Strengthening and repair of RC beams with fiber reinforced concrete

The use of a jacket made of fiber reinforced concrete with tensile hardening behavior for strengthening RC beams is investigated by means of full-scale tests on 4.55 m long beams. A 40 mm jacket of this material was directly applied to the beam surface. Both the strengthening and the repair of RC beams were studied. In particular, in the latter case the beam was initially damaged and eventually repaired. A numerical analysis is also performed in order to better understand the reinforcement behavior. The experimental and numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique both at ultimate and serviceability limit states.     

Flexural behaviour of RC beams in fibre reinforced concrete

Even though a number of research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) in improving the structural response of RC members under different loading conditions, some concerns recently arose on the sectional ductility under flexure which can be reduced under specific conditions. In fact, fibres do not significantly increase the ultimate moment of RC members and, with rather tough FRC and low strain-hardening ratio of the longitudinal rebars, the rotation capacity can substantially decrease owing to a cracking localization at ultimate limit state.This paper focuses on this topic with a number of experimental results on full-scale FRC beams tested under flexure.Experimental results evidence that fibres, when provided in sufficient amount, are able to move the beam failure from concrete crushing to steel rupture. Under certain circumstances, the overall ductility, measured in terms of displacements, may decrease.On the other hand, in all cases the addition of fibres determines a stiffer and in general enhanced post-cracking behaviour in service conditions.     

Flexural behaviour of RC beams in fibre reinforced concrete

Even though a number of research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) in improving the structural response of RC members under different loading conditions, some concerns recently arose on the sectional ductility under flexure which can be reduced under specific conditions. In fact, fibres do not significantly increase the ultimate moment of RC members and, with rather tough FRC and low strain-hardening ratio of the longitudinal rebars, the rotation capacity can substantially decrease owing to a cracking localization at ultimate limit state.This paper focuses on this topic with a number of experimental results on full-scale FRC beams tested under flexure.Experimental results evidence that fibres, when provided in sufficient amount, are able to move the beam failure from concrete crushing to steel rupture. Under certain circumstances, the overall ductility, measured in terms of displacements, may decrease.On the other hand, in all cases the addition of fibres determines a stiffer and in general enhanced post-cracking behaviour in service conditions.     

Parametric study for concrete cover separation failure of retrofitted SNSM strengthened RC beams

ABSTRACT

The side near-surface mounted (SNSM) method is a new flexural strengthening method for reinforced concrete (RC) beams which was proposed to allow near-surface mounted (NSM) strengthening to be applied on beams with small width. As a relatively new strengthening method, further studies are needed to determine the effects of strengthening parameters on the flexural performance of RC beams. In response to that, this paper presents a parametric study on the concrete cover separation failure of SNSM strengthened beams using a simulation method based on the moment-rotation (M/θ) approach.     

Improved model for plate-end shear of CFRP strengthened RC beams

In case of RC members strengthened by means of externally bonded reinforcement, a premature failure can be detected in addition to the conventional modes of failure observed in RC unstrengthened beams. The premature failure occurs mainly due to both shear and normal stresses induced in either the external reinforcement–concrete interface or at the level of steel reinforcement. This research is part of a complete programme aiming to set up design formulae to predict the strength of CFRP strengthened beams, particularly when premature failure through laminates-end shear or concrete cover delamination occurs. Series of RC beams were strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates and tested to estimate the extent of the applicability of the formulae proposed by the authors, as well as to study the influence of the layout of the external reinforcement in terms of unsheeted length (the distance between CFRP laminates-end and the nearer support) and cross-sectional area, on the behaviour of strengthened beams. The predictions using the proposed formulae are compared with the obtained experimental results, as well as with the calculated design limit states. The interfacial shear stress and the maximum deflection corresponding to the predicted values at maximum and service loads are also studied.     

Modeling of composite/concrete interface of RC beams strengthened with composite laminates

In this paper a finite element model for predicting shear and normal stresses in the adhesive layer of plated reinforced concrete beams has been developed. The numerical results carried out agree with those obtained in previous studies by other authors. It is found that shear stresses and high concentrations of peeling forces are present at the ends of the plates when the composite beam is loaded in flexure. These concentrations can produce premature failure of the strengthened beam because of debonding of the plate or cracking of the concrete cover along the level of internal steel reinforcement. The numerical simulation captures the actual interfacial stresses and, in particular, the maximum values of shear and normal stresses.     

