Flexural Fatigue Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with FRP Fabric and Precured Laminate Systems

Rehabilitation of existing structures with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) has been growing in popularity because they offer resistance to corrosion and a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. This paper presents the flexural strengthening of seven reinforced concrete (RC) beams with two FRP systems. Two beams were maintained as unstrengthened control samples. Three of the RC beams were strengthened with CFRP fabrics, whereas the remaining two were strengthened using FRP precured laminates. Glass fiber anchor spikes were applied in one of the CFRP fabric strengthened beams. One of the FRP precured laminate strengthened beams was bonded with epoxy adhesive and the other one was attached by using mechanical fasteners. Five of the beams were tested under fatigue loading for two million cycles. All of the beams survived fatigue testing. The results showed that use of anchor spikes in fabric strengthening increase ultimate strength, and mechanical fasteners can be an alternative to epoxy bonded precured laminate systems.     

Fatigue Performance of RC Beams Strengthened in Shear with CFRP Fabrics

In recent years, a tremendous effort has been directed toward understanding and promoting the use of externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to strengthen concrete structures. Despite this research effort, studies on the behavior of beams strengthened with FRP under fatigue loading are relatively few, especially with regard to its shear-strengthening aspect. This study aims to examine the fatigue performance of RC beams strengthened in shear using carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets. It involves six laboratory tests performed on full-size T-beams, where the following parameters are investigated: (1) the FRP ratio and (2) the internal transverse-steel reinforcement ratio. The major finding of this study is that specimens strengthened with one layer of CFRP survived 5 million cycles, some of them with no apparent signs of damage, demonstrating thereby the effectiveness of FRP strengthening systems on extending the fatigue life of structures. Specimens strengthened with two layers of CFRP failed in fatigue well below 5 million cycles. The failure mode observed for these specimens was a combination of crushing of the concrete struts, local debonding of CFRP, and yielding of steel stirrups. This failure may be attributed to the higher load amplitude and also to the greater stiffness of the FRP which may have changed the stress distribution among the different components coming into play. Finally, comparison between the performance of specimens with transverse steel and without seems to indicate that the addition of transverse steel extends the fatigue life of RC beams.     

Postrepair Fatigue Performance of FRP-Repaired Corroded RC Beams: Experimental and Analytical Investigation

This paper presents the results of an experimental and analytical study of the fatigue performance of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams repaired with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. Ten RC beam specimens (152×254×3,200?mm) were constructed. One specimen was neither strengthened nor corroded to serve as a reference; three specimens were corroded and not repaired; another three specimens were corroded and repaired with U-shaped glass FRP sheets that wrapped the cross section of the specimen; and the remaining three specimens were corroded and repaired with U-shaped glass FRP sheets for wrapping and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets for flexural strengthening. The FRP sheets were applied after the main reinforcing bars were corroded to an average mass loss of 5.5%. Following FRP repair, some specimens were tested immediately to failure, while the other repaired specimens were subjected to further corrosion before being tested to failure to investigate their postrepair (long-term) performance. Reinforcement steel pitting due to corrosion reduced the fatigue life significantly. The FRP wrapping had no significant effect on the fatigue performance, while using CFRP sheets for flexural strengthening enhanced the fatigue performance significantly. The fatigue results were compared to smooth specimen fatigue data to estimate an equivalent fatigue notch factor for the main reinforcing bars of the tested specimens.     

High-Cycle Fatigue of Diagonally Cracked RC Bridge Girders: Laboratory Tests

Large numbers of conventionally RC deck–girder bridges are in the national highway system. Diagonal cracks have been identified in many of these bridges, which are exposed to millions of load cycles during service life. The anticipated life of these bridges in the cracked condition under repeated service loads is uncertain. Laboratory experiments were performed on full-size girder specimens to evaluate possible deterioration in shear capacity under repeated loading. Specimen variables included: T and inverted-T configurations, stirrup spacing, and flexural reinforcing details. Test results indicated bond deterioration increased diagonal crack displacements, and analysis methods to predict the shear capacity of diagonally cracked reinforced concrete girders subjected to high-cycle fatigue damage are provided. The AASHTO-LRFD shear provisions conservatively predicted shear capacity for the fatigued specimens without stirrup fractures, and shear capacity predictions from computer analysis program Response 2000 were very well correlated with experimental results for fatigued test specimens when the input concrete tensile strength was reduced to nearly zero.     

