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ABSTRACT
The use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel plate (SP) for rehabilitation and strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) elements is structurally effective and comparatively economical. The knowledge of strengthening existing structural elements has shown meaningful progress. However, the optimal adhesive layer thickness for enhanced strengthening effects remains a gap in the literature. The purpose of this study is to investigate, model, and optimize adhesive layer thickness for enhanced performance of externally bonded (EB) CFRP and SP beams. Two hundred and seven model concrete beams were produced. Each beam had a crosssection of 100 x 150 mm and a length of 1100 mm and was reinforced internally with two flexural reinforcements of 10 mm in diameter, two hanger reinforcements of 8 mm in diameter, and a 6 mm-diameter shear reinforcement spaced at 220 mm. Two hundred and four beams were strengthened externally with 200 g/m2 and 300 g/m2 of CFRP and 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm thick mild steel plate with four different levels of bond thickness, such as 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm. Three of the beams were not strengthened and were considered benchmarks. The beams were subjected to a one-third point load application to examine the deformation and the load carrying capacity. Mathematical models were also developed to predict the failure load, CFRP fabric contributions to shear, and bending strengths.
