8

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 GENERAL

Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) reinforcement plays a very

important role in the retrofitting and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete
(RC) structural elements as an external reinforcements. Recent
developments in these fields are widespread. Several investigators carried out
experimental and/ or theoretical investigations on concrete beams and
columns retrofitted with carbon/glass fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP, GFRP,
and HYBRID) composites in order to study their effectiveness. Many
practical applications worldwide now confirm that the technique of bonding
FRP laminates or plates to external surfaces is a technically sound and
practically efficient method of strengthening and upgrading of reinforced
concrete load-bearing members that are structurally inadequate, damaged or
deteriorated. Of all the materials used as external plate reinforcement, carbon
fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP)
composite materials have found special favour with engineers and applicators
because of their many advantages. After that over a period of time some
researchers started doing their work on Hybrid FRP (combined layer of CFRP
and GFRP fibres).

2.2 STATE OF ART OF THE WORK

Some of the significant research works carried out several

researchers on RCC beams and columns for the past several decades using
CFRP, GFRP, and Hybrid FRP are discussed below.
 9

2.2.1 Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapping on RCC beam

Alessandra Aprile et al (2001), found that RCC beams strengthened

by steel plates showed a ductile response, mainly due to yielding of the
strengthening plate. The RCC beams strengthened by CFRP plates showed a
brittle response, as the response was dominated by the elastic behaviour of the
plate.

Omar Ahmed et al (2001), has proposed design formulae to predict

the strength of Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) strengthened beams,
particularly when premature failure through laminates-end shear or concrete
cover delamination occurs. The technique of externally bonded CFRP
laminates achieved considerable strengthening efficiency, particularly in case
of smaller un-sheeted length and adequate strengthening ratios. The
predictions using the proposed formulae were compared with the
experimental results, as well as with the calculated design limit states.

Francesco Bencardino et al (2002), conducted an experimental

investigation of reinforced concrete beams strengthened in flexure and shear
using externally epoxy bonded bidirectional carbon fibre fabric to overcome
the bond slip and plate separation at the ends. In conclusion that the results
reported herein show that CF fabrics can provide an effective and efficient
alternative to laminates strengthening existing concrete structures.

Rania AI-Ham et al (2006) investigated on flexural behaviour of

corroded steel reinforced concrete beams under repeated loading. This
investigation was carried out on thirty beams of sizes 152x254x2000mm
repaired with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. The authors
reported that repairing with CFRP sheets increased the fatigue capacity of the
beams with corroded steel reinforcement beyond that of the control
unrepaired beams with un-corroded steel reinforcement. Beams repaired with
 10

CFRP at a medium corrosion level and then further corroded to a high

corrosion level before testing had a comparable fatigue performance to those
that were repaired and tested after corroding directly to a high corrosion level.

Christopher (2006) established that several common beliefs related

to deboning failure in FRP strengthened concrete beams are not correct.
Specifically, for plate end de-bonding, a physically sound failure criterion
should not be based on elastic stresses. When de-bonding initiates form a
crack at the middle of the beam, the drastic decrease of de-bonding stress with
plate thickness, predicted by existing models, is not found in real specimens.

Abdelhak Bousselham and Omar Chaallal (2006), made an

experimental investigation on the behaviour of reinforced concrete T-beams
retrofitted in shear with externally bonded CFRP composite. The authors
concluded that the shear capacity gain due to the CFRP was greater for deep
specimens than for slender specimens.

Carlos and Maria (2006), conducted an experiment and found

numerical results validated against experimental data obtained from 19 beams
strengthened with different types of FRP. They derived the numerical
simulations and which indicates that the concrete tensile strength does not
constitute the unique failure criterion for predicting plate debonding failure of
strengthened RC beams.

Hedong Niu and Zhishen Wu (2006), analysed the effect of

interface bond properties on the performance of FRP-strengthened reinforced
concrete (RC) beams in terms of concrete cracking, interface stress transfer,
and failure mechanisms using nonlinear fracture mechanics based finite
element analyses. They concluded that, low stiffness may be helpful to
distribute more uniform stresses in both steel and FRP sheets, which may help
 11

to relieve local stress concentrations and reduce the likelihood of debonding

in practice.

Tamer EI Maaddawy et al (2007) presented results of an

experimental study designed to evaluate the performance of reinforced
concrete beams repaired with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) Sheets
under corrosive environmental conditions. The authors concluded that the
deflection capacity of the beams decreased as corrosion progressed after
repair. The deflection capacity of the repaired beams was on an average
approximately 45% lower than that of the control beam.

Joseph Robert Yost et al (2007) conducted an investigation on

twelve full scale concrete beams strengthened with NSM (Near-Surface-
Mounted) carbon FRP (CFRP) strips to examine the parameters of steel and
FRP reinforcement ratios. They concluded that, there was a measurable
increase in yield and ultimate strengths; predictable nominal strengths and
failure modes; and effective force transfer between the CFRP, epoxy grout,
and surrounding concrete, also, strengthening with CFRP resulted in a
decrease in both energy ductility and defection ductility.

