Experimental study on the strengthening efficiency of reinforced concrete beams under torsion using CFRP sheets

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study on the torsional behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. Six identical specimens were cast. The concrete grade and the steel reinforcement ratio were kept constant for all specimens. Two specimens without being strengthened were the control specimens, while the four other specimens were strengthened with CFRP composite sheets. In the experimental findings, the failure mode, the ultimate torsional moment, the crack patterns of tested specimens were presented and discussed. The obtained results from this research clarified the torsional behavior of beams strengthened by CFRP and the strengthening effectiveness in the torsional capacity of RC beams using this material.