Abstract
This paper presents preliminary results of a research program on the feasibility of using Carbon/Epoxy Laminates for Repair and Upgraded of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. The experimental program focused on studying the behavior of two-way reinforced concrete slabs repaired and externally reinforced with carbon /epoxy laminates. Unlike the majority of the previous research work, a uniformly distributed pressure was used in loading the large- scale slab specimens. In this program, three 105'' (8 3/4 ft) x 105'' (8 3/4 ft) x 3'' concrete slabs were tested. No steel reinforcements were used in fabricating the test specimens, except for a light steel fabric layer to avoid crack during transporting the slab specimens from the forms to the testing rig. The average 28-day concrete compressive strength for all specimens was about 3,000 psi. Five concrete cylinders were tested after seven days and at the same day of each test to determine this average. The load was applied using a specially designed pressure fixture. In this loading regime, the uniform pressure is applied to the bottom surface of the slab (top surface is in tension) via a high-pressure water bag. Load/deflection, and stress/strain curves were generated and modes of failures were recorded. Test results indicated that the load carrying capacity of the cracked slab specimen was increased about 400% by adding the external carbon /epoxy laminates. In all the tests, no catastrophic failure was observed. The paper will include discussion, conclusions and recommendations for future research.