Some of the advantages that results from the structural strengthening of concrete slabs using prestressed fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) systems are as follows: the prestressed FRP delays the formation and propagation of cracks, and both the serviceability and the flexural capacity are increased. In this research program, the flexural performance of a concrete slab strengthened with a three-sta...

The use of near-surface mounted (NSM) fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is an interesting method for increasing the shear and flexural strength of existing timber members. This article examines the behaviour of carbon FRP (CFRP) bars in timber under direct pull-out conditions. The objective of this experimental program is to investigate the bond strength between composite bars and timber: bar...

In the current study, the failure behavior of retrofitted steel structures was studied experimentally and theoretically with steel/CFRP double strap joints (DSJs) under quasi-static tensile loading. A series of DSJs with different bonding lengths are also considered and examined to experimentally assess the effective bond length. To predict the failure load values of the tested specimens, a new...

In this present study, experimental work was conducted to study the effectiveness of newly innovated steel-CFRP composite (CFRP laminates sandwiched between two steel strips) as stirrups. A total numbers of eight concrete beams were tested under four point loads. Each beam measured 1600 mm long, 160mm width and 240 mm depth. The beams were reinforced with different shear reinforcements; one wit...

Aircraft skins manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) can simultaneously support structural load and act as antennas. This offers the potential for disproportionately large antenna elements and arrays, and thus enhanced aircraft capability. The efficient design of such structures requires that the link between CFRP microstructure and electromagnetic performance be established....

This paper presents the study of strengthening R/C beams with large circular and square opening located at flexure zone by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates. A total of five beams were tested to failure under four point loading to investigate the structural behavior including crack patterns, failure mode, ultimate load and load deflection behaviour. Test results show that large o...

Strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using externally bonded CFRP laminate is the most popular choice. However, premature end peeling of CFRP laminate has been shown to be the main weakness of this method. Development of high shear and normal stresses at the end of strengthening laminate is the key reason to cause end peeling which is not preventable by conventional anchoring system. This...

In this work a novel method for the characterization of porosity in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) is presented. A visualization pipeline for the interactive exploration and visual analysis of CFRP specimens is developed to enhance the evaluation workflow for non-destructive testing (NDT) practitioners based on specified tasks. Besides quantitative porosity determination and the calcul...