Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study on flexural capacity of large size RC slabs strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) plates. A total of 5 specimens of 6.0m length were tested in four point bending after strengthening them with externally bonded CFRP plates. The CFRP plates were bonded without prestress and with two prestress levels, 0.4% and 0.6% of CFRP plate strain. Test variables included the type of strengthening, prestressing level, and the effects according to each test variables are analysed. The experimental results show that proposed methods can increase significantly the flexural capacity such as strength, stiffness of the beam and the increase ranged between 36.2% and 63.2% of the load-carrying capacity of the control beams. The non-prestressed specimen failed by separation of the plate from the beam due to premature debonding while most of the prestressed specimens failed by CFRP plate fracture. And the cracking loads and maximum loads were increased proportionally to the prestress level.