EFFECTIVENESS OF SRP FLEXURAL STRENGTHENING COMPARED TO CFRP STRIPS

SRP composites are based on ultra-high strength steel wires formed in cords and assembled into a fabric. Properties of the steel used in the production of wires are similar to other high carbon cold drawn steels (for example prestressing steel): there is no perfect plasticity at yield stress level. Almost linear stress-strain relationship makes them comparable to Carbon FRP polymers. Also flexibility and weight ratio of the composite overlay is similar to FRP strips rather than flat bars made of ordinary steel. In view of those similarities SRP composites are treated and designed with use of well-known procedures developed for CFRPs. The paper provides a discussion of the comparative laboratory test of dozen beams strengthened with the use of SRP and CFRP materials.