Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are extensively used in advanced concrete technology given their superiority over traditional steel reinforcements. These materials possess high strength capacity and corrosion resistance and can be employed as the main reinforcements in combination with adhesives and anchorages to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) beam members. RC beams are designed to provide resistance against flexure, shear, torsion, fatigue, impact, and blast loading. The strength and ductility of RC beams can be improved via FRP strengthening techniques with a combination of fibers. The overall strength of FRP composites in RC beams is controlled by fiber type, configuration, and materials and strengthening technique. This review focuses on the characteristics and behaviors of FRP-strengthened RC beams under various loading conditions. It also presents the typical FRP composites with the properties, features, and applications. This review demonstrates that FRP composites can be used to recover the strength of damaged and corroded beams and exhibit good durability and insulation performance. It also provides a straightforward perspective of strengthening and retrofitting techniques for RC beams using FRP composites.
•FRP possesses high strength to weight ratios, good fatigue properties, high corrosion resistance.•Externally bonded FRP wraps with RC beam reveals amazing performance in shear and torsion carrying capacity.•Fatigue life of FRP strengthened RC beam controlled by the tensile steel and bond between FRP-concrete.•High impact and blast resistance provides by FRP due to its high ductility and absorption capacity.•CFRP strengthening is more advantageous in terms of strength gain and critical environmental conditions.