Durability and long-term performance of concrete structural elements strengthened with FRP sheets

This research presents the results of an experimental and analytical study on the performance of concrete cylinders and beams wrapped with Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composite. Concrete beams were divided into two groups: control and exposed to saline environments. The beams were reinforced and tested for bending. The concrete cylinders were divided into three groups: control, exposed to saline environments and exposed to low temperatures. The confined and unconfined cylinders were loaded in uniaxial compression. The FRP reinforcement significantly improved the mechanical properties of the specimens and the condition environments studied did not produce changes in the mechanical properties of FRP composites.; An analytical model was developed to predict the compressive stress versus axial and lateral strains behavior of confined concrete cylinders with FRP composite sheets. Results obtained by the analytical model compare satisfactorily with the experimental data and with those obtained by other investigators.