RC beam strengthened with pre-stressed CFP under the secondary load

Abstract

Feasibility of using pre-stressed carbon fiber plates to strengthen reinforced concrete beams was studied. Based on the characteristics of carbon fiber plates, we developed a pre-stress clamp and a device for applying the pre-stress. Contrast tests were conducted between ordinary carbon fiber plates and a pre-stressed carbon fiber plate and between secondary loaded carbon fiber plates and a concrete beam strengthened with a secondary loaded carbon fiber plate. On this basis, we analyzed the failure pattern, the width of cracks and their distribution, the cracking load, the yield load, the limit load and the relation between load and deflection. The results indicate that using pre-stressed carbon fiber plates to strengthen concrete beams is feasible and effective.