Flexural stiffness modelling of RC slab strengthened by externally bonded FRP

This paper describes the behaviour of strengthened and unstrengthened reinforced concrete slabs, subjected to a single, specific, local, load at their centres. In the experimental stage, the influence of the reinforcement on the various slabs tested was analysed by studying their behaviour at failure and by making a bending stiffness analysis. In order to predict the mechanical behaviour of the slab, a model was developed to predict the value of the bending stiffness, the mid-span displacements and the strain on each material making up the slabs. The experimental results were compared to those of the model and there was good agreement.