This course emphasizes the fundamental behavior of FRP strengthened/repaired reinforced concrete structures contributing towards sustainable and resilient civil infrastructure by extending the useful life of existing structures using advanced materials. As appropriate, reference is made to ACI440.2R-08: Guide for the Design and Construction of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures. The course material is applied to a practical strengthening design of a realistic reinforced concrete structure. 3 credit hours

Undergraduate reinforced concrete design (eg CE327 or similar) and structural analysis course (eg CE425 or similar). 

Students will be able to analyze, design and/or assess rational strengthening or repair solutions for existing reinforced concrete structures using FRP materials based on sound fundamental principles. In addition, students will be able to effectively communicate strengthening analysis/design of a realistic reinforced concrete structure in a written report.

Topics will be selected from:

Overview of FRP material: basic material properties; manufacture of FRP products; durability considerations.

Flexural strengthening/repair of beams/slabs: fundamental interface bond-slip behavior; sectional analysis; debonding due to flexure and shear in RC beams/slabs; plate-end debonding; detailing considerations; retrofitting for serviceability; ductility.

Shear strengthening of beams: longitudinal FRP; transverse FRP; debonding mechanism; interaction with internal steel stirrups.

Miscellaneous topics: confinement of columns; introduction to strengthening masonry walls; introduction to strengthening steel beams; life cycle costing/assessment.

Homework:  30%  (approximately one assignment every two weeks)

Project:     30%  (due end of semester)

Final Exam: 40%  (open book)

No text book is required. Class notes and other reference materials will be distributed as required. Communication outside of lectures will be via email.

NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers used for classes. Depending on your computer needs, we recommend your computer meet or exceed the following minimum specifications below.

PCs must have an Intel-compatible 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min.) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system should be Windows XP Pro. Real One Player Basic (available free online) and high speed Internet connection such as cable, DSL, T1 or LAN will be required for EOL courses.

MAC users must have a G4 processor with firewire and USB factory built-in, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB with 1GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system must be MacOS 10.4 (minimum) along with the above RealOne and Internet specifications above.

For more detailed information on computer specifications and recommendations, please refer to our website at: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/currentstudents/computeraccess.htm