Barros et al (2007) investigated experimentally the efficacies of the

near surface mounted (NSM) and externally bonded reinforcing (EBR)
techniques for the flexural and shear strengthening of reinforced concrete
(RC) beams. They concluded that the CFRP shear strengthening systems
applied in their work increased significantly the shear resistance of concrete
beam. For the flexural strengthening, the NSM technique was the most
effective, but the difference between the efficiency of NSM and EBR
techniques decreased with the increase of the longitudinal equivalent
reinforcement ratio.
 12

Byong (2008) highlighted the effect of using epoxy mortar patch

end anchorages on the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams
strengthened with carbon Fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. The test
results show that the premature debonding failure in RC beams strengthened
with CFRP sheets can be delayed or prevented by using epoxy mortar patch
end anchorages, thereby enhancing flexural performance. They proved that
the mortar patch anchorage used in their experimental study was very
effective in delaying or preventing the premature debonding failure, that is the
dominant failure mode for beams conventionally strengthened with CFRP.

Mahmut Ekenel and John (2009) proved that, fatigue resistance of

RC beams is improved by strengthening with CFRP fabrics. The increase in
stiffness of the CFRP control beam was approximately two times that of the
un strengthened beam. All CFRP-strengthened beams survived fatigue testing
of 2 million cycles. Delaminations significantly decreased the stiffness of the
CFRP-strengthened beams, the average decrease being 15% relative to
specimens without defects.

Sarah Orton and James (2009) conducted an experiment to study

the Strengthening of the negative moment region and were able to reach the
required load to resist progressive collapse by forcing hinging to occur at
locations of greater rotational ductility and were able to use far less CFRP
material. The flexural strengthening scheme was able to achieve the required
load to resist progressive collapse at a low level of displacement, but required
a much greater amount of CFRP. It was found that a strategy to provide
continuity of reinforcement in a concrete beam using CFRP can be successful
but may or may not be sufficient to limit progressive collapse.

Balamuralikrishnan et al (2009) conducted an experimental study

on beams to evaluate the performance of RCC beams bonded with single and
double layer CFRP fabric at the soffit of the beam under static and cyclic
 13

loading. The authors concluded that CFRP fabric properly bonded to the
tension face of RC beams can enhance the flexural strength substantially. The
strengthened beams exhibit an increase in flexural strength of 18 to 20 percent
for single layer and 40 to45 percent for two layers both static and
compression cyclic loading respectively. Minimum two layers of CFRP fabric
should be bonded to get the desired results. The strengthened beams with one
layer and two layers, exhibit 20 % and 45% increase in flexural strength when
compared to the control specimen.

Yasmeen Taleb Obaidat (2010) investigated the behaviour of

structurally damaged full-scale reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with
CFRP laminates in shear or in flexure experimentally. The main variables
considered by them were the internal reinforcement ratio, position of
retrofitting and the length of CFRP. The experimental results indicates that
beams retrofitted in shear and flexure by using CFRP laminates are
structurally efficient and are restored to stiffness and strength values nearly
equal to or greater than these of the control beams. They found that the
efficiency of the strengthening technique by CFRP in flexure varied
depending of the length. The main failure mode in the experimental work was
plate debonding in retrofitted beams.

Balasubramanian et al (2010) presented an experiment on Beam

Column joint to study the effect of spacing of stirrups and effectiveness of
CFRP wraps in increasing the load caring capacity. He concluded that, there
was only a marginal increase in the load capacity of the RC beam-column
joint specimens, as the stirrup spacing is decreased from 200 mm to 100 mm
and reduction in the joint capacity as the axial load is increased from 15% to
45% on the columns in the case of the stirrup spacing of 200mm.The beam
column joint specimens with stirrup spacing as per IS 456:2000 failed in the
joint portion with extensive cracking and spalling of concrete in the joint
 14

region. The CFRP wrapping of the beam column joint specimens enhanced
the load carrying capacity of the joint by 25-30% over the stirrups spacing
200 and 15-25% over stirrups spacing 100 series for the three axial loads
investigated. The enhancement in the energy absorption capacity of the
wrapped specimens was in the range 28-39% over stirrups spacing 200 series
and 19-34% over stirrups spacing 100.The repaired and wrapped specimens
showed an increase of nearly 66-72% in the load capacity over the control
stirrups spacing 200 specimens.

