RESEARCH ON THE NEW CFRP PRESTRESSING SYSTEM FOR STRENGTHENING OF RC STRUCTURES

The paper presents a research on the new Polish CFRP prestressing system for strengthening of reinforced concrete structures. The system is called Neoxe Prestressing System II (NPS II). NPS II consists of two main elements: a special steel anchorages mounted on both ends of a single CFRP strip and a tensioning device. The anchorage is made of two steel plates. CFRP strip end is fixed between steel plates through bonding by epoxy resin and gripping by bolts. The tensioning device compatible with anchorages can generate maximum prestressing force of 170 kN. The research on NPS II comprised a series of static and fatigue tests on anchorages themselves, system mounted on strengthened beams as well as on-site, i.e. on actual RC bridge. The system has been examined, its efficiency has been confirmed in laboratory and in field tests and now it is ready to use in strengthening purposes.