Flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams with carbon fibers reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheet bonded to a transition layer of high performance cement-based composite

Resumen

Resistance to the corrosion, high tensile strength, low weight, easiness and rapidity of application, is some of interesting characteristics that have contributed in the dissemination of the technique characterized by bond of the carbon fibers reinforced polymer (CFRP). The objective of this research is to develop an innovate strengthening method for RC beams, based on a high performance cement-based composite of steel fibers (macro + microfibers) to be applied in a transition layer. The purpose of this transition layer is to better control the cracking of concrete and to be late or until avoid the premature detachment of strengthening. Due to lack of similar research here the proposal, was carried through a preliminary study in short beams molded with steel fibers and strengthened with CFRP sheet, where if it verified that the conception of the transition layer is valid. Tests were developed to get a cement-based composite with characteristics to constitute the layer transition. The results shown that were possible to develop a material of high performance with a pseudo strain-hardening behavior, high strength and fracture toughness. The application of the strengthened about the layer transition surface showed significantly to improve the levels of performance of the strengthening beam. Of the carried through study it was possible to prove the efficiency of the new strengthened technique and describe various information that can be explored to become useful as criteria of project of repaired and strengthened structures.