This paper presents the efficacy of a new technique of fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) for the strengthening of shear deficient reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This technique involves embedding the FRCM composites in the concrete cover and is referred to as “near surface embedded” FRCM (NSE-FRCM) technique. Five (5) medium scale rectangular RC beams of width × depth × length of 150 × 330 × 2100 mm were constructed and tested under displacement controlled with three-point loading. One beam was kept unstrengthen as a control specimen whereas the other four beams were strengthened with different types and configurations of the NSE-FRCM system. The test parameters were: (a) geometric configuration (intermittent strips of NSE-FRCM versus full NSE-FRCM plate), and (b) fabric types (carbon versus glass fabrics). The test results indicated that the NSE-FRCM technique can successfully be used to significantly enhance the shear capacity of the strengthened beams. The strengthened specimens exhibited an average enhancement in the shear capacity of 62% over the unstrengthen beam. The full NSE-FRCM plate showed higher enhancement in the shear strength compared to that for the intermittent NSE-FRCM configuration. Moreover, the specimens strengthened with carbon FRCM showed higher shear capacity compared to that with glass FRCM counterparts.
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