Surface crack detection on strengthened concrete beams using digital image processing

Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrices (FRCMs) are effective for strengthening reinforced concrete structural members. This study investigates beam load-carrying capacity of the strengthened beam pre-pre-loaded to 25%, 50%, and 100% with control beam. Subsequently, the beams were strengthened with single, double, and three layers of glass fabrics using cement binder. Results showed that the beams pre-loaded with 25% and 50% increased in load-carrying capacity of strengthened beam with Glass Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (GFRCM). Beams pre-loaded with 100% increased the load capacity for the double and three layer of GFRCM. Deflection for all strengthened beams decreased, except the 100% pre-loaded beam with single layers. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to model the strengthened beam, and results were compared with experimental results. Image processing techniques were adopted to identify the surface cracks that developed on the strengthened beams and ascertain the features of the cracks.