Investigations to the Parameters Effecting Shear Strength of RC Beams Strengthened with CFRP Laminations

Abstract

This paper focuses on the strengthening of reinforced concrete beams deficient in shear using external bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer CFRP laminations. The CFRP laminations can be used to enhance the shear capacity of beams and to change the mode of failure from shear to flexure. The investigation is made in order to estimate the contribution of CFRP reinforcement to the shear capacity of strengthening reinforced concrete beams. The finite element method presented by ANSYS software used for modeling the reinforced concrete beam with CFRP strengthened. The model makes use of the ANSYS software abilities to evaluate the effects of number of parameters (CFRP strap height and thickness, carbon fiber direction with respect to beam longitudinal axis, concrete compressive strength, CFRP strip width and spacing) that are important in the response of the strengthened beam in shear. The numerical results are presented and discussed and conclusions drawn.