ISIS EC Module 4 - Notes (Student)

ISIS Educational Module 4:
An I nt r oduc t i on t o FRP St r engt heni ng of

Conc r et e St r uc t ur es

Prepared by ISIS Canada
A Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence
www.isiscanada.com
Principal Contributor: L.A. Bisby, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Civil Engineering, Queens University
Contributor: B.K. Williams
February 2004

ISIS Education Committee:

N. Banthia, University of British Columbia
L. Bisby, Queens University
R. Britton, University of Manitoba
R. Cheng, University of Alberta
G. Fallis, Vector Construction Group
R. Hutchinson, Red River College
A. Mufti, University of Manitoba
K.W. Neale, Universit de Sherbrooke
J. Newhook, Dalhousie University
K. Soudki, University of Waterloo
L. Wegner, University of Saskatchewan
ISIS Canada Educational Module No. 4: An Introduction to FRP-Strengthening of Concrete Structures

1
Obj ec t i ves of Thi s Modul e

The objective of this module is to provide engineering
students with an overall awareness of the application and
design of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing
materials for external strengthening of reinforced concrete
structures. It is one in a series of modules on innovative
FRP technologies available from ISIS Canada. Further
information on the use of FRPs in a variety of applications
can be found at www.isiscanada.com. While research into
the use of FRP materials for external strengthening and
rehabilitation of concrete structures is ongoing, an overall
awareness of currently available externally-bonded FRP
reinforcing systems, and design procedures for their use, is
essential for the new generation of structural engineers. The
primary objectives of this module are:
1. to provide engineering students with a general
awareness of externally-bonded FRP materials and
some of their potential uses for structural strengthening
in civil engineering applications;
2. to introduce the general philosophies and procedures
used for designing externally-bonded FRP
strengthening systems for concrete structures;
3. to facilitate the use of FRP reinforcing materials in the
construction and structural rehabilitation industries; and
4. to provide guidance to students seeking additional
information on this topic.
The material presented herein is not currently part of a
national or international design code, but is based mainly on
the results of numerous detailed research studies conducted
in Canada and around the world. Procedures, material
resistance factors, and design equations are based primarily
on the recommendations of ISIS Canada Design Manual
No. 4: Strengthening Reinforced Concrete Structures with
Externally-Bonded Fibre Reinforced Polymers. As such,
this module should not be used as a design document, and it
is intended for educational use only. Future engineers who
wish to design FRP-strengthening schemes for reinforced
concrete structures should consult more complete design
documents (refer to Section 9 for further guidance).

Addi t i onal I SI S Educ at i onal Modul es
Avai l abl e f r om I SI S Canada (w w w .i si sc anada.c om)

Modul e 1 Mechanics Examples
Incorporating FRP Materials

Nineteen worked mechanics of materials problems are
presented which incorporate FRP materials. These
Examples could be used in lectures to demonstrate various
mechanics concepts, or could be assigned for assignment or
exam problems. This module seeks to expose first and
second year undergraduates to FRP materials at the
introductory level. Mechanics topics covered at the
elementary level include: equilibrium, stress, strain and
deformation, elasticity, plasticity, determinacy, thermal
stress and strain, flexure and shear in beams, torsion,
composite beams, and deflections.

Modul e 2 An Introduction to FRP
Composites for Construction

FRP materials are discussed in detail at the introductory
level. This module seeks to expose undergraduate students
to FRP materials such that they have a basic understanding
of the components, manufacture, properties, mechanics,
durability, and application of FRP materials in civil
infrastructure applications. A suggested laboratory is
included which outlines an experimental procedure for
comparing the stress-strain responses of steel versus FRPs
in tension, and a sample assignment is provided.
Modul e 3 An Introduction to FRP-
Reinforced Concrete

The use of FRP bars, rods, and tendons ass internal tensile
reinforcement for new concrete structures is presented and
discussed in detail. Included are discussions of FRP
materials relevant to these applications, flexural design
guidelines, serviceability criteria, deformability, bar spacing,
and various additional considerations. A number of case
studies are also discussed. A series of worked example
problems, a suggested assignment with solutions, and a
suggested laboratory incorporating FRP-reinforced concrete
beams are all included.

Modul e 5 An introduction to Structural
Health Monitoring

The overall motivation behind, and the benefits, design,
application, and use of, structural health monitoring (SHM)
systems for infrastructure are presented and discussed at the
introductory level. The motivation and goals of SHM are
first presented and discussed, followed by descriptions of
the various components, categories, and classifications of
SHM systems. Typical SHM methodologies are outlined,
innovative fibre optic sensor technology is briefly covered,
and types of tests which can be carried out using SHM are
explained. Canadian SHM case studies are also provided.

2
Section 1
I nt r oduc t i on and Over vi ew

WHY USE FRPs?
The population of the modern developed world depends on
a complex and extensive system of infrastructure to
maintain economic prosperity and quality of life. The
existing public infrastructure of Canada, the United States,
Europe, and other developed countries has suffered from
decades of neglect and overuse, leading to the accelerated
deterioration of bridges, buildings, municipal and
transportation systems, and resulting in a situation that is
approaching a global infrastructure crisis. Much of our
infrastructure is unsatisfactory in some respect, and public
funds are not generally available for the required
replacement of existing structures or construction of new
ones.
One of the primary factors which has led to the current
unsatisfactory state of our infrastructure is corrosion of
reinforcing steel inside concrete (Fig. 1-1), which causes the
delamination or spalling of concrete, loss of steel
reinforcement, and in some cases failure. Because
infrastructure owners can no longer afford to upgrade and
replace existing structures using the same materials and
methodologies as have been used in the past, they are
looking to newer technologies and rehabilitation schemes,
such as non-corrosive externally-bonded FRP
reinforcement, that will prolong the useful service lives of
concrete structures and reduce maintenance costs.

Fig. 1-1. Severely corroded reinforcing steel in
these bridge columns near Sherbrooke, Quebec
(left) has resulted in spalling of the concrete cover
and exposure of the steel reinforcement. The
columns have been repaired with external FRP
wraps (right).
In the last ten to fifteen years, FRP materials have
emerged as promising alternative repair materials for
reinforced concrete structures, and they are rapidly
becoming materials of choice for strengthening and
rehabilitation of concrete infrastructure. FRP plates or
sheets can be bonded to the exterior of concrete structures
using high-strength adhesives to provide tensile or confining
reinforcement which supplements that provided by internal
reinforcing steel. In addition, FRP strips, rods, and tendons
can be inserted with an adhesive into grooves cut in
structural members in an application called near-surface
mounting (NSM). FRP materials are non-corrosive and non-
magnetic, and can thus be used to eliminate the corrosion
problems invariably encountered with conventional repair
materials such as externally-bonded steel plates. In
addition, FRPs are extremely light, strong, highly versatile,
and comparatively easy to install, making them ideal
materials for the repair and strengthening of concrete
structures.

COMMON FRP-STRENGTHENI NG
APPLI CATI ONS
There are currently three main applications for the use of
FRPs as external reinforcement of reinforced concrete
structures:

1. Flexural Strengthening: In this application, FRP
materials are bonded to the tension and/or side faces of
a concrete beam to provide additional tensile
reinforcement and to increase the strength of the
member in bending (Fig. 1-2). The fibers are oriented
along the longitudinal axis of the beam.

Fig. 1-2. Typical flexural strengthening of a
reinforced concrete T-beam using externally-
bonded FRP reinforcement.

2. Shear Strengthening: In this application, FRP
materials are bonded to the side faces of a concrete
beam (often in the form of U-wraps) to provide shear
reinforcement which supplements that provided by the
Elevation Section A-A
A
A
3
internal steel stirrups (Fig. 1-3). The fibres are oriented
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

Fig. 1-3. Typical shear strengthening of a
reinforced concrete T-beam using externally-
bonded FRP reinforcement.

3. Confining Reinforcement: In this application,
columns are wrapped in the circumferential direction
with FRP sheets (Fig. 1-4). Under compressive axial
load, the column expands (dilates) laterally and the FRP
sheets develop a tensile confining stress that places
the concrete in a state of triaxial stress. This
significantly increases the strength and ductility of the
concrete and the column. The fibres are most
commonly oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the member.

Fig. 1-4. Typical axial strengthening of a circular
reinforced concrete column using an externally-
bonded FRP wrap.

Section 2
FRP Mat er i al s

This section provides a brief overview of FRP materials and
some of their important characteristics and properties when
used as external reinforcing materials for concrete
structures. A more complete discussion of FRP materials
and their application in civil engineering can be obtained
from ISIS EC Module 2: FRP Composites for Civil
Engineering Applications, or from one of a number
currently available polymer composite materials textbooks.

GENERAL
FRP materials, originally developed for use in the
automotive and aerospace sectors, have been considered for
use as external reinforcement for concrete structures since
the 1970s. However, it is really over the last 10 years or so
that FRPs have begun to see widespread use in civil
engineering projects. This is due to drastic reductions in
FRP material and manufacturing costs and to numerous
research projects that have demonstrated their many
advantages over conventional materials.
Many types and shapes of FRP materials are now
available in the construction industry. For the purposes of
external reinforcement of concrete, there are essentially two
classes of FRP materials currently available: plates and
sheets. Plates are rigid FRP strips that are manufactured
using a process called pultrusion (refer to ISIS EC Modules
2 or 3). Sheet FRPs are supplied as flexible fabrics of raw
(or pre-impregnated) fibres. The sheet FRP materials are
applied by saturating the fibres with an epoxy resin and
laying-up the sheets onto the concrete surface.
In both of the above applications, the FRP materials
used are usually unidirectional (with all fibres oriented
along the length of the sheet). Fig. 2-1 shows various types
and shapes of currently available FRP materials.

Const i t uent s
FRP materials are composed of high-strength fibres
embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibres, which have
very small diameters and are considered continuous in
practice, provide the strength and stiffness of the composite,
while the matrix, which has comparatively poor mechanical
properties, separates and disperses the fibres. The primary
function of the matrix is to transfer loads to the fibres
through shear stresses that develop at the fibre-matrix
interface, although the matrix is also important for
environmental protection of the fibres. In concrete
strengthening applications, the fibres are typically carbon
(graphite), glass, or aramid (Kevlar
TM
), and the matrices are
typically epoxies. Fig. 2-2 shows typical stress-strain curves
for fibres, matrices, and the FRP materials that result from
the combination of fibres and matrix. ISIS EC Module 2
provides further information on fibres and matrices.
A
A
A A
Elevation
Section A-A
4

Fig. 2-1. Various types and shapes of FRPs used in
the construction industry.

Fig. 2-2. Stress-strain relationships for fibres,
matrix, and FRP.

I nst al l at i on Tec hni ques
Although a variety of techniques can be used to apply
external FRP reinforcement to reinforced concrete
structures, two similar techniques are most widely used.
The first of these is referred to as wet lay-up. In this
technique, flexible sheets or fabrics of raw or pre-
impregnated fibres are saturated with an epoxy adhesive
resin and placed on the surface of the concrete. As a result,
the resin acts both as the adhesive and as the FRP matrix.
The second technique involves the adhesion of pre-cured
rigid FRP strips or plates to the surface of the concrete using
an epoxy adhesive. In this technique the adhesive does not
become the matrix for the FRP, so a well-defined bond-line
is created. The second technique is more akin to
conventional rehabilitation techniques using steel plates, but
does not offer the flexibility enjoyed by the wet lay-up
procedure. Both procedures have been used with success in
field applications (refer to Figs. 2-3 and 2-4).
Fig. 2-3. Carbon FRP
sheets applied as
external shear U-wrap
reinforcement for a
concrete bridge girder
using the wet lay-up
procedure.

Fig. 2-4. Carbon FRP
strips applied as
external flexural
reinforcement for a
concrete bridge girder.
Light bands are glass
FRP U-wraps applied as
external shear
reinforcement over the
flexural reinforcement.