Nadeem et al (2010) presented the results of experimental study

made on beams wrapped with CFRP and their test results clearly indicated
that flexural strength can be substantially improved by externally bonding the
CFRP sheets to the tension face of under-reinforced RC Beams. However, the
percentage increase is dependent of steel reinforcement ratio. There is no
universally accepted definition of structural ductility. In order to develop a
rational and meaningful concept of ductility that may be applied to all
structural materials, a reference base is required. The yield point of internal
steel provides a very objective reference point to define ductility. However, it
is the unique yield plateau of the stress-strain curve of steel which impart the
structural member an ability to sustain load while undergoing large
deformations. This is not that case when the reinforcing medium is fibre
reinforced polymer (FRP), or a mixture of steel and FRP, as in the case of
FRP sheet bonded RC beams, following expression was used to calculate the
ductility index of control and CFRP strengthened beams:

Mid-span deflection at peak load

Ductility index =
Mid-span deflection at tension steel yield .. (2.1)

Shihy et al (2010) reported that, strengthening of composite beams

and concrete slab strengthened with CFRP sheets increased the load carrying
 15

capacity of the beam by 15%. This increase is related to the thickness of the
CFRP sheet; doubling the sheet thickness increased the ultimate capacity of
the beams to 21%.The load carrying capacity of the flexure strengthened
beams with corrugated sheet predicted by the experimental data is higher than
that of the control beams by 12%. The ductility of strengthened beams has a
range of 2.4 to 2.5 compared to 3.5 for the control beam. The low ductility of
strengthened beam indicates that addition of CFRP as reinforcement greatly
reduces the deforming ability at the ultimate stage of loading.

Murat Tanarslan et al (2010) concluded that the CFRP composites

have no ductility as a material and this could lead to undesirable brittle failure
in the strengthened elements. Specimens were also heavily damaged.
However, ductility of 1.04 to 1.99 was obtained from the repaired and
strengthened specimens. It was not possible to state that the CFRP
strengthened RC beams behaved in a ductile way, but the result achieved
were still attractive.

Ysmeen Taleb Obaidat et al (2011) presented the results of the

experimental study conducted to investigate the behaviour of structurally
damaged full-scale reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with CFRP
laminates in shear or in flexure. The main variables considered were the
internal reinforcement ratio, position of retrofitting and the length of CFRP.
The stiffness of the CFRP-retrofitted beams had increased compared to that of
the control beams. Employing externally bonded CFRP plates resulted in an
increase in maximum load. The increase in maximum load of the retrofitted
specimens reached values of about 23% for retrofitting in shear and between
7% and 33% for retrofitting in flexure. More over retrofitting shifts the mode
of failure to be brittle. The results showed that the main failure mode was
plate debonding which reduced the efficiency of retrofitting.
 16

Karim Benzarti et al (2011) studied the durability of the adhesive

bond between concrete and carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP)
strengthening systems has been investigated under accelerated ageing
conditions. Humid ageing causes a progressive and significant decrease in the
pull-off strength of the bonded interfaces for CFS and CFRP strengthened
specimens prepared form non carbonated concrete slabs. Epoxy adhesives
used for the bonding exhibited a decrease in mechanical strength during
humid ageing, as well as pronounced elasto-plastic behaviour.

Itaru NIshizakia et al (2011) conducted an experiment to investigate

the durability of the bond between carbon fibre sheet reinforcement and
concrete. They concluded that the pull-off adhesive strength slightly
decreased after 14 years of exposure, but the residual values still indicated
quite good adhesive properties. Further they proved that, the slight decrease in
pull- off strength dose not necessarily indicate a change in the properties of
the bond between Carbon fibre sheet and concrete. As regards specimens
immersed in water, pull- off results was in few cases consistent with the peel
characterizations, showing significant evolutions in the strength and failure
mode. For most specimens, the two methods provided divergent trends. In the
end, this study suggested that the peel test could be relevant for evaluating the
durability of the bond between CF sheet and concrete, while the
representativeness of the pull-off test remains a matter of discussion.

Maia Antonietta Aiello and Luciano Ombres (2011) presented

experimental and theoretical studies on the structural behaviour of RC
continues beams strengthened with CFRP laminates and concluded that
adequate strengthening configurations allow the obtainment of significant
percentages of moment redistribution. For analyzed beams, the percentage of
moment redistribution reaches 20%. A modified ductility index has been
introduced to take the softening behaviour of the strengthened beams into
 17

account. The obtained values of this index show that beams can also be
attained by an adequate reinforcement configuration; The performed analysis
shows that the redistribution phenomenon occurs at different loading levels
not only at the ultimate load, because of the influence of the cracking
evolution. That occurrence could be taken into account at the design stage be
defining appropriate permissible limits of redistribution.

Rania AI-Hammoud et al (2011) investigated the flexural

behaviour of thirty numbers of (152x254x2000mm) corroded steel
reinforcement beams repaired with CFRP sheets under repeated loading. They
concluded that, repairing with a double flexural CFRP sheet at a high
corrosion level increased the flexural fatigue capacity of corroded beams by
42% at 50000 cycles and 17% at 750000 cycles compared to the corroded
beams. Further the found that there was no difference in strength between
repairing the beams with a single layer and a double layer of CFRP sheets.
When severely cracked beams were repaired with FRP, their life was
extended by about 10 times, suggesting that beams in service could be
effectively rehabilitated using FRP. High-modulus FRP sheets have excellent
tensile and fatigue strength properties but little global ductility.

