Hybrid Effects of Carbon-Glass FRP Sheets in Combination with or without Concrete Beams

Abstract

The use of carbon fibers (CF) and glass fibers (GF) were combined to strengthen concrete flexural members. In this study, data of tensile tests of 94 hybrid carbon-glass FRP sheets and 47 carbon and GF rovings or sheets were thoroughly investigated in terms of tensile behavior. Based on comparisons between the rule of mixtures and test data, positive hybrid effects were identified for various (GF/CF) ratios. Unlike the rule of mixtures, the hybrid sheets with relatively low (GF/CF) ratios also produced pseudo-ductility. From the calibrated results obtained from experiments, a new analytical model for the stress–strain relationship of hybrid FRP sheets was proposed. Finally, the hybrid effects were verified by structural tests of concrete members strengthened with hybrid FRP sheets and either carbon or glass FRP sheets.