Slabs
Slabs
Carbon or Glass FRP are very effective in repair and strengthening of slabs and decks. FRP can be designed to increase the live load capacity of the slab or restore the original capacity that has been reduced by corrosion of reinforcing steel. Depending on the project conditions, strengthening can be achieved by applying the FRP to the top or bottom surface of the slab. We have also developed solutions for increasing the punching shear capacity of slabs around columns. Another common application of FRP is to reinforce the areas around an opening that may have to be cut in a slab (e.g. for stairways, etc.).
Thin sheets of FRP with a thickness of approximately 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) can be applied similar to wallpaper to strengthen the slab. These materials cure within a day and reach a tensile strength three times that of steel. QuakeWrap engineers will determine the number and orientation of fibers in each layer of the FRP fabric and will provide sealed engineering drawings for such repairs.
Features & Benefits
Advantages of FRP for strengthening slabs include:
- Increases flexural strength for both positive and negative moment regions in the slab
- Increases slab stiffness and reduced deflection at service loads
- Reduces crack width for enhanced durability
- Covering a fraction of the slab surface with FRP may be sufficient for strengthening the entire
- slab The 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) thick FRP can be easily hidden under floor coverings
- FRP can serve as waterproofing membrane as well
- No reduction in overhead clearance is caused by application of FRP (e.g. in parking garages)
- Lower cost for FRP compared to strengthening with conventional methods