Title: Innovative Triaxially Braided DuctileFRP Fabric for Strengthening Structures

Author(s): N.F. Grace, W.F. Ragheb, and G. Abdel-Sayed

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 230

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 119-134

Keywords: braiding; concrete; ductility; fabric; flexural strengthening;FRP

DOI: 10.14359/14828

Date: 10/1/2005

Abstract:
This paper deals with the effectiveness of a new triaxially braided ductileFiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) fabric for flexural strengthening of continuous reinforcedconcrete beams. The tested continuous beams had two spans strengthened in flexurealong their positive and negative moment regions and loaded with a concentrated loadat the middle of each span. One beam was not strengthened and was tested as acontrol beam. The behaviors of the beams strengthened with the new fabric wereinvestigated and compared with the behaviors of similar beams strengthened using acommercially available carbon fiber sheet. The responses of the beams were examinedin terms of deflections, strains, and failure modes. The beams strengthened with thenew fabric showed greater ductility than those strengthened with the carbon fibersheet. The new fabric provided reasonable ductility due to the formation of plastichinges that allowed for the redistribution of moment between the positive and negativemoment zones of the strengthened continuous beam. Redistribution of the momentenabled the full utilization of the strength of the beam at cross sections of maximumpositive and negative bending moments.