Samenvatting
In order to deal with an increasing degree of damage to reinforced concrete bridges caused by deterioration and traffic loads, there is a need to strengthen bridge structures so that an acceptable safety margin is maintained. The method described in this research project is strengthening using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP). The use of FRP composites is stated to have great potential due to low weight and high strength. The type of construction used consists of either wrapping a fabric mat, impregnated with epoxy and glued to the structure, or bonding a carbon-fibre reinforced plate, 1-2 mm thick, directly to the concrete structure. The article details the increase in load capacity in the beams tested following the strengthening procedure.