Strengthening of reinforced concrete beams weak in flexure using high-performance fiber reinforced concrete plating through finite element analysis

Abstract

The world is running out of construction materials and human error is not making it any better, although, research about recycling material has appeared it is worth exploring other options. As a result, the goal of this research was to assist the industry with a feasible strengthening strategy to recover what has already been created rather than squandering additional material and adding financial strain on the projects. The aim was to glue, on RC beams weak in flexure , HPFRC plates in various locations (on the sides and bottom) and lengths (continuous and discontinuous) to possibly offer the appropriate load bearing capacity and deflection. Resorting to the use of FEA models which were then checked against an experimental beam, the results suggested that: FEA models may be used to confirm the theory resulting from the experimental beams, with the condition that these models may produce a somewhat stiffer response than the real values. Furthermore, the validity of adopting this strengthening strategy was demonstrated by the increased stiffness and decreased deflection of the defective beams. Finally, the two continuous side plates and bottom plate combination produced the best results. However, it is best producing the results obtained in an experimental fashion for future studies.