Ferrier et al (2011) developed a model for evaluation of the beams

mechanical properties under fatigue loading. The result showed that with a
suitable anchorage length and fatigue loads applied on the strengthened beams
the composite improves the fatigue behaviour of RC beams. With a load
corresponding to 84% of the carrying capacity of a RC beam, the fatigue
behaviour of the beam is improved. Further the results for the larger beams
show that the overall behaviour of RC beams is improved with the use of
external FRP strengthening: a better fatigue behaviour is obtained, with a 40%
increase in the service load.
 18

Noel and Gardner (2011), Compared codel provision regard to

span/thickness limits of ACI 318-08, CSA 23.3-04, BS 8110-97, AS 3600-
2009, Euro code 2(2004), ACI Committee 435 revisions and the author
concludes that incremental deflection after construction of partitions and
finishes is more critical than immediate deflection. There is also general
agreement that the limiting incremental deflections are span /500 for brittle
partitions, otherwise, span /250. For purpose of calculating the incremental
deflections, they have given a suggestion that the service load be calculated
from the equation, Service load= D + L, where 0.4 for offices, apartments,
etc., and 0.8 for storage, which is a compromise between the provision of BS
8110-97 and AS 3600-2009.

Halil Sezen et al (2011) conducted an experimental evaluation of

axial behaviour of strengthened circular RC Columns and they concluded
that, concrete jacketing with WWF reinforcement and FRP Wraps increased
the axial strength of the un retrofitted or base column by up to 140%, but both
methods resulted in brittle failure immediately after the maximum axial
capacity was reached. Since FRP dose not increase the original column size,
the axial strength increase is primarily attributable to additional confinement
provided for the existing concrete. FRP composite strips were less effective
and ruptured earlier than the full length FRP Wraps.

2.2.2 Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapping on RCC Beam

Balasubramanaian et al (2007), evaluated the performance of the

CFRP/GFRP wraps used for retrofitting of the beams and columns and
concluded that, the performance of the RC beams was found to have
improved after retrofitting using FRP wrapping. But the performance of both
CFRP and GFRP were almost similar. In case of the shear strengthening, the
RC beams provided with CFRP wrap along the entire span was found to be
better among the various methods of carbon fibre wrap that were investigated.
 19

For RC columns retrofitted with single layer of CFRP/GFRP wrap, peak load,
maximum strains as well as ductility index were higher than the control RC
columns for both the lateral tie spacing.

Sing-ping Chiew et al (2007), presented an experimental and

numerical study for flexural behaviour of RCC beams strengthened with
GFRP and concluded that by bonding GFRP laminates to the tension face of
flexural RC beams; both strength and stiffness of the beams can be increased.
The strengthening ratio increases linearly with the increase of the axial
rigidity of the external GFRP laminates. The interfacial shear stress
concentration due to the cut off effect is less significant than that caused by
flexural cracking. Debonding failure occur when the interfacial bond in the
shear span is fully utilized. All the strengthened beams fail by de-bonding of
GFRP laminates.

Pannirselvam et al (2008), presented a General Regression Neural

network(GRNN) based computational model for Predicting the yield load,
ultimate load, yield deflection, ultimate deflection, deflection ductility and
energy ductility of such beams. The results showed that strength of GFRP
plated beams was higher than corresponding unplated beams. The yield
strength increased by a maximum of 76.49% and 11.78% for 3mm thick and
5mm thick CFRP plating respectively. The maximum deflection levels
achieved by the FFRP plated beams were to 10.71% and 34.67% higher for
3mm and 5 mm thick GFRP plating, when compared to the unplated reference
beams. The ductility values of plated beams increased by a maximum of
38.61 and 141.63% for 3 and 5mm thick GFRP plating respectively.

Tan et al (2009) carryout an analytical and experimental

investigation on glass FRP-strengthened RC beams under the combined effect
of sustained loading and tropical weathering. They concluded that FRP-
strengthened RC beams under sustained loads exhibited larger deflections and
 20

crack widths, when subjected to tropical weathering at the same time. They
showed smaller deflections and crack widths when strengthened with a higher
FRP reinforcement ratio. Both the strength and ductility of beams under
sustained loads decreased with the longer weathering periods.

Kim et al (2010) presented a design orientated conclusions are

deduced from the experimental, analytical and parametric studies. Anchors in
GFRP-reinforced GFRC behave and exhibit a pull-out mode of failure as
expected form steel or FRP-reinforced plain concrete. The pull-out resistance
in GFRP is slightly greater in GFRC than in plain concrete. The flexural
capacity and deformations of GFRP-reinforced GFRC elements can be
predicted by FEA provided the tensile properties of the GFRC are determined
and modelled correctly.

Jadhav and Shiyekar (2011) carried out experimental studies, to

investigate the effect of length, width and number of layers of glass fibre
reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips applied to the tension side of the RC Beam.
The authors concluded that, the beam strengthened with different width and
number of layers of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips exhibited
relatively good ductile behaviour. However it showed same load at yielding of
steel. This was because the glass fibre reinforced polymer had higher initial
stiffness. Hence, it contributed to strengthening more effectively. The load
carrying of the strengthened beams increased by 7% to 35% when compared
to the control beam.

