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Title: Innovative Strengthening of Antwerp Zoo's Reptile Building

Author(s): S. Matthys, L. Taerwe, J. Janssens, and D. De Neef

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 215

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 317-334

Keywords: aramid; carbon; experimental testing; externally bonded reinforcement (EBR); historical building; practical application; strengthening; wrapping

DOI: 10.14359/12874

Date: 8/1/2003

Abstract:
The use of externally bonded FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymers) reinforcement for strengthening or rehabilitation purposes is becoming a well documented and often applied technique world-wide. A particular application of this technique in Belgium, is a rehabilitation project at the Antwerp Zoo, where an innovative strengthening system based on multidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites was applied. This system, offering new possibilities for strengthening of structures, consists of PC CarboComp Plus laminates and sandwich prefab composite beams. A two-way slab and supporting beams were successfully repaired and strengthened in only 38 days, with a minimum of disruption (animals were not relocated and the building remained open for public) and respecting the restraints typical for a protected historical building. In a second phase of the project, masonry columns at the basement level were wrapped with aramid FRP (AFRP) and the supported beams were strengthened with CFRP sandwich prefab elements. In order to achieve sufficient efficiency of the wrapping, transverse links were provided through the rectangular columns. Related to the first part of this project, experimental verification of the system was performed.