Performance of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Polymer to Strengthen Reinforced Concrete Beams in Shear

Abstract: Beams commonly fail in shear due to diagonal tension, shear compression, or web shear, typically caused by insufficient reinforcement, overload, or material weaknesses. One solution is the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapping, which enhances durability and strength. FRP, a composite of fibers and resin, exhibits superior mechanical properties such as impact resistance, stiffness, and corrosion resistance. This study investigates the effectiveness of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Polymer (PFRP) in strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Mechanical behaviour was assessed through compression, split tensile, and flexural tests. RC beams wrapped with PFRP were also analyzed in terms of shear strength using experimental and simulation methods. The results indicate higher strength in PFRP-wrapped beams compared to unwrapped ones.