2.2.3 Hybrid Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapping on RCC Beam

Maria Antonietta Aiello et al (2002) analyses to study the structural

behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with hybrid fibre-reinforced polymer
(FRP)-steel reinforcements. They observed from the experiment that the
increase of stiffness is more evident for beams reinforced with FRP rebars
 21

placed near the outer surface of the tensile zone and steel rebars placed at the
inner level of the tensile zone.

Abdelhady Hosny et al (2006), made an elaborate study on the

behaviour of RC beams strengthened with hybrid fibre reinforced polymer
(HFRP) laminates. They observed that use of CFRP and GFRP laminates for
strengthening RC T-beam is an effective method to increase its ultimate load
carrying capacity and using a combination of CFRP and GFRP laminates is an
effective method to enhance the ductility of the strengthened beams.

Robert Ravi and Prince Arulraj (2010) reported the Experimental

investigations carried out on the control and retrofitted Beam- column joint
specimens using GFRP- CFRP /CFRP-GFRP Hybrid wrapping. They
concluded that the load carrying capacity of the reinforced concrete beam-
column joint specimen retrofitted with GFRP-CFRP sheet was found to be
19.5% and 25% for specimen retrofitted with CFRP-GFRP sheet than the
control specimens. The energy absorption capacity of the reinforced concrete
beam –column joint specimen retrofitted with GFRP-CFRP Sheet was found
to be 24.2% and that of specimen retrofitted with CFRP-GFRP Sheet was
31.1% than control specimens.

Khaled Galal and Amir Mofidi (2009) examined the effectiveness

of a new FRP sheet/ductile anchor system for increasing the flexural capacity
and ductility of RC beams. They mainly concluded that the presence of
Hybrid FRP / ductile anchorage in the externally bonded CFRP system
prevented early peel off of the CFRP sheet, which enhanced the T-beam
strength and ductility. The ultimate load of the T- beam strengthened with
externally bonded CFRP along with hybrid FRP/ ductile anchorage was about
27% higher than that the control T-beam, whereas the midspan deflection at
ultimate load was 19 % lower than that of the control.
 22

Dond-Uk Choi et al (2011) conducted a analytical and experimental

study consists of material, structural, and bond tests, as well as the evaluation
of the ACI 440 and ISIS documents and concluded that, the volumetric ratio
between GF and CF needs to be (6.8/1) or greater to promote pseudo-ductile
behaviour. The beams were strengthened using hybrid FRP sheets with
carbon-to-glass ratio of (8.8/1) and exhibited higher peak loads than the un
strengthened beams by approximately 20%, sustained peak loads without
degradation after the peak, and demonstrated pseudo-ductile behaviour. The
maximum absolute amount of hybrid sheets to ensure ductile behaviour of RC
beam needs to be considered. The specimen with two plies of the hybrid
sheets (HF-2ply) had a hybrid FRP amount of approximately 75% of the
maximum. The effective bond length of the tested hybrid FRP sheet was
approximately 8 in. (200 mm), and the bond shear stress capacity between the
hybrid FRP sheet and concrete was on the order of 3 MPa (430 psi),
Comparable to that between the carbon FRP sheet and concrete.

Ferrier et al (2011) examined the damage behaviour of FRP-

strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) Structures subjected to fatigue loading.
Based on the research, two design force-strain relationships were proposed for
hybrid carbon-glass FRP sheets, with and without consideration of hybrid
effects. The specimen with two plies of the hybrid sheets (HF-2ply) had a
hybrid FRP amount of approximately 75% of the maximum. The effective
bond length of the tested hybrid FRP sheet was approximately 8 in. (200
mm), and the bond shear stress capacity between the hybrid FRP sheet and
concrete was on the order of 3 MPa (430 psi), Comparable to that between the
carbon FRP sheet and concrete.

Zakari Hossain et al (2011) evaluated the flexural behaviour and

the effectiveness of carbon fibre in thin Cement Composites. They found that,
the addition of small amount of Carbon fibre not only increased the bearing
 23

Capacity of cement Composites but also significantly improved the Ductility

and Young’s moduli of Mortar matrix. It has been demonstrated that the
Maximum load was recorded at the deflection of nearly 0.5mm (0.019 in)-
0.7mm (0.027 in) and the Post-Crack load Deflection Performances of
Cement Composite were enhanced by mixing the Varying Lengths of fibre.
Among the three Categories of Fibre Tested in this Study, the dimensional
hybrids of carbon Fibre appeared to be more effective than the individual
ones.

2.2.4 Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapping on RCC Column

Luke et al (2005) presented an experimental study of full –scale fire

endurance tests on circular FRP wrapped and insulated reinforced concrete
columns and they concluded that insulation system described herein is an
effective protection system to maintain the overall load –carrying capacity of
FRP- wrapped reinforced concrete columns during fire. The insulation
remained intact for more than 5 hours of exposure to the ASTME 119 fire. It
is possible, with the requisite thickness of the insulation to maintain the
temperature of FRP wrap below 100 C to 4 hours during exposure to the
standard fire.