Tension-stiffening model for FRP-strenghened RC concrete two-way slabs

The main focus of this paper is to present a tension-stiffening model that is suitable for finite element analysis (FEA) aimed at investigating the effect of FRP strengthening on the tensile behaviour of concrete slabs. Available experimental results of the FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete slabs are used to calibrate the finite element model based on the ultimate load carrying capacity of the two-way slabs. The proposed tension-stiffening model is implemented into the constitutive concrete model defined in a general-purpose finite element code. Reinforced concrete behaviour in tension can signifcantly be changed due to strengthening. An overall increase in the post-peak stiffness based on the tensile stress-strain relationship is observed. A simplified bilinear model is introduced to define the behaviour of the FRP-strengthened concrete in tension. An expression of the fracture energy density is introduced to define the area under the concrete tensile stress-strain relationship. The tensile stress-strain relationship of concrete is referred to as the tension-stiffening model. It is shown numerically that the ultimate load capacity of two-way slab specimens is sensitive to the fracture energy density. Hence, a distinction has to be made between the definitions of the tension-stiffening model of FRP-strengthened and un-strengthened concrete. This distinction is the focus of this paper.

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Résumé L'objectif principal de cet article est de présenter un modèle approprié de raidissement en traction pour l'analyse d'éléments finis (AEF). L'analyse est destinée pour l'étude de l'effet du renforcement en polymère renforcé de fibres (PRF) sur le comportement en traction des dalles en béton armé. Les résultats expérimentaux des dalles renforcées sont employés pour calibrer le modèle d'éléments finis basés sur la capacité ultime des dalles bidirectionnelle. Le modèle de raidissement en traction proposé, est appliqué dans un code général d'élément finis. Le comportement du béton armé renforcé en traction peut être changé d'une manière significative due au renforcement. On observe une augmentation en tension de la rigidité du poteau crête basée sur la relation contrainte-déformation. Un modèle bilinéaire simplifié est présenté pour définir le comportement du béton renforcé de PRF en traction. Une expression de la densité d'énergie de rupture est présentée pour définir l'aire sous la courbe contrainte-déformation. La relation contrainte-déformation du béton en tension est appelée modèle raidissement en traction. On montre numériquement que la capacité de la charge ultime de spécimens bi-directionnels de dalle est affectée par densité d'énergie de rupture. Par conséquent, une distinction doit être faite entre les définitions du modèle raidissement en traction du béton renforcé de PRF est béton non renforcé. Cette distinction est l'objet de cet article.

     

炭纤维强化板及其加固混凝土梁的力学性能

为探寻涂胶对炭纤维布力学性能的影响 , 深入了解其加固混凝土结构的力学行为 , 对制备的炭纤维强化板(CFRP)及其加固混凝土梁 , 分别进行了轴向拉伸和预制裂缝四点弯曲加载实验。对比有胶与无胶纤维布拉伸实验 , 表明环氧树脂不仅粘接纤维布 , 对纤维布有保护作用 , 而且能够显著提高其拉伸强度。通过对加固混凝土梁的 FRP外贴应变片的加载过程进行电测跟踪测试 , 得到了材料结构损伤破坏过程曲线。由力学模型和曲线点拟合的最小二乘法 , 对 CFRP板所受轴力及混凝土的界面剪应力分布进行分析 , 得到轴力及剪应力分布。在载荷的变化过程中 , FRP与混凝土的界面逐渐脱粘 , 使得 FRP的应力集中程度降低 , 有时会出现应变回弹现象。      

纤维织物增强高延性混凝土加固受损RC梁受剪性能试验

为研究二次受力对纤维织物增强高延性混凝土(TRHDC)加固钢筋混凝土(RC)梁受剪性能的影响,对8根TRHDC加固梁和1根对比梁进行了静载试验,分析了纤维织物层数、损伤程度及持载水平对梁破坏形态、荷载-挠度曲线、荷载-箍筋应变曲线及荷载-织物应变曲线的影响。试验结果表明：所有梁均发生了剪压破坏,仅一根梁出现剥离现象;TRHDC可有效限制斜裂缝的发展,延缓箍筋屈服和刚度退化;TRHDC加固显著地提高了梁的受剪承载力和变形能力,最高分别达67%和54%;加固效果未完全随纤维织物层数的增大而提高,与TRHDC面层利用率有关;原梁箍筋屈服之前,损伤程度对加固梁受剪性能的影响不明显,原梁箍筋屈服之后,加固梁受剪承载力随损伤程度的增大而降低;加固效果随持载水平的提高而降低;两层纤维织物的TRHDC可有效修复完全受损RC梁的受剪性能;建立了考虑二次受力的TRHDC加固RC梁受剪承载力的计算公式,且计算值与试验结果吻合较好。     