Fatigue Life Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Deck Slabs Reinforced with Glass FRP Composite Bars

Since bridge deck slabs directly sustain repeated moving wheel loads, they are one of the most bridge elements susceptible to fatigue failure. Recently, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been widely used as internal reinforcement for concrete bridge deck slabs as they are less expensive compared to the other kinds of FRPs (carbon and aramid). However, there is still a lack of information on the performance of FRP–reinforced concrete elements subjected to cyclic fatigue loading. This research is designed to investigate the fatigue behavior and fatigue life of concrete bridge deck slabs reinforced with glass FRP bars. A total of five full-scale deck slabs were constructed and tested under concentrated cyclic loading until failure. Different reinforcement types (steel and glass FRP), ratios, and configurations were used. Different schemes of cyclic loading (accelerated variable amplitude fatigue loading) were applied. Results are presented in terms of deflections, strains in concrete and FRP bars, and crack widths at different levels of cyclic loading. The results showed the superior fatigue performance and longer fatigue life of concrete bridge deck slabs reinforced with glass FRP composite bars.     

Fatigue Behavior of Concrete-Filled Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Tubes

To date, research on concrete-filled fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tubes (CFFT) has focused on the effect of static loads, simulated seismic loads, and long-term sustained loads. Dynamic fatigue behavior of CFFTs, on the other hand, has received little or no attention. This paper reports on an experimental study to evaluate damage accumulation, stiffness degradation, fatigue life, and residual bending strength of CFFT beams. A total of eight CFFT beams with four different types of FRP tube were tested under four point bending. Test parameters included reinforcement index, fiber architecture, load range, and end restraints. Fatigue performance of CFFT beams is clearly governed by characteristics of the FRP tube and its three phases of damage growth: matrix cracking, matrix delamination, and fiber rupture. Lower reinforcement index increases stiffness degradation and damage growth, and shortens fatigue life. End restraints, e.g., embedment of FRP tube in adjacent members, promote composite action, arrest slippage of concrete core, and enhance fatigue life of CFFT beams. It is suggested that a maximum load level of 25% of the static capacity be imposed for fatigue design of CFFTs. With proper design, CFFTs may withstand repeated traffic loading necessary for bridge girders.     

Fiber Reinforced Polymer Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Transverse Steel Reinforcement

The paper aims to contribute to a better understanding and modeling of the shear behavior of reinforced-concrete (RC) beams strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. The study is based on an experimental program carried out on 11 beams with and without transverse steel reinforcement, and with different amounts of FRP shear strengthening. The test results provide some new insights into the complex failure mechanisms that characterize the ultimate shear capacity of RC members with transverse steel reinforcement and FRP sheets. After the discussion of the above topics, a new upper bound of the shear strength is introduced. It should be capable of taking into account how the cracking pattern in the web failing under shear is modified by the presence of FRP sheets, and how such a modified cracking pattern actually modifies the anchorage conditions of the sheets and their effective contribution to the ultimate shear strength of the beams.     

Repair of Slab–Column Connections Using Epoxy and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Repair, strengthening, and retrofit of reinforced and prestressed concrete members have become increasingly important issues as the World’s infrastructure deteriorates with time. Buildings and bridges are often in need of repair or strengthening to accommodate larger live loads as traffic and building occupancies change. In addition, inadequate design and detailing for seismic and other severe natural events has resulted in considerable structural damage and loss of life, particularly in reinforced concrete buildings. Numerous buildings and bridges suffer damage during such events and need to be repaired. The use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite fabric bonded to the surface of concrete members is comparatively simple, quick and virtually unnoticeable after installation. The use of composites has become routine for increasing both the flexural and shear capacities of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams. Earthquake retrofit of bridge and building structures has relied increasingly on composite wrapping of columns, beams and joints to provide confinement and increase ductility. This paper presents the results of cyclic testing of three large-scale reinforced concrete slab–column connections. Each of the specimens was a half-scale model of an interior slab–column connection common to flat-slab buildings. The specimens were reinforced according to ACI-318 code requirements and included slab shear reinforcement. While supporting a slab gravity load equivalent to dead load plus 30% of the live load, the specimens were subjected to an increasing cyclic lateral loading protocol up to 5% lateral drift. The specimens were subjected to the same loading protocol after they were repaired with epoxy crack sealers and CFRP sheet on the surfaces of the slab. Repair with epoxy and CFRP on the top surface of the slab was able to restore both initial stiffness and ultimate strength of the original specimen.     

