Experimental study and analysis of RC beams strengthened with CFRP laminates under sustaining load

Six reinforced concrete beams strengthened in flexure using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates subjected to different sustaining loads were tested. The main goal of the test is to examine the effects of initial load and load history on the ultimate strength of strengthened reinforced concrete beams by externally bonded CFRP laminates. The main experimental parameters include different levels of sustaining load at the time of strengthening and load history. To explain the experimental results in quantitative terms, a theoretical model for flexural behavior of the strengthened reinforced concrete beam is also developed. Test results in the current study show that sustaining load levels at the time of strengthening have important influence on the ultimate strength of strengthened reinforced concrete beams. If the initial load is basically same, the ultimate strength of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with CFRP laminates is almost same regardless of load history at the time of strengthening.