Experimental Investigation on Torsional Behavior of Solid and Box-Section RC Beams Strengthened with CFRP Using Photogrammetry
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 10, Issue 4
Abstract
The construction boom over the last century has resulted in a mature infrastructure network in developed countries. Lately, the issue of maintenance and repair/upgrading of existing structures has become a major issue, particularly in the area of bridges. Fiber- reinforced polymer (FRP) has shown great promise as a state-of-the-art material in flexural and shear strengthening as external reinforcement, but information on its applicability in torsional strengthening is limited. The need for torsional strengthening in bridge box girders is highlighted by the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia, one of the largest strengthening projects in the world for externally bonded carbon FRP (CFRP) laminates. This paper reports the experimental work in an overall investigation of torsional strengthening of solid and box-section reinforced concrete beams with externally bonded carbon FRP. This was found to be a viable method of torsional strengthening. Photogrammetry was a noncontact measuring technique used in the investigation. The deformation mechanisms were found to be unchanged in the strengthened specimens. Furthermore, it was found that the crack widths were reduced and aggregate interlocking action improved with the strengthened beams.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper is part of a study financed by a Monash University Engineering Grant. All CFRP fabrics and adhesives were partly sponsored by MBT (Australia) Pty Ltd.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 10 • Issue 4 • August 2006
Pages: 321 - 329
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 1, 2005
Accepted: Dec 9, 2005
Published online: Aug 1, 2006
Published in print: Aug 2006
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