Experimental analysis of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with EBR-CFRP sheets under indoor and outdoor environment

The present work is based on the experimental analysis of reinforced concrete beams strengthened CFRP sheets applied according to the EBR technique when maintained in a laboratory environment or exposed to weathering. In addition, the intervening materials were also exposed to the same environmental conditions as the beams. The results indicate that the weather-exposed epoxy adhesives presented reductions in mechanical properties, while the CFRP composite properties remained similar after exposure. The tests conducted after 6 and 27 months showed a 6.4 and 10.1% reduction in the load-carrying capacity of the strengthened beams kept in a laboratory environment or exposed to weathering, respectively.