Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with FRP Bars by Near-Surface Mounted Method

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) structures by NearSurface Mounted (NSM) method plays a key role in the external strengthening and reinforcing of the structures. A series of static tests for RC beams strengthened by FRP NSM method was carried out to identify their effects on the actual response of such RC beams. In all experimental cases, using externally bonded FRP bars to the tensile region of RC beams by NSM method has improved significantly the flexural strength of the beams. Additionally, the numerical simulation had been done to reproduce the behavior of RC beams strengthened by FRP NSM method under static load. The reliable constitutive models and contact conditions were adopted adequately in these models. It was also shown that the numerical simulation result agrees well with the experimental result. Finally, the calculated equations based on the latest codes of design and construction of externally bonded FRP bars are presented in order to verify the flexural strength of the beams under static load. 