FRP-OFBG智能复合筋及其在加筋混凝土梁中的应用

结合纤维增强聚合物(FRP)的强度特性和光纤光栅(OFBG)的感知特性,研制开发出了FRP-OFBG智能复合筋,研究了它的力学、微观结构、感知等特性。通过FRP-OF-BG加筋混凝土梁静载试验,监测了FRP筋的应变和混凝土开裂,研究了FRP筋与混凝土的滑移和混凝土梁的应变分布。结果表明,FRP-OFBG智能复合筋克服了光纤光栅在混凝土中埋设的工艺难题,是集感知和受力、功能材料和结构材料于一体的新型土木工程材料,既可以方便地作为混凝土结构的内部传感元件,也可以作为结构受力筋,具有很好的应用前景。     

Influence of long-term chloride diffusion in concrete and the resulting corrosion of reinforcement on the serviceability of RC beams

This paper presents the chloride penetration and the effect of chloride ingress on the serviceability of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. A series of experimental studies were carried out on beams with various corroded ages up to 28 years. The chloride content in different locations were tested during various periods. Different states influencing the serviceability of the corroded beams were investigated, including the maximum width of the corrosion-induced cracks of the concrete cover, the mid-span deflection of the beams under the service load and their load-bearing capacity. Based on the results available from this programme, the service life of corroded beams was predicted by the corrosion process of the reinforcement. The results showed that the chloride corrosion could significantly deteriorate the serviceability of the beams. The current criteria concerning the chloride content at the level of the reinforcement of the concrete beams and the maximum width of the corrosion-induced cracks appear to be very conservative.     

Application of a self-compacting ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete to retrofit RC beams subjected to repeated loading

The aim of this paper is to describe the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with a self-compacting ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) under three-point bend cyclic loading. It is found that retrofitting the RC beams with a thin UHPFRC strip on the tension face increases their endurance limit under a non-zero mean stress cyclic loading from approximately 40% to approximately 60% of their static three-point flexural strength. Moreover, the retrofitted beams behave as a composite structure, with no delamination of the retrofit strip being observed in any of the fatigue tests.     

A discrete spectral model for intermediate crack debonding in FRP-strengthened RC beams

One of the common failure modes of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened in flexure with a bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) is intermediate crack (IC) debonding, which is originated at a critical section in the vicinity of flexural cracks and propagates to a plate end. Despite considerable research over the last years, few reliable and simplified IC debonding strength models have been developed. This paper firstly presents a one-dimensional model based on the discrete crack approach for concrete and the spectral element method for the numerical simulation of the IC debonding process. The progressive formation of flexural cracks and subsequent concrete–FRP interfacial debonding is formulated by the introduction of a new element able to represent both phenomena simultaneously without perturbing the numerical procedure. Furthermore, with the proposed model, high frequency dynamic response for these kinds of structures can also be obtained in a very simple and non-expensive way, which makes this procedure very useful as a tool for diagnoses and detection of debonding in its initial stage by monitoring the change in local dynamic characteristics.     

The effect of CFRP and CFRP/concrete interface models when modelling retrofitted RC beams with FEM

Concrete structures retrofitted with fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) applications have become widespread in the last decade due to the economic benefit from it. This paper presents a finite element analysis which is validated against laboratory tests of eight beams. All beams had the same rectangular cross-section geometry and were loaded under four point bending, but differed in the length of the carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate. The commercial numerical analysis tool Abaqus was used, and different material models were evaluated with respect to their ability to describe the behaviour of the beams. Linear elastic isotropic and orthotropic models were used for the CFRP and a perfect bond model and a cohesive bond model was used for the concrete–CFRP interface. A plastic damage model was used for the concrete. The analyses results show good agreement with the experimental data regarding load–displacement response, crack pattern and debonding failure mode when the cohesive bond model is used. The perfect bond model failed to capture the softening behaviour of the beams. There is no significant difference between the elastic isotropic and orthotropic models for the CFRP.     

