Non-Bolted Anchorage Systems for CFRP Laminates Applied for Strengthening of RC Slabs

The anchorage of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates used for improving bending capacity of RC slabs is one of the governing factors for their effectiveness. Many investigations are indicating that one of the main modes of failure for CFRP strengthened slabs and decks is via failure of the anchorage of the laminates. Existing systems for improving the anchorage via attaching steel bolts are effective but expensive and time consuming. The proposed work is investigating the opportunity to use non-bolted anchorage systems which could achieve faster, easier and less expensive improvement of the anchorage in comparison with bolted anchorage systems. The attempt for developing new anchoring systems is based on the idea for redistribution of the stresses in the laminates and the adjacent concrete at the zone of the anchorage. Four types of anchorage systems for CFRP laminates are used. The laminates are applied on reduced scale RC plints loaded on bending and reflecting unidirectional strengthening of RC slabs. The results indicate opportunity to increase the anchoring capacity of the laminates using similar materials as for initial strengthening. Analysis of the experimental results and comparison with corresponding approaches suggested from other authors is offered.