Tests on reinforced concrete beams strengthened in shear using near surface mounted CFRP and steel bars

This paper presents the experimental results obtained from testing four large scale reinforced concrete T-beams strengthened in shear using near surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars and conventional steel reinforcing bars. The experimental program studied the effects of the orientation of the NSM bars, their type and their anchorage into the flange concrete. The tests showed that the NSM bars were engaged in the resistance as soon as they were crossed by a crack. The strengthening increased the shear capacity by 37%–92%, reduced the width of the diagonal cracks and allowed the beams to develop significant flexural ductility. The results also showed that orienting the NSM bars at 45° and extending their anchorage into the flange concrete improved the efficiency of strengthening. The CFRP strengthened test regions achieved 7%–10% larger shear capacity than the steel strengthened test regions, and their behavior was relatively similar.