Anchored response tailored prestressed CFRP strengthening – preliminary long-term and temperature investigations

Novel Fiber Reinforcement Polymers (FRP) systems hold significant potential for future strengthening of existing structures; however, such systems may also add complexity to the structural assessment. Material properties and structural interaction can cause response deviation compared to conventional structures, affecting both SLS and ULS. The latter can be influenced significantly, as new and extended number of failure modes and complex interfacial interaction must be considered. A novel ductile prestressing Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Polymer (CFRP) strengthening system was designed to limit failure modes and provide a tailored ductile response. The paper describes some historical results, including several steps to provide such improvements. These are supplemented by recent indicational performance, fatigue- and temperature anchor test results additionally included. The anchor system seems excellent for controlling the strengthening utilization, response, and ductility. The system resisted the fatigue exposure in all tests. Exposure of the anchored CFRP prestressing system to cycles from 90°C to 8°C for 12 hours at each temperature limit did not seem to affect the anchorage resistance and stability, where only small temperature-generated deformations were measured.