The reader should note that most external FRP reinforcing
applications are called bond critical, and the quality of the
concrete surface prior to bonding the FRP reinforcement is
extremely important. The need for adequate surface
preparation, quality control, and adequate curing conditions
for the adhesive cannot be overstated.

Pr oper t i es
Unidirectional FRP materials used in external strengthening
applications are typically linear elastic up to failure, and do
not exhibit the yielding behaviour that is displayed by
conventional reinforcing steel. This is shown in Fig. 2-5,
which demonstrates the significant differences in the tensile
behaviour of FRPs as compared with steel. FRP materials
generally have much higher strengths than the yield strength
of steel, although they do not yield, and have strains at
failure that are often considerably less than steel.
The specific properties of different FRP materials vary
a great deal from one manufacturer to another and depend
on the fibre and matrix type, the fibre volume content, and
the orientation of the fibres within the matrix, among other
factors. It is beyond the scope of this module to discuss
different FRP reinforcing materials in detail. However,
Table 2-1 and Fig. 2-5 give material properties for a number
of typical currently available FRP strengthening systems.

matrix
Strain (%)
fibres
FRP
0.4 4.8 >10
Stress
[Mpa]
1800-4900

34-130
5
Table 2-1. Selected Properties of Typical Currently Available FRP Strengthening Systems*
FRP System Fiber Type
Weight
[g/cm
2
]
Thickness
[mm]
Tensile
Strength [MPa]
Tensile Elastic
Modulus [GPa]
Strain at
Failure [%]
Fyfe Co. LLC [www.fyfeco.com]
Tyfo SEH-51 Glass 930 1.3 575 26.1 2.2
Tyfo SCH-35 Carbon -- 0.89 991 78.6 1.3
Mitsubishi [www.mitsubishichemical.com]
Replark 20 Carbon 200 0.11 3400 230 1.5
Replark 30 Carbon 300 0.17 3400 230 1.5
Replark MM Carbon -- 0.17 2900 390 0.7
Replark HM Carbon 200 0.14 1900 640 0.3
Sika [www.sikacanada.com]
Hex 100G Glass 913 1.0 600 26.1 2.2
Hex 103C Carbon 618 1.0 960 73.1 1.3
CarboDur S Carbon 2240 1.2-1.4 2800 165 1.7
CarboDur M Carbon 2240 1.2 2400 210 1.2
CarboDur H Carbon 2240 1.2 1300 300 0.5
Watson Bowman Acme [www.wabocorp.com]
MBrace EG 900 Glass 900 0.35 1517 72.4 2.1
MBrace CF 530 Carbon 300 0.17 3500 373 0.94
MBrace AK 60 Aramid 600 0.28 2000 120 1.6
* Additional information can be obtained from the specific FRP manufacturers

Strain [%]
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
T
e
n
s
i
l
e

S
t
r
e
s
s

[
M
P
a
]
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
Steel
Tyfo SEH-51
MBrace CF 530
MBrace AK 60
Hex 103C
CarboDur S
CarboDur H
Replark HM

Fig. 2-5. Stress-strain plots for various FRP
strengthening systems

Advant ages
FRP materials for use in concrete strengthening applications
have a number of key advantages over conventional repair
materials such as steel. In many cases, these advantages
make FRPs the only possible solution to a strengthening
problem. Some of the most important advantages include:
FRP materials do not corrode electrochemically, and
have demonstrated excellent durability in a number of
harsh environmental conditions;
FRP materials have extremely high strength-to-
weight ratios. FRP materials typically weigh less than
one fifth the weight of steel, with tensile strengths that
can be as much as 8 to 10 times as high;
FRP materials are extremely versatile and are quickly
and easily installed. This reduces the downtime
required for repair and offsets indirect repair costs; and
FRP materials are electromagnetically inert. This
means that they can be used in specialized structures
such as buildings to house magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) or sensitive communications equipment, etc.

6
Section 3
Eval uat i on of Ex i st i ng St r uc t ur es

CAUSES OF DEFI CI ENCI ES
Deficiencies in existing concrete structures can be due to a
variety of factors. Some of the more common factors that
have contributed to the deterioration of concrete
infrastructure in North-America include:
environmental effects on structural behaviour, which
include chloride-induced corrosion of conventional
reinforcing steel in concrete, freeze-thaw cycling, and
wet-dry cycling (all of which can contribute to cracking
and deterioration);
evolution of design loads, such that structures cannot
safely carry loads required by updated versions of
design codes;
evolution of design guidelines from working stress
(older design methodology) to limit states (current
design methodology), such that structures designed
using older procedures are inadequate when evaluated
under current guidelines; and
increase of traffic and loads due to more cars and
heavier trucks on roads and highways.

EVALUATI ON
Obviously, a major component of any structural
rehabilitation, upgrade, or strengthening project is
concerned with evaluation of the existing structure. To
develop an appropriate FRP strengthening strategy, an
assessment of the existing structure should first be
conducted to determine the condition of the concrete, to
identify the causes of deficiencies, to establish the existing
load carrying capacity of the structure, and to evaluate the
feasibility of using externally-bonded FRP systems for
repair. The evaluation of an existing structure should be
carried out with extreme care, and should be concerned with
the following information:
the as-built drawings including all past modifications;
the actual size of the concrete elements;
the actual properties of the existing materials including
the surface tensile strength of the concrete;
the location, size, and cause of cracks and spalls;
the location and extent of any corrosion of the
reinforcing steel;
the quantity and location of the existing reinforcing
steel; and
an appropriate evaluation of the applied loads.
While a lengthy discussion of this topic is avoided here,
the reader should note that various documents are available
to provide guidance in the evaluation of existing structures.
Two such documents are listed in Section 9.

CONCRETE SURFACE
The condition of the concrete surface is one of the most
critical aspects to be considered when strengthening a
structure. The concrete must be able to transfer the load
from the existing structure to the FRP system through shear
stresses that develop in the adhesive/matrix. In some cases,
surface concrete must be removed and replaced prior to
strengthening. In these cases the designer should refer to
specialized concrete repair documents such as those
included in Section 9.

Section 4
Beam and One-Way Sl ab St r engt heni ng

FLEXURAL STRENGTHENI NG
As stated earlier, in flexural strengthening applications FRP
plates or sheets are bonded to the tensile surfaces of
reinforced concrete beams. For beams in positive bending,
this means that FRP materials are applied to the underside
of the beams (the soffit). This section provides an overview
and example of the use of externally-bonded FRP materials
for flexural strengthening of a reinforced concrete beam.

Assumpt i ons
It is assumed that FRPs are perfectly linear-elastic materials.
Thus, failure of an FRP-strengthened section in flexure can
be due to FRP rupture or to concrete crushing (recall that
with conventionally-reinforced concrete beams we always
assume failure by concrete crushing). The ultimate flexural
strength for both of these failure modes can be calculated
using a similar methodology as that used for steel-reinforced
sections. Hence, the following additional assumptions are
required:
1. plane sections remain plane;
2. perfect bond exists between concrete and steel
reinforcement and between FRP reinforcement and
concrete;
3. adequate anchorage and development length is ensured
for the FRP reinforcement;
7
4. FRPs are linear elastic to failure;
5. concrete compressive stress-strain curve is parabolic
and concrete has no strength in tension; and
6. initial strains in the section at the time of strengthening
can, in most cases, be ignored.
In addition, steel is treated as elastic-perfectly plastic,
with strain hardening neglected, and concrete is treated
using the concept of an equivalent rectangular stress block
as suggested in CSA A23.3 for reinforced concrete
buildings and in CSA S6 for concrete bridges.

Resi st anc e Fac t or s
Following the recommendations of ISIS Canada Design
Manual No. 4, the material resistance factors for steel are
taken as
s
= 0.85 and
s
= 0.9 for buildings and bridges
respectively. Material resistance factors for concrete are
taken as
c
= 0.6 and
c
= 0.75 for buildings and bridges
respectively. The material resistance factor for FRP depends
on the type of FRP material used, and is based on the
variability of material characteristics, the intended use, the
effect of sustained load, and various durability
considerations. For carbon FRP, values for
frp
have been
suggested between 0.7 and 0.78. For glass FRP
frp
has
been suggested between 0.6 to 0.76.
frp
is taken as 0.75 for
carbon FRP and as 0.5 for glass FRP herein.

Fig. 4-1. Assumed stress-strain behaviour of FRP.

Fai l ur e Modes
There are four potential flexural failure modes for
externally-strengthened reinforced concrete flexural
members:
concrete crushing before yielding of the reinforcing
steel;
steel yielding followed by concrete crushing;
steel yielding followed by FRP rupture; and
debonding of the FRP reinforcement at the
FRP/concrete interface.
It is not always clear at the outset of a design or
analysis which of the above failure modes will govern.
Thus, an assumption must be made and the failure mode
checked. If the assumption is incorrect, a different failure
mode is assumed and the analysis is repeated. In the current
discussion it is assumed that the fourth failure mode,
FRP debonding, will not occur and can be ignored (in
practice this assumption is assured through the use of
specialized anchorage techniques).

(a)

(b)

Fig. 4-2. Assumed stress-strain behaviour of
(a) concrete and (b) steel.

Desi gn
Design of rectangular beams and one-way slabs can be
conducted in a straightforward manner using the familiar
concept of strain compatibility. For a flexurally-
strengthened rectangular beam with reinforcing steel in
tension only, the strain and stress distributions over the
cross section at failure can be described as shown in
Figure 4-3.
It is evident from Figure 4.3 that the strain distribution
in an FRP-strengthened concrete beam at failure is more
complex than that in a conventionally-reinforced beam.
This is because the concrete and steel will be subject to
some initial strains,
ci
and
si
, due to the self-weight of the
beam and any live load applied to the structure during
strengthening.
cl
and
sl
are the additional strains that are
due to additional loading after strengthening with FRP, and
frp
is the strain in the FRP at failure.
f
y
Strain
y

Stress
E
s
1
f
c
Strain
cu
Stress
1
E
c
c

c

f
c
f
frpu

Strain
frpu

Stress
E
frp

1
8
In many cases, and in the interests of simplification
within the current document, the initial strains in the
concrete and steel are assumed to be negligible, and so the
stress and strain distribution can be approximated as shown
in Figure 4.4, where
ci
,
bi
,and
si
are all assumed to be zero.
In practice it is important to consider the influence of initial
strains in the concrete member prior to strengthening.

Fig. 4-3. Actual strain and stress profiles for a singly-reinforced concrete beam strengthened in flexure
with externally-bonded FRP materials (with initial strains before strengthening considered).

Fig. 4-4. Assumed strain and stress profiles for a singly-reinforced concrete beam strengthened in flexure
with externally-bonded FRP materials (with initial strains at the time of strengthening neglected).

