An experimental study on reinforced concrete one-way slabs strengthened by various methods and materials
is introduced in this paper. Innovative anchorage procedures are presented and evaluated to prevent the strengthen‑
ing elements with FRP system from de-bonding at the initial stages. Externally bonded embedded in concrete cover
(EBECC) strengthening technology was proposed to save the fber strips from being subjected to heat, degradation,
and sabotage. Nine RC one-way slabs, including a control slab and eight strengthened slabs, were cast. One RC slab
was strengthened using externally bonded embedded in concrete cover (EBECC), whereas the other tested RC slabs
were strengthened using either externally bonded (EB) or near-surface mounted (NSM) procedures. The following test
variables are used in this study: the proposed anchors, the area of steel, the kind of material utilized in NSM rods (car‑
bon fber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fber reinforced polymer (GFRP), and steel), and the strengthening scheme.
The ultimate and initial cracking loads, load–deformation response, cracking patterns, and failure behavior were
recorded and discussed. Additionally, a comparison of the stifness, ductility, and energy absorption of the examined
slabs was reported. The strengthened slabs by various techniques showed a boost in fexural strength that varied
from 67 to 107% compared to the control slab. In addition, RC slabs strengthened by NSM-CFRP bars showed a maxi‑
mum fexural capacity when compared with slabs strengthened by GFRP and steel bars. Also, the results supported
the superiority of a novel end anchorage. The ABAQUS program was employed to conduct a fnite element analysis
(FEA) employing 3-D geometries to compare and assess the numerical performance of the identical slabs under simi‑
lar test settings. The results showed good agreement between the experimental and numerical fndings. |
