengthening system enabled the load and deflection capacities of the FRP-strengthened slabs, in relation to their un-strengthened reference slabs, to be enhanced by up to 121% and 57% for slabs with and without cut-outs respectively.