Abstract:
Reinforced concrete (RC) beams can be strengthened in flexure by bonding fibre reinforced
polymer (FRP) composites to their tension face. This concept is relatively simple as the FRP essentially acts as
an extra layer of reinforcement and superficially the analysis may be assumed to be based on existing RC beam
design principles. The analysis is however considerably more complicated due to premature failure by separation
or debonding of the FRP from the concrete substrate. Practicing engineers in Australia faced with the prospect of
designing FRP strengthening measures for RC beams are forced to select from a host of design guidelines around
the world as no Australian guideline currently exists. This paper will summarise and objectively compare five
commonly consulted design guidelines. It will also unify the design guidelines using a consistent seter notation
and terminology, All design guidelines are found to be based on traditional RC design principles although their
treatment of debonding varies.
