STUDY OF CFRP GEOMETRY ON SHEAR STRENGTHING OF RC CORBELS

Abstract

This study adapts the geometry of CFRP used as a strengthening material to improve the shear strength of reinforced concrete corbels. The experimental work investigated using CFRP with specific geometry that focused on the size and magnitude of CFRP installation. The sizes are (1/3, 2/3 & full) the height of the cross-section, and the magnitude represented by multi-layers of CFRP. The results of the experimental work revealed that the performance of the CFRP near the neutral axis most contributed to the increase in the shear with 33.6 % in the middle third compared to 46.25 % for fully strengthened. The results also showed that using the second layer of CFRP was less efficient than the first layer due to debonding between the strips and the concrete surface before the rupture of the CFRP strips.