A series of 16 under-reinforced beams was tested to study the effectiveness of external strengthening using fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) plates. Plates of glass, carbon and aramid fibers were bonded to the tension side of the beams using a 2-part epoxy. An interative analytical method was developed to predict the stiffness and maximum strength in bending of the plated beam. Increases in stiffness (over the working load range) from 17 to 99 percent and increases in strength (ultimate) from 40 to 97% were achieved for the beams with FRP plates. Predicted and acutal load-deflection curves showed fairly good agreement, although generally the theoretical curves were stiffer. Experimental failure did not occur in the maximum moment region on many of the beams, despite attempts at end anchorages to postpone local shear failure. The ulltimate loads of the beams that did fail in the maximum region were within about 5% of predicted values.