Study on Effectiveness of Reinforced Concrete Beam Strengthening with Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer

Rehabilitation is a procedure to maintain the structure cracks in an earlier state of functionality with minimal expenses. Since RCC structures have a maintained lifespan, it is vulnerable to external influences capable of causing deterioration, ultimately contributing to a reduction in load-bearing capacity and the development of apparent cracks in the structure. Consequently, enhancing stability in reinforced concrete structures necessitates a sequence of repair and strengthening procedures. The most crucial goal of this investigation is to demonstrate the efficacy of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening methods as an appropriate selection for structural reinforcement, given that retrofitting might serve as a practical approach to replacing RCC structural components. In this study, twelve reinforced concrete beams measuring 700 × 150 × 160 mm using M20 grade blind concrete have been developed and subjected to load testing to assess the flexural and shear failure modes. It was performed by a universal testing machine (UTM). The flexural failure mode was made through a one-point loading test, while the shear failure mode occurred through a two-point loading test. The present study determines the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams that have undergone structural strengthening through the use of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). A comparison is made between CFRP beams and control beams. The load-carrying capacity of the concrete beams, both before and after the strengthening process, is predicted following the proposed approach in ACI-318 M-11, ACI-440-2R-08, and ACI 549. The strengthening process using carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) of flexural and shear strengthening has yielded an increase in beams’ load-carrying capacity at the process's final phase. A reduction was observed in the deformation and crack width. Furthermore, this provides evidence of the efficacy of CFRP in enhancing the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams. It has been validated with a numerical predicted approach using American provisional standards.