Flexural strengthening of structural steel angle sections using CFRP: Experimental investigation

An experimental study on the ultimate load behavior of steel angle sections reinforced with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is described in this paper. An approach of transforming the open-angle section to a closed section is used with CFRP as a means to increase the flexural stiffness and strength. A total of 30 steel angle sections, both CFRP-reinforced and bare steel angle specimens, were tested in 4-point bending. The slenderness ratio (b/t), different CFRP layers, and orientation of CFRP are the parameters included in this work. The failure behavior of CFRP-strengthened angle sections is closely studied for various wrapping configurations. The results indicate a significant increase in stiffness and strength of steel angle sections when appropriate reinforcement pattern and adequate number of CFRP layers are used.