Reinforced concrete beam is strengthened with two strips of CFRP laminates in its bottom to increase the flexural capacity

of the beam. Mainly it is conducted to analyze the failure mode of the plated beam. Normally, failure of the plated beam may be due to interfacial debonding, FRP fracture, failure due to flexure and shear cracks induced stresses etc. In that, debonding of the plate from the beam is seen as a vital failure mode as it prevents to attain the full ultimate flexural capacity of the retrofitted beam.

Two laminates are attached with the length, width of 2600 and 50mm respectively. It is attached either side from centerline of cross section of the beam. Instrumentation of the beam is consisting defelection measurement, strain measurent in reinforcement and concrete surface. Displacement is measured with LVDTs fixed at each L/6th location of the beam. Measuring the strain in reinforcing bar is achieved by fixing 5mm ERS gages at each L/8th location of the beam. 60mm ERS gages were used for the strain measurement of concrete surface. Interface stress variation takes place within 100mm from the plate cut off point. Electronic strain gauges are pasted both in the ATC interface (on concrete surface) and in PTA interface (on the FRP plate). Fig shows the instrumented strain gauges of the beam.fig 57 shows the typical instrumentation of the FRP bonded beam. Totally 90 strain gauges were mounted in the beam.

Fig.57 Plated beam instrumentation

Fig.58 Testing of FRP laminate beam.

Responses from the experimental investigation have been given below.