Fatigue Behavior of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer-Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Bridge Girders

This study examines the effects of one-dimensional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite rehabilitation systems on the flexural fatigue performance of reinforced concrete bridge girders. Eight 508?mm deep and 5.6?m long reinforced concrete T-beams, with and without bonded FRP reinforcement on their tensile surfaces, were tested with a concentrated load at midspan under constant amplitude cyclic loading. The objective of this investigation is to establish the effect that these repair systems have on the fatigue behavior and remaining life of the girders. Results indicate that the fatigue behavior of such retrofit beams is controlled by the fatigue behavior of the reinforcing steel. The fatigue life of a reinforced concrete beam can be increased by the application of an FRP retrofit, which relieves some of the stress carried by the steel. The observed increase in fatigue life, however, is limited by the quality of the bond between the carbon FRP and concrete substrate. Debonding, initiating at midspan and progressing to a support, is common and is driven partially by the crack distribution and shear deformations of the beam.     

Bond Efficiency of EBR and NSM FRP Systems for Strengthening Concrete Members

This paper reports the results of an experimental program to investigate the bonding behavior of two different types of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems for strengthening RC members: externally bonded carbon (EBR) plates and bars or strips externally applied with the near-surface-mounted (NSM) technique. The overall experimental program consisted of 18 bond tests on concrete specimens strengthened with EBR carbon plates and 24 bond tests on concrete specimens strengthened with NSM systems (carbon, basalt, and glass bars, and carbon strips). Single shear tests (SST) were carried out on concrete prisms with low compressive strengths to investigate the bonding behavior of existing RC structures strengthened with different types of FRP systems. The performance of each reinforcement system is presented, discussed, and compared in terms of failure mode, debonding load, load-slip relationship, and strain distribution. The findings indicate that the NSM technique could represent a sound alternative to EBR systems because it allows debonding to be delayed, and hence FRP tensile strength to be better exploited.     

Experimental Investigation on Torsional Behavior of Solid and Box-Section RC Beams Strengthened with CFRP Using Photogrammetry

The construction boom over the last century has resulted in a mature infrastructure network in developed countries. Lately, the issue of maintenance and repair/upgrading of existing structures has become a major issue, particularly in the area of bridges. Fiber- reinforced polymer (FRP) has shown great promise as a state-of-the-art material in flexural and shear strengthening as external reinforcement, but information on its applicability in torsional strengthening is limited. The need for torsional strengthening in bridge box girders is highlighted by the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia, one of the largest strengthening projects in the world for externally bonded carbon FRP (CFRP) laminates. This paper reports the experimental work in an overall investigation of torsional strengthening of solid and box-section reinforced concrete beams with externally bonded carbon FRP. This was found to be a viable method of torsional strengthening. Photogrammetry was a noncontact measuring technique used in the investigation. The deformation mechanisms were found to be unchanged in the strengthened specimens. Furthermore, it was found that the crack widths were reduced and aggregate interlocking action improved with the strengthened beams.     

Shear Strengthening of RC Beams with EB FRP: Influencing Factors and Conceptual Debonding Model

This paper deals with the shear strengthening of RC beams using externally bonded (EB) fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). Current code provisions and design guidelines related to shear strengthening of RC beams with FRP are discussed in this paper. The findings of research studies, including recent work, have been collected and analyzed. The parameters that have the greatest influence on the shear behavior of RC members strengthened with EB FRP and the role of these parameters in current design codes are reviewed. This study reveals that the effect of transverse steel on the shear contribution of FRP is important and yet is not considered by any existing codes or guidelines. Therefore, a new design method is proposed to consider the effect of transverse steel in addition to other influencing factors on the shear contribution of FRP (Vf). Separate design equations are proposed for U-wrap and side-bonded FRP configurations. The accuracy of the proposed equations has been verified by predicting the shear strength of experimentally tested RC beams using data collected from the literature. Finally, comparison with current design guidelines has shown that the proposed model achieves a better correlation with experimental results than current design guidelines.     

Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates

Shear failure is catastrophic and occurs usually without advance warning; thus it is desirable that the beam fails in flexure rather than in shear. Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) members are found to be deficient in shear strength and need to be repaired. Externally bonded reinforcement such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) provides an excellent solution in these situations. To investigate the shear behavior of RC beams with externally bonded CFRP shear reinforcement, 11 RC beams without steel shear reinforcement were cast at the concrete laboratory of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. After the beams were kept in the curing room for 28?days, carbon-fiber strips and fabrics made by Sika Corp. were applied on both sides of the beams at various orientations with respect to the axis of the beam. All beams were tested on a 979?kN (220?kips) MTS testing machine. Results of the test demonstrate the feasibility of using an externally applied, epoxy-bonded CFRP system to restore or increase the shear capacity of RC beams. The CFRP system can significantly increase the serviceability, ductility, and ultimate shear strength of a concrete beam; thus, restoring beam shear strength by using CFRP is a highly effective technique. An analysis and design method for shear strengthening of externally bonded CFRP has been proposed.     

Debonding- and Fatigue-Related Strain Limits for Externally Bonded FRP

Available guidance for mitigating debonding failure of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites applied to concrete is evaluated based on data obtained from large- and full-scale experimental programs. Current recommendations are inadequate to effectively mitigate intermediate crack-induced debonding in flexural members. An improved, although still simple to apply, equation for determining limiting FRP material properties to mitigate debonding is presented and evaluated. Additionally, the effect of fatigue loading on the debonding behavior of externally bonded FRP is not adequately addressed in practice. In the limited data presented, a degradation of bond behavior is observed even under fatigue loading conditions amounting to an FRP stress range of no more than 4% of the FRP capacity.     

Behavior of Prestressed Concrete Strengthened with Various CFRP Systems Subjected to Fatigue Loading

Many prestressed concrete bridges are in need of upgrades to increase their posted capacities. The use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials is gaining credibility as a strengthening option for reinforced concrete, yet few studies have been undertaken to determine their effectiveness for strengthening prestressed concrete. The effect of the CFRP strengthening on the induced fatigue stress ratio in the prestressing strand during service loading conditions is not well defined. This paper explores the fatigue behavior of prestressed concrete bridge girders strengthened with CFRP through examining the behavior of seven decommissioned 9.14?m (30?ft) girders strengthened with various CFRP systems including near-surface-mounted bars and strips, and externally bonded strips and sheets. Various levels of strengthening, prestressing configurations, and fatigue loading range are examined. The experimental results are used to provide recommendations on the effectiveness of each strengthening configuration. Test results show that CFRP strengthening can reduce crack widths, crack spacing, and the induced stress ratio in the prestressing strands under service loading conditions. It is recommended to keep the prestressing strand stress ratio under the increased service loading below the value of 5% for straight prestressing strands, and 3% for harped prestressing strands. A design example is presented to illustrate the proposed design guidelines in determining the level of CFRP strengthening. The design considers the behavior of the strengthened girder at various service and ultimate limit states.     

Strength and Ductility of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Plates and Steel

Seven concrete beams reinforced internally with varying amounts of steel and externally with precured carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) plates applied after the concrete had cracked under service loads were tested under four-point bending. Strains measured along the beam depth allowed computation of the beam curvature in the constant moment region. Results show that FRP is very effective for flexural strengthening. As the amount of steel increases, the additional strength provided by the carbon FRP plates decreases. Compared to a beam reinforced heavily with steel only, beams reinforced with both steel and carbon have adequate deformation capacity, in spite of their brittle mode of failure. Clamping or wrapping of the ends of the precured FRP plate enhances the capacity of adhesively bonded FRP anchorage. Design equations for anchorage, allowable stress, ductility, and amount of reinforcement are discussed.     

