Influence of anchorage systems on externally-bonded CFRP sheets used for flexural strengthening

Abstract

Abstract Strengthening with carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) has become one of the most significant methods of enhancing the flexural strength of reinforced concrete members. Extensive research has shown that externally-bonded CFRP sheets tend to debond from the soffit of the concrete members at much lower strains, compared with CFRP rupture strain. Different types of anchorage system have been developed to prevent or delay the debonding type failure, which leads to a higher utilisation of the CFRP sheets before failure occurs. This paper summarises some of the most efficient types of anchorage systems that have shown significant enhancement in terms of increasing the flexural bending capacity and the ductility of CFRP strengthened members. The study also presents a newly-developed type of anchor, known as a patch anchor, which has shown great effectiveness when used for shear applications. The influence of patch anchor on flexurally-strengthened slabs is investigated, where this anchorage type is trialed, and its effectiveness is discussed.