Reliabilty-based torsional design of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with CFRP laminate

The structural reliability of torsional concrete beams strengthened with full and strip wrapping of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminate is investigated. The first order-second moment reliability method has been applied to make a reliability assessment on the torsional capacity designed by technical guideline in Iran. The code No.345 published by the Management and Planning Organization of Iran (MPO 345-2006) is thefirst technical code in Iran for design of concrete members strengthened with CFRP laminate. In this work, the average reliability indexes for unstrengthened, strengthened with full wrap and strengthened with strip wrap beams have been found. The results indicate that the MPO design guideline are some unconservative. A reliability strengthening ratio is introduced for assessment of the variation in average reliability index before and after strengthening with different resistance factors. A parametric study on this factor reveals that if the reliability level of the strengthened reinforced concrete beams is kept to be consistent with their similar unstrengthened beams, a value of 0.89 and 0.81 for strengthened with full wrap and strengthened with strip wrap, should be applied, respectively. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.