ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS FOR THE REINFORCEMENT AND PRESTRESSING OF CONCRETE. CHAPTER 7. STRENGTHENING OF STRUCTURES WITH ADVANCED COMPOSITES

Abstract

This chapter presents methods for strengthening structures which use advanced composites. A comparison is provided of the important characteristics of three different fibre reinforced plastic sheets produced from different fibres (E-glass, Aramid and HT carbon). The characteristics include tensile and compressive strengths, stiffness, fatigue, density, alkaline resistance and cost. Special attention is given to Carbon Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) in bridge construction. Details are provided of the results of experiments on the use of non- pretensioned CFRP sheets for post-strengthening purposes. Crack development and failure modes under fatigue loading are illustrated and discussed. Fatigue tests to investigate the behaviour of concrete beams strengthened with pretensioned CFRP sheets are also presented. Applications of the use of fibre reinforced plastic plates to strengthen bridges are illustrated. These include: a) the concrete Kattenbusche Bridge, Germany; b) the Ibach Bridge, Switzerland; and c) the historic wooden bridge near Sins, Switzerland. For the covering abstract see IRRD 860476.