Shear Reinforcement with Glass Fibre Polymer in Reinforced Concrete Beams

Abstract

Reinforcement of a structure is necessary in unpredictable changes or also for rehabilitation, due to exposure to weather conditions, causing considerable damage that can lead to the collapse of the structure. The present study aims to evaluate the behavior of the strengthening with sheets of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) with thicknesses of 3 mm, bonded with structural epoxy-based adhesive applied in the shear area of reinforced concrete beams, spaced in three different configurations and bonded on the two faces of the beam. The beams were cracked previously to simulate a damaged structure and strengthened later to obtain the maximum load of rupture after the application of the strengthening. With the obtained results it can be verified an increase of ductility in the reinforced concrete beams. The increase of the load capacity was obtained in the beams with strengthening with smaller spacing between the sheets.