The last two decades observed a noticeable increase in using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) laminates as alternative material for strengthening and rehabilitation of structures. In many occasions, it is required to splice multiple layers of the FRP composite for flexural, shear strengthening or for column confinement. The relatively low bond/shear strength of adjacent FRP layers usually necessitates long lap splices. When there is limited space to provide the required lap splice length, mechanical anchoring might be used to prevent debonding or delamination between the FRP layers. The use of mechanical anchors, while necessary, complicates FRP installation and cannot guarantee the required ductility when FRP is used for seismic retrofitting. This article reports an experimental investigation conducted to examine the significance of using Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) on the shear behavior of the FRP lap splice. In this study, CNTs are dispersed in epoxy and are then used to fabricate an FRP lap splice. The FRP lap splice was then tested in a double lap shear test. Various loadings of functionalized CNTs (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) by weight of epoxy adhesive were tested to failure. The results show that CNTs can increase lap shear strength by 50% and provide an increase in strain capacity and toughness of the lap splice for more than 300%. The use of CNTs can significantly shorten FRP lap splice which might be attractive in seismic retrofit applications.
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