Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Slabs Strengthened with AFRP sheets

Abstract

The experimental investigation of two reinforced concrete slabs is presented in this report. The primary objective was to examine the influence of various parameters on the structural performance of the slabs, both with and without external strengthening. One of the slabs was strengthened using an externally bonded Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP) sheet, while the other remained unstrengthened. Both specimens were subjected to monotonic loading to evaluate their structural behavior. The performance of each slab was assessed in comparison with a control specimen, focusing on several critical parameters, including ultimate load capacity, failure mode, crack pattern and strain distribution in the AFRP sheet. The investigation aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness and structural contribution of the applied strengthening technique.