Experimental and numerical investigation of RC beams strengthened with CFRP composites

This study aims to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) beams having insufficient shear capacity using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) members and innovative anchorages. An innovative method is also proposed for strengthening beams in interaction site of adjacent structures. Test results show that the behaviour of beams has been improved with CFRP elements. The nonlinear finite element (FE) method; as well as American and Italian guidelines; are used to estimate theoretical capacity of the beams. Test results are compared with theoretical results. It can be concluded that proposed methods can be used reliably; and that the design of RC beams strengthened with these methods can be performed by design engineers based on simple calculations.