Modes of Failure in Shear Deficient RC T-Beams Strengthened with FRP

Abstract

The effect of laminate thickness on crack pattern, mode of failure, and strength of shear deficient reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams wrapped with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates was studied experimentally and numerically. Eight specimens of 2.5 m span, designed to fail in shear, were tested for two point static loading. Displacements, strains, and crack pattern were monitored. The strength and mode of failure were found to depend on the crack pattern. For U wraps, increasing the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate thickness resulted in reduced web cracking and increased cracking near the free edge of the laminate.