Examining Figure 4-4, equilibrium of internal forces
requires that the three stress resultants (concrete in
compression, C
c
, steel in tension, T
s
, and FRP in tension,
T
frp
) sum to zero. Thus:

frp s c
T T C + = (Eq. 4-1)

The stress resultants can each be determined using the
following expressions:
Cross-section Strain Distribution Stress Distribution
Equivalent
Stress Distribution
b
d
A
s

c
frp
1
f
c

C
c

T
s

T
frp

f
s

f
frp
a =
1
c
f
c
h
N.A.
b
frp

A
frp

Equivalent
Stress Distribution
b
d
A
s

c
ci

cl

sl

si

frp

bi
1
f
c

C
c

T
s

T
frp

f
s

f
frp
a =
1
c
f
c
h
N.A.
b
frp

A
frp

9
bc f C
c c c 1
'
1
= (Eq. 4-2)
s s s s
f A T = with
y s
f f (Eq. 4-3)
frp frp frp frp frp
E A T = with
frpu frp
(Eq. 4-4)

Equation 4-1 can be used in combination with Equations 4-2
through 4-4 and strain compatibility, as illustrated in Fig.
4-4, to determine the depth of the neutral axis for any
assumed strain in the extreme compression fibre or in the
FRP. It is thus possible to solve for the stress resultants and
to determine the moment capacity of the cross-section by
taking moments about the compressive stress resultant
(neglecting the thickness of the FRP, which is generally
comparatively small) using:

=
2 2
a
h T
a
d T M
frp s r
where c a
1
=
(Eq. 4-5)

Pr oc edur e f or Anal ysi s
The procedure for analysis of an externally-strengthened
reinforced concrete beam (with tension steel only) is
performed using the above principles as follows:

1. Assume the section fails by compression of the concrete
at the extreme compression fibre, after yielding of the
longitudinal reinforcing steel. This means that the
strain in the compression fibre of the cross-section is
c
= 0.0035, the assumed failure strain for concrete in
compression. Thus, from strain compatibility, we have:

c
c h

cu frp

= (Eq. 4-6)

and

c
c d

cu s

= (Eq. 4-7)

Assume that the steel has yielded so that f
s
= f
y.

2. Determine the concrete compressive stress block factors
in accordance with CSA A23.3 or CHBDC:

67 . 0 0015 . 0 85 . 0
'
1
=
c
f (Eq. 4-8)
67 . 0 0025 . 0 97 . 0
'
1
=
c
f (Eq. 4-9)

3. Determine the depth of the neutral axis, c, by
combining Eq. 4-1 with Eqs. 4-2 through 4-4:

frp s c
T T C + =
frp frp frp frp s y s c c
A E A f bc f + =
1
'
1
(Eq. 4-10)

Fig. 4-5. Assumed strain distribution at failure.

4. Once c is known, check to see if the strain in the FRP
has exceeded its tensile failure strain:

frpu cu frp

c
c h
>
= (Eq. 4-11)

if no, go to STEP 5.
if yes, go to STEP 6.

5. The factored moment resistance can be obtained from
the following equation:

=
2 2
a
h A E
a
d A f M
frp frp frp frp s y s r

(Eq. 4-12)
where c a
1
= (Eq. 4-13)

To avoid sudden and brittle failure of the externally
strengthened member, we ensure that the internal steel
reinforcement has yielded.

y cu s
c
c d
>
= (Eq. 4-14)

if yes, OKAY.
if no, we should REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FRP
and recalculate, ensuring that the steel reinforcement
yields in the final design.

Strain Distribution
Equivalent
Stress Distribution
c
cu
=0.0035
frp
c
f
c

C
c

T
s

T
frp

a =
1
c
d
h
10
6. Assume that failure occurs by tensile failure of the FRP.
This means that the strain in the FRP at failure is equal
to
frp
=
frpu
, and the strain in the extreme concrete
compression fibre is somewhat less than
cu
.

Fig. 4-6. New assumed strain distribution at failure.

7. Determine the depth of the neutral axis, c, using:

frp s c
T T C + =

frpu frp frp frp s y s c c
A E A f bc f + =
1
'
1

(Eq. 4-15)

8. Verify that the strain at the extreme compression fibre
is less than
cu
:

cu frpu c
c h
c
<
= (Eq. 4-16)

9. Calculate the factored moment resistance of the cross-
section using:

=
2 2
a
h A E
a
d A f M
frpu frp frp frp s y s r

(Eq. 4-17)

Compr essi on Rei nf or c ement and T-Beams
For members reinforced in flexure with steel in both tension
and compression, a similar analysis procedure can be used
as that presented above. The only change required in the
analysis is the addition of a compressive stress resultant to
account for the presence of the compression reinforcing
steel. This is illustrated in Fig. 4-7, from which design
equations can easily be derived in a similar fashion as
previously.

Fig. 4-7. Strain and stress profiles for a doubly-reinforced rectangular concrete beam strengthened in
flexure with externally bonded FRP materials.

Strain Distribution
Equivalent
Stress Distribution
c
frp
=
frpu
c
f
c

C
c

T
s

T
frp

a =
1
c
d
h
Equivalent
Stress Distribution
b
d
A
s

c

1
f
c

C
s

C
c

T
s

T
frp

f
s

f
frp
a =
1
c
f
s
h
N.A.
b
frp

A
frp

A
s

s

f
s
11
105 mm
3
2
5

m
m

310M
3
5
0

m
m

50 mm

Fig. 4-8. Subdivision of a T-beam cross-sections moment resistance, M
r
, into the flange moment
resistance, M
rf
, and the web moment resistance, M
rw
.

For T-beams, as is the case in the design and analysis of
conventionally-reinforced concrete beams, there are two
possible cases to consider: the neutral axis is in the flange,
and the neutral axis is in the web. If the neutral axis is in
the flange, then the beam can be treated as an equivalent
rectangular beam using the procedures presented previously.
If, however, the neutral axis is in the web, and the beam
behaves as a t-beam, then the compression zone can be
subdivided as shown in Fig. 4-8. Strain compatibility can
then be used to derive design equations in a similar fashion
as shown previously.
Further guidance on the design and analysis of T-beams
and beams with compression reinforcement, along with a
series of flexural design charts and examples, is provided in
ISIS Design Manual No. 4.

EXAMPLE 1
Si ngl y-Rei nf or c ed Rec t angul ar Conc r et e Beam

Pr obl em:

Calculate the factored moment capacity of the beam shown
below. The section is singly-reinforced and is strengthened
in flexure with externally-bonded carbon FRP on its soffit.
Beam dimensions, and reinforcement details are shown in
Fig. 4-9, and material properties are as follows:

Concrete strength, f
c
= 45 MPa
Internal steel reinforcement: 310M bars
A
s
= 300 mm
Steel yield strength, f
y
= 400 MPa
Steel elastic modulus, E
s
= 200 GPa
Carbon FRP: A
frp
= 60 mm;
frpu
= 1.55%;
E
frp
= 155 GPa
Neglect initial strains in the concrete and steel
Use CSA A23.3 requirements

Fig. 4-9. Beam dimensions and reinforcement
details
Sol ut i on:

1. Following the procedure for analysis outlined in the
previous section, we assume failure of the beam due to
crushing of the concrete in compression, after yielding
of the internal steel reinforcement.
2. Determine
1
and
1
using Equations 4-8 and 4-9:

67 . 0 0015 . 0 85 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
b
e

c
h
b
frp

A
frp

h
f

= +
M
r
M
rf
M
rw

12
78 . 0 45 0015 . 0 85 . 0
1
= =

67 . 0 0025 . 0 97 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
86 . 0 45 0025 . 0 97 . 0
1
= =

3. Use Eq. 4-10 to find the depth of the neutral axis, c:

A E A f bc f + =
1
'
1

( )( )( )( ) ( ) c 105 86 . 0 45 78 . 0 6 . 0
( )( ) ( ) 300 400 85 . 0 =
( )( )

+
c
c 350
0035 . 0 60 000 155 75 . 0
where:
c
c h
cu frp

= from strain compatibility
(refer to Fig. 4-6). Solving gives c = 90.5 mm.

4. Calculate the strain in the FRP,
frp
, and compare it to
the FRP failure strain,
frpu
. If
frp
<
frpu
, the assumed
failure mode (concrete in compression) is correct and
the moment resistance can be determined (step 5). If
frp
>
frpu
, then the assumption was incorrect (and we
would have to use step 6 of the procedure for analysis).
For the current analysis, strain compatibility gives:

=
5 . 90
5 . 90 350
0035 . 0
c
c h
cu frp

0155 . 0 01 . 0 = < =
frpu

Thus, the assumption of failure by concrete crushing
was correct. To ensure adequate ductility, we must
check that the reinforcing steel has yielded. Again,
using strain compatibility:

002 . 0 0091 . 0
5 . 90
5 . 90 325
0035 . 0
= > =
=
y
cu s
c
c d

The steel has yielded. Thus, the amount of FRP is
appropriate. If the steel had not reached its yield strain
at failure, the amount of FRP could be reduced to avoid
brittle failure of the beam.

5. The factored moment resistance is obtained from
Eq. 4-13:

( )( )
( )
( )( )( )
( )
m kN 9 . 50 mm N 10 9 . 50
2
5 . 90 86 . 0
350 01 . 0 60 000 155 75 . 0
2
5 . 90 86 . 0
325 300 400 85 . 0
2 2
6
= =
=
a
h A E
a
d A f M

COMPARISON
It is interesting to note that the factored moment resistance
of the unstrengthened beam, if calculated using the
guidelines set out in CSA A23.3-94, would be M
r
= 30.9
kNm. Thus, the FRP has increased the flexural capacity of
the beam by about 65%. This illustrates the substantial
strength increase that can be achieved with FRP repair
methods. Further examples of flexural strengthening for
reinforced concrete beams by externally-bonded FRP
materials are presented in ISIS Design Manual No. 4.

SHEAR STRENGTHENI NG

Assumpt i ons
FRP materials can be applied to the side faces (webs) of
reinforced concrete beams to provide external shear
reinforcement, as shown in Figs. 2-3 and 4-10. In this
technique, fibres can be aligned at any angle to the
longitudinal axis of the beam. The FRPs can be applied to
the side faces only (Fig. 4-10b) or in the form of U-wraps
(Fig. 4-10a) which are continuous underneath the beam. U-
wraps have the added advantage of improving the anchorage
of flexural external FRP reinforcements when placed over
the flexural sheets or strips (as in Fig. 2-4). Furthermore,
FRP shear reinforcement can be applied as continuous
sheets or in strips of finite width (Fig. 4-10). Externally-
bonded FRP shear reinforcement acts in a manner similar to
internal steel stirrups, by bridging shear cracks to increase
the shear capacity of the concrete.
Since the length over which FRP stirrups can be
anchored is limited by the height of the beam, the quality of
the existing concrete is of utmost importance. In addition, it
is sometimes required to provide a longitudinal FRP shear
anchorage strip to improve anchorage of the external shear
reinforcement (as in Fig. 2-3). To avoid possible failure of
the FRP sheets due to stress concentrations at the corners of
the beam, corners should be rounded to a minimum radius
of 15 mm.
13
Resi st anc e Fac t or s
Material resistance factors for concrete, steel, and FRP
should be taken as those suggested previously for flexural
strengthening with externally-bonded FRP materials.

