Evaluation of CFRP, GFRP and BFRP material systems for the strengthening of RC slabs

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of CFRP, GFRP and BFRP materials on the strengthening of reinforced concrete slabs. RC slab specimens were tested on a steel frame with four supporting edges. They were centrally loaded with the actuator of an MTS through a steel plate. The strengthening capacity and the failure mode of slabs strengthened with different material systems were determined and compared. A finite element model (using ANSYS program) was used for predicting the failure process of slabs strengthened with different material systems. The predicted and experimental results are in good agreement.