Ductile strengthening using externally bonded and near surface mounted composite systems

Externally bonded fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) has been established as an effective technique for strengthening concrete members. Other techniques, like near surface mounted (NSM) FRP bars, and steel reinforced polymers (SRP) have emerged as viable alternatives. In this study, four composite-based strengthening systems were used to provide equivalent flexural performance, namely: externally bonded CFRP sheets, NSM prefabricated CFRP strips, externally bonded SRP sheets and NSM stainless steel bars. The strengthening design was based on achieving approximately 38% increase in flexural capacity over the unstrengthened control beams. The mode of failure by design was brittle failure controlled by concrete crushing at 0.003 strain. However, the experimental program was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of transverse anchoring reinforcement to control premature debonding failure modes and fully utilize the high strength of the composite systems. A more ductile behavior was also observed as a result of transverse strengthening and concrete confinement effects. Accordingly, an increase of approximately 50% in flexural strength is accomplished.