Desi gn Pr i nc i pl es
In applications of flexural strengthening with externally-
bonded FRPs, the failure mode observed is generally
ductile. Shear failure, however, occurs very suddenly and in
a brittle fashion. Therefore, to avoid sudden collapse of a
structure by shear failure, the most important variable to
control is the deformation of the FRP shear reinforcement,
an approach which severely limits the potential for sudden
shear failure. ISIS Canada Design Manual No. 4 suggests
two slightly different procedures for the design of
externally-bonded shear reinforcement for bridges and
buildings. The discussion herein focuses on building
applications (for the purposes of illustration). For guidance
on the design of externally-bonded shear reinforcement for
bridges, the reader is referred to ISIS Design Manual No. 4.
The factored shear resistance of a reinforced concrete
member is given by the following expression, which is
similar to the equation commonly used for conventionally-
reinforced concrete beams. The shear resistance, V
r
, is
given as the sum of the contributions from the concrete, V
c
,
the steel, V
s
, and the FRP, V
frp
:

frp s c r
V V V V + + = (Eq. 4-18)

The contributions of the concrete and steel can be
determined using the current CSA A23.3 guidelines for
conventionally-reinforced concrete structures as follows:

d b f V
w c c c
' 2 . 0 = for d 300 mm (Eq. 4-19a)
d b f
d
V
w c c c
'
1000
260
+
= for d 300 mm
(Eq. 4-19b)
But,

d b f V
w c c c
' 1 . 0 > (Eq.4-19c)

s
d A f
V
v y s
s

= (Eq. 4-20)

In the above expressions, A
v
and s are the area and spacing
of the transverse steel shear reinforcement, respectively.
The shear contribution of the externally-bonded FRP, V
frp
,
can be determined using the following expression, which is
similar to the equation used for the contribution of the
internal reinforcing steel:

( )
frp
frp frpe frp frp frp
frp
s
d E A
V
cos sin +
= (Eq. 4-21)

where
frp frp frp
w t A 2 = (Eq. 4-22)

In the above expressions, s
frp
, w
frp
, and are the spacing,
width and angle of the shear reinforcement to the
longitudinal axis of the beam, respectively. For full surface
FRP shear reinforcement, w
frp
= s
frp
.
The effective depth of the FRP stirrups, d
frp
, is taken as
the distance from the free end of the FRP shear
reinforcement underneath the slab to the bottom of the
internal steel stirrups. For the rare case of a completely
wrapped member, d
frp
is taken as the total height of the
section.
The effective strain in the FRP,
frpe
, is determined by
applying a reduction factor, R, to the ultimate strain of the
composite:

004 . 0 =
frpu frpe
R (Eq. 4-23)

The effective strain is limited to
frpe
0.004 to ensure
aggregate interlock in the concrete by preventing shear
cracks from widening beyond acceptable limits. The
reduction factor, R, is determined from an equation based on
experimental data as follows:

2
3
2
'
1
=
frp frp
c
E
f
R (Eq. 4-24)

In the above expression, the reduction coefficient for
effective strain, , is equal to 0.8, and the experimentally-
derived parameters
1
and
2
are:
1
= 1.35 and
2
= 0.30
for carbon FRPs; and
1
= 1.23 and
2
= 0.47 for glass
FRPs.
The FRP shear reinforcement ratio,
frp
, can be
determined from:

=
frp
frp
w
frp
frp
s
w
b
t

2
(Eq. 4-25)

A second limit is imposed on the effective strain in the FRP
shear reinforcement to avoid failure by sudden debonding of
the FRP reinforcement. Obviously, this limit does not apply
to fully-wrapped specimens. The limiting strain in the FRP
shear reinforcement to prevent debonding failure is
described by:

9525
2 1 e
frpe
L k k
= (Eq. 4-26)
14

where = 0.8 and the parameters k
1
and k
2
are given by:

3
2
'
1
65 . 27

=
c
f
k (Eq. 4-27)

frp
e e frp
d
L n d
k

=
2
(Eqs. 4-28)

The parameter n
e
in the above expression is the number of
free ends of the FRP stirrup on the side of the beam (i.e., 1
for a u-wrap and 2 for side plates). The effective anchorage
length, L
e
, can be determined using the following equation:

( )
58 . 0
350 25
frp frp
e
E t
L = (Eq. 4-29)

If the FRP is applied in strips, as opposed to a continuous
FRP sheet, the maximum band spacing is defined by:

4
d
w s
frp frp
+ (Eq. 4-30)

Where d is the depth of the internal steel reinforcement.
Finally, for buildings, the maximum allowable shear
strengthening is described by the following expression:

d b f V V
w c c c r
'
8 . 0 + (Eq. 4-31)

where is 1.0 for normal density concrete, 0.85 for semi-
lightweight concrete, and 0.75 for lightweight concrete.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e)

Fig. 4-10. Various schemes for strengthening for shear by externally-bonded FRP reinforcements.

Elevation Section D-D
D
D
A
A
Elevation Section B-B
B
B
Elevation Section C-C
C
C
Elevation Section E-E
E
E
s
frp
s
frp

w
frp
w
frp

d
frp

d
frp

d
frp

d
frp

d
frp

15
EXAMPLE 2
Shear St r engt heni ng by Ex t er nal l y-Bonded FRP Rei nf or c ement

Fig. 4-11. Beam dimensions and reinforcement details

Pr obl em:

Calculate the factored shear capacity of the beam shown in
Figure 4.11. The section is singly-reinforced and is shear
strengthened with externally-bonded glass FRP (GFRP) in
the form of vertical U-wraps with a finite width (FRP strips
as opposed to a continuous sheet). Beam dimensions,
reinforcement details, and material properties are as follows:

Span of the beam, L = 3.0 m
c
= 45 MPa
Tension steel: 310M bars; f
y
= 400 MPa; d = 325 mm
Stirrup steel: 4.76 mm ; f
y
= 400 MPa; A
v
= 36 mm
2

Stirrup spacing, s
s
= 225 mm c/c
GFRP stirrup thickness, t
frp
= 1.3 mm
GFRP stirrup width, w
frp
= 100 mm
GFRP stirrup spacing, s
frp
= 200 mm
GFRP ultimate strain,
frpu
= 2.0%
GFRP elastic modulus, E
frp
= 22.7 GPa
Use CSA A23.3-94
Assume normal density concrete, = 1.0

Sol ut i on:

1. Since the total shear resistance is calculated as the sum
of the contributions from the steel, V
s
, concrete, V
c
, and
FRP, V
frp
, we must first determine the contributions of
the steel and concrete using Equations 4-19 and 4-20:

For the concrete:

( ) ( )( )
kN 47 . 27 27470
325 105 45 6 . 0 2 . 0
' 2 . 0
= =
=
=
N
d b f V
w c c c

For the steel:
( )( )( )
kN 7 . 17 17680
225
325 36 400 85 . 0
= = =
=
N
s
d A f
V
v y s
s

2. To determine the FRP contribution, we must first
compute the FRP effective strain. First we find the area
of FRP shear reinforcement, A
frp
:

( )( ) mm 260 100 3 . 1 2 2 = = =
frp frp frp
w t A

Next, the FRP shear reinforcement ratio is calculated
using Eq. 4-25:

Section A-A
105 mm
3
2
5

m
m

310M
3
5
0

m
m

GFRP
4.76 mm
3
0

m
m

Elevation
A
A
C
L

200 mm

16
( )
% 24 . 1 0124 . 0
200
100

105
3 . 1 2

2
= =

=
frp
frp
w
frp
frp
s
w
b
t

and the effective anchorage length is determined using
Eq. 4-29:

( ) ( )
mm 8 . 64
700 22 3 . 1
350 25 350 25
58 . 0 58 . 0
=
= =
frp frp
e
E t
L

3. We must calculate the effective strain in the FRP,
frpe
,
based on Equations 4-26 to 4-29. Before calculating
the effective strain in the FRP shear reinforcement, we
must determine the parameters to account for
debonding, k
1
and k
2
:

38 . 1
65 . 27
45
65 . 27
3
2
3
2
'
1
=
=
c
f
k
( )
80 . 0
325
8 . 64 1 325
2
=
=
frp
e e frp
d
L n d
k

Note that n
e
= 1 since U-shaped wraps are used. Now
we can determine the effective strain in the FRP:

( )( )( )
0060 . 0
9525
8 . 64 80 . 0 38 . 1 8 . 0
9525
2 1
= =
=
e
frpe
L k k

4. Now we determine the effective strain in the FRP
according to Equations 4-23 to 4-25, which represents a
second limit on the effective strain in the shear
reinforcement. The effective-to-ultimate strain ratio, R,
is determined from Equation 4-24:

( ) 229 . 0
700 22 0124 . 0
45
23 . 1 8 . 0
47 . 0
3
2
3
2
'
1
2
=
frp frp
c
E
f
R

where the values of
1
and
2
have been taken as those
of aramid FRP in this example. Thus:

( ) 0046 . 0 02 . 0 229 . 0 = = =
frpu frpe
R

For design purposes, we use the smallest limiting value
of the effective strain in the FRP. In this example, we
take the smallest of 0.0040, 0.0046, or 0.0060. Thus,
frpe
= 0.004.

5. The contribution of the FRP to the shear capacity can
be calculated using Equation 4-21:

( )
( )( )( ) ( ) ( )
kN 2 . 19 N 19180
200
0 1 325 004 . 0 22700 260 5 . 0
cos sin
= =
+
=
+
=
frp
frp
s
d E A
V

6. The shear resistance of the beam is given by Equation
4-18 as a summation of the three contributions:

kN 4 . 64 2 . 19 7 . 17 5 . 27 = + + =
+ + =
frp s c r
V V V V

7. Finally, we must check the limits for maximum shear
strengthening (Equation 4-31):

d b f V V
w c c c r
'
8 . 0 +

( )( ) ( )( )
. . 400 137
325 105 45 6 . 0 0 . 1 8 . 0 500 27 64400
K O =
+

and maximum band spacing (Equation 4-30):

4
d
w s
frp frp
+
mm 181
4
325
100 mm 200 =
+

NOT TRUE. Thus, use 180 mm spacing.

17
ADDI TI ONAL CONSI DERATI ONS

As in the case of conventionally reinforced concrete
members, a number of additional considerations are
important when designing external FRP reinforcement for
concrete structures. Some additional factors which must be
considered include:

FRP anchorage and development length;
deflections;
crack widths;
vibrations;
creep; and
fatigue.

These various factors are not discussed in detail here,
and the reader is referred to ISIS Design Manual No. 4 for
additional guidance. One factor which is often critical in the
design of FRP-strengthened concrete members is that the
strain in the FRP must be limited at service load levels to
prevent creep-rupture of the FRP reinforcement. In
practice, it is sometimes the case that the creep-rupture
stress limits actually govern the FRP strengthened design,
and the reader should remain cognizant of this fact.
It is also critically important for the structural designer
to understand that increases in strength resulting from FRP
plating of reinforced concrete beams will generally come at
the expense of ductility (warning before failure).
Figure 4-12 illustrates the behavioural trends for
reinforced concrete beams strengthened in flexure with
externally-bonded FRP reinforcement. Note that while the
strength increased with additional FRP reinforcement, the
deflection at failure is reduced.

Fig. 4-12. Behaviour of flexurally-strengthened
reinforced concrete beams with increasing
amounts of FRP reinforcement applied to the
tension face.

Section 5
Col umn St r engt heni ng

OVERVI EW
Existing concrete columns under pure compressive loads
can be strengthened by externally-bonded FRP wraps by
wrapping the columns in the circumferential direction (refer
to Fig. 5-1). When the column is subjected to axial load, it
shortens longitudinally but dilates (expands) laterally. This
dilation causes tensile stress to develop in the FRP wrap,
and this tensile stress confines the concrete and places it in a
state of triaxial (3-dimensional) stress. The result of this
stress condition is that both the load capacity and
deformation capability of the concrete in the column are
significantly improved, leading to stronger and more ductile
structural members (Figure 5-2).
The design of concrete columns strengthened with
externally-bonded FRP wraps is performed using empirical
equations derived primarily from test data. The applicability
of the procedures presented herein is currently limited to the
following types of members and load conditions:
strengthening of relatively undamaged concrete
columns;
strengthening of short columns subjected to concentric
axial loading; and
fibres oriented perpendicular to the column axis
(circumferentially).
Design procedures are presented in this module for
circular FRP-wrapped reinforced concrete columns only.
Additional guidance and equations to be used for the design
of rectangular FRP-wrapped reinforced concrete columns,
can be found in ISIS Design Manual No. 4.

CI RCULAR COLUMNS

Sl ender ness Li mi t s
The procedures presented herein are valid only for columns
where slenderness effects (which can contribute to non-
linear behaviour and to buckling) can be ignored. For
conventionally reinforced circular concrete columns, the
limiting slenderness for short columns in pure compression
is defined in CSA A23.3 by:
Deflection
Load
Steel Yielding
No FRP
3 Layers of FRP
1 Layer of FRP
18

Fig. 5-1. Schematic showing confinement mechanism for axial strengthening of circular reinforced
concrete columns using externally-bonded FRP wraps.

