RC Slabs Strengthened with Prestressed and Gradually Anchored CFRP Strips under Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

This paper presents the test results of reinforced concrete slabs strengthened with prestressed and gradually anchored carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips under monotonic and cyclic loading. To take full advantage of the externally bonded CFRP technique, it is beneficial to apply the laminates in a prestressed state, which relieves the stress in the steel reinforcement and reduces crack widths and deflection. The aim of the monotonic tests was to determine the strengthening efficiency of the new prestressing technique and to investigate serviceability and ultimate states. The cyclic tests were performed to identify the fatigue behavior of the strengthened slabs and to investigate the influence of long-term cyclic loading and elevated temperature on the bond properties of the prestressed CFRP laminates and the ductility and flexural strength of the strengthened slabs. A nonlinear analytical model of reinforced concrete members strengthened with passive and prestressed CFRP strips under static loading is proposed in the paper. A comparison of the experimental and predicted results reveals an excellent agreement in the full range of loading.