Improving the flexural performance of reinforced concrete one-way slabs

This research presents an experimental study on flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete one-way slabs with two different systems. The first system is a conventional concrete overlay and the second system uses Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening. The suggested combination between the two systems is also studied. The experimental investigation was conducted using six small size one-way slab specimens. All slabs were tested to failure under simply supported conditions. Both strengthening systems increased the flexural strength and reduced the deflections and crack widths of the strengthened slabs. Two modes of failure were observed: debonding and rupture of the CFRP reinforcement. A significant increase in ultimate flexural capacity ranging from 13% to 139% was registered in all the strengthened slabs, as compared to the control slab. The slab which was strengthened with the suggested combined strengthening system exhibited the highest efficiency.