On the parameters influencing the performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with FRP plates

This paper presents a summary of our investigations that were aimed to assess the influence of various physical and mechanical parameters on the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) plates. The work was divided into two phases. The first phase investigated the influence of FRP plate length, fiber orientation, and surface preparation on the performance of FRP-reinforced RC beams. The FRP in this phase of the work was E-glass/epoxy. The second phase of the study was designed to confirm the validity of our hypothesis, which postulated that the delamination of the FRP plate would be a function of the Poisson ratio mismatch between concrete and FRP plate. Results from the second phase also suggested that less expensive glass FRP plates could adequately replace the more expensive carbon FRP plates by offering the beam more ductility, without sacrificing its expected performance. Moreover, results from both phases showed that the lateral stiffness of the FRP plate contributed to the overall flexural stiffness of the strengthened beam.