Fig. 5-2. Comparison of stress-strain behaviour of
circular and rectangular FRP-wrapped and
unwrapped concrete columns.

g c f
g
u
A f P
D
l
'
25 . 6
(Eq. 5-1)

where A
g
is the gross cross-sectional area of the column, f
c

is the specified concrete strength, P
f
is the factored axial
load, l
u
is the unsupported length of the member, and D
g
is
the column diameter.
When a column is strengthened in compression with
externally-bonded FRP wraps, its axial load capacity is
increased by the confining effect of the wrap, but its
buckling strength, which relies on the modulus of the
concrete which is not significantly improved by wrapping,
is not significantly altered. This may, in some cases, result
in the column becoming slender under the increased axial
load. It is important to ensure that any FRP-strengthened
column will remain short under the new (increased) value of
P
f
. If not, the equations that follow do not apply, and expert
advice should be sought.

Conf i nement
The lateral confining pressure exerted by an FRP wrap, f
lfrp
,
on a circular concrete column at ultimate can be calculated
using the following expression, which is derived on the
basis of equilibrium of the confined concrete core (refer to
Figure 5-1):

g
frp frpu frp b
frp
D
t f N
f
2
=
l
(Eq. 5-2)

In the above expression, N
b
is the number of layers of FRP,
frp
is the resistance factor for the FRP wrap, f
frpu
is the
ultimate strength of the FRP, and t
frp
is its thickness per
layer.
The benefit of a confining pressure on the compressive
strength of concrete in compression can be described by an
experimentally derived equation, initially presented over 50
years ago, that relates the ultimate strength of the confined
concrete, f
cc
, to the ultimate strength of the unconfined
concrete, f
c
, for a given lateral confining pressure:

lfrp c cc
f k f f
1
' '
+ = (Eq. 5-3)

Axial
Strain
Stress
No FRP wrap
Rectangular FRP-wrapped
Circular FRP-wrapped
A A
Section A-A
Internal reinforcing steel
Concrete
FRP wrap
f
lfrp

Separated
for clarity
D
g

19
where k
1
is an empirical coefficient determined from tests.
ISIS Design Manual No. 4 suggests the following
modification to the above expression:

) 1 (
'
1
' '
w pc c lfrp c cc
f f k f f + = + = (Eq. 5-4)

where
pc
is a performance coefficient that depends on a
number of factors such as the FRP type, concrete strength,
and member size. ISIS Design Manual No. 4 currently
recommends that
pc
be taken as 1.0.
w
is referred to as the
volumetric confinement ratio, and is determined using:

' '
2
c c
frp
c c
frpu frp frp
w
f
f
f
f

l
= = (Eq. 5-5)

In the above expression:

g
frp b
frp
D
t N 4
= (Eq. 5-6)

Thus, Equations 5-2, 5-4, and 5-5 can be used to determine
the increased ultimate compressive strength of FRP-
confined concrete.

Conf i nement Li mi t s

Minimum Confinement Pressure
The effectiveness of the confinement pressure depends on
the degree to which ductility can be developed by the
member. ISIS Design Manual No. 4 requires that sufficient
FRP be provided to develop a minimum confinement
pressure to ensure adequate ductility of:

MPa f
frp
4
l
(Eq. 5-7)

Maximum Confinement Pressure
In reinforced concrete design, spirals in excess of what are
required are of no practical interest because of the
accompanying large deformations and extensive cracking
and spalling which occur. FRP confinement eliminates
spalling and limits cracking, but large deformations must
still be prevented. Hence, the factored strength of an FRP-
confined column should not exceed the nominal strength of
the unconfined concrete. Thus:

'
1
'
1 c cc c e
f f k (Eq. 5-8)

where k
e
is a strength reduction factor, taken as 0.85 for
ductile columns, to account for unexpected eccentricities,
and
1
is the equivalent rectangular stress block factor for
concrete. The above equation can be combined with Eqns.
5-4 and 5-5 and rearranged to give the maximum allowable
confinement pressure:

c
e pc
'
c
frp
k
f
f
1
2
l
(Eq. 5-9)

Ax i al Load Resi st anc e
The factored axial load resistance for an FRP-confined
reinforced concrete column, P
rmax
, is given by an equation
similar to that suggested by CSA A23.3 for conventionally-
reinforced concrete columns, with the exception that the
concrete compressive strength, f
c
, is replaced by the
confined concrete compressive strength, f
cc
:

] ) ( [
'
1 max s y s s g cc c e r
A f A A f k P + = (Eq. 5-10)

RECTANGULAR COLUMNS

Externally-bonded FRP sheets can also be used to
strengthen short rectangular reinforced concrete columns in
pure compression. However, comparatively little
experimental data are available on the behaviour of these
types of members, and FRP wrapping is far less effective at
strength enhancement for non-circular columns. As such,
this FRP strengthening of rectangular columns is not
covered in significant detail here. Further information on
strengthening short rectangular reinforced concrete columns
with externally-bonded FRP reinforcement can be found in
ISIS Design Manual No. 4.

ADDI TI ONAL CONSI DERATI ONS

Shear
Externally-bonded FRP reinforcement can be used to
increase the shear capacity of both circular and rectangular
reinforced concrete columns using similar principles to
those outlined earlier for shear strengthening of reinforced
concrete beams. This application of externally-bonded FRP
reinforcement can be particularly useful in seismic upgrade
applications, where increased lateral loads on columns are
induced by horizontal ground motion and must be
considered. Modification of the shear strengthening
procedures outlined earlier is required to account for the
circular shape of columns, although the overall procedures
are very similar. Additional guidance on this topic can be
obtained from ISIS Design Manual No. 4.

St r engt heni ng Li mi t s
Columns are generally strengthened with externally-bonded
FRPs so that they can carry increased dead and/or live loads.
However, the confining effect of an FRP wrap is not
activated until significant radial expansion of the concrete
20
occurs under relatively large deformations. As such, care
must be taken to ensure that sustained loads are kept
sufficiently low so as to prevent failure by creep and
fatigue. More complete design documents (see section 9)
should be consulted for guidance on how sustained loads
should be limited to avoid creep and/or fatigue failure.
Allowable strengthening limits to account for both creep
and fatigue are presented in ISIS Canada Design Manual
No. 4, and the reader is referred to this document for further
guidance.

EXAMPLE 3
Col umn St r engt heni ng by Ex t er nal l y-Bonded FRP Wr ap

Pr obl em:

A circular reinforced concrete column with a factored axial
resistance of 3110 kN is to be strengthened with a carbon
FRP wrap. The axial live load requirement for the column,
P
L
, is 1550 kN, and the axial dead load requirement, P
D
, is
1200 kN, leading to a factored axial load, P
f
, of 4200 kN.
Determine the specifics (# of layers) of the FRP wrap
required if the column dimensions, reinforcement details,
and material properties are as follows:

Unsupported column length, l
u
= 3000 mm
Column diameter, D
g
= 500 mm
Column gross cross-sectional area, A
g
= 196350 mm
2

Area of longitudinal reinforcing steel, A
st
= 2500 mm
2

y
= 400 MPa
Concrete compressive strength, f
c
= 30 MPa
FRP ultimate strength, f
frpu
= 1200 MPa
FRP thickness, t
frp
= 0.3 mm
FRP resistance factor,
frp
= 0.75
Sol ut i on:

1. Check if the column remains short once strengthened.
We use the increased factored load on the column,
P
f
= 4200 kN:

g c f
g
u
A f P
D
'
25 . 6
l

) 350 196 30 ( 000 200 4
25 . 6
500
3000

4 . 7 6 O.K.

2. Compute the confined concrete strength required for the
specified load by rearranging Equation 5-9 with P
f

substituted for P
rmax
:
] ) ( [
'
A f A A f k P + =

( )
s g c
s y s
e
f
cc
A A
A f
k
P
f
1
'

67 . 0 0015 . 0 85 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
81 . 0 30 0015 . 0 85 . 0
1
= =

Thus, the required confined concrete strength to achieve
the required axial strength increase is:

( )( )
( )( )
MPa 4 . 43
2500 350 196 6 . 0 81 . 0
2500 400 85 . 0
85 . 0
10 4.2
6
'
=

=
cc
f

3. Compute the volumetric strength ratio,
w
, based on the
required strength:

447 . 0
1
1
30
43.4
1
'
'
=
=
pc
c
cc
w
f
f

4. Compute the required confinement pressure by
rearranging Equation 5-5:

2
'
c c w
frp
f
f

=
l
( )( )
MPa 02 . 4
2
30 6 . 0 447 . 0
= =

O.K., f
lfrp
> 4 (minimum confinement pressure)

Check the maximum confinement pressure using
Equation 5-8:

21

c
e pc
c
frp
k
f
f
1
2
'
l

( )
65 . 8 6 . 0
85 . 0
1
0 . 1 2
30
=
= O.K.

5. Compute the required number of FRP layers by

frp frpu frp
g frp
b
t f
D f
N
2
l
=

( )
( )( )( )
72 . 3
3 . 0 1200 75 . 0 2
500 02 . 4
= = Take 4 layers

6. Compute the factored axial strength of the FRP-
wrapped column using Equations 5-2, 5-5, 5-4 and 5-9:

MPa 32 . 4
2
= =
g
frp frpu frp b
frp
D
t f N
f

l

48 . 0
2
'
= =
c c
frp
w
f
f
l

( ) MPa 4 . 44 1
' '
= + =
w pc c cc
f f

( ) [ ] kN 4230
'
1 max
= + =
s y s c g cc c e r
A f A A f k P

which is greater than P
f
= 4200 kN O.K.

Thus, 4 layers of the carbon FRP wrap are adequate to
sufficiently increase the axial strength of the column.
The reader should note that there are a number of
additional checks which must be performed in the
actual design of an FRP-wrapped concrete column,
including checks for creep and fatigue limits. ISIS
Design Manual No. 4 provides additional information
in these areas.

Section 6
Spec i f i c at i ons and Qual i t y Cont r ol

Although the strengthening of existing structures using
externally-bonded FRP materials is a relatively simple
technique, the proper installation of the FRPs is essential to
ensure the adequate performance of the repaired structure.
Since the installation procedures differ from one system to
another, appropriate specifications for the external
reinforcement of a specific structure should be clearly
defined. The project specifications should include
requirements to provide a quality assurance plan for the
preparation of the construction site, as well as for the
installation and curing of all FRP material systems. The
following items all require detailed and specific
consideration in any FRP strengthening project:

Spec i f i c at i ons:
approval of FRP materials;
handling and storage of FRP materials;
staff and contractor qualifications;
concrete surface preparation;
installation of FRP systems;
adequate conditions for FRP cure; and
protection and finishing for the FRP system.

Qual i t y Cont r ol and Qual i t y Assur anc e:
material qualification and acceptance;
qualification of contractor personnel;
inspection of concrete substrate;
FRP material inspection; and
testing to ensure as-built condition.

Further guidance in these areas is provided in ISIS Design
Manual No. 4.

22
Section 7
Addi t i onal Appl i c at i ons

Pr est r essed FRP Sheet s
While the flexural strength of a reinforced concrete beam
can be increased by externally bonding an FRP plate or
sheet to its tension face, the FRP material does not
significantly change the behaviour of the beam under
service load levels. This is because the FRP is usually
installed while the beam is under its full dead load (and
maybe even some live load). One way to address this
problem is to apply a tensile prestress to the FRP sheet
before bonding it to the beam. In this manner, the FRP
material is used more efficiently, since it contributes to the
load-bearing capacity under both service and ultimate
conditions. In addition, prestressed FRP sheets can close
existing cracks and delay the formation of new ones, and
can restore prestress to conventionally prestressed concrete
beams that have lost some of their internal prestressing
(from vehicle collision or corrosion, for instance).
Research into the use of prestressed FRP sheets is
ongoing, and this technology, while promising, remains in
its initial stages of development. No further discussion of
this topic is included here.

