Near surface mounted (NSM) is a technique that has been used to increase the
flexural and the shear resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The performance of the
NSM for the flexural strengthening of RC beams and slabs was already well proved, from research
to case-studies. However, the influence of some variables that govern the effectiveness of
the NSM, such is the case of the distance between consecutive bars, the reinforcement ratio of
existing longitudinal steel bars, the relative position between longitudinal steel and FRP bars,
the concrete strength class, and the type and layer thickness of the adhesive is still not well understood.
Strengthening procedures need also some improvements in order to increase the effectiveness
of this technique. These topics are discussed in the present work, based on the research
already done. Specific issues that need extra and deep research are addressed.National Science Foundation(13-05-04-FDR-00031