| Infrastructure may be understrength because loads exceed those originally anticipated or because deterioration has occurred. Currently, in North America, thousands of concrete structures require strengthening. Applications using Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets have already demonstrated the effectiveness of externally bonded sheet systems for strengthening concrete structures. The concept of externally bonding prestressed CFRP sheets has also been applied to enhance flexural capacity, stiffness and reduce cracks in RC beams. Steel Reinforced Polymer (SRP) sheets, which have been developed recently, are suitable for flexural strengthening of RC structures. Cords of twisted high strength steel filaments are bonded to the tension face of RC beams with epoxy resin to form an externally bonded SRP strengthening system. Although few field applications of non-prestressed SRP sheets exist to date, it appears that strengthening with this new material may result in significant cost savings over CFRP strengthening. No research has been reported on the application of prestressed SRP Sheets. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of prestressed SRP sheets for strengthening RC beams. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
