Title:
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Strengthening of Concrete Slabs with Cutouts
Author(s):
Alvaro Vasquez and Vistasp M. Karbhari
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
100
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
665-673
Keywords:
fiber-reinforced polymer; slab; strength; strip.
DOI:
10.14359/12808
Date:
9/1/2003
Abstract:
The flexural response of reinforced concrete slabs with cutouts and strengthened through adhesive bonding of prefabricated unidirectional carbon/epoxy composite strips was experimentally investigated. Large-scale slabs of size 6 x 3.2 x 0.18 m were tested in two loading configurations, along and perpendicular to the span, with central cutouts of size 1 x 1.6 m. Cutouts were formed after casting of slabs to simulate actual field conditions, with two slabs being strengthened by the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite strips around the cutout to strengthen the area now lacking steel reinforcement and to redistribute stresses. It is shown that the appropriate design of the strengthening measure enables capacity reduced by the presence of the cutout to be regained while mitigating and retarding crack growth. Ultimate failure was through a sequence of cracking and debonding of the FRP composite reinforcing strips with a decrease in load capacity after debonding to the response level of the unstrengthened slab with a cutout after yield of the steel reinforcement.