Experimental Investigation of Bonded Fiber Reinforced Polymer-Concrete Joints under Cyclic Loading

The strengthening of reinforced concrete structures by means of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) is becoming an attractive technique for upgrading existing structures. Although previous laboratory investigations have shown that the bending capacities of beams can be increased considerably with this strengthening technique, premature failure by debonding of the FRP reinforcement can often limit its effectiveness. To gain insight into debonding phenomena, various experimental and analytical investigations of the behavior of bonded FRP-to-concrete joints have been carried out. However, such studies have generally been limited to monotonic (“static”) loading conditions. In this paper, we present results from an experimental investigation of bonded FRP-to-concrete joints under cyclic loading. First, we describe the experimental setup and test parameters. Next experimental results for the effects of cyclic loading on slip at the FRP–concrete interface, crack opening, and strain profiles along the bonded FRP joint are presented and discussed. A power-law expression for the so-called “S–N” curves (cyclic stress ranges versus numbers of cycles to failure) is proposed, and the parameters in this expression are determined from the experimental data. The influence of various parameters such as bond length, bond width, and cyclic bond stress levels on fatigue behavior are discussed.     

Retrofit of a Three-Span Slab Bridge with Fiber Reinforced Polymer Systems—Testing and Rating

A 45-year old, three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge with insufficient capacity was retrofitted with 76.2- and 127-mm wide bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) plates, 102-mm wide bonded carbon FRP plates with mechanical anchors at the ends, and bonded carbon FRP fabrics. The use of four systems in one bridge provided a unique opportunity to evaluate field installation issues and to examine the long-term performance of each system under identical traffic and environmental conditions. Using controlled truckload tests, the response of the bridge before retrofitting, shortly after retrofitting, and after one year of service was measured. The stiffness of the FRP systems was small in comparison to the stiffness of the bridge deck, and accordingly the measured deflections did not change noticeably after retrofitting. The measured strains suggest participation of the FRP systems, and more importantly, the strength of the retrofitted bridge was increased. A detailed 3D finite-element model of the original and retrofitted bridge was developed and calibrated based on the measured deflections. The model was used to predict more accurately the demands for computing the rating factors. The addition of FRP plates and fabrics led to a 22% increase in the rating factor and corresponding load limits. During a one-year period, traffic loading and environmental exposure did not apparently affect the performance of the FRP systems. The increased capacity and acceptable performance of the FRP systems enabled the engineers to remove the load limits in order to resume normal traffic. Future tests are necessary to monitor the long-term behavior of the FRP systems.     

Shear Transfer across Cracks in FRP Strengthened RC Members

The shear capacity of unplated reinforced concrete (RC) beams depends on the transverse shear to form the critical diagonal crack (CDC) as well as the transverse shear capacity across the CDC. The latter depends on the reinforcing bars crossing the CDC as they provide forces normal to the CDC that allow the shear to be transferred by aggregate interlock. For steel reinforcing bars, these normal forces can be assumed to depend on the ductile yield capacity of the reinforcing bar. However, the problem is more complicated when dealing with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) plated RC beams, as the normal force now depends on the brittle intermediate crack debonding resistance of the plate as well as the brittle nature of the FRP material. In this paper, eight push tests have been used to directly determine the contribution of externally bonded (EB) and near surface mounted (NSM) FRP plates to the shear capacity, and these are compared with further six EB and NSM steel plated members. It is shown that plate reinforcement can substantially increase the shear capacity and, surprisingly, that the brittle FRP plates can provide a more ductile shear mechanism than the ductile steel plates.     

Case Study of Application of FRP Composites in Strengthening the Reinforced Concrete Headstock of a Bridge Structure

Worldwide interest is being generated in the use of fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) in the rehabilitation of aged or damaged reinforced concrete structures. As a replacement for the traditional steel plates or external posttensioning in strengthening applications, various types of FRP plates, with their high strength-to-weight ratio and good resistance to corrosion, represent a class of ideal material in externally retrofitting. This paper describes a solution proposed to strengthen the damaged reinforced concrete headstock of the Tenthill Creeks Bridge, Queensland, Australia, using FRP composites. A decision was made to consider strengthening the headstock using bonded carbon FRP laminates to increase the load carrying capacity of the headstock in shear and bending. The relevant guidelines and design recommendations were compared and adopted in accordance with AS 3600 and Austroads bridge design code to estimate the shear and flexural capacity of a rectangular cracked FRP reinforced concrete section.