Utilization of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer for Strengthening of Structural Light-weight Reinforced Concrete One-way Slabs

Abstract

Among many manufacturing industries, civil engineering sectors have been more involved in
incorporating fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. These composite materials have been
selected as an appropriate solution for strengthening reinforced concrete structural elements because
of their excellent tensile strength, high strength to weight ratio, and simplicity of implementation. This
experimental study aims to evaluate the flexural behaviors of structural light-weight reinforced
concrete (SLWC) one-way slabs strengthened with different patterns of CFRP. The proposed material
in the current study is using pumice aggregate as a full replacement of natural coarse aggregate. Four
structural light-weight concrete (SLWC) slabs with the dimensions of 1200 mm long, 450 mm wide,
and 80 mm thick were cast and tested to failure. One slab has been taken as a control and the other
samples are strengthened with five strips in one layer, ten strips in two layers and full wrap CFRP.
The samples are tested under a four-point load bending test setup until failure. Each of the ultimate
loads, mid-span deflection, cracking loads, crack patterns, and failure modes were well evaluated. The
results showed that, strengthening with CFRP composites significantly increases load-carrying
capacity. Strengthening with five strips, ten strips, and full wrap with CFRP increased the ultimate
capacity by 115%, 138%, and 170% respectively and decreased mid-span deflection by 43%, 58%,
and 55% compared to the reference specimen respectively.