Title: Post-Strengthening of Concrete Slabs

Author(s): V. M. Karbhari, F. Seible, W. Seim, and A. Vasquez

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 188

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1163-1173

Keywords: carbon fiber reinforced strips; cutout; debonding; strengthening

DOI: 10.14359/5703

Date: 8/1/1999

Abstract:
Upgrading often becomes a necessity due to changes in usage of buildings due to factors such as deterioration and aging, change in occupancy, or the need for installation of facilities such as air-conditioning, heating, escalators, elevators, additional skylights, or new façade structures. In a number of cases upgrading is related to changes which affect the load bearing components of the structure. Fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites provide an efficient means of both strengthening slabs for enhanced load carrying capacity and for strengthening slabs after installation of cut-outs. This paper reports on a series of tests conducted to assess the comparative efficiencies of a commercially available strip form and a fabric form of material vis-à-vis strengthening ability and ductility. It is shown that material tailoring can result in significant changes in efficiencies. The extension of this to the rehabilitation of cut-outs is also detailed and aspects of an on-going full-scale test program in that area are elucidated.