Performance of Thermally Insulated Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Near-Surface Mounted-Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Strips under Elevated Temperature

This paper investigated the performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) smooth and rough strips using cement based adhesive and insulated with plasterboards for protection the beams subjected to high temperature. An experimental work was carried out on ten large scale RC strengthened beams and strengthened insulated beams. The experimental program subject the strengthened beams to high temperature degrees up to 600 °C in electric furnace and observe changes after beams been heated. Results showed that the plasterboards provided excellent protection and decreased the CFRP temperature of about 42-24%. The insulated beams behaved as good as that of strengthened beams prior to expose to 600°C.