Behaviour of Segmental Concrete Beams Reinforced by Pultruded CFRP Plates: an Experimental Study

Abstract

Research aims to develop a novel technique for segmental beam fabrication using plain concrete blocks and externally bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers Laminates (CFRP) as a main flexural reinforcement. Six beams designed an experimentally tested under two-point loadings. Several parameters included in the fabrication of segmental beam studied such as; bonding length of carbon fiber reinforced polymers, the surface-to-surface condition of concrete segments, interface condition of the bonding surface, and thickness of epoxy resin layers. Test results of the segmental beams specimens compared with that gained from testing reinforced concrete beam have similar dimensions for validations. The results show the effectiveness of the developed fabrication method of segmental beams. The modified design procedure for externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymers ACI 440.2R-17 developed for designing segmental beams. The experimental test values also compared with design values and it was 93.3% and 105.8% of the design values which indicates the effectiveness of the developed procedure.