NSM Tec hni ques
A relatively new class of FRP strengthening techniques for
reinforced concrete structures is referred to as near surface
mounting (NSM). Rather than applying FRP materials to
the exterior of reinforced concrete members, FRP bars,
strips, or plates are inserted into grooves cut into the face of
the member. The grooves are filled with an adhesive or
grout to provide a mechanism for force transfer between the
FRP and the concrete. Research indicates that NSM is an
effective and efficient means of providing additional tensile
or shear reinforcement for concrete members.

Fig. 7-1. An example of near surface mounted (NSM) flexural FRP reinforcement for a concrete beam.

Section 8
Fi el d Appl i c at i ons

The following selected case studies provide examples of
field applications where externally-bonded FRP
reinforcement has been used successfully for repair or
strengthening of concrete structures. Further information on
a variety of additional field applications can be obtained
from the ISIS Canada website (www.isiscanada.com).

Mar yl and Br i dge
The City of Winnipeg implemented a trial application of
carbon fibre reinforced polymer sheets as a first step in
upgrading the shear capacity of the Maryland Street Bridge
in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The twin five-span continuous
precast prestressed concrete structures were designed and
constructed in 1969. However, analysis using current codes
indicated that the shear strength of the I-shaped girders was
not sufficient to withstand today's increased truck loads.
Four girders were strengthened using FRP sheets which
were placed vertically (with a horizontal layer placed across
the top and bottom of the web for anchorage). Horizontal
and vertical strain gauges were applied so that the structure
could be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Unstrengthened
concrete T-beam
Longitudinal grooves
cut into soffit
FRP strips placed
in grooves
Grooves filled with
epoxy grout
23

Fig. 8-1. One of the Maryland Bridges girders after
being strengthened for shear using carbon FRP
sheets. The FRP was subsequently painted to give
it the appearance of concrete.

J ohn Har t Br i dge
In one of the largest strengthening projects of its kind,
carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets have been
used to upgrade the shear capacity of the John Hart Bridge
in Prince George, British Columbia. The bridge required
shear strengthening in order to support heavier truck loads.
It consists of seven simply supported spans with six
prestressed concrete girders per span. The 42 girders are
each 1500 mm deep with a typical I-shaped cross-section.
The girders were strengthened with FRP sheets covering a
four metre length at each end. By strengthening 64 girder
ends, the shear capacity or the bridge was increased by
between 15 and 20 percent. The project was completed in
six weeks, during which time the bridge remained
completely accessible to traffic.

Fig. 8-2. The John Hart bridge after strengthening
for shear using externally-bonded carbon FRP
sheets. Light gray sections are locations where
FRP reinforcement was installed.

Count r y Hi l l Boul evar d Br i dge
In 1996, a material testing program at the University of
Calgary began to review the strengthening effects of carbon
fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips on existing bridge
beams. In 1997, the City of Calgary decided to strengthen
the Country Hills Boulevard Bridge over the Deerfoot Trail
in north-east Calgary.
One of the main problems with the bridge was that its
thin deck would be over-stressed in lateral bending under
truck loading due to the skew angles at the abutments and
pier. Conventional strengthening with the addition of steel
reinforcement would have required breaking the deck into
strips, adding reinforcement, and re-concreting each strip. It
was important to have one lane open at all times during
construction and it was feared that that failure could occur.
To avoid this problem and to strengthen the deck in a non-
destructive way, strengthening with CFRP strips was
chosen.
Carbon FRP strips were installed in eight areas of the
slab found to be in need of strengthening. Strips were
bonded to the top surface of the bridge deck to provide
additional strength in negative bending. Carbon FRP strips
were particularly useful for this application, since the
bridges asphalt wearing surface could be reinstalled over
the strengthening materials.

Fig. 8-3. Strengthening the Country Hills Boulevard
Bridge with externally-bonded carbon FRP strips
for flexure in negative bending.

St e. Emel i e-de-l Ener gi e Br i dge
In 1997, ISIS researchers obtained a contract with the
Ministry of Transportation of Qubec to identify a potential
bridge-strengthening scheme with composite materials, and
to conduct an analytical study of such a repair. The selected
structure was a single-span, simply supported bridge with T-
section, which is characteristic of many bridges currently in
use in Qubec. It would thus be eventually possible to
apply the same strengthening method to other bridges
presenting similar structural deficiencies. In the fall of 1998
the strengthening of the actual reference bridge, the Ste.
Emelie-de-lEnergie Bridge, took place. The bridge was
strengthened in flexure and shear using externally-bonded
FRP reinforcement. Preparation of the site, including curing
of some concrete used in the repair, took three weeks.
Installation of the composites took only five days over a
two-week period.

24

Fig. 8-4. The Ste. Emilie-de-lEnergie bridge before
strengthening with externally-bonded FRP for both
flexure and shear.

Section 9
Ref er enc es and Addi t i onal Gui danc e

Additional information on the use of FRP materials can be obtained in various documents available from ISIS Canada:

ISIS Educational Module 1: Mechanics Examples Incorporating FRP Materials.
ISIS Educational Module 2: An Introduction to FRP Composites for Construction.
ISIS Educational Module 3: An Introduction to FRP-Reinforced Concrete Structures.

Ex t er nal l y-Bonded FRP Syst ems

ISIS Canada 2001. ISIS Design Manual No. 4: Strengthening reinforcing concrete structures with externally-bonded
fiber reinforced polymers. Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures Canada, Winnipeg, MB.
CAN/CSA-S806-02: Design and Construction of Building components with Fibre Reinforced Polymers. Published by
the Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa, ON. 2001.
CAN/CSA-S6-00: Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. Published by the Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa,
ON. 2001.
ACI 2002. ACI 440.2R-02: Guide for the design and construction of externally bonded FRP systems for strengthening
concrete structures. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.

Eval uat i on of Ex i st i ng St r uc t ur es

CSA, 2001. CAN/CSA-S6-00: Canadian highway bridge design code. Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
ACI, 1994. 364.1R-94: Concrete structures prior to rehabilitation. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.

Conc r et e Repai r

CSA, 2000. CAN/CSA-S448.1-93: Repair of reinforced concrete in buildings. Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa,
Ontario.
ACI, 1980. ACI 546.1R-80: Guide for repair of concrete bridge superstructures. American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI.
ACI, 1993. ACI 224.1R-93: Causes, evaluation, and repair of cracks in concrete structures. American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI.

25
Not at i on

A
frp
area of FRP shear reinforcement (mm
2
)
A
g
gross cross-sectional area of the column (mm
2
)
A
st
area of longitudinal tensile or vertical reinforcing steel (mm
2
)
A
s
area of compressive flexural reinforcing steel (mm
2
)
A
v
area of the transverse steel shear reinforcement (mm
2
)
a depth of equivalent rectangular stress block (mm)
b width of cross-section (mm)
b
e
effective width of T-beam cross-section (mm)
b
frp
width of FRP flexural reinforcement (mm)
b
w
width of T-beam web (mm)
C
c
concrete compressive flexural stress resultant (N)
C
s
compression steel flexural stress resultant (N)
c neutral axis depth (mm)
D
g
gross concrete column diameter (mm)
d effective depth of cross-section (mm)
d
frp
effective depth to flexural FRP reinforcement (mm)
E
frp
FRP reinforcement modulus of elasticity (MPa)
E
s
steel reinforcement modulus of elasticity (MPa)
f
c
concrete stress (less than ultimate) (MPa)

f
c
concrete compressive strength (MPa)

f
cc
confined concrete compressive strength (MPa)
f
frp
stress in FRP reinforcement (less than ultimate) (MPa)

f
frpu
ultimate strength of FRP reinforcement (MPa)
f
lfrp
lateral confining pressure exerted by the FRP at ultimate (MPa)
f
s
stress in tensile flexural steel reinforcement (less than yield) (MPa)

f
s
stress in compressive flexural steel reinforcement (less than yield) (MPa)

f
y
yield stress of steel reinforcement (MPa)

h overall depth of cross-section (mm)
h
f
overall depth of T-beam flange (mm)
k
1
FRP effective strain parameter for shear, empirical confinement coefficient
k
2
FRP effective strain parameter for shear
k
e
strength reduction factor for reinforced concrete columns
L span of a beam (mm)
L
e
effective length of a column (mm)
l
u
unsupported length of a member (mm)
26
M
r
moment resistance of a cross-section (Nmm)

M
rf
flange moment resistance of a cross-section (Nmm)
M
rw
web moment resistance of a cross-section (Nmm)
N
b
number of layers of FRP
n
e
number of free ends of an FRP stirrup on one side of the beam
P
f
factored axial load on a column (N)

P
D
axial dead load requirement for a column (N)
P
L
axial live load requirement for a column (N)
P
rmax
factored axial load resistance for an FRP-confined reinforced concrete column (N)
R ratio of effective strain in FRP sheet to its ultimate tensile strain
s spacing of the transverse steel shear reinforcement (mm)
s
frp
spacing of FRP shear reinforcement along the longitudinal axis of the member (mm)
T
frp
FRP tensile flexural stress resultant (N)
T
s
reinforcing steel tensile flexural stress resultant (N)

t
frp
total thickness of FRP reinforcement (mm)
V
c
factored shear resistance attributed to the concrete (N)
V
frp
factored shear resistance attributed to the FRP (N)
V
r
factored shear resistance (N)
V
s
factored shear resistance attributed to the steel reinforcement (N)
w
frp
width of FRP shear reinforcement measured perpendicular to fibres (mm)
reduction coefficient for the effective strain in the FRP
1
ratio of average stress in rectangular compression block to the specified concrete compressive strength
pc
performance coefficient for FRP confined concrete
angle between inclined FRP stirrups and the longitudinal axis of the member
1
ratio of depth of rectangular compression block to depth of the neutral axis
c
strain in concrete
cu
ultimate compressive strain of concrete
frp
strain in FRP reinforcement
frpe
effective strain of FRP reinforcement
frpu
ultimate strain of FRP reinforcement
s
total strain in tension steel reinforcement
s
total strain in compression steel reinforcement
y
yield strain of steel
c
resistance factor for concrete
frp
resistance factor for FRP
s
resistance factor for steel reinforcing bars
1
coefficient for the effective strain in the FRP
27
2
coefficient for the effective strain in the FRP
frp
FRP shear reinforcement ratio
w
volumetric confinement ratio

28
Appendi x A: Suggested Student Assignment

Pr obl em #1:

During the inspection of a deteriorated parking garage it is
determined that a simply-supported singly-reinforced
concrete beam must be able to carry a uniformly distributed
factored load (including self weight) of 25 kN/m. If the
beam has a span of 4.0 metres and has the dimensions and
reinforcement details shown in the accompanying figure,
determine if strengthening the beam in flexure with a single
layer of carbon FRP sheets is sufficient to obtain the
required flexural capacity. The beam is strengthened with
carbon FRP on its soffit. Beam dimensions and
reinforcement details are shown in the accompanying figure.
The material properties are as follows:

Use CSA A23.3
c
= 40 MPa
Internal Steel Reinforcement: 410M bars
y
= 400 MPa
s
= 200 GPa
Carbon FRP thickness, t
frp
= 0.89 mm

CFRP failure strain,
frpu
= 1.26%
CFRP elastic modulus, E
frp
= 78.6 GPa
FRP material resistance factor,
frp
= 0.75

Pr obl em #2:

A reinforced concrete beam is strengthened in shear with
externally-bonded glass FRP U-wraps. The sheets have a
width of 50 mm and are spaced at 75 mm centre-to-centre.
Calculate the factored shear capacity of the section shown
in the accompanying figure. The beam dimensions,
reinforcement details, and material properties are as
follows:

Use CSA A23.3
c
= 40 MPa
y
= 400 MPa; d = 325 mm
y
= 450 MPa, A
v
= 39 mm
2

Stirrup spacing, s
s
= 200 mm c/c
frp
= 1.0 mm
frp
= 50 mm
frp
= 75 mm
frpu
= 2.2%
frp
= 26.1 GPa

