Damaged RC beams repaired by bonding of CFRP laminates

This paper summarizes the results of experimental studies on damaged reinforced concrete beams repaired by external bonding of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates to the tensile face of the beam. Two sets of beams were tested in this study: control beams (without CFRP laminates) and damaged and then repaired beams with different amounts of CFRP laminates by varying different parameters (damage degree, CFRP laminate width, concrete strength class). All beams were tested in four-point bending over a span of 1800 mm. The tests were carried out under displacement control. The most investigated parameter in this experimental study is damage degree (ratio between pre-cracked load and load capacity of control beam). Repairing damaged RC beams with externally bonded CFRP laminates were successful for different degrees of damage. The observed failure modes were peeling off and interfacial debonding. These failure modes depend only on the laminate width.The results indicate that the load capacity and the rigidity of repaired beams were significantly higher then those of control beam for all tested damage degrees. The authors remarked that for a load capacity improvement, reinforcement with a CFRP having about a half width of the beam is satisfactory. Finally, the contribution of CFRP laminates on the load capacity and rigidity of repaired RC beams is significant for any concrete strength class.