Long-term behavior of existing low-strength reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber composite sheets

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the short- and long-term behavior of low-strength reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). A numerical analysis model was developed and verified for the calculation of the long-term deflection and maximum allowable long-term load of such RC beams. A parametric study was also conducted and it was found that the maximum allowable long-term load of a CFRP-strengthened beam was dominated by the deflection of RC beam when the cubic compressive strength of concrete was less than a certain value. For concrete of higher strength, the maximum allowable long-term load was dominated by the stress levels of the steel bars. It was also found that the yielding load of the strengthened beams increased significantly with areas strengthened by CFRP sheets and steel bars, while the maximum allowable long-term load only increased slightly.