TESTS ON RC BEAMS STRENGTHENED IN FLEXURE WITH GLUED CFRP STRIPS AND FABRICS

This experimental research has studied the flexural behaviour of carbon fiber polymer strengthened beams. The experimental work consisted of testing to failure 7 simply supported beams of rectangular cross section: control beam, two of them were strengthened by using strips, and four of them were strengthened by using strips and fabrics (45 degrees and 90 degrees). Befoure bonding with 3 of the beams were tested under load until first crack appear. The test results showed that the two strengthened patterns had a notably influence on the specimens structural performance, improving load capacity, modifying structural behaviour and changing failure mode.