Development and Using Carbon Fiber Reinforcing Polymer to Strengthen The Flexural Capacity of Damaged Post-Tensioned Beams
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Date
2024-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Post-tensioning is a type of pre-stressing in which high-strength steel strands or bars;
commonly referred to as tendons, are used to reinforce (strengthen) concrete or other
materials. Carbon ber-reinforced polymers on the other hand are incredibly light and
strong ber-reinforced plastics that are used to enhance concrete structures by bonding
the polymer to the concrete member.
Damage to structural members can occur due to di erent reasons in various real-world
applications. Similarly, post-tensioned members can also be subjected to damage due to
various reasons, such as accidental cutting or drilling into tendons, failures in anchorage
and dead end zones resulting from issues like insu cient anti-burst reinforcement, mis-
alignment of the anchor, and improper material utilization. These problems can lead to
the loss of prestressing force in post-tension strands, which in turn can decrease the load
carrying capacity of the elements, particularly their exural capacity. This thesis paper
investigates the potential of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening in
enhancing the exural capacity of damaged post-tensioned concrete beams.
Employing an experimental program, the study compares the performance of control
beams to beams strengthened with varying CFRP layers. Results demonstrate a sig-
ni cant increase in exural capacity, averaging 41.5% per CFRP layer, highlighting the
e ectiveness of this strengthening technique. How varying amount of post tensioning
and CFRP wraps a ect cracks and delamination patterns of carbon ber were also stud-
ied and discussed in detail. Further exploration into alternative ber types and testing
con gurations is recommended. .
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Keywords
Post-tension, Post-Tensioned Beams, FRP, CFRP