Behaviour of precast-prestressed hollow core slabs has been extensively studied when these slabs are subjected to positive bending moments, a practical application typical of hollow core slabs. However, in many projects it may be required to have an overhanging part of the roof to act as a cantilever. In doing so, and using precast-prestressed hollow core slabs, the slabs would be subjected to negative moments, atypical for hollow core slabs. In this paper, the behaviour of precast-prestressed hollow core slabs is experimentally investigated when they are subjected to negative bending moments. A proposed strengthening detail to increase the negative moment resistance of hollow core slabs using bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips is presented. The CFRP strips were bonded to the top side of full-scale precast-prestressed hollow core slabs in the negative moment zone in different configurations. In two of the tested slabs the bond between the prestressing strands and the concrete was initially broken (during casting of the slabs) in the negative moment zone. The slabs with the bonded CFRP strips were tested to failure and the load-deflection behaviour was recorded. The results of the tests are presented and the strength enhancement of the hollow core slabs using the proposed technique is reported. The increase in the negative moment resistance of the CFRP-bonded hollow core slabs experimentally determined is also compared with the CSA-S806-02 prediction for the moment resistance of concrete elements with bonded CFRP strips.
