Structures often require strengthening due to changing functions, increased loads, or updated building standards. Historical buildings may also need reinforcement without altering their design. Sika offers proven systems for enhancing bending, shear, and seismic resistance in concrete, steel, wood, and masonry structures, ensuring long-term durability.
Structural Strengthening Products and Systems
Structural Strengthening Methods
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Plates
- Prefabricated Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Plates
For strengthening of concrete substrates, prefabricated CFRP plates can be externally bonded or near surface-mounted. Sika offers a wide range of carbon FRP plates in different dimensions and varying E-moduli.
- L-shape Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Plates
Shear capacity of concrete beams can be increased by externally applying CFRP strengthening systems. Sika provides unique L-shape CFRP plates for effective anchorage of stirrup forces in concrete compressive zones.
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Post-tensioning Systems
Post-tensioned systems are effective for control of structural cracks and deflections and to increase fatigue resistance and seismic resistance. Sika provides a unique system based on post-tensioned CFRP plates.
Learn more about CFRP rods and plates
Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Fabrics
- Externally applied fabrics can be used to increase flexural, shear, axial or seismic resistance of structures. Sika offers various fabric systems, based on different types of materials for specific needs and cost-optimized strengthening.
FAQ's
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) is a lightweight, high-performance material used to strengthen existing structures. Sika CFRP systems include prefabricated carbon fibre plates and rods that can be externally bonded or installed using near-surface mounting techniques. CFRP strengthening can be used for applications such as flexural and shear strengthening of concrete beams, slabs and other structural elements.
Yes. CFRP strengthening systems can be used for different structural applications, including increasing the flexural capacity of concrete beams and slabs, improving shear capacity and strengthening columns through confinement. Sika offers CFRP plates, rods and fabric-based systems designed for different strengthening requirements and substrate conditions.
FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) fabric systems combine woven or stitched, unidirectional carbon or glass fibres with impregnating resins. They can be used for a range of structural strengthening applications, including column confinement, shear strengthening, seismic upgrading and strengthening of weak concrete, masonry, natural stone and timber structures.
The appropriate structural strengthening system depends on factors such as the existing structure, required increase in load capacity, type of structural element, strengthening objective, substrate condition and installation requirements. Sika offers CFRP plates and rods, FRP fabric systems, as well as specialised solutions for shear, seismic and pre-stressed strengthening. Structural strengthening should be designed and specified by a suitably qualified structural engineer using the appropriate design requirements and system information.
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) is a lightweight, high-performance material used to strengthen existing structures. Sika CFRP systems include prefabricated carbon fibre plates and rods that can be externally bonded or installed using near-surface mounting techniques. CFRP strengthening can be used for applications such as flexural and shear strengthening of concrete beams, slabs and other structural elements.
Structural strengthening may be required when a structure needs to support increased loads, undergoes structural modifications, requires improved bending or shear capacity, or needs upgrading to meet changing design or building requirements. Strengthening can also be used for seismic upgrading and the rehabilitation of existing structures.
Structural strengthening involves improving the load-carrying capacity, performance or durability of an existing structure. It may be required when building use changes, loads increase, structures are modified, building standards are updated or existing structural elements need reinforcement. Sika offers structural strengthening solutions for concrete, steel, wood and masonry structures.