Concrete slab strengthened with FRP composites: strains & cracks
The reinforced concrete slabs were investigated in laboratory conditions in mechanical four-point bending tests. Some slabs were strengthened with FRP material to analyse this solution’s effectiveness. However, the application of FRP prevented visual inspection of cracks. That is why all the slabs were equipped with distributed optical fibre strain sensors placed in-between the concrete and the strengthening material, which allowed for the detection of all cracks invisible to the naked eye.
DFOS Sensors Installed: Optical fibre in acrylate coating
Project challenges
Benefits of using the DFOS monitoring system
Results of using the DFOS monitoring system
One of the research goals was to compare structural behaviour (including crack morphology) of concrete slabs with and without FRP strengthening. DFOS strain sensors installed within the structural connection allowed to complete this task successfully. The figure below shows the example strain profile and corresponding cracks detected during mechanical bending tests.
Example results
Recomendations (optional)
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John Doe
Project partner
