Canadian design code provisions for strengthening of concrete and masonry components with surface-bonded FRP

In the last decade, a significant progress has been made in the use of external fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) to repair and rehabilitate aging or damaged structures. Hence, a decision was made to include a section in the first edition of new Canadian Standard CSA S806, Design and Construction of Building Components with Fibre Reinforced Polymers, on strengthening of concrete and masonry components with surface-bonded FRP. The section is limited to concrete and masonry applications in which both laboratory and field performances have been substantiated. This paper covers the philosophy, provisions, and background used in the draft version of Canadian Standards Association CSA S806-00 for the design of concrete and masonry components strengthened externally with FRP. It includes provisions for the design of concrete beams and columns, and concrete and masonry walls strengthened externally by FRP sheets or plates. Commonly used surface-bonded FRP reinforcing materials and general installation requirements are also presented in the paper. The methods to confirm the properties of FRP and quality of the construction are discussed.