Numerical simulation of rebar/concrete interface debonding of FRP strengthened RC beams under fatigue load

The aim of this paper is to simulate the rebar/concrete interface debonding of FRP strengthened RC beams under fatigue load and also, to ascertain the influence of design parameters such as the elastic modulus, thickness and length of the FRP plate on the debonding performance. In order to simplify the simulation, some basic equilibrium equations are formulated and then the stresses of the rebar and FRP plate are numerically solved, and stress intensity factor is avoided in the simulation by fundamentals of fracture mechanics because of its complexity around the crack tip of bi-material interface. With the combination of finite element method and difference approximation, authors program the degradation model of coefficient of friction, debond criterion, propagation law and loop of load process into a commercial finite element code to investigate the fatigue debonding. The relationships between the debond length as well as other fatigue parameters and number of cyclic load are obtained and discussed.     

Hybrid fiber influence on strength and toughness of RC beams

In this paper, a newly developed method of evaluating the shear toughness of fiber reinforced RC beams in terms of its post-peak nominal average equivalent shear strength was investigated. This method is simple and the advantages are significant.     

Degradation of bond between FRP and RC beams

Beams and slabs externally reinforced with FRP are often in contact with moisture and temperature cycles that reduce the expected durability of the system. Bond degradation is a frequent cause of premature failure of structural elements and environmental conditions are known to relate to such failures. The study shows the effects of cycles of salt fog, temperature and moisture as well as immersion in salt water on the bending response of beams externally reinforced with GFRP or CFRP, especially on bond between FRP reinforcement and concrete. Temperature cycles (−10 °C; 10 °C) and moisture cycles were associated with failure in the concrete substrate, while salt fog cycles originated failure at the interface concrete–adhesive. Immersion in salt water and salt fog caused considerable degradation of bond between the GFRP strips and concrete. However, immersion did not lower the load carrying capacity of beams, unlike temperature cycles (−10 °C; 10 °C) that caused considerable loss. No significant differences were detected on the behavior of the systems strengthened with GFRP and CFRP, perhaps because the design of the tests impeded failure of the fibres.     

A viscoelastic continuum damage model and its application to uniaxial behavior of asphalt concrete

An existing viscoelastic constitutive model which accounts for the effects of rate-dependent damage growth is described and applied successfully to characterize the uniaxial stress, constant strain rate behavior of asphalt concrete. The special case of an elastic continuum damage model with multiaxial loading, which is based upon thermodynamics of irreversible processes with internal state variables, is first reviewed and then it is shown how this model has been extended to a corresponding viscoelastic damage model through the use of an elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle. The general mathematical model is next specialized to uniaxial loading. A rate-type evolution law, similar in form to a crack growth law for a viscoelastic medium, is adopted for describing the damage growth within the body. Results from laboratory tests of uniaxial specimens under axial tension at different strain rates are then shown to be consistent with the theory. The discussion of data analysis describes the specific procedure used here to obtain the material parameters in the constitutive model for uniaxial loading and how the method may be generalized for multiaxial loading.     

Failure diagrams of FRP strengthened RC beams

Amongst various methods developed for strengthening and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, external bonding of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) strips to the beam has been widely accepted as an effective and convenient method. The experimental research on FRP strengthened RC beams has shown five most common modes, including (i) rupture of FRP strips; (ii) compression failure after yielding of steel; (iii) compression failure before yielding of steel; (iv) delamination of FRP strips due to crack; and (v) concrete cover separation. In this paper, a failure diagram is established to show the relationship and the transfer tendency among different failure modes for RC beams strengthened with FRP strips, and how failure modes change with FRP thickness and the distance from the end of FRP strips to the support. The idea behind the failure diagram is that the failure mode associated with the lowest strain in FRP or concrete by comparison is mostly likely to occur. The predictions based on the present failure diagram are compared to 33 experimental data from the literature and good agreement on failure mode and ultimate load has been obtained. Some discussion and recommendation for practical design are given.     

FRP-strengthened RC beams under sustained loads and weathering

Glass FRP-strengthened RC beams were subjected to sustained loads and placed for different periods outdoors, indoors, and in chambers that accelerate the effects of outdoor tropical weathering by a factor of six. Beams subjected to outdoor weathering had up to 18% larger crack widths and 16% larger deflections compared to those kept indoors at the end of 1 and 2¾ years, respectively. The increase in deflections and crack widths was lesser for beams with a higher FRP reinforcement ratio. The residual flexural strength and ductility of the beams decreased with longer weathering periods. Also, the failure mode of the beams changed from concrete crushing to FRP rupture, indicating a deterioration in the mechanical properties of the FRP laminates. Analytical methods which account for material degradation in concrete and FRP laminates are presented and found to predict the long-term flexural characteristics of the beams well.