Shear Strengthening of T-beam with GFRP

Abstract

Concrete structures, exposed to aggressive environment, are susceptible to chemical attacks such as carbonation and chloride contamination and destroy the alkaline barrier of cement matrix. This gives rise to spalling of concrete, degradation of steel and several other phenomena. Distressed concrete structures cannot be abandoned to develop a new construction. Instead, recourse is taken to rehabilitate or strengthen such deteriorated structures using different structural materials. Use of FRP composite in rehabilitating concrete and other structural elements has started way back in 1978 as reported in literature. However, fibre as reinforcement to concrete structures has started since around 1930. Extensive use of FRP in strengthening concrete structures in Europe and Japan has been reported