Title: Shear Strengthening of Concrete Girders Using Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets and Anchors

Author(s): Jose E. Garcia, C. Neil Satrom, James O. Jirsa, and Wassim M. Ghannoum

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 115

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 1165-1173

Keywords: bidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) layout; CFRP anchor; CFRP strip; I-girder; reentrant corners; shear strengthening

DOI: 10.14359/51702234

Date: 7/1/2018

Abstract:
Four 1.4 m (54 in.) prestressed concrete I-girders were tested to evaluate the feasibility of using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and anchors to increase the shear capacity of large prestressed concrete members. One specimen was a control test with no strengthening. CFRP sheets were applied in the vertical direction for one test and in the vertical and horizontal directions for two tests. CFRP anchors were used to anchor the CFRP strips and to provide for transfer of stresses from the strip to the concrete when the CFRP strip debonded. The unidirectional application of CFRP resulted in a higher shear cracking load but no significant increase in shear capacity. The addition of horizontal CFRP strips led to almost a 40% increase in shear strength. The addition of CFRP also resulted in increased shear deformation capacity before failure. An important aspect of the study was the use of anchors at reentrant corners, such as those at the top and bottom of the web of an I-girder, to allow the development of the CFRP strip capacity on a non-rectangular section.