Mohamed El Gawady et al (2006), conducted an experiment to

asses the cyclic performance of RC column using CFRP jackets and
concluded that CFRP and steel jacketing altered the model of Failure from lap
splice failure and /or flexural failure to low-cycle fatigue rupture of the
longitudinal bars. Damage in all the retrofitted specimens was concentrated in
the gap between the jacket and the column base. The retrofitted columns were
able to sustain their lateral strength to displace ductility levels that were 1.1 to
1.4 times the ductility levels attained by the as-built specimens.
 24

Wilkins Aquino and Neil (2007), evaluated the feasibility of using

carbon composites to restore the seismic effectiveness of corrosion-damaged
reinforced concrete bridge columns with inadequate length lap-spliced
reinforcement at their base and subjected to severe environmental conditions.
Columns retrofitted with carbon composites, and having well consolidated
repair concrete had maximum load and ductility capacities exceeding those of
a control column, which simulated the original as-built condition.

Kumar et al (2007) established that retrofitting of previously

damaged columns with CFRP jackets resulted in improvements in strength
and ductility. The level of improvement, however, would be dependent on the
damage experienced by the column prior to retrofitting. High axial load
resulted inconsiderable reduction in the ductility and energy dissipation
capacity of the columns, with the work index indicative of energy dissipation
capacity being the worst affected parameter; and ductility improvement in
square columns with lap splices as a result of CFRP retrofitting were
significantly lower than that for comparable circular columns due to more
efficient confinement mechanism in circular shapes. The CFRP retrofitting
technique was found to be effective in enhancing the seismic resistance of the
columns and resulted in more stable hysteresis cures with lower stiffness and
strength degradations as compared with the un retrofitted columns.

Wikins Aqino et al (2007) established that advanced composite

materials (ACMs) are a viable alternative for the repair and seismic upgrading
of corroded columns. Columns retrofitted properly with carbon composite
(CFRP) wraps had load and ductility capacities matching or exceeding those
expected for an undamaged seismically designed column. Load and ductility
capacities exceeded those of an undamaged control specimen with an
inadequate length lap splice at the column to foundation beam connection.
 25

The use of external currents is feasible for inducing corrosion in large-scale

laboratory tests.

Alper llki et al (2008) presented an experimental study on CFRP

jacketed low and medium strength circular, square, and rectangular reinforced
concrete columns with or without sufficient transverse reinforcement, and
concluded that CFRP Jackets increased the compressive strength and
corresponding axial strain of the column with circular, square, and rectangular
cross sections. While the strength enhancement was more pronounced for
circular cross sections, deformability enhancement was more for square and
rectangular cross section both for the cases of low and medium strength
concrete. CFRP jackets prevented buckling of longitudinal bars and
maintained the dual confinement effect provided together with internal
transverse bars, as well as preventing spalling of cover concrete.

Mohsen et al (2009) conducted an experiment on 55 numbers of

150mm diameter with varying height circular reinforced concrete column
tested under axial loading. The authors concluded that externally bonded
CFRP sheets were very effective in enhancing the axial strength and
deformation Capacity of concrete Column. The failure mode of the confined
RC columns was sudden in the form of CFRP sheet fracture at the mid height
of the specimen followed by the fracturing of the lateral reinforcement and
buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement. In the unconfined columns, the
failure mode was also sudden due to the column failure of the lateral
reinforcement and the outer concrete by buckling of the longitudinal
reinforcement. The influence of the number of CFRP layer on the ductility,
confinement effectives, and ultimate load improvement percentage is
significant.The concept of ductility is related to the ability of a structural
member to sustain inelastic deflection without substantial decrease in the load
carrying capacity. In RC column the ductility was an important issue due to
 26

their brittle failure mode increase in ductility is directly related to the increase
in the number of layers of CFRP sheets

Mathai et al (2010) presented an experimental and analytical

investigation conducted to assess the behaviour of beam –column wrapped
with GFRP. One specimen without GFRP wrapping and three specimens with
2,4 and 6 layers of GFRP wrapping. The authors found that, the Specimen
jacketed with 6 Layers of GFRP had the highest load carrying capacity of
38% and increased ductility of 68% compared with the specimen without
GFRP wrapping. Ductility is the property which allows the structures to
undergo large deflection without loosing its strength. Ductility is quantified
by ductility factor, which is the ratio of displacement at failure stage to the
displacement at yield point. At higher levels of lateral displacement, the
energy absorbed by the beam –column wrapped with GFRP was much higher
than the beam-column without GFRP wrapping

Mare Quiertant and Jean- Luc Clement (2011) established that,

depending on the CFRP Strengthening system (type of material and bonding
process), significant increase in deformability and strength can be achieved
for column under combined flexural compressive loading. The maximum
strength enhancement was characterized by a ratio of 1.30. Deformation
capacity and ductility improvement was more distinctive than the gains in
strength.

