published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This study investigates the feasibility of strengthening reinforced concrete beams with epoxy-bonded Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Plastic (GFRP) plates. The composite plate is epoxy-bonded to the tension flange of the beam to increase its stiffness and strength. Seven rectangular and one T-beam, retrofitted with composite plates, were tested to failure under symmetrical 4-point bending. The load versus deflection and the load versus strain in the composite plate, steel rebar and the extreme compression fiber of concrete were measured and plotted for the midspan section throughout the entire range of loading up to failure. Analytical models based on the equilibrium of forces and compatibility of deformations were developed to predict the stresses and deformations of the beam in the linear and nonlinear regions. The predicted and measured results correlated well. The analytical models were used in a parametric study to investigate the effects of design variables such as, plate area, plate strength and stiffness, reinforcement ratio, etc., on the moment-curvature relationships of typical rectangular and T cross sections.

In recent years the use of carbon fiber reinforcing polymers (CFRP) to repair damaged structural components has become more accepted and practiced. However, the current reference for designing FRP systems to repair and strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete (PSC) girders has limitations. Similarly, very few resources address solutions for the debonding problem associated with CFRP laminates or the use of CFRP laminates to repair structural members with pre-existing damage. The included experimental program consists of testing both RC and PSC girders with simulated lateral damage and CFRP repairs. A total of 34 RC beams were statically tested under a 4-point loading until failure and had cross-section dimensions of 5” x 10” (14cm x 25.4cm), were 8’ long (2.44m), and were reinforced with either #3 or #4 mild steel rebar. 13 PSC girders having cross-section dimensions representing a half-scaled AASHTO type II shape, were 20’ long (6.1m), and were prestressed with five 7/16” (11.1mm) diameter low-lax 7-wire strands. Ten of the PSC girders were statically loaded until failure under a 4-point testing setup, but 3 PSC girders were dynamically tested under fatigue loading using a 3-point arrangement. Different configurations of CFRP laminates, number and spacing of CFRP transverse U-wraps, and amount of longitudinal CFRP layers are studied. The results present the flexural behavior of all specimen including load-deflection characteristics, strain characteristics, and modes of failure. Ultimately, results are used to recommend important considerations, needed criteria, and proper design procedures for a safe and optimized CFRP repair configuration.