Impact of CFRP Strengthening on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams

ABSTRACTReinforced concrete structures often experience damage and a degradation in performance under external loads. Consequently, it is crucial to enhance their performance through appropriate reinforcement techniques. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) have gained significant attention in structural engineering due to their distinct advantages over traditional steel reinforcement. FRP reinforcement can be applied via near-surface mounted (NSM) or external bonding (EBR) methods, with the latter being more commonly used. This study examines the impact of CFRP reinforcement on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams, with particular emphasis on the ductile behavior required for seismic energy dissipation and load redistribution in hyperstatic structures. An analytical expression linking the level of ductility to the reinforcement ratio is proposed. This relationship can serve as a valuable tool in the reinforcement design process.