Experimental analysis of increasing flexural strength capacity of concrete beam reinforced carbon fibre polymer (CFRP)

The objective of the current investigation is to assess the feasibility of including carbon fibre polymer (CFRP) in concrete components with a view to enhancing their flexural load-carrying capacity. In recent years, the application of external carbon fibre strips has attracted considerable attention due to the numerous advantages associated with these materials. The present investigation employed unidirectional carbon fibres to improve the flexural capacity of concrete beams. The specimens were designed to have a compressive strength within the range of 40 MPa with a constant water-cement ratio of 0.52 w/c. The study involved a total of 30 prism beams, each with dimensions of 100 × 100 × 500 mm, divided into different categories. These groups contained reference samples that were reinforced with various carbon fibre strips covering percentages from 30% to 100%. The results exhibited a significant increase in the flexural load capacity when compared to unreinforced concrete beams with CFRP. This indicates an increase in the length of coverage, which has the opportunity to result in a proportionate enhancement in flexural strength. for the purpose of strengthening their flexural strength for the structural rehabilitation elements that are subjected to flexural stress.