Experimental Study of a New Strengthening Technique of RC Beams Using Prestressed NSM CFRP Bars

The reinforcement of structural elements subjected to bending with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) located on the underside of the element to be reinforced (known as near surface mounted or NSM) is an effective technique that provides environmentally sustainable solutions in the field of civil engineering. Introducing preloads on the reinforcing elements allows us to maximize the high performance of CFRPs, besides recovering deformations. A new technique to perform the pre-stressing of CFRP bars in NSM configuration is described in this paper. The technique introduces the preload on the rods after they have been placed in the grooves, and with a system that acts and reacts against the beam itself. We also present the results of a testing campaign conducted to determine the effectiveness of said technique. Breakage of the control beams (without reinforcement) was ductile, while breakage of reinforced beams was explosive. Pre-stressing the reinforcing elements allowed us to increase the bearing capacity of the beams 170% compared to the control beams, also resulting in an increase in the rigidity of the reinforced elements and a decreased cracking of the beam. The results however are only slightly better than those of a conventional CFRP NSM reinforcement, due to the appearance of cavities in the groove where the adhesive didn’t manage to penetrate.