130 mm
3
2
0

m
m

410M
3
6
0

m
m

125 mm
111 mm
2

Section A-A
130 mm
3
2
0

m
m

410M
3
6
0

m
m

GFRP
5.0 mm
stirrups
3
0

m
m

Elevation
A
A
C
L
2000 mm
75 mm
50 mm
29
Pr obl em #3:

During the renovation of a concrete building it is
determined that one of the buildings circular spirally-
reinforced concrete columns requires strengthening. It is
subsequently decided to use Glass FRP wraps to increase
the axial load capacity of the column, by wrapping the
column in the circumferential direction. Determine the
number of layers of GFRP wrap that are required to increase
the factored axial load capacity of the column by 15%. The
column dimensions, reinforcement details, and material
properties are as follows:

u
= 2500 mm
Column diameter, D
g
= 450 mm
g
= 159000 mm2
st
= 2500 mm2
y
= 400 MPa
c
= 30 MPa
frpu
= 600 MPa
FRP thickness, t
frp
= 0.1 mm
frp
= 0.75

30
Appendi x B:
Assignment Solutions

Pr obl em #1:

During the inspection of a deteriorated parking garage it is
determined that a simply-supported singly-reinforced
concrete beam must be able to carry a uniformly distributed
factored load (including self weight) of 25 kN/m. If the
beam has a span of 4.0 metres and has the dimensions and
reinforcement details shown in the accompanying figure,
determine if strengthening the beam in flexure with a single
layer of carbon FRP sheets is sufficient to obtain the
required flexural capacity. The beam is strengthened with
carbon FRP on its soffit. Beam dimensions and
reinforcement details are shown in the figure below. The
material properties are as follows:

Use CSA A23.3
c
= 40 MPa
Internal Steel Reinforcement: 410M bars
y
= 400 MPa
s
= 200 GPa
Carbon FRP thickness, t
frp
= 0.89 mm
CFRP failure strain,
frpu
= 1.26%
CFRP elastic modulus, E
frp
= 78.6 GPa
FRP material resistance factor,
frp
= 0.75

Sol ut i on:

1. We assume failure of the beam due to crushing of the
concrete in compression after yielding of the internal
steel reinforcement.
2. Determine
1
and
1
using Equations 4-8 and 4-9:
67 . 0 0015 . 0 85 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
79 . 0 40 0015 . 0 85 . 0
1
= =
67 . 0 0025 . 0 97 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
87 . 0 40 0025 . 0 97 . 0
1
= =
3. Use Equation 4-10 to find the depth of the neutral
axis, c:
A E A f bc f + =
1
'
1

Which gives:
( )( )( )( ) ( ) c 130 87 . 0 40 79 . 0 6 . 0
( )( ) ( ) 100 4 400 85 . 0 =
( )( )

+
c
c 360
0035 . 0 111 00 86 7 75 . 0
where:
c
c h
cu frp

= from strain compatibility (refer to
Fig. 4-5 in EC Module 4). Solving this quadratic equation
gives c = 93.7 mm.
4. Calculate the strain in the FRP,
frp
, and compare it to
the FRP failure strain,
frpu
. For the current analysis, strain
compatibility gives:
=
7 . 93
7 . 93 360
0035 . 0
c
c h
cu frp

0126 . 0 00995 . 0 = < =
frpu

Since
frp
<
frpu
, the assumed failure mode of concrete in
compression is correct and the moment resistance can be
130 mm
3
2
0

m
m

410M
3
6
0

m
m

125 mm
111 mm
2

31
determined. First though, to ensure adequate ductility, we
must check that the reinforcing steel has yielded. Again,
using strain compatibility:
002 . 0 00845 . 0
7 . 93
7 . 93 320
0035 . 0
= > =
=
y
cu s
c
c d

Thus, the steel has yielded and the amount of FRP is
appropriate to avoid sudden failure of the beam in a brittle
manner.
5. The factored moment resistance is obtained from
Eq. 4-13:
=
2 2
a
h A E
a
d A f M

( )( )
( )
( )( )( )
( )
m kN 8 . 58 mm N 58762000
2
7 . 93 87 . 0
360 00995 . 0 111 8600 7 75 . 0
2
7 . 93 87 . 0
320 400 400 85 . 0
= =
=

6. The maximum bending moment for a simply-supported
beam with a span of 4000 mm subjected to a uniformly-
distributed load of 25 kN/m can be determined as:
( )
mm N 10 50
8
4000 25
8
6
2 2
max ,
= = =
wl
M
f

0 . 50 = kNm
< M
r
= 58.8 kNm
Since M
r
> M
f
, strengthening the beam in flexure with a
single layer of carbon FRP sheets is sufficient to obtain
the required flexural capacity.

Pr obl em #2:

A reinforced concrete beam is strengthened in shear with
externally-bonded glass FRP U-wraps. The sheets have a
width of 50 mm and are spaced at 75 mm centre-to-centre.
Calculate the factored shear capacity of the section shown in
the accompanying figure. The beam dimensions,
reinforcement details, and material properties are as follows:

Use CSA A23.3
c
= 40 MPa (normal density)
y
= 400 MPa; d = 325 mm
y
= 450 MPa, A
v
= 39 mm
2

Stirrup spacing, s
s
= 200 mm c/c
frp
= 1.0 mm
frp
= 50 mm
frp
= 75 mm
frpu
= 2.2%
frp
= 26.1 GPa

Section A-A
130 mm
3
2
0

m
m

410M
3
6
0

m
m

GFRP
5.0 mm
stirrups
3
0

m
m

Elevation
A
A
C
L
2000 mm
75 mm
50 mm
32
Sol ut i on:

1. The total shear resistance is calculated as the sum of the
contributions from the steel, V
s
, concrete, V
c
, and FRP, V
frp
.
The shear strength contribution of the concrete is (Equation
4-19):
( ) ( )( )
kN 57 . 31 N 31570
320 130 40 6 . 0 2 . 0
' 2 . 0
= =
=
= d b f V
w c c c

The shear strength contribution of the steel is (Equation 4-
20):
( )( )( )
kN 87 . 23 N 23870
200
320 39 450 85 . 0
= = =
=
s
d A f
V
v y s
s

2. The FRP contribution can now be calculated. First we
compute the FRP effective strain. The area of FRP shear
reinforcement, A
frp
, is:
( )( ) mm 100 50 0 . 1 2 2 = = =
frp frp frp
w t A
The FRP shear reinforcement ratio is (using Eq. 4-25):
( )
% 026 . 1 01026 . 0
75
50

130
0 . 1 2

2
= =

=
frp
frp
w
frp
frp
s
w
b
t

Now, the effective anchorage length is (using Eq. 4-29):
( ) ( )
mm 5 . 69
00 61 2 0 . 1
350 25 350 25
58 . 0 58 . 0
=
= =
frp frp
e
E t
L
3. The effective strain in the FRP,
frpe
, must now be
calculated based on Equations 4-26 to 4-29. The parameters
to account for debonding, k
1
and k
2
, are:
28 . 1
65 . 27
40
65 . 27
3
2
3
2
'
1
=
=
c
f
k
78 . 0
320
) 5 . 69 ( 1 320
2
=
=
frp
e e frp
d
L n d
k
with n
e
= 1 since U-shaped wraps are used. The effective
strain in the FRP can now be calculated as follows:
( )( )( )
0060 . 0
9525
5 . 69 78 . 0 28 . 1 8 . 0
9525
2 1
= =
=
e
frpe
L k k

4. The second limit on the effective strain in the shear
reinforcement must be calculated according to Equations
4-23 to 4-25. The effective-to-ultimate strain ratio, R, is
(Equation 4-24):
( )
( )
225 . 0
00 61 2 0103 . 0
40
23 . 1 8 . 0
47 . 0
3
2
3
2
'
1
2
=
frp frp
c
E
f
R

where the values of 1 and
2
have been taken as those of
aramid FRP. Thus, the effective strain in the FRP is:
( ) 0050 . 0 022 . 0 225 . 0 = = =
frpu frpe
R
For design purposes, we use the smallest limiting value of
the effective strain in the FRP. Thus, we take the smallest
of 0.0040, 0.0050, or 0.0060, so
frpe
= 0.004.
5. The contribution of the FRP to the shear capacity is
(Equation 4-21):
( )
( )( )( ) ( ) ( )
kN 3 . 22 N 22270
75
0 1 320 004 . 0 00 61 2 100 5 . 0
cos sin
= =
+
=
+
=
frp
frp
s
d E A
V

6. The shear resistance of the beam is (Equation 4-18):
kN 8 . 77 3 . 22 9 . 23 6 . 31 = + + =
+ + =
frp s c r
V V V V

7. Finally, the limits for maximum shear strengthening are
checked (Equation 4-31):
d b f V V
w c c c r
'
8 . 0 +
( )( ) ( )( )
. . 57900 1
320 130 40 6 . 0 0 . 1 8 . 0 1600 3 800 7 7
K O =
+

33
And the maximum band spacing limits are verified
(Equation 4-30):
4
d
w s
frp frp
+
mm 180
4
320
100 mm 5 7 =
+ O.K.
Therefore, the shear capacity of the strengthened section
is 74.3 kN.
Pr obl em #3:

During the renovation of a concrete building it is
determined that one of the buildings circular spirally-
reinforced concrete columns requires strengthening. It is
subsequently decided to use Glass FRP wraps to increase
the axial load capacity of the column, by wrapping the
column in the circumferential direction. Determine the
number of layers of GFRP wrap that are required to increase
the factored axial load capacity of the column by 15%. The
column dimensions, reinforcement details, and material
properties are as follows:

u
= 2500 mm
Column diameter, D
g
= 450 mm
g
= 159000 mm2
st
= 2500 mm2
y
= 400 MPa
c
= 30 MPa
frpu
= 600 MPa
FRP thickness, t
frp
= 0.1 mm
frp
= 0.75
Sol ut i on:
1. Determine the unstrengthened factored axial load
capacity of the column (using CSA A23.3). The maximum
factored axial load capacity is given by:
ro r
P P 85 . 0
max
= spirally-reinforced
Where:
( )
st y s st g c c ro
A f A A f P + =
'
1

Thus:
( ) [ ]
( )( )( )( )
( )( )
kN 2639 N 2639000
2500 400 85 . 0
2500 159000 30 6 . 0 8 . 0
85 . 0
85 . 0
'
1 max
= =
+

=
+ =
st y s st g c c r
A f A A f P

Where:
67 . 0 0015 . 0 85 . 0
'
1
=
c
f
81 . 0 30 0015 . 0 85 . 0
1
= =
Therefore, the required strengthened axial capacity is:
( ) 3035 2639 15 . 1 15 . 1
max max,
= = =
r req r
P P kN
2. Check if the column will remain short once strengthened.
We use the increased factored load on the column,
P
f
= 3035 kN:
g c f
g
u
A f P
D
'
25 . 6
l

) 159043 30 ( 10 035 3
25 . 6
450
2500
3

8 . 7 6 . 5 O.K.
3. Compute the confined concrete strength required for the
specified load by rearranging Equation 5-9 with P
f

substituted for P
rmax
:
] ) ( [
'
A f A A f k P + =

( )
s g c
s y s
e
f
cc
A A
A f
k
P
f
1
'

Thus, the required confined concrete strength to achieve the
required axial strength increase is:
( )( )
( )( )
MPa 8 . 35
2500 159043 6 . 0 81 . 0
2500 400 85 . 0
85 . 0
10 035 3
3
'
=

=
cc
f

34
4. Compute the volumetric strength ratio,
w
, based on the
required strength:
192 . 0
1
1
30
35.8
1
'
'
=
=
pc
c
cc
w
f
f

5. Compute the required confinement pressure by
2
'
c c w
frp
f
f

=
l
( )( )
MPa 728 . 1
2
30 6 . 0 192 . 0
= =
But the ISIS design recommendations specify a minimum
confinement pressure of f
lfrp
> 4MPa. Thus, we will assume
a required confinement pressure of 4 MPa.
6. Check the maximum confinement pressure using
Equation 5-8:

c
e pc
c
frp
k
f
f
1
2
'
l

( )
65 . 8 6 . 0
85 . 0
1
0 . 1 2
30
=
= O.K.
7. Compute the required number of FRP layers be
frp frpu frp
g frp
b
t f
D f
N
2
l
=

( )
( )( )( )
0 . 2
0 . 1 600 75 . 0 2
450 0 . 4
= = Take 2 layers
8. Compute the factored axial strength of the FRP-wrapped
column using Equations 5-2, 5-5, 5-4 and 5-9:
( )( )( )( )
MPa 0 . 4
450
0 . 1 600 75 . 0 2 2
2
=
=
=
g
frp frpu frp b
frp
D
t f N
f

l

( )
( )
44 . 0
30 6 . 0
0 . 4 2
2
'
= = =
c c
frp
w
f
f
l

( ) ( ) ( )
MPa 2 . 43
44 . 0 0 . 1 1 30 1
' '
=
+ = + =
w pc c cc
f f

Now, the strengthened factored axial load capacity can be
determined as:
( ) [ ]
( )( )( )
( )( )
kN 3482 N 3482000
2500 400 85 . 0
2500 159043 2 . 43 6 . 0 8 . 0
85 . 0
'
1 max
= =
+

=
+ =
s y s c g cc c e r
A f A A f k P

which is greater than P
f
= 3035 kN O.K.
Thus, 2 layers of the glass FRP wrap are adequate to
sufficiently increase the factored axial strength of the
column.

