Assessing the effectiveness of a NSM-CFRP flexural strengthening technique for continuous RC slabs by experimental research

Abstract

This work reports the results of an ongoing investigation on the use of the Near Surface Mounted (NSM) CFRP laminates for the flexural strengthening of continuous Reinforced Concrete (RC) slabs, in order to verify the possibility of increasing the negative resisting bending moment in 25%, maintaining moment redistribution levels of about 30%. To better understand the behavior of these structures, a comprehensive experimental program was proposed with the aim of evaluating the possibilities of NSM technique for statically indeterminate RC slab strips in terms of flexural strengthening effectiveness, moment redistribution and ductility performance. To assess the behavior of the tested slab strips the strains in CFRP laminates, steel reinforcement and concrete surfaces, as well as the applied load and support reactions were registered up to failure of the slabs. The experimental program is described and the obtained results are presented and analyzed in this paper.