Long-term Test Arrangement for Externally Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Elements

Abstract

Methods for external strengthening of concrete use elements of very high tensional strength glued on to its tensioned surface. These elements may be of metal, carbon fibers (CFRP), glass fibers or others, usually having very good mechanical properties. However, these high-strength elements are normally attached to concrete by epoxy resins. Epoxy resins have a low Young`s modulus and therefore a higher rate of creep may have an influence on the long-term behavior of such external strengthening. In order to verify this idea experimentally a special space-saving arrangement of tests is described in this paper. Panels act as loaded beams but simultaneously as a load for the other panels in a stand. The different load magnitude acting on a different layer of panels should make it possible to study the long-term influence of the degree of shear force on the glue creep. Certainly, the glue creep may be dependent on the type of epoxy resin; therefore several epoxy resin types are included in the tests.