Title:
Strength Assessment of External FRP Reinforcement
Author(s):
Antonio Nanni and William J. Gold
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
20
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
39-42
Keywords:
carbon fibers; cyclic loads; deflection; nondestructive tests; prestressed concrete; strengthening; two-way slabs
DOI:
Date:
6/1/1998
Abstract:
Rapid in-situ load testing can be used as an effective way of assessing the performance of a strengthening system installed on an existing structure. This type of load test is unique in that it features concentrated loads of varying magnitude, cyclically applied over a short time period. The nondestructive load test includes the measurement of strains and deflections. This test method was used on a project where the slab of an existing parking garage was strengthened with carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets. The slab is a two-way, post-tensioned concrete floor that suffered severe cracking and excessive deflection due to a lack of tendons along one alignment. A FRP repair scheme consisting of two rows of double-ply carbon FRP unidirectional sheets installed along the length of the column-strip was designed and implemented to increase the capacity of the slab to safe levels.