Improving the End Anchorage of Strengthened Steel I-Beams Using Locally Available CFRP Laminates

Abstract

Recently, application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates for strengthening of steel beams has been of wide interest. However, flexural strengthening of steel beam by using CFRP usually suffers serious problems in the form of peeling and debonding at the end of the CFRP laminates.This is normally attributed to the very high stress and strain intensity that occurs at the end of the CFRP laminates. To overcome these problems, some researchers have investigated different techniques of end-anchoring for strengthened steel beams in flexure. The main objective of this research is to study the effectiveness of different mechanical techniques of end-anchoring by using steel plates and bolts to improve the end anchorage of locally available CFRP laminates used for strengthening steel beams in flexure. Moreover, the mechanical efficiency of the locally available bonding materials used for strengthening steel beams has been investigated. The experimental test program was designed to achieve the research objectives of the study. The experimental program consists of two phases: Phase one was designed to studythe mechanical efficiency of the bonding materials of three companies available in the Egyptian market through conducting a set of standard tests.