Varma and Jangid (2011), investigated the residual strength

properties of FRP strengthened concrete cylinders, when subjected to elevated
temperatures and they concluded that, the external strengthening of concrete
structures, particularly columns, and provides much enhanced load carrying
capacity to the extent of about 94% compared to the bare columns. FRP loses
its entire confining strength at about 400o C and needs insulation. The FRP is
 27

a fairly good heat insulator and multiple layers will be effective even at higher
temperature

Yaqub (2011), experimentally investigated the post repair

compressive performance of post- heated reinforced concrete square columns
warred with a single layer of unidirectional GFRP or CFRP tested under axial
Compression. The sudden and explosive nature of the failure indicates the
release of a significant amount of energy as a result of the uniform confining
stress provided by the fibre jacket due to rounding of the square corners.
Indicating a more brittle failure in the carbon fibre reinforced polymer. It can
be seen from fig that the values of axial strains at the ultimate loads were
significantly lower in the unheated columns Compared to the post heated
columns. The failure of GFRP or CFRP wrapped post heated columns took
Ductility of columns. This could be attributed to the fibre reinforced Polymer
laminate providing confinement to the micro cracked post- heated concrete
resulting in an increase in the columns load carrying capacity with a higher
value of axial strain and lateral strain. GFRP and CFRP jackets provide
effective confinement near ultimate conditions and could be used to enhance
the strength and ductility of fire damaged reinforced concrete square columns.

2.2.5 Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapping on RCC Column

Muhammad and Shamim (2005) evaluated the effectiveness of

glass Fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) wraps in strengthening deficient and
repairing damaged square concrete columns. Concluded square concrete
columns externally retrofitted by GFRP wraps and tested under axial
compression and cyclic loading, simulating seismic loads, showed
pronounced un retrofitted columns. Higher ductility and improved seismic
performance can be achieved by retrofitting damaged square concrete
columns with GFRP jackets.
 28

Kumutha et al (2007) conducted an experiment to evaluate the

effectiveness of external GFRP strengthening for rectangular concrete
columns to evaluate the effect of number of GFRP layers on the ultimate load
and ductility of confined concrete. Effective confinement with GFRP
composite sheets resulted in improving the compressive strength. better
confinement was achieved when the number of layers of GFRP wrap was
increased, resulting in enhanced load carrying capacity of the column, in
addition to the improvement of the ductility.

Gian Piero Lignola et al (2007) reported a study on seven hollow

square cross section concrete columns and found that, failure of hollow
members is strongly affected by the occurrence of premature mechanisms
(Compressed bars buckling and concrete cover spalling). The FRP
Confinement allows delaying these mechanisms, thus resulting in strength
improvements and significant ductility increases. The strength improvements
were more relevant in the case of specimens loads were eccentricity, whereas
the ductility improvements were more relevant in the case of bigger
eccentricity. The Ductility increases have been estimated through the
comparison of curvature ductility index and specific energy, the analysis of
curvature ductility indexes evidenced remarkable improvement of the seismic
response of the wrapped columns; after peak load carrying capabilities, which
was good energy dissipation.

Nagaradjane et al (2007) conducted an experiment on the plain

concrete cylinders of 150mm diameter that was cast using M30 grade
concrete out of which five specimens were wrapped with GFRP and it was
found that the increment in strength due to the application of GFRP wraps
ranged from 39.49% to 56.20%. Strengthening of Compression member using
GFRP wraps contributed very much to the increase in load carrying capacity
of columns. GFRP wrapping resulted in increase of axial strain capacity from
 29

93.33% to 412.33% and lateral strain capacity from 785.68% to

1442.42%.Compared to the control specimen, GFRP confined specimen
exhibited higher axial and lateral strains at ultimate condition and lower axial
and lateral strains before failure. The application of GFRP confinement
contributed to the increase in compressive strength as well as ultimate strain
levels in the specimens. The improvement in strain capacity is more
pronounced than that in strength.

Yu-fei Wu et al (2008), made an attempt to find a new method of

retrofitting Square/ rectangular RC Column by embedding reinforcement bars
into the plastic hinge zone of the column. The author demonstrated that this
method was effective in delaying the concrete deterioration and in preventing
buckling of longitudinal reinforcement, and hence, is effective in increasing
the ductility and energy dissipation of the retrofitting columns.

Gnanasekaran Kaliyaperumal and Amlan Kumar Sengupta (2009)

conducted an experimental investigation on column specimens to study the
strength and they concluded that the retrofitted specimens did not show any
visible de-lamination between the existing concrete by motorized wire brush
was found to be satisfactory for the type of tests conducted. The moment
capacities of the retrofitted column specimens were substantially more than
those of the existing columns. This increase in capacities could be predicted
by analysis. The retrofitted beam -column- joint sub -assemblage specimens
showed substantial increase in lateral strength, ductility (i.e., energy
absorption) and energy dissipation.