35
Appendi x C:
Suggested Laboratory

The following laboratory procedure is given as an example
of a reinforced concrete laboratory that can be given in
conjunction with an undergraduate course on reinforced
concrete design and that includes both conventional
reinforcing steel and externally-bonded FRP reinforcement.
Given the wide variety of laboratory and testing facilities
available at various Canadian universities, this laboratory is
given primarily as an example for professors of what can be
done using externally-bonded FRP sheets increase the
impact and student understanding of traditional reinforced
concrete labs.
Inclusion of externally-bonded FRP sheets into
traditional reinforced concrete laboratories is advantageous
for a number of reasons, including:
it introduces students to a new and innovative material
which is gaining acceptance within the reinforced
concrete and infrastructure renewal industries;
it increases student understanding of the fundamental
concepts and assumptions used in reinforced concrete
beam design and analysis;
it forces students to consider and understand important
mechanics concepts such as elasticity, plasticity, and
ductility; and
it exposes students to the state-of-the-art in reinforced
concrete design and repair and thus increases student
enthusiasm for the course content, subsequently, in
many cases, increasing student participation and effort.
The laboratory presented herein suggests the use of
carbon FRP plates, CarboDur (for flexural reinforcement),
and glass FRP sheets, HEX wraps (for anchorage U-wraps),
both manufactured by Sika Corp. It is important to
recognize that the laboratory procedures can be adapted to
include the use of any specific type of externally-bonded
FRP reinforcement, and this specific type of reinforcement
has been used here only as an example.

Caut i on:
FRP Materials

FRPs are linear elastic materials. As such, these materials
do not display the yielding behaviour observed when testing
steel and they provide little warning prior to failure. In
addition, beams which fail in shear or due to FRP rupture or
debonding may fail suddenly and with little warning. It is
extremely important that instructors, students, laboratory
demonstrators, and technical staff be made aware of the
specific failure modes to be expected when testing FRP
materials, and that appropriate safety precautions be
taken in addition to those precautions that are normally
enforced.

36
Conc r et e Beam Labor at or y

OVERVI EW

This laboratory is intended to increase students
understanding of the effects of various amounts of internal
steel and externally-bonded FRP reinforcement on the
flexural and shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beams.
The laboratory consists of the fabrication and testing of five
concrete beams with varying amounts and types of
reinforcement. The laboratory illustrates, at least in part, the
following important concepts:
1. the flexural and shear behaviour of reinforced concrete
beams;
2. under-reinforced versus over-reinforced concrete
beams;
3. the need for adequate anchorage of flexural externally-
bonded FRP sheets to prevent premature peeling
failure;
4. the effect of reinforcement type (internal steel or
externally-bonded FRP) on the load capacity,
deflection, ductility, and failure of reinforced concrete
beams; and
5. the concepts of cracking, yielding, and moment-
curvature.
The class will be divided into five groups, and each
group will be responsible for the fabrication and testing of
one of the five beams. Experimental data obtained during
testing for all beams will be made available to all groups for
use in writing the laboratory report. Each group will submit
one report only, but will comment on the results for all five
beams.

Beam Det ai l s

All beams will be fabricated from concrete with a specified
28-day concrete strength of 35 MPa (compression tests will
be conducted to determine the true 28-day strength of the
concrete). Steel reinforcement will consist of deformed
reinforcing bars with a specified yield strength of 400 MPa.
Flexural FRP reinforcement will consist of carbon FRP
strips with a specified ultimate strength of 2800 MPa and a
tensile elastic modulus of 165 GPa. The five beams to be
tested in this laboratory are:
1. an under-reinforced beam with no externally-bonded
FRP (steel reinforcing bars only);
2. an under-reinforced beam strengthened with a single
CFRP strip bonded to its soffit and no FRP U-wrap for
anchorage of the CFRP;
3. an under-reinforced beam strengthened with a single
CFRP strip bonded to its soffit and with a glass FRP U-
wrap for anchorage of the CFRP;
4. an under-reinforced beam strengthened with two CFRP
strips bonded to its soffit and with a glass FRP U-wrap
for anchorage of the CFRP;
5. an under-strength reinforced concrete beam (a beam
with simulated 50% loss of flexural reinforcement due
to corrosion) strengthened with two CFRP strips
bonded to its soffit and with a glass FRP U-wrap for
anchorage of the CFRP;
Dimensions and reinforcement details of the beams are
given on the following page.

I nst r ument at i on and Test i ng

All beams will be tested in four-point bending to failure, as
shown in the figure below. Strain gauges will be mounted
on the tensile reinforcement, prior to casting the concrete,
and on the concrete compression fibre and the FRP at
midspan. Load, deflection, and reinforcement, concrete
compressive, and FRP strains will be measured and
recorded during testing. Cracking patterns will also be
marked and photographed during testing. Any significant
visual observations will be recorded throughout the tests.

Labor at or y Repor t

The laboratory report should consist of the following:
1. A title page giving the group name and number.
2. An abstract, briefly stating the purpose and procedure
of the lab and the major conclusions drawn.
3. An introduction providing information on the material
properties, beam details, testing setup, instrumentation,
procedures, etc.
4. A calculations and analysis section detailing all
calculations performed for the laboratory. Where a
calculation has been performed more than once only a
sample calculation should be provided. A summary of
theoretical calculations should be presented in tabular
form.
5. An experimental results and discussion section,
summarizing the test results obtained for all beams
tested. This section should include photographs and
plots showing beam behaviour along with a thorough
comparison of theoretical and observed results, and a
comparison of the behaviour of the various beams.
6. A conclusion in which the major points of interest from
the above sections are highlighted. The focus in the
conclusion should be on the consequences of the
observed behaviour on the practical design of FRP-
plated reinforced concrete beams.
7. A list of references. All tests referenced during the
course of the laboratory project should be listed using
an accepted referencing format.

37

3000
50
4
0
0

125
2750
1 CarboDur S
FRP strip
longitudinal

125 300
1 CarboDur S
FRP strip
longitudinal

1 layer Sika HEX
100G U-wrap each
end

50
2 CarboDur S
FRP strips
longitudinal

1 layer Sika HEX
100G U-wrap each
end

2 15M bars
10M stirrups

1 CarboDur S
FRP strip
longitudinal

1 layer Sika HEX
100G U-wrap each
end
BEAM #1

BEAM #2
Identical internal
reinforcement as for
Beam #1

BEAM #3
Identical internal
Beam #1
Identical CFRP details
as for Beam #2

BEAM #4
Identical internal
Beam #1
Identical U-wrap details
as for Beam #2
BEAM #5
Identical stirrup spacing
as for Beam #1
Identical CFRP details as
for Beam #2

200
4
0
0

100
25
100 100
Etc..
2 20M bars
1 15M bar
10M stirrups

30 mm cover
to stirrups

* all dimensions in
millimeters
25
100
1.2
125 300
50
25
125 300
38

CALCULATI ONS AND ANALYSI S

The calculation and analysis section of your report should
include calculations of the following parameters according
to reinforced concrete theory, as presented in class. Each
group should perform the calculations for their specific
beam and then forward their results to all other groups:
1. Issues related to flexural strength:
a. The bending moment at first cracking of the
concrete in tension (cracking moment, M
cr
).
b. The bending moment at an extreme fibre concrete
compressive stress of 0.4f
c
.
c. The nominal (predicted) moment capacity of the
section.
d. The design (ultimate) moment capacity of the beam
according to CSA A23.3-94 for steel-reinforced
beams and according to ISIS Design Manual No. 4
for FRP-reinforced concrete beams.
2. Issues related to strain and deformation:
a. The strain in the reinforcement and in the concrete
compression fibre at first cracking of the concrete
in tension.
b. The strain in the reinforcement and concrete at an
extreme fibre concrete compressive stress of 0.4f
c
.
c. The strain in the reinforcement and concrete
compression fibre at ultimate.
3. Issues related to curvature and deflection:
a. The midspan curvature and deflection at first
cracking of the concrete in tension.
b. The midspan curvature and deflection at twice the
cracking moment, 2 M
cr
.
c. The midspan curvature and deflection at a concrete
compressive stress of 0.4f
c
.
d. The midspan curvature at ultimate.

RESULTS AND DI SCUSSI ON

In addition to presenting, through the use of graphs and
tables, a summary of experimental data obtained for all five
beams, the results and discussion section of each report
should contain, for all five beams, discussions on the
following topics:
1. A comparison of the theoretical calculations versus the
results obtained during testing and a discussion of
discrepancies between theory and observation.
2. Plots showing:
a. Load versus deflection for all 5 beams.
b. Midspan bending moment versus deflection for all
5 beams.
c. Midspan moment versus strain in the reinforcement
for all 5 beams.
d. Midspan moment versus concrete extreme
compression fibre strain.
Each plot should include points showing: the cracking
moment, steel yielding (where applicable), a
compressive fibre concrete stress of 0.4f
c
, a
compressive fibre concrete strain of 0.0035, and the
maximum load/moment. A bar chart should also be
included showing a comparison of the five beams based
on selected important criteria (left to the discretion of
the student). Each plot should be followed by a brief
commentary and discussion.
3. A comparison should be made between the calculated
design ultimate load, the calculated nominal load
capacity, and the observed load capacity for all beams.
What does this imply for the design of actual reinforced
concrete beams in practice?
4. Comment on the respective ductilities displayed by the
various beams tested in this laboratory. What are the
practical implications of your observations with respect
to the design of FRP-strengthened concrete flexural
members?
Students are expected to provide clear and concise
discussions of the above-listed topics and to add additional
commentary and calculations as they see fit. The reports
will be graded in part on the quality of independent thought
and discussion brought to bear on the various concepts
demonstrated in this laboratory, and on the students explicit
recognition of the greater significance of the results
obtained.
1
2
3
5
1000 mm 1000 mm 900 mm
1 Load cell
2 Concrete compression strain gauge
3 Reinforcement strain gauge
4 FRP strain gauge
5 Displacement transducer
4
39

ISIS EC Module 4 - Notes (Student)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISIS EC Module 4 - Notes (Student)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISIS EC Module 4 - Notes (Student)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISIS Educational Module 4:

An I nt r oduc t i on t o FRP St r engt heni ng of

You might also like