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In this paper, the results of laboratory tests and numerical analyses of thin-walled beams
strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are presented. In particular, tensile
tests of the steel and carbon fiber Sikar CarboDurr S tapes were conducted. Full scale laboratory
tests included six sigma beams, each 140 mm high, 3 m long and with a wall thickness
of 2.5 mm. The laboratory specimens were assumed as simply supported, single-span beams
subjected to a uniformly distributed load. Four of the tested beams were reinforced with carbon
fiber tapes, and the other two were not reinforced and were considered as reference beams.
Numerical models of the considered beams were developed in the Abaqus program and subjected
to validation and verification based on laboratory results. In the paper, special attention
is paid to the evaluation of the possibility of increasing the critical load capacity while simultaneously
limiting displacements of the beams by appropriate positioning of CFRP tape. The
work completes with comparative analysis and conclusions.
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