Flexural Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened Using GFRP Sheet after Fatigue Loading for Sustainable Construction

Abstract

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) has been applied not only for the simple structures but also for the advanced structures such as bridges or highway bridges for sustainable construction. In case of bridges or highway bridges, the structures experience not only static loadings but also fatigue loadings that may limited the serviceability of the bridge structures. In order to extend of the application of FRP on the such bridge structures to have a sustainable structures, the flexural capacity due to fatigue loading should be clarified. Glass composed FRP sheet namely Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) is most commonly used due to its relatively lower cost compared to the other FRP materials. GFRP sheet is applied externally by bonding it on the concrete surface. Many studies have been done to investigate the flexural capacity of concrete beams strengthened using GFRP sheets. However, studies on the flexural capacity after fatigue loadings are still very rarely. This study presented the results of experimental investigation on the flexural capacity of the strengthened concrete beams after fatigue loadings. A series of concrete beams strengthened with GFRP sheet on extreme tension surface were prepared. Results indicated that after 800000 time of load cycle, the flexural capacity of beams specimens may decrease to only approximately 60%. The beam failed due to delaminating of GFRP sheet.