Strengthening of RC slabs with cut-out openings using FRP composite materials - preliminary aspects of research program

This paper presents some preliminary aspects regarding a research program that is in progress at the "Politehnica" University of Timisoara. The program deals with FRP composite based solutions for strengthening of reinforced concrete slabs with cut-out openings. Theoretical and experimental researches have been performed in order to determine the effectiveness of these strengthening solutions in the particular case of cut-outs created in the corners and on the edges of the slabs. The experimental program involves tests on four large scale elements. The first element will be a full slab and will serve as reference, while in each of the other three elements a different shape of cut-out will be created. A series of analytical and numerical calculations have been performed in order to study the behavior of the slabs in elastic and post elastic range, and to design the strengthening proposals.