Structural behavior of RC beams strengthened using fiber‐reinforced polymer U‐jackets.

The study aims to identify flexural behavior of RC beams strengthened using three different fiber‐reinforced polymers (FRPs) with differential cross‐sections configuration (i.e., middle and support sections). The experimental and calculations results of strengthening methods for RC beams were investigated utilizing FRPs under flexural loading. The strengthening FRP materials (CFRP, AFRP, and GFRP) were externally attached to the surface of the samples with U‐wrapped shape at the three different regions of the beams. The experimental results were compared with the fiber polymer systems of the American Concrete Institute according to the ACI 440.2R‐08 standards. The results demonstrated that RC‐9 specimen reinforced using AFRP exhibited higher load capacity performance than the others. The RC beams strengthened at both middle and support area exhibited more ductile behavior, which depends on the failure mode. Less crack formation was seen in the RC‐10 beams reinforced with AFRP, both in the middle and in the support area, compared with reference sample. The experiment revealed that FRP U‐jackets could be a promotive alternative to improve structural performance greatly and provide reliable and suitable solutions for sustainable buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]