Eid et al (2009) presented a test program that was designed to study

the behaviour of small-and large-scale normal and high strength concrete
circular column confined with transverse steel reinforcement, FRP, and both
transverse steel reinforcement and FRP under concentric loading. The test
results showed that the enhancement of the confined concrete strength and
 30

strain was more pronounced in specimens with normal –strength concrete. It

is also shown that the rupture of the FRP in the specimens with higher
volumetric transverse steel reinforcement ratios corresponding to larger axial
compressive strength and strain, the post peak behaviour of these specimens is
more ductile.

Cui and Sheikh (2010) conducted an experiment on wrapped

columns and concluded that, strength enhancement effectiveness appears to
be independent of the amount of FRP when high modulus FRP is applied.
There is a minimum amount of FRP required to achieve strength
enhancement. This minimum requirement increases with unconfined concrete
strength and decreases with stiffness of FRP. Energy absorption capacity of
the specimens increased proportionally with the number of FRP layers and
was more pronounced for lower strength concretes. With the increase of the
concrete Strength, the energy absorption capacity decreased. The ductility
factor of confined concrete increased in proportion to the rupture strain of the
FRP jacket.

Antonio De Luca and Antonio Nanni (2011) analytically studied

the single parameter methodology for the prediction of the stress-strain
behaviour of FRP confined RC square columns and concluded that,
transverse/ diagonal dilation ratio -axial strain curves are influenced not only
by the modulus of elasticity and the thickness of the jacket but also by the
fibre type. However, it is believed that the validity of the theoretical
framework is independent from the fibre type.

2.5.6 Aramid Fibre Reinforced Polymer

Han Liang Wu et al (2009) studied the properties of high –strength

concrete (HSC) circular columns confined by Aramid Fibre Reinforced
Polymer (AFRP) sheets under axial compression. It was demonstrated that the
 31

strength and ductility of the column with continuous AFRP wrapping

increased greatly, whereas the strength of the column with discontinuous
AFRP wrapping also increased, but the ductility not always increased notably.
The Compressive strength of the confined concrete columns improved as the
number of AFRP layers increased due confinement provided by continuous
AFRP wrapping. The improvement in compressive strength attributed to
AFRP sheet was greater when the concrete strength was lower.

2.6 NEED FOR PRESENT INVESTIGATION

In the past, research works have been carried out by researchers

with regard to the effect of FRP wrappings for a particular type of wrapping
and loading conditions. Not much work has been carried out in a single work
to find the effectiveness of CFRP, GFRP and Hybrid FRP wrapping for
different span to depth Ratios (L/D) of beams and height to least lateral
dimension (H/D) ratio of columns. Such a research shall lead to valuable
findings and comparative values.

2.7 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH

The main objectives of the Research are

I. To study the effect of FRP wrapping (CFRP,GFRP and

Hybrid FRP) in retrofitting and rehabilitating RC beams for
different span to depth ratios to service load level in
comparison with control beams.

II. To study the effect of FRP wrapping (CFRP,GFRP and

Hybrid FRP) in retrofitting and rehabilitating RC beams for
different span to depth ratios to ultimate load level in
comparison with control beams.
 32

III. To study the effect of FRP wrapping (CFRP,GFRP and

Hybrid FRP) in retrofitting and rehabilitating RC beams for
different span to depth ratios to ultimate load level in
comparison with control beams under cyclic loading.

IV. To study the effect of FRP wrapping (CFRP,GFRP and

Hybrid FRP) in retrofitting and rehabilitating RC columns for
different H/D ratios to ultimate load level in comparison with
control columns under uni -axial compression.

V. To study the effect of FRP Strip wrapping (CFRP,GFRP and

Hybrid FRP) in retrofitting and rehabilitating RC Columns for
different H/D ratios to ultimate load level in comparison with
control columns under uni axial compression.

2.8 METHODOLOGY

The following methodologies are adopted for beams and column

for this investigation

2.8.1 Beams

i) Control beams were tested to service load, ultimate load and

ultimate load level under cyclic loading.

ii) Control beams were retrofitted with CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID

FRP wrapping and tested to service load level.

iii) Control beams loaded to service level were rehabilitated with

CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID FRP wrapping and tested to service
load level.
 33

iv) Control beams were retrofitted with CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID

FRP wrapping and tested to ultimate load level.

v) Control beams loaded to ultimate level were rehabilitated with

CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID FRP wrapping and tested to ultimate
load level.

vi) Control beams were retrofitted with CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID

FRP wrapping and tested to ultimate load level under cyclic
loading.

vii) Control beams loaded to ultimate level were rehabilitated with

CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID FRP wrapping and tested to ultimate
load level under cyclic loading.

2.8.2 Columns

1) Control columns were tested to ultimate load level under uni-

axial compression.

2) Control columns were retrofitted with CFRP, GFRP,

HYBRID FRP wrapping and tested to ultimate load level
under uni-axial compression.

3) Control columns loaded to ultimate level were rehabilitated

with CFRP, GFRP, HYBRID FRP wrapping and tested to
ultimate load level under uni-axial compression.

4) Control columns were retrofitted with CFRP, GFRP,

HYBRID FRP Strip wrapping and tested to ultimate load
level under uni-axial compression.