Effects of RC beams reinforcement using near surface mounted reinforced FRP composites

Abstract

This paper analyzes application of modern reinforcement methods for reinforced concrete (RC) beams using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. Basic characteristics of FRP materials and the method of mounting the FRP bars within concrete, that is, near the surface of the beams (NSM method) are presented. The properties of this method and its advantages in comparison to externally bonded reinforcement laminate method (EBR) have been analyzed. The results of measured deflections and width of the cracks of the beams reinforced by FRP bars, depending on the load are presented and discussed, in comparison to the results obtained from the non-reinforced beams. The experimental research was published at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture of Niš in 2009.

Keywords

• strengthening
• FRP composite
• NSM method
• GFRP reinforcement
• testing