Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are widely used in strengthening and retrofitting of reinforced concrete structural members to enhance flexural and shear capacity of such members. Two types of strengthening techniques, namely, externally bonded (EB) FRP and near-surface mounted (NSM) FRP, are used in field applications. FRP, as a material, exhibits poor fire resistance properties, and this can be a limiting factor in the application of FRP strengthening in buildings. There is limited guidance in codes and standards for fire design of NSM FRP-strengthened concrete members. This paper discusses strategies for achieving required fire resistance in NSM FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams. Results from numerical and experimental studies are utilized to quantify the influence of various parameters on the fire resistance of NSM FRP-strengthened concrete beams. Guidelines for achieving optimum fire resistance in NSM FRPstrengthened concrete beams are presented.
IntroductionIn recent years, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are widely used in strengthening and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) structural members in built infrastructure. This is mainly due to numerous advantages that FRP possesses over other traditional materials, which include high strength to weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, and ease of application. In the case of RC columns, FRP wrapping on the exterior of concrete columns can significantly increase the strength and ductility of these columns. FRP strengthening in beams (and slabs), for enhancing flexural and shear capacity, is typically carried out by applying FRP laminates to the surface of a concrete beam (and slab), and this is designated as externally bonded (EB) reinforcing technique. Filling the FRP with adhesives or grout ensures that FRP