EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF RC COLUMNS STRENGTHENED WITH GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER (GFRP) SHEETS

The main aim of the project work is to improve the load carrying capacity if the column by strapping the Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer by using Epoxy. Already many experimental research works is carried by wrapping the Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer in Columns and Beam. But the main problem in fully wrapping the column and beam will make the crack to invisible, due to this failure modes can’t be identified in early stage. So, to avoid this, strapping method is suggested. And also from the results, the load carrying capacity of the column will be increase up to 15% in strapping of GFRP in column, which is significant increase of load carrying capacity of column. And also the materials used are reduced in strapping method, while compared with fully wrapped column. This makes the strapping method as cost effective also.