Abstract

This paper exemplifies the results of shear transfer capacity and modes of failure of the precracked Reinforced Concrete (RC) push-off specimens bonded externally with bi-directional Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Fabrics.  External strengthening with Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) fabrics is an evergreen technique for improving the structural performance and life span of the existing reinforced concrete structures.  An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effectiveness of CFRP as an external reinforcement.  The bi-directional CFRP fabrics were applied using two-component epoxy.  The push-off specimens were cast and reinforced by varying the amount of internal shear reinforcement across the shear plane.  The tests were performed with pre-existing crack along the shear plane of the push-off specimens prior to the application of direct shear load.  The shear stress enhancement of the strengthened push-off specimens varies in the range of 7% to 56% over the